Ulster GAA Strategic Vision and Action Plan - Croke Park

Title to go hereSub Title to go hereReamhráAn Uachtarán.............................................................................. 4Stiúrthóir agus Rúnaí................................................................ 5Executive Summary.................................................. 8Our Planning ContextsUlster the Province..................................................................15The Ulster of 2015 and Beyond.............................................15The GAA in Ulster.....................................................................15The GAA Contexts....................................................................17The Sports Contexts................................................................17Beyond Sport.............................................................................20Recent GAA Performance in Ulster.....................................20Resourcing Comhairle Uladh.................................................20Sustaining the Momentum.....................................................22Enhancing the Infrastructure 2000-08..............................23Creating the Fabric: How We Did Our Planning Work......24Taking Ulster GAA to 2015Mission and Values...................................................................27Comhairle Uladh’s Strategic Themes...................................27• Keeping Ulster GAA Fit for Purpose: Governance....................30• Increasing and Improving the Games..........................................36• Increasing and Improving the GAA Plant: Facilitiesand Infrastructure............................................................................48• Enhancing the “Gaelic” in GAA: Culture and Heritage............52• The GAA’s End Purpose: Community Development,Inclusion and Cohesion....................................................................56Managing for Delivery........................................62Appendix-Ulster Hurling Strategy........712Comhairle Uladh CLGLifelong promotion of Gaelic Games, Culture, Community and FamilyUlster GAA Strategic Vision and Action Plan 2009-2015 3

Executive SummaryUlster GAA Strategic Vision and Action Plan MilestonesExecutive SummaryUlster GAA Strategic Vision and Action Plan MilestonesArea2009 2012 2015 Area200920122015Facilities andInfrastructurecontd.Culture andHeritageSeries of events delivered tomark the 125th Anniversaryof the GAAIncreased promotion andparticipation in Ulster GAAIrish Language CourseFull and active participationin the Ulster SportsMuseum ProjectAll Ulster Clubs havingCrests and new GAAbranding procedures in placeFormal links established withUlster Scots communityScór reviewed and rebrandedwith 80% of Ulster ClubsparticipatingIrish used as key componentin all Ulster GAA resourcesand publicationsGAA heritage competitionsin place in the educationsectorFormal link with Foras naGaeilge established and jointprogrammes in placeAnnual Irish LanguageCourses for Councilmembers and staff in placeUlster GAA activelysupporting the delivery ofSeachtain na GaeligeRegional Centre ofParticipation and Excellencein place in each CountyThree Regional HandballCentres in placeUlster GAA HighPerformance Centre andHeadquarters in placeUrban Participation Centresin place in both Derry Cityand BelfastImproved provision for gaelicgames by local GovernmentUlster GAA Online Archive inoperationPublic signage in place for allCounty Grounds, Centresof Excellence, secondaryCounty Grounds and otherSignificant GAA facilitiesUlster GAA Archive open andoperatingCeltic (Gaelic) Artcomponent in place atAll County Grounds and GAAParticipation CentresCulture andHeritagecontd.CommunityDevelopment,Inclusion andCohesionCommunity Developmentand Inclusion Unit Operating.Club and Volunteer adviceservice and support networkoperatingClub Maith Accreditation andsupport Took-kit andwebsite operatingScoil Maith Accreditationand Support tool-kitoperatingAnnual CommunityDevelopment Conferencein placeSupport in place for UlsterLadies Gaelic FootballCouncil StrategyStrategic Plans in place in allnine CountiesNine County Health andWellbeing nights organisedThird Level healthprogramme “Drink, Drugsand Sausage Rolls”rolled outNine County VolunteerTraining workshopsorganisedAnnual Ulster GAA HeritageEvent in place“This is the GAA” resourcecompleted and in circulationSummer Camp deliveredthrough the medium of Irishin each CountyUlster GAA VolunteerAwards programme in placeCounty Maith programmein placeGAA Community EducationProgramme in placeStrategic Plans in place for• Cumman na Bunscol Uladh• Ulster Vocational Schools• Ulster Colleges• Comhairle ArdoideachaisUladh• Ulster Camogie• Rounders• Handball• Derry City Urban Project• Belfast Urban ProjectReview and appraisalprocess in place for CountyStrategic PlansAnnual Ulster Public Affairsbrochure circulated to allrelevant partiesGAA central to all LocalGovernment Sport andHealth StrategiesThree regional diversitytraining workshops in placefor Club officersDevelopment plans in place forall Ulster’s major urban areasRoll out of the second phaseof County Strategic PlanningAll Clubs have an ActiveHealth/Alcohol, Substance &Abuse Policy in placeAll Clubs have a Health/ASAPOfficer in PlaceAll Clubs screening playersusing the GAA Cardiacscreening questionnaires50% of Ulster Clubsachieving a level ofClub Maith accreditationAt least five officers in eachclub trained using the UlsterGAA Volunteer supportprogrammeNine Cross Communityinitiatives in placeAnnual Ulster GAA Openday organisedSignificant GAA presencein the Controllededucation sectorIncreased awareness andunderstanding of the GAAand its activities by theUnionist Communities12 Comhairle Uladh CLG Lifelong promotion of Gaelic Games, Culture, Community and FamilyUlster GAA Strategic Vision and Action Plan 2009-2015 13

Title to go hereSub Title to go hereOur Planning ContextsUlster the ProvinceThe nine Counties of Ulster are home to 1.95m people,one-third of the population of the island of Ireland.Ulster is second only to Leinster (2.29m) and is largerthan both Munster (1.17m) and Connacht (0.51m)combined in population terms. It is home to Ireland’ssecond city, Belfast, an urban area of 0.58m people, aswell as its fourth city, Derry, where nearly 0.1m peoplenow live. Belfast for example is now larger in populationterms than the entire Province of Connacht.Ireland’s PopulationUlster33%Munster20%Leinster38%Connacht9%Ulster has grown by more than 0.2m or 11% over the pastquarter-century and is projected to increase by another5% to some 2.1m by 2017. Within that growth howeveris an important internal dynamic where the under 16proportion of the population will fall from 24% to 20%;the working age proportion will grow from 61% to 62%;and those of pensionable age will increase from 15%to 18%.Among the changes and shifts Ulster is currentlyexperiencing, and will continue to experience, and whichare particularly relevant to the work of ComhairleUladh are:• Growing urbanisation, with four-people-in-every-tennow living in settlements of more than 20,000 people• Increased economic prosperity leading to greaterwealth, both community and personal … butsimultaneous concentrated incidences of deprivationand disadvantage in many urban and rural areas• Growing concerns about personal health and wellbeing,many related to sedentary lifestyles• Less robust social structures with a weakening ofcommunity infrastructures and a lowering of thelevels of social capital• Political progress leading to more attention beingpaid to inclusion and equality issues but asimultaneous political legacy which poses manychallenges for everyone.At the same time large tracts of Ulster rely on “oldeconomy” industries and are more acutely subject toeconomic downturns. For many Ulster communitiesthe practice of having to go elsewhere for workremains strong.The Ulster of 2015 and Beyond“Shaping our Future” is the regional developmentstrategy for the north. It is built around an urban hub;transport corridor; and regional gateway concept whichsees Belfast; Derry; Craigavon; and the other main urbancentres increasing in significance. Many stakeholdershowever are suspicious as to its impact on the ruralcommunities of the six Counties.The National Spatial Strategy meanwhile places the threeUlster Counties in its Border Region where developmentwill be driven by the urban centres of Letterkenny/Derry;Sligo; and Dundalk with Cavan and Monaghan playinglesser roles. It stresses the need for strengtheningof small towns and villages; rural diversification; andenvironmental protection.If implemented, both strategies will drive forward thecentralisation of facilities; resources; and investmentacross Ulster. This will have major implications forpeople’s links with and understanding of place …something which underpins the entire GAA ethos;its structures; and its work. Within this, the growingsignificance of Dublin and Belfast within the island haveconsequences for other communities right across Ulster.The GAA in UlsterJust as in the rest of Ireland, the GAA is Ulster’s largestsporting and cultural organisation. It has a membershipof some 250,000 people, approximately 120,000 ofwhom are active participants in the games. Gaelicgames comprise football; hurling; camogie; handball; androunders, for men and women, boys and girls. In additionto these the GAA focuses on Irish cultural activities,supporting the language as well as Irish song; music; art;drama and dance.14Comhairle Uladh CLGLifelong promotion of Gaelic Games, Culture, Community and FamilyUlster GAA Strategic Vision and Action Plan 2009-2015 15

The Association in the Province is structured as follows:Level Number Role/RemitComhairleUladh1• Strategic Leadership and governance of the GAA in Ulsterincluding participation at national GAA level• Strategic coaching and games development• Strategic GAA facilities and infrastructure• Strategic funding• Provincial competitions, including Scór• Advice and support to all GAA levels and units• Community development, diversity and community outreach• Overseas twinning• Liaison with government• Ulster-wide promotion of the GAA• Links with sister gaelic games organisations• Partnership delivery of the DENI Sport in Schools PhysicalLiteracy ProgrammeOur Planning ContextsAlthough the Ladies Gaelic Football; Rounders andCamogie Associations are independent governingbodies in terms of their own sports, the gaelic gamesintegration agenda has been progressed further in Ulsterthan elsewhere. Comhairle Uladh is keen to support thedevelopment of the full family of gaelic games.The GAA ContextsThe GAA’s newly-launched Strategic Vision and ActionPlan 2009 – 2015 sets out a number of key focus areasfor the Association. Its mission for the GAA is clearly put:• Communications• Funding Opportunities• Financial Excellence• Inclusion and Integration• Club, Culture and Community• Planning• Officer SupportThe Ulster GAA Strategic Vision fits within the tenetsGAA Vision and Action Plan and will deliver much of it atUlster level. It will also continue to take forward a numberof recommendations which emerged from the GAA’s2001 strategic review, “Enhancing Community Identity”.In all of that work Comhairle Uladh will hold true to thetraditional purpose and values of the GAA in that it:CountiesClubsSchools95801217 Primary Schools286 SecondarySchools• Strategic leadership and governance of the GAA within Counties,including inputs at Provincial and national GAA levels• County coaching and games development• County GAA facilities and infrastructure• County competitions, including Scór• County teams• County-wide promotion of the GAA• Strategic leadership and governance of the GAA withincommunities, including inputs at County level• Local coaching and games development• Local GAA facilities and infrastructure• Participation in County competitions• Support for County; Provincial and national initiatives• Community-wide promotion of the GAA• Strategic leadership and governance of the GAA within schools• Schools-based coaching and games development• Schools’ GAA facilities and infrastructure• Participation in competitions• Support for County; Provincial and national initiatives• Sector-wide promotion of the GAA• Partnership delivery of the DENI Sport in Schools PhysicalLiteracy ProgrammeThe GAA is acommunitybased volunteerorganisationpromoting Gaelicgames, cultureand lifelongparticipation• Is community-based and volunteer-driven• Provides real community leadership• Works in the areas and communities of greatest need• Is open and welcoming to all and free at the pointof delivery• Re-invests all its income in its own facilities and in thedevelopment of its games• Promotes a community-based, ground-up rather thana corporate, top-down cultureThe Sports ContextsComhairle Uladh also works within the sportsdevelopment contexts set by government, north andsouth. These are largely as laid out by Sport NI and theIrish Sports Council.The draft NI Strategy for Sport and Physical Recreation2007 – 2017 is structured around a series of targets setunder the three headings of Participation; Performance;and Places. Comhairle Uladh has prioritised these areasfor some years and will continue to do so, thus helpingimplement the NI Strategy.Colleges2 Universities,2 University Colleges,6 Further EducationColleges,1 Institute ofTechnology,3 Colleges of FurtherEducation.• Strategic leadership and governance of the GAA within Colleges• College-based coaching and games development• Colleges’ GAA facilities and infrastructure• Participation in College competitions• Support for County; Provincial and national initiatives• Sector-wide promotion of the GAAThe Plan is structured under 11 headings:• Volunteers• Urbanisation• Games Schedule• Games DevelopmentThe Irish Sports Council’s strategy 2005 - 2008,“Building Sport for Life” sets out plans to: establishthe Institute of Sport; complete the national roll outof Local Sports Partnerships; progress anti-doping;increase participation in sport; and highlight researchand communications. Again Comhairle Uladh’s work willcomplement these.16 Comhairle Uladh CLG Enhancing Clubs, Communities & Families for LifeUlster GAA Strategic Vision & Action Plan 2009-2015 17

Increases in Ulster GAAfacilities from 2004 - 2009Ulster GAA TurnoverNo of projectsn8m10n7m8n6m6n5m4n4m2n3mn2m0Main CountyGroundsFloodlitsince 2004County Centreof ExcellenceDeveloped3 x County Centreof Excellence werecompleted previousto 2004Covered Standsin Main CountyGrounds4 x Covered Stands inMain County Groundswere completedprevious to 2004Regional CentresIdentifiedn1m20042005200620072008(Improvements of the physical infrastructure and facilities were enabled by the Ulster GAA turnover)18 Comhairle Uladh CLG Enhancing Clubs, Communities & Families for LifeUlster GAA Strategic Vision & Action Plan 2009-2015 19

Our Planning ContextsOur Planning ContextsBeyond SportThe GAA is concerned about more than sport. In termsof its cultural and heritage work it will contribute to theaims of the strategic plans of the relevant governmentdepartments and the Arts Councils, north and south, bypromoting the value of arts and culture-related activity andby encouraging participation in and enjoyment of them.In its community development work Ulster GAA has alreadyhelped take forward a number of government initiatives.It sees this as central to its core business and willcontinue to support and complement initiatives such as:• Good relations and community cohesion programmes• Arts and cultural development programmes• National Action Plan for Social Inclusion; NewTargeting Social Need and other anti-povertyinitiatives• Urban regeneration and Neighbourhood Renewal• Rural development programmes• Gaeltacht area initiativesRecent GAA Performance in UlsterFor the past decade Comhairle Uladh and its affiliatedunits have taken a strategic approach to the planning anddelivery of their work. Among the outputs and outcomesachieved as a result have been:• Robust governance arrangements now in place atall levels• Major stadium developments progressed in Armagh;Cavan; Derry; Enniskillen; Omagh and Newry• Floodlighting projects implemented in Armagh;Belfast; Ballybofey; Cavan; Derry; Enniskillen; Omaghand Newry• Pan-Ulster Club hurling leagues put in place• An unrivalled suite of coaching and gamesdevelopment programmes developed and rolled out• County GAA strategic plans either in place orunderway in Antrim; Armagh; Cavan; Derry; Donegal;Down; Fermanagh; Monaghan and Tyrone and urbanstrategies in place for Derry and Belfast• Significant progress in integrating the full family ofgaelic games, for men and women• Major advances in taking forward diversity and inmaking gaelic games more inclusive for people fromnon-GAA backgrounds; people with disabilities; andthe “new Irish”• Work with other Provincial Councils in both Irelandand Britain in developing shared values and interests• Significant progress in terms of integrating the fullfamily of gaelic games• Unprecedented success on the field of playMuch of this has been achieved on foot of innovativepartnership working with a number of other bodies.These include:• Sport NI• Irish Sports Council• The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure• Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism• Departments of Social Development• Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs• Department of Education• Department of Foreign AffairsResourcing Comhairle UladhComhairle Uladh’s main resource always was, and alwayswill be the committed input of its volunteers. But it alsouses money to help make things happen. Nearly half(45%) of the Council’s income comes from gate receipts,emphasising yet again the importance of its games.Nearly a quarter (23%) comes from central GAA funds(which Ulster GAA people of course contribute to) whilstthe remaining third (32%) comes from newer, nontraditionalsources such as government and sponsorship.One pound/euro in five of the Council’s income nowcomes from government, proof of the new and positivepartnerships which have been developed.All of Comhairle Uladh’s expenditure meanwhile goes ondeveloping the GAA across the Province. More than athird (37%) is spent on the Council’s pioneering coachingand games development support whilst 29% is targetedat improving GAA facilities at County and Club levels.On the FieldUlster’s successes on the field of playsince 2000 includes:Football• 4 x All-Ireland Senior Football titles• 3 x All-Ireland Under 21 Football titles• 5 x All-Ireland Minor Football titles• 6 x National Football League titles• 6 x All-Ireland Club titles• 4 x Interprovincial Football titles(Railway Cup)• 6 x All-Ireland Vocational titles (County)• 8 x All-Ireland Vocational titles (Schools)• 3 x All-Ireland Colleges Football titles(Hogan Cup)• 3 x All-Ireland Universities Football titles(Sigerson Cup)HandballMale International• 2 x Senior World Single• 1 x Senior World Double• 2 x U15 World Single• 1 x U15 World Double• 1 x U17 World USHA Single• 1 x U19 World Single• 1 x U19 World DoubleNational• 5 x Senior Single• 5 x Senior DoubleFemale National• 7 Senior Single• 7 Senior DoubleHurlingOn the Field• 1 x All Ireland Division 2 title ChristyRing Cup• 1 x All Ireland Division 3 title(Nicky Rackard Cup)• 1 x O’Keefe CupLadies Gaelic Football• 2 x All-Ireland Junior Championship titles• 2 x All-Ireland Senior ClubChampionship titles• 1 x All-Ireland Intermediate ClubChampionship• 1 x All-Ireland Junior ClubChampionship title• 1 x All-Ireland Minor Football title• 1 x All-Ireland Interprovincial title• 4 x All-Ireland Colleges SeniorFootball titles• 1 x All-Ireland Universities Football title(O’Connor Cup)Camogie• 2 x Junior All-Ireland titles• 1 x Senior Club All-Ireland title• 1 x Junior Club All-Ireland title• 1 x Senior Interprovincial• 1 x Junior Interprovincial• 1 x Senior Colleges All- Ireland title• 2 x All-Ireland University SecondaryChampionship titles (Purcell Cup)Off the field Ulster has simultaneouslywon 12 All-Ireland Scór titles.20 Comhairle Uladh CLG Lifelong promotion of Gaelic Games, Culture, Community and FamilyUlster GAA Strategic Vision and Action Plan 2009-2015 21

Our Planning ContextsOur Planning ContextsComhairle Uladh: Sources of FundsIncome 200811%23%21%45%Income from GovernmentCommercial IncomeCentral GAA FundingGate ReceiptsComhairle Uladh: ExpenditureExpenditure 200817%5%24%Operational CostsCoaching & GamesClub & County Infrastructure17%37%GrantsChampionshipSustaining the MomentumComhairle Uladh is convinced it is vital that themomentum it has created since the turn of themillennium is sustained. Most of the contexts whichunderpinned “Beir Bua Nua” persist but there have beensome significant changes. These include:• Devolution restored to the north and majorrestructuring of local government planned, includinginter-governmental aspects• Increased acceptance of the need for and potential ofcommunity-based health and wellness initiatives• A growing focus on community-based approaches tourban and rural regeneration• A significantly-increased migrant populationacross Ulster• A new and challenging debate about the role andplace of culture, heritage and tradition across UlsterValuing and Supporting GAA VolunteersSupported by government funding, the Ulster Councilnow directly employs 56 core staff and works closelywith the 9 County Secretaries and County GamesDevelopment Managers. All staff employed by the GAAhave a core directive that requires them to support250,000 GAA volunteers in Ulster. This includes offeringclub development support, coaching, games developmentsupport, administrative support and general advice andguidance. The Ulster Council staff are governedby volunteers who set the objectives and policy ofthe Council.Enhancing the Infrastructure 2000-08Since the millennium, Ulster GAA, with valued supportfrom Sport NI and the Irish Sports Council and centralGAA, has made huge progress in developing theProvince’s main inter-County stadia. That progress can besummarised as follows overleaf:22 Comhairle Uladh CLG Lifelong promotion of Gaelic Games, Culture, Community and FamilyUlster GAA Strategic Vision and Action Plan 2009-2015 23

Taking Ulster GAA to 2015Mission and ValuesThe mission of Comhairle Uladh is straightforward:To foster andgrow the GAAacross Ulster,strengtheningits position asthe Province’sleading amateursporting, cultural;community; andvolunteer-drivenmovementVolunteerism: The GAA offers an involvement thatpeople are in turn free to take or leave: the Associationis based on choice. It also believes in cherishing itsvolunteers and supporting them to reach their fullpotential in terms of how they contribute to the GAA andtheir communities. The GAA’s current strength is largelydown to an unwavering practice of contributing to thisgeneration whilst re-investing for the next one: UlsterGAA will continue that practice. We share our work andour benefits in the proven belief that shared benefitsendure. Where it needs to buy in expert help or support itwill do so in open and transparent ways which conform tobest purchasing and recruitment practice.Identity: The GAA gives life to a number of core elementsof Irish identity. It gives people a sense of connection withtheir place; their community; their heritage, history andculture. In doing that it helps to form a greater sense ofpersonal identity; pride in place and community and selfworth.Retaining and fostering an outward-looking senseof Irishness in a world that is becoming more and moreuni-dimensional is an important part of the GAA’s work.Inclusion: the GAA is open to everyone who subscribesto what it does and how it does it. Ulster GAArecognises however that there are historic deficits to beaddressed – among them people from non-traditionalGAA backgrounds, women and people with disabilities.Inclusion also means being interested in everyone who’sinterested in the GAA, irrespective of their levels ofability, playing or otherwise.Excellence: Ulster GAA believes its work is fundamentallyimportant to the well-being of communities and peopleacross Ulster and beyond. Because it’s important it mustbe developed and delivered to the best possible standards.Good enough isn’t good enough. Ulster GAA will operateto the highest possible standards and make sure it, andeveryone involved with it, can be proud of what it doesand how it does it.Comhairle Uladh’s Strategic ThemesAs part of the GAA, Comhairle Uladh is unequivocallyvalue-driven. The values which guide its plans and itsday-to-day work are:Community: The GAA in Ulster is unashamedly communitybased.It uses gaelic games to represent and to energisecommunities, giving them a focus and contributing to theirwell-being and sustainability. As communities change anddevelop, Ulster GAA will reflect and respond to thosechanges. It will do that from a position which is antisectarian;anti-racist; and which encourages the activeand enjoyable involvement of everyone.The planning and consultation work which underpinsthis strategy identified five themes which were felt toincorporate all the areas of work which Comhairle Uladhneeds to address over the coming years. Those themes are:• Keeping Ulster GAA Fit for Purpose: Governance• Increasing and Improving the Games• Increasing and Improving the GAA Plant: Facilitiesand Infrastructure• Enhancing the “Gaelic” in GAA: Culture and Heritage• The GAA’s End Purpose: Community Development,Inclusion and Cohesion26 Comhairle Uladh CLG Lifelong promotion of Gaelic Games, Culture, Community and FamilyUlster GAA Strategic Vision and Action Plan 2009-2015 27

Taking Ulster GAA to 2015Taking Ulster GAA to 2015The high level targets of the Strategic themes are dealt with in turn below. Timed Actions are presented under eachTheme and the Outcome (or result) sought for each Action is summarised. Every Action is allocated to at least one ofthe Council’s Committees and to a member of the Council’s senior staff team working to that Committee. This ensuresthe proper governance balance across everything the council doesUlster GAA 2009-2015 High Level TargetsActivity Targets for 2015Men’s footballHurlingLadies footballCamogie• Balanced programmes of games for all players• Year-on-year appearance of at least three Ulster Counties in the last eight of theAll-Ireland SFC• Balanced programmes of games for all players• All nine counties participating in the Ulster Senior; Minor; and U21 Championships• Complete implementation of the Ulster GAA Hurling Strategy• Balanced programmes of games for all players• Year-on-year appearance of at least one Ulster Club team in an All-Ireland Club Final• Year-on-year appearance of at least one Ulster County in an All-Ireland Senior Final• Complete implementation of Ulster Ladies Gaelic Football Council strategy• Balanced programmes of games for all players• Year-on-year appearance of an Ulster County in the All-Ireland Junior Final• Within the lifetime of this strategy an Ulster County appearing in the All-IrelandIntermediate Final• Within the lifetime of this strategy an Ulster County appearing in the All-IrelandSenior FinalActivity Targets for 2015FacilitiesHealth andWell-beingInclusion andoutreachScórHeritage• Nine fit-for-purpose main County grounds in place• Nine fit-for-purpose secondary County grounds in place• Nine fit-for-purpose regional centres of excellence in place• Two fit-for-purpose urban centres of participation in place• Three rural participation clusters in place• All Ulster GAA Clubs with access to at least two full-size pitches• All post-2008 public sports facilities fit-for-purpose for gaelic games• All Clubs with a Health and Well-being policy in place• All Clubs with an officer or committee in place to roll out the Health andWell-being agenda• All Clubs with first aid/CPR training in place for members• All players over the age of 14 screened using the GAA medical welfarecommittee questionnaire• All Clubs participating in the ASAP programme• At least eight cross-community initiatives in place• Community Development and Outreach Committee in place• Regional Diversity Training Nights organised on annual basis• “Game of Three Halves” summer camps established in each large urban area• 80% of Ulster Clubs taking part in Scór• All GAA facilities branded as GAA• Public gaelic art piece in 18 County grounds• Ulster GAA archive establishedHandballRoundersCoaching• 20% of Ulster GAA Clubs delivering Handball• Handball facilities in all County and regional GAA centres• Development and implementation of Ulster Handball Council strategy• 20% of Ulster GAA Clubs delivering Rounders• Development and implementation of Ulster Rounders Council strategy• Ulster GAA Referees Academy in place• Development of Manager Training Awards• High Performance provision in place• GAA Tech established in and place• Each Club/school having at least two Award 1 coaches, two Award 2 coaches and oneAward 3 coach during the lifetime of this strategyPartnershipsand twinningGovernance• Meaningful and strong ties developed with Ulster GAA twinning partners, Canadaand Britain• All GAA and other relevant stakeholders’ governance and accountabilitystandards met• Strategic plans in place for all nine Counties; gaelic games partner governing bodies;GAA educational sectors; and major urban areas• 50% of Clubs accredited under Club Maith• Ulster GAA Confederation of Councils EstablishedParticipation• All Ulster GAA activity at U12 and below taking place within the Go Games model• At least five volunteers in every Ulster GAA Club trained in some aspect of governance• At least 50% of Clubs achieving a level of Club Maith• Establishment of an Over 40s Ulster Championship• Roll out of recreational games• A GAA coaching or development presence in each local authority28 Comhairle Uladh CLG Lifelong promotion of Gaelic Games, Culture, Community and FamilyUlster GAA Strategic Vision and Action Plan 2009-2015 29

Theme 1:Keeping Ulster GAA Fit forPurpose: GovernanceTaking Ulster GAA to 2015• Maintaining an undiluted focus on the GAA’s coreobjectives of using gaelic games and associatedactivities to sustain and develop communities andindividuals, all within a volunteer ethos• Ensuring Ulster GAA continues to have the necessarysystems and procedures in place to manage its businessto best effect• Being equipped to act as an effective and bestpractice employer or manager of around 100 staff• Continuing to meet all necessary child protection standards• Working with Counties to ensure best governancepractice at that level• Progressing the integration of the full family ofgaelic games• Continuing to develop and deliver programmes andsupports that are helpful and meaningful to Clubsand volunteers at all levels• Securing appropriate and accessible media coverageof what are indisputably Ulster’s leading games andcultural activitiesTheme 1: Keeping Ulster GAA Fit for Purpose: GovernanceAction Timing Outcome SoughtCommittee/OfficerResponsibilitySeniorStaffLeadMaintain Ulster GAA’score businessarrangements.Ongoing• All existing and imminentreporting requirements, internaland external, successfully met.• Full Audit achieved by the endof 2009.• Risk Management system inplace by 2010.• Achieve full assurance levelfrom Sport NI by 2012.• Continue to contribute toNational GAA governanceand operational issues via theProvincial Director’s role on theNational Executive Committee.Coiste BainistíProvincialDirectorFinanceManagerDevelop a monitoring andappraisal system to assistCounty Committees in theimplementation ofCounty Strategies.2009• Clear monitoring process forthe implementation of CountyStrategy.Coiste ForbarthaCommunityDevelopmentand PublicAffairsManagerUlster GAA’s modernisation programme has beensignificantly advanced during this decade. But as thebreadth and depth of the GAA’s work continues to growand as legislative requirements become more and morestringent, GAA governance equally grows in importance.The planning consultations and analyses carried outidentified the following as major issues to be addressed::Appoint a HR andRemuneration Committee toprovide an oversight of staffissues and support CountyCommittees in establishingtheir own HR committees.Establish a Staff ExecutiveTeam to assist the ProvincialDirector in the overallday-to-day managementof Ulster GAA.20092009• Fit for purpose HR andRemuneration Committeedealing with staff issues inplace during 2009• Updated staff operationsmanual in place by 2009.• Clear managementaccountability through theProvincial Director andExecutive Team.Coiste BainistíUachtaránCoiste BainistíProvincialDirectorFinanceManagerProvincialDirector30 Comhairle Uladh CLG Lifelong promotion of Gaelic Games, Culture, Community and FamilyUlster GAA Strategic Vision and Action Plan 2009-2015 31

Taking Ulster GAA to 2015 Taking Ulster GAA to 2015ActionTimingOutcome SoughtCommittee/OfficerResponsibilitySeniorStaffLeadActionTimingOutcome SoughtCommittee/OfficerResponsibilitySeniorStaffLead• Direct monthly communicationwith Club Secretaries andother relevant officers• Increased “non-games”coverage• Annual Public Affairs Booklet• Increased links with the media• A meaningful link with theUlster GAA Writers Association.Support GAA administratorsat County and Club levelsthrough:• A monthly Ulster GAACounty Secretaries Networkfor full-time CountySecretaries and ProvincialStaff Managers chaired bythe Provincial Director• Providing practical;meaningful; and bestpractice training forvolunteer officers atall levels• Facilitating the effectivesuccession of key officers atall levels• Using moderncommunications methods toreduce isolation and bolsterthe Ulster GAA family.Support the GamesDevelopment Managersand Games DevelopmentAdministrators by establishingan Ulster GAA GamesDevelopment Networkfor County and Provincialcoaching staff.Achieve the Investing inVolunteers Charter Markas part of the Departmentof Social Developmentvolunteering programme.2012201220122012• County Secretaries Networkin place in 2009.• A fit-for-purpose GAAacross Ulster.• Free, two-way flow ofinformation from County,Provincial and centralGAA levels.• Monthly meetings of allgames development staffin Ulster.• Achievement of the VolunteerCharter Mark by 2012.• Comhairle Uladh delivering,and seen to be delivering, tobest volunteer practice.Coiste BainistíCoiste Forbarthaagus OilunaCoiste ForbarthaProvincialDirectorDirector ofCoachingand GamesCommunityDevelopmentand PublicAffairsManagerEstablish and increase co-operationwith the Ulster GAA integrationpartners by establishing the UlsterGAA Confederation of Councilsto further develop strong linksbetween Ulster GAA and:• Ulster Ladies Gaelic Football Council• Ulster Camogie Council• Ulster Handball Council• Ulster Rounders CouncilThe confederation will be led byUlster GAA who will act as theumbrella governing body for allGaelic Sports in the province ofUlster and take responsibility foragreed Confederation issues.Start the process of developing asecond phase of five yearstrategies for County Committees.Continue to develop twinningarrangements with GAA in Britainand Canada.Sustain the DENI Sport in SchoolProgramme and commission anindependent evaluation of theimpact of the programme.Put in place and lobby intensivelyfor arrangements which secure:• “free-to-air” broadcasting of inter-County gaelic games Championshipmatches on platforms which arefreely available across Ulster• Continued broadcasting coverageof gaelic games during and afterthe switch-over to digital platforms• Proper; fair and equitablecoverage of gaelic games by allbroadcasters, particularly thosewith a public service remit.20122015201520152015• Clear partnershipunderstanding agreedprotocols in place betweenthe governing bodies.• Increased women’smembership of Ulster GAAcommittees/groups.• One overarching governingbody for Gaelic Gamesin Ulster.• Continued strategic focus tothe development of the GAAat county level in Ulster.• Continued roll out of “AnBhratach in Airdesa Bhreatain”.• 32 primary schools coachescontinuing to deliverfundamentals & physical literacyprogrammes in primary schools.• Independent evaluation of theeffectiveness of the Sport andSchools Programme.• Ongoing; accessible andavailable broadcastingcoverage of gaelic games,reflecting their undisputedstatus as Ulster’sleading sports.Coiste IomlánúLeas-UachtaránCoisteForbarthaCoiste BainistíCoisteForbartha agusOilunaCoiste BainistíUachtaránOCPCommunityDevelopmentand PublicAffairsManagerCommunityDev. and PublicAffairs ManagerProvincialDirectorDirector ofCoachingand GamesProvincialDirector34 Comhairle Uladh CLG Lifelong promotion of Gaelic Games, Culture, Community and FamilyUlster GAA Strategic Vision and Action Plan 2009-2015 35

Taking Ulster GAA to 2015Taking Ulster GAA to 2015• Maintaining the focus on (whilst reshaping inputsas appropriate) Ulster GAA football and hurlingcompetitions; coaching; high performance; thewomen’s codes; handball; rounders; football; andhurling development• Giving added attention to urban areas; recreationalgaelic games; discipline and respect for officials; andspecialist support• Working in partnership with others such as CountyCommittees; Cumann na mBunscol; Colleges andVocational Schools; Universities and Colleges andLocal Authorities and Local Sports Partnerships topromote our games and key messages associatedwith our sports.• Working within and aligning our programmes tothe National Strategic Framework as delivered byCoaching IrelandThe integration of a high performance element withinthe Ulster GAA Strategy reflects how the GAA system isinterlinked. The high performance County and ProvincialTeams depend on grassroots Club and schools activity toproduce the high performing players.The many challenges facing Ulster GAA includeembedding quality coaches working with developmentsquads who are open and willing to share ideas acrossCounty boundaries and who are given opportunitiesto expand their knowledge. The inclusion and fasttracking of ex-players into coaching and managementis an untapped resource that cannot be lost. Playerover-training and the excessive demands that canbe placed on the best players have been addressedbut comprehensive action is required to achieve thesystematic changes that are needed. Good technicaland tactically aware players will evolve from theFundamentals and Learning to Train phases and as wemove forward, well-managed talented young playerswill evolve in our system nurtured through meaningfuldevelopment squad programmes.Lifelong Involvement in Sport and Physical Activity (LISPA) FrameworkTheme 2:Increasingand Improvingthe GamesThe games have always been Ulster GAA’s main driving force. They remain the GAA’score business and are what attract most people to it. Ulster GAA’s role is to improvethe quality and frequency of the games; increase their participation levels; providea focus for the development of elite players; and deliver competitions which areattractive and meaningful to GAA people and others of all ages; both sexes; and allbackgrounds. The work leading into Ulster GAA Strategy highlighted the following aspriorities in this area over the coming years:36 Comhairle Uladh CLG Lifelong promotion of Gaelic Games, Culture, Community and FamilyUlster GAA Strategic Vision and Action Plan 2009-2015 37

Taking Ulster GAA to 2015Taking Ulster GAA to 2015Theme 2: Increasing and Improving the GamesAction Timing Outcome SoughtContinue to manageand deliver UlsterGAA competitions.Facilitate the bi-annualseminars of all involvedin the GAA fixture makingprocess at County;Provincial andCentral level.Continue to roll-outUlster GAA coachingprogrammes which:• Promote bestcoaching practice• Reflect GAA burnoutresearch• Are attractive towomen coaches• Are attractive to allGAA units; levels; andsectors• Cover all player abilityranges• Make best use of GAAand other facilities• Reflect the geographyof Ulster• Encourage cross-County sharing of ideas• Emphasise thedifference/uniquenessof the GAA• Brand Ulster GAAcoaches.Ongoing2009Ongoing• Ulster SFC marketed andpromoted as Ulster’s primarysporting event.• McKenna Cup and Ulster ClubChampionships marketed andpromoted as Ulster’s primarywinter sporting events.• All nine Counties participatingin all Ulster hurlingchampionships.• Balanced Province/Countyfixtures programmes.• Adequate and timelyprogrammes of games forClub players.• 30 Provincial coachingworkshops/events deliveredeach year.• Increased attendances bywomen to the workshops.• Work closely with County CCC,Vocational and Ulster Collegesand CAU on the managementof competitions to avoid playerover load.• All Ulster Tutors clearlyrecognisable throughproper branding.• In-service opportunitiesfor Tutors.• County-based coachingworkshops delivered each year.• All registration for programmescompleted on-line.• National Governing Body awardsdelivered each year at each levelfrom Foundation to Award 3 inline with GAA targets.• All Under 12 Ulster GAA activitybased on the Go Games modelby 2015.Committee/OfficerResponsibilityCoiste Cheannaisna gChomórtaisíGrúpa OibreEolasTeicnealaíochtaMargoíochtaagus CiadreamhPoiblíCoisteCheannais nagChomórtaisíCoisteForbarthaagus OilunaSeniorStaffLeadProvincialDirectorProvincialDirectorDirector ofCoaching andGamesAction Timing Outcome SoughtRoll out appropriateage-related competitionthat will ensure thedevelopment of goodphysical literacy ofchildren and the technicaland tactical developmentof young players.Organise an annualUlster GAA CoachingConference/Forum,concentrating on a specifictopic/niche each year.Develop social andrecreational gamesinitiatives for adults andunderage playerswhich include:• Fun seven-a-sideindoor games• Street leaguesand recreationalcompetitions at interfirm;Club andCounty level• Over 40s teams inClubs and furtherdevelopment of theUlster Over 40sCounty series• Opportunities to playgaelic games indoor ona County or regionalbasis between schoolsand/or ClubsOngoingOngoing2009• All nursery childrenintroduced to Active Start andFundamentals Programmes.• Active Start and Fundamentalsdelivered to Foundation andKey Stage 1 pupils.• All Under 12 Ulster GAA activityin Clubs and Primary Schoolsbased on the Go Games modelby 2012.• Regular Go Games Blitzesbetween Clubs and at CountyCentres of Excellence.• Respect for officials, managersand players is evidentduring competition.• Conference/Forum attractingattendances of 400.• Adult recreational gamesinitiative in place in 2009.• Increased non-competitiveparticipation in gaelic games.• Improved “whole family”package offered by GAA.• Indoor recreational gaelicgames for young peopleavailable in all Ulster Countiesduring the winter.• Recreational Blitz Games foryoung available in all UlsterCounties during the springand summer.• Young people with specialneeds and disabilities involvedin recreational games in allUlster Counties.• Involvement of young people ona cross-community basis.Committee/OfficerResponsibilityCoisteForbarthaagus OilunaCoisteForbarthaagus OilunaCoisteForbarthaagus OilunaSeniorStaffLeadDirector ofCoaching andGamesDirector ofCoaching andGamesDirector ofCoaching andGames38 Comhairle Uladh CLG Lifelong promotion of Gaelic Games, Culture, Community and FamilyUlster GAA Strategic Vision and Action Plan 2009-2015 39

Taking Ulster GAA to 2015 Taking Ulster GAA to 2015ActionTimingOutcome SoughtCommittee/OfficerResponsibilitySeniorStaffLeadActionTimingOutcome SoughtCommittee/OfficerResponsibilitySeniorStaffLead• Recreational seven–a-sidegames opportunities fornon-elite players• Opportunities for peopleof all abilities to take partin appropriate activity.Link Comhairle Uladhstaff with newly appointedCamogie and Ladies GaelicFootball Programme Officersto support the developmentof women’s gaelic gamesin Ulster.Include coverage of Counties’Club activity in all UlsterGAA inter-Countymatch programmes.Work in partnership with localauthorities to have in place:• At least one GAACommunity Coach in eachof the 11 Council Consortiaareas as part of the SportNI Active CommunitiesProgramme• Four coaches in Belfastand two in Derry/StrabaneConsortia• At least one dedicatedGAA Community Coach ineach of Cavan; Donegaland Monaghan• Additionally throughthe coaching and gamesprogrammes with thepromotion of Alcoholand Substance AbuseProgramme; Code ofEthics; and Health,Wellness and Lifestyle.20092009Ongoing2012• Officers in place in 2009.• Participation in women’sgaelic games increased by5% by 2012.• Mutual reliance of Cluband County highlightedand promoted.• Participation programmesdelivered in areas of highsocial need.• Roll out of disability sportinitiatives at club andcounty level.• Roll out of RecreationalGames at Club andCounty level.• Increased support for LadiesGaelic Football and Camogieat Club and County level.• New teams formed inurban areas.• Development of links withschools and creation ofClub/school links.CoisteForbarthaagus OilunaCoisteForbarthaagus OilunaCoiste IomlánúLeas- UachtaránGrúpa Oibre EolasTeicnealaíochtaMargoíochta agusCiadreamh PoiblíOCPCoisteForbarthaagus OilunaDirector ofCoaching andGamesDirector ofCoaching andGamesOperationsManagerDirector ofCoaching andGamesCommunityDevelopmentand PublicAffairs ManagerMaintain and developsupporting structures whichensure that the developmentpathways within Countiesreflect the Pathway to ElitePerformance (PEP) andinclude all stakeholders inplayer development ensuringthe managed progression oftalented young players andrecognising the need to takeaccount for latedeveloping players.Implement the Ulster GAAhurling strategy, ie:• Re-energise and re-focusCoiste Forbatha Iomána• Establish Hurling Link onwww.ulster.gaa.ie• Continue to deliver hurlingcoaching• Appoint six Regional HurlingOfficers• Progress hurling gamesdevelopment• Focus attention on schoolsand colleges• Develop refereeing• Improve facilities, includingthe development ofhurling walls• Progress integration withCamogie.Further develop existingtwinning/mentoringarrangements with GAA unitsin Britain and Canada.2012Ongoing2012• Embedding of playerdevelopment structuresthrough the coachingacademies.• Embedding best practicewithin development squadsand schools.• Establish Level 3 coacheswithin each Academy.• Advanced and progressivesupport programmes tounderpin the structures.• Personnel trained to deliverthe programme content.• Establishing an interprovincialoutlet for elutedevelopment squads.• Hurling Link in place by 2012.• 20 coaching eventsdelivered pa.• 60 teams involved inpan-Ulster competitionper annum• All Counties competingin Ulster Senior; U21; andMinor Championshipsby 2012• 57 schools-related blitzes/events delivered per annum• Hurling walls included in allnew County GAA centres• Two referees trained percounty per annum.• Three initiatives delivered ineach jurisdiction.CoisteForbarthaagus OilunaCoisteForbarthaIománaLeas- UachtaránCosite BainistíDirector ofCoaching andGamesHurlingDevelopmentManagerProvincialDirectorDirector ofCoaching andGames40 Comhairle Uladh CLG Lifelong promotion of Gaelic Games, Culture, Community and FamilyUlster GAA Strategic Vision and Action Plan 2009-2015 41

Taking Ulster GAA to 2015 Taking Ulster GAA to 2015ActionTimingOutcome SoughtCommittee/OfficerResponsibilitySeniorStaffLeadActionTimingOutcome SoughtCommittee/OfficerResponsibilitySeniorStaffLeadDevelop existing links withCamanachd Association(Shinty).Develop an recreational intercitiesGAA Tournament.Progress refereedevelopment through:• County and provincialbased opportunities fortraining and development• Re-establish the Referees’Academy to support anddevelop top refereesand officials.Investigate the feasibilityof appointing a RefereeDevelopment officer who willhave part responsibility for:• Coordination ofappointments• Coordination ofreferees’ reports• Rolling out developmentprogrammes for officials atCounty and Provincial levels• Developing andcoordinating theReferees’ AcademyContinue with Ulster GAArespect-based and fairplay initiatives.Develop strong links withDisability Sport NI and similarbodies to develop games toincrease participation bypeople with disabilities.201220122012201220122012• Annual fixture at Under17 level.• Annual fixture with HigherEducation Council of Britain.• Tournament involving eightteams in place by 2012.• Increased awareness andappreciation of the UlsterGAA brand.• Eight referees progressedthrough a Referees’Academy annually.• Structured refereeeducation programmes inplace at County level.• Bi-annual Ulster GAAReferees Conferencedelivered.• Officer in place by 2012.• Structured development andsupport framework in placefor referees.• GAA Code of Conduct inplace and acted upon.• Improved standards ofGAA discipline.• Increased participation atall levels by people withdisabilities.Coiste Forbarthaagus OilunaCoiste Forbarthaagus OilunaCoiste RiarachánRéiteoiríCoiste RiarachánRéitéoiríCoiste Forbarthaagus OilunaCoiste Forbarthaagus OilunaDirector ofCoaching andGamesDirector ofCoaching andGamesDirector ofCoaching andGamesDirector ofCoaching andGamesDirector ofCoaching andGamesDirector ofCoaching andGamesIdentify core posts to includespecific coordinationresponsibility for thefollowing key areas of UlsterGAA strategy:• Special Needs and Disability• Active CommunitiesCoordination• Recreational Participation• Handball/RoundersDevelopment.Deliver High PerformanceSupport Services to coaches &others that are at the cuttingedge of global best practice via:• Appointment of the HighPerformance and TalentID Manager• Appointment of a SportScience Officer• Accessing information days in SINI• Growing expertise within Countiesby targeting and mentoringindividuals to deliver core services• Providing opportunities totravel to and report back frominternational conferences• Benchmarking of GAA servicesagainst other sports• Cross-fertilisation of ideas acrossall disciplines within the GAA• Developing closer workinglinks with the clinical profession• Linking service providers andspreading best practicethrough a formal forum• A constant focus on volunteer andplayer welfare and lifestyle issues.20122012• In-service training in disabilityand special needs provided forteachers and Club coaches.• Centres of performancein place for gaelic gamesplayers with special needs.• Inclusion and integrationinto gaelic games of foreignnational and people fromnon-GAA backgrounds.• Active Communitiesinitiative used to deliverrecreational games.• Indoor and outdoor regionalblitz opportunities in placefor all ages.• Unified promotion of allgaelic games codes.• A high performance ethosand framework in placewhich reflects internationalbest practice yet respectsthe unique amateur statusand life circumstances ofgaelic games players.An ChoisteAchmhainníDaonna agusTuarastailCoiste Forbarthaagus OilunaDirector ofCoaching andGamesDirector ofCoaching andGames42 Comhairle Uladh CLG Lifelong promotion of Gaelic Games, Culture, Community and FamilyUlster GAA Strategic Vision and Action Plan 2009-2015 43

Taking Ulster GAA to 2015 Taking Ulster GAA to 2015Action Timing Outcome SoughtCommittee/OfficerResponsibilitySeniorStaffLeadAction Timing Outcome SoughtCommittee/OfficerResponsibilitySeniorStaffLeadDevelop supporting servicesthat utilise world’s bestpractice and are delivered tomanagers, coaches, officialsand players in a practicaland applied way that allowsthe GAA to build qualityexpertise that permeatesall levels within the Countystructures and createslong term sustainability ofexpertise, knowledgeand competencies.Support from the SportsInstitute NI who will bechallenged to assist withthe preparation of seniorcounty football and hurlingteams, and internationalhandballers and supportthe mentoring of serviceproviders and talentedyoung players.Support Counties to developprogrammes that establishplayers who can make theright decisions at the righttime and who are technicallycompetent and physicallyand mentally strong to carry201220122012• A high performanceframework benchmarkedagainst world’s best practice,that has engaged with theCounties and the SportsInstitute to develop a workplan that helps to implementinternational best practiceyet respects the uniqueamateur status of Gaelicgames players.• Sustainability; knowledge;and competenciesestablished in key areas.• Ideas on high performanceshared between GAA codesthrough a formal forum.• Team of service providersin place in each County tosupport all areas of playerand team development.• Senior County teamsengaging with SINI tohelp identify gaps in theirpreparation and the specificneeds that they have to helpbring them to the next level.• Best practice in serviceprovision obtained fromSINI and a comprehensivementoring programme in place.• SINI facilities used tosupport the development oftalented young people andto engage GAA personnelmentoring in the key serviceprovision areas.• Players encouraged to takedecisions from an early age.• Key personnel in place todeliver the right physicalpreparation at the righttime in the youngplayer’s development.Coiste Forbarthaagus OilunaCoiste Forbarthaagus OilunaCoiste Forbarthaagus OilunaDirector ofCoaching andGamesDirector ofCoaching andGamesDirector ofCoaching andGamesout the decision and whohave a good understandingof lifestyle issues striking theright balance between sporttheir education or workand life.Support schools, collegesand universities in thedevelopment of talentedyoung players by puttingin place open and efficientcommunication structures,by supporting Principals,Teachers and Coaches todeliver appropriate coachingand lifestyle messages and byutilising the resources foundin the education sector.Support Common Goalsthat are realised and agreedbetween all stakeholdersresponsible for playerdevelopment, through moreopen communication andbetter co-operation in themanagement of talentedyoung players.20152015• Ball / hurl used in playersphysical preparation.• Lifestyle issues around playerwelfare identifiedand managed.• Independent volunteer playerwelfare coordinators at Countylevel to provide pastoralsupport to elite players.• Full recovery from injuries.• Increased understandingbetween schools and countydevelopment systems anduniversities and the Countysenior and U21 Squads.• Opportunities in place forteachers and third levelcoaches to take Level 2 and 3coaching awards.• Lifestyle programmesinfluencing young people• Engagement with medicalpersonnel on a regular andformal basis to exchange ideas• Appropriate level competitionsin place to encouragehigh performance.• Increased understandingbetween schools and countydevelopment systems anduniversities and the Countysenior and U21 Squads.• Improved engagement withthe Sports Institute.• Twice-yearly seminars for GAAinter-County managers andCoaches and key stakeholdersin the high performanceprogramme.Coiste Forbarthaagus OilunaCoiste nagColaistí UladhCoiste nanGairmscoileannaUladhCAUCoiste BainistíCoiste Forbarthaagus OilunaDirector ofCoachingand GamesProvincialDirectorDirector ofCoachingand Games44 Comhairle Uladh CLG Lifelong promotion of Gaelic Games, Culture, Community and FamilyUlster GAA Strategic Vision and Action Plan 2009-2015 45

Taking Ulster GAA to 2015Action Timing Outcome SoughtCommittee/OfficerResponsibilitySeniorStaffLeadSupport the Training andDevelopment of personnelto ensure that managers,coaches and servicepersonnel are exposed toand have an opportunity toexperience high performancesporting practice.2015• Formal links with SportsInstitute to ensurecontinued exposure toworlds best practice.• Integrated workshopprogramme to challengeteam managers• Integrated workshopsprogrammes for coaches.• Integrated workshopprogrammes forservice providers.• Mentoring programmesfor coaches and serviceproviders to developknowledge and keycompetencies.• Integration of theory andpractical into coachingpractice.• Development of all Countybasedcoaches to level3 status.Coiste Forbarthaagus OilunaDirector ofCoaching andGamesSupport innovation, researchand development byformalising GAA Tech as aformal research body whichprovides analysis and supportfor the ongoing developmentof GAA at HighPerformance level.2015• GAA Tech in place andprojects negotiated andformalised with funding andkey outcomes.• Presentation of researchand application oftechnologies on the nationaland international arenas.Coiste Forbarthaagus OilunaDirector ofCoaching andGames46 Comhairle Uladh CLG Lifelong promotion of Gaelic Games, Culture, Community and FamilyUlster GAA Strategic Vision and Action Plan 2009-2015 47

Title to go hereSub Title to go hereTheme 3:Increasing andImproving the GAAPlant: Facilities andInfrastructureUlster GAA continues to focus on providing and thenmaintaining:• places in which to play gaelic games• places in which to watch them• places in which to prepare for and manage gaelic games andassociated activities.Taking Ulster GAA to 2015There is a driving need to facilitate the involvement ofas many people as possible but within settings whichboth meet stringent health and safety standards andwhich are attractive and comfortable. The provision ofGAA facilities needs to match other aims of the UlsterGAA Strategic Plan and to reflect provincial; County andAction Timing Outcome SoughtClub needs. It is also important that GAA facilities aretaken forward as part of the GAA brand and that theypromote the GAA’s identity and presence. This needsto happen at all levels and locations where Ulster GAAoperates, ie Provincial; regional; County; Club; schoolsand partnership projects with others.Theme 3: Increasing and Improving the GAA Plant: Facilities and InfrastructureEnsure that the GAA inUlster is compliant withall relevant health andsafety; disability/accessand licensing legislation.Organise a quarterlymeeting with CountyDevelopment Officers.Ongoing2009• Full compliance with agreedsafety standards• Safe environments for playingand attending Ulster GAA games• Relevant personnel trained• Designated grounds safetyofficer in each County.• Council’s physical facilitiesmonitoring role delivered.Committee/OfficerResponsibilityCoistePáirceanna agusSábháileachtaCoiste BainistíUachtaránSeniorStaffLeadProvincialDirectorOperationsManagerOperationsManagerReview the role andremit of the Ulster ClubPlanning and PhysicalDevelopment Committee.2009• Fit for purpose Committeeoverseeing the Club Planningand Development Agenda.Coiste BainistíUachtaránProvincialDirectorDevelop a suite of adviceand guidance (face-tofacevia annual workshopsand seminars; written;and online) for Clubs andCounties covering areassuch as:• Pitch developmentand maintenance• Changingaccommodation• Club buildings• Floodlighting• Artificial surfaces• Spectatoraccommodation• Gymnasia• Indoor training facilities• Handball wallsand alleys2009• All GAA Clubs have access to atleast two locally-based fit-forpurposeGAA pitches by 2015• All new GAA facilities from 2010are fit-for-purpose re women’sgaelic games• All new facilities from 2010 arebranded as GAA facilities.Coiste ForbairtFisiciúl Pleanáilna gClubCoiste BainistíOperationsManagerCommunityDevelopmentand PublicAffairs Manager48Comhairle Uladh CLGLifelong promotion of Gaelic Games, Culture, Community and FamilyUlster GAA Strategic Vision and Action Plan 2009-2015 49

Taking Ulster GAA to 2015 Taking Ulster GAA to 2015Action Timing Outcome SoughtCommittee/OfficerResponsibilitySeniorStaffLeadAction Timing Outcome SoughtCommittee/OfficerResponsibilitySeniorStaffLead• Hurling walls• Funding opportunities• Branding facilities asGAA facilities.Continue to invest in themodernisation of the mainCounty grounds to improvespectator comfort.Complete Ulster GAA floodlighting programme in ninthCounty venue.200920122012• Fit-for-purposeCounty facilities.• Flood lights installed inClones by 2012• Province-wide capacity todeliver after-hoursgaelic games.Coiste BainistíCoiste BainistíOperationsManagerOperationsManager• Conditioning facilities• Plunge pools• Access by women’sgaelic games• Access by schools & Colleges• Clear GAA branding• Provision for HandballDevelop, ideally in collaborationwith a County, an Ulster GAAPerformance Centrewhich includes:• High performance provision• An Ulster GAA administrativeheadquarters.2015• Improved deliveryof Ulster GAA’s corebusiness activities.Coiste BainistíProvincialDirectorOperationsManagerUpgrade secondary Countygrounds (on a phased, prioritybasis reflecting geographicalspread and current facilities) toinclude floodlights, improvedmedia facilities and player/spectator facilities.Achieve Ulster’s GAA strategicrequirement for a 40,000-45,000 capacity stadium.Support the development ofRegional GAA centresas follows:• One per County• One urban cluster each inBelfast and Derry• Three sub-regional ruralcluster bases.Each County centre shouldinclude one regional thirdgeneration full-size pitch. EachGAA Centre should include:• Support facilities• Hurling Wall• Indoor training provision201520152015• Nine secondary groundsflood-lit by 2015.• A fit-for-purpose stadiumin Ulster meeting the“Enhancing CommunityIdentity” target of 40,000-60,000 capacity.• 14 centres in place by 2015• Improved delivery of UlsterGAA’s core games andother activities.Coiste BainistíCoiste BainistíUachtaránCoiste BainistíOperationsManagerProvincialDirectorProvincialDirectorOperationsManagerEstablish three regionalHandball centres as part ofthe physical developmentprogramme.Work with local and centralgovernment and educationalauthorities to ensure thatpublicly-funded sportsprovision is fit-for-purpose forgaelic games in that they:• Are of a size/layout suitablefor gaelic games• Accommodate specificprovision such as hurling walls• Include changing facilities forteam panels of 30 players• Include (where provided)flood-lighting whichfacilitates gaelic games• Have suitable facilitiesfor the roll out of ActiveCommunities andDENI Programme.Continue to invest in Clubfacilities through the Council’sgrant aid and supportprogrammes managed by theParks and Safety Committee.2015OngoingOngoing• Improved visibility of andparticipation in handball.• All new public sportsfacilities provided from2010 onwards are fit-forpurposein terms ofgaelic games.• All GAA Clubs have accessto at least two locallybasedfit-for-purpose GAApitches by 2015.• Partnerships withlocal authorities in thedevelopment of facilities.• Improved GAA facilitiesand infrastructureacross Ulster.Coiste BainistíCoiste LiathróidLáimhe UladhCoiste BainistíCoistePáirceanna agusSábháileachtaOperationsManagerProvincialDirectorOperationsManagerCommunityDevelopmentand PublicAffairs ManagerOperationsManager50 Comhairle Uladh CLG Lifelong promotion of Gaelic Games, Culture, Community and FamilyUlster GAA Strategic Vision and Action Plan 2009-2015 51

Theme 4:Enhancing the“Gaelic” in GAA:Culture andHeritageTaking Ulster GAA to 2015• A re-energising of Scór, with clear leadership shownwithin Counties and Clubs• The more widespread presence and visibility of Irishlanguage; culture; and heritage within GAA settings• A renewed focus, driven in the first instance by theGAA’s 125 celebrations in 2009, on GAA heritage• The development of cultural links with the UlsterScots communities.Theme 4: Enhancing the “Gaelic” in GAA: Culture and HeritageAction Timing Outcome SoughtCommittee/OfficerResponsibilitySeniorStaffLeadDevelop a series of events aspart of the 125th anniversaryof the Association and whichwill assist in the ongoingdevelopment of cultureand heritage initiatives. 125Programme to range acrossall aspects of the GAA in allparts of Ulster and to:• Remember/commemoratewhat’s gone before• Celebrate where theGAA is at now• Leave a legacy forthe future.2009• 125 anniversaryappropriately celebratedin Ulster.• 125 legacy established.• Improved awareness andunderstanding of the UlsterGAA brand.Coiste 125UachtaránProvincialDirectorCommunityDevelopmentand PublicAffairs ManagerWhilst gaelic games alwayshave been and remain theGAA’s core business, theyare managed and enjoyedto best effect when fittedwithin a framework whichincludes Irish cultural andheritage activities. Theseaspects are central to theGAA’s uniqueness anddifference and will be takenforward as such by UlsterGAA. The planning processset as prioritiesDevelop a “This is the GAA”resource to fit within allUlster GAA coaching anddevelopment programmes.Introduce the Irish Languageas a key component of allUlster GAA resources andpublications, including inparticular the Ulster GAAwebsite www.ulster.gaa.ieHighlight the Ulster GAAIrish Language course eachsummer as ComhairleUladh’s primary Irishlanguage event.200920092009• Clear communication toprogramme participants rehow the GAA is differentand unique.• All new resources includingan Irish dimensionfrom 2009.• Attendances increasedby 10%.Coiste Forbarthaagus OilunaCoiste GaeilgeagusOidherachtaOCPCoiste GaeilgeagusOidherachtaDirector ofCoaching andGames,CommunityDevelopmentand PublicAffairs ManagerCommunityDevelopmentand PublicAffairs ManagerCommunityDevelopmentand PublicAffairs Manager52 Comhairle Uladh CLG Lifelong promotion of Gaelic Games, Culture, Community and FamilyUlster GAA Strategic Vision and Action Plan 2009-2015 53

Taking Ulster GAA to 2015 Taking Ulster GAA to 2015Action Timing Outcome SoughtCommittee/OfficerResponsibilitySeniorStaffLeadAction Timing Outcome SoughtCommittee/OfficerResponsibilitySeniorStaffLeadContinue to play an active andfull part in the development ofthe Ulster Sports Museum.Work with others to deliverannual programmes of GAAheritage-related events, with anongoing focus on the importanceof place and community.Develop and roll out aprogramme assisting Clubs inthe development of crests andGAA branding.Using the new GAA brandingguidelines to establish signagetemplates for use in allGAA facilities.Establish a formal link withthe Ulster Scots communityorganising ongoing jointinitiatives including annualShinty/hurling events both inIreland and Scotland.2009andongoing2009201220122012• GAA centrally-placedwithin the Museum.• Increased promotion ofUlster GAA tonew audiences.• Two such events run/facilitated each year.• Improved awareness andunderstanding of theGAA brand and Clubs’place within it.• Improved awareness andunderstanding of theGAA brand.• All Clubs and groundsidentified viaIrish signage.• One event run each year.• Increased mutualunderstanding andappreciation of cultural/games heritages.Coiste BainistíUachtaránCoiste GaeilgeagusOidherachtaGrúpa Oibre EolasTeicnealaíochta,Margoíochta agusCiadreamh Poiblí,OCPCoiste Gaeilgeagus Oidherachta,Grúpa Oibre EolasTeicnealaíochta,Margoíochta agusCiadreamh PoiblíCoiste IomanáProvincial Director,CommunityDevelopmentand PublicAffairs ManagerCommunityDevelopment andPublic AffairsManagerCommunityDevelopment andPublic AffairsManager,Operations ManagerCommunityDevelopment andPublic AffairsManager,OperationsManagerHurlingDevelopmentManagerIn conjunction with Foras naGaeilge organise a series ofIrish Language courses aimedat GAA members.Organise an annual Irishlanguage course for CouncilMembers and Staff.Contribute to Seachtain naGaelige on an annual basis.Establish in each Countya summer coaching campdelivered through the mediumof Irish.Organise an annual historical/heritage event with a focus onUlster GAA.Continue the process of assistingthe development of an UlsterGAA archive in the Cardinal ÓFiaich Library Armagh.201220122012201220122015• Improved awarenessand understanding ofthe Irish language.• Improved awarenessand understanding ofthe Irish language.• Improved awarenessand understanding ofthe Irish language.• Improved awarenessand understanding ofthe Irish language.• Visible integration ofgaelic games and theIrish language.• Visible integration ofgaelic games and Irishhistory and heritage.• All Ulster GAA archivematerial lodged andmade accessible inthe Library.Coiste GaeilgeagusOidherachtaCoiste GaeilgeagusOidherachtaCoiste GaeilgeagusOidherachtaCoiste Forbarthaagus Oiluna,Coiste GaeilgeagusOidherachtaCoiste GaeilgeagusOidherachtaCoiste Bainistí,Coiste 125,UachtaránCommunityDevelopmentand PublicAffairs ManagerCommunityDevelopmentand PublicAffairs ManagerCommunityDevelopmentand PublicAffairs ManagerDirector ofCoaching andGamesDevelopmentCommunityDevelopmentand PublicAffairs ManagerProvincial Director,Community Dev.and PublicAffairs ManagerRe-energise Scór by:• Reviewing its currentoperations and status• Rebranding it and improvingits promotion• Establishing an Ulster GAACultural Officer though athird level studentplacement programme.2012• 80% of Clubsparticipating in Scórby 2015.An Coiste Scóragus CultúirCommunityDevelopmentand PublicAffairs ManagerIncorporate a gaelic artcomponent at all Countygrounds and GAA centres.Work with local and centralgovernment to secure publicsignage for all GAA groundsand stadiums.20152015• One piece of gaelic artin all County groundsby 2013.• Improved awarenessand recognition of GAAfacilities and premises.CoisteForbarthaCoiste ForbarthaOperationsManagerCommunityDevelopmentand PublicAffairs Manager,Operations ManagerSupport culture and heritagerelatedcompetitions and eventswithin the education sector, bothIrish & English-medium, at bothprimary and secondary level.2012• Improved awarenessand understanding ofheritage and culturerelatedissues.Coiste GaeilgeagusOidherachtaCommunityDevelopment andPublic AffairsManagerInitiate on-line Ulster GAAhistorical archive project aspart of www.ulster.gaa.ie.2015• Central archive ofUlster GAA material.Coiste GaeilgeagusOidherachta,OCPCommunityDevelopmentand PublicAffairs Manager54 Comhairle Uladh CLG Lifelong promotion of Gaelic Games, Culture, Community and FamilyUlster GAA Strategic Vision and Action Plan 2009-2015 55

Theme 5:The GAA’s EndPurpose: CommunityDevelopment,Inclusion andCohesionTaking Ulster GAA to 2015• Strengthening its community developmentsupport capacity• Continuing to provide structured support forvolunteers at Club and County levels• Expanding the focus on health, well-beingand lifestyle• Continuing to provide specific support re thedevelopment of strategic plans across Ulster GAATheme 5: The GAA’s End Purpose: Community Development, Inclusion and CohesionAction Timing Outcome SoughtCommittee/OfficerResponsibilitySeniorStaffLeadEstablish a CommunityDevelopment and InclusionUnit (CDIU) with a focuson Club Development andVolunteer Support;Strategic Development;Health, Wellbeing andLifestyle; Culture;Community Outreach,Diversity and Public Affairs.2009• Unit in place and working.• Continued promotion of thefull breadth and depth ofGAA activity.• Nine annual County levelClub developmentseminars delivered.• Nine annual County levelvolunteer trainingseminars delivered.• Three regional diversity trainingseminars delivered.Coiste BainistíUachtaránProvincialDirectorCommunityDevelopmentand PublicAffairs ManagerDevelop strong links acrosslocal and central government.Ongoing• Annual Ulster GAA “publicaffairs” brochure published• GAA activities acceptedand supported as central togovernment’s regeneration;cohesion; and communitydevelopment work.Coiste BainistíUachtaránProvincialDirectorCommunityDevelopmentand PublicAffairs ManagerContinue to develop androll-out Club Maith by:• Building and expandingthe web-site• Building and expandingthe tool-kit• Providing ongoing adviceand support.2009• Sports Councils and otherrelevant accreditation gainedby 2010.• 50% of Clubs Club Maithaccreditedby 2015.CoisteForbarthaCommunityDevelopmentand PublicAffairs ManagerDuring this decade Ulster GAA has taken forward pioneering work insupporting the GAA’s role and place as a forceful community anchor andcreator of social capital. It is very clear about the importance of what theGAA does in these areas and wants to continue to embed it in the “GAApackage”. The consultations and analysis which underpin “Na ChéadChéimeanna Eile” suggested that Ulster GAA should concentrate on:Review the roll-out andprogress of the nine CountyGAA strategic plans onbi-annual basis.Develop and roll out anUlster GAA Club and Countylevel volunteer officertraining programme.20092012• Up-to-date plans in place forall nine Counties in 2015.• At least five volunteerstrained in each Ulster GAAClub by 2015.Coiste ForbarthaCoiste ForbarthaCommunityDevelopmentand PublicAffairs ManagerCommunityDevelopmentand PublicAffairs Manager56 Comhairle Uladh CLG Lifelong promotion of Gaelic Games, Culture, Community and FamilyUlster GAA Strategic Vision and Action Plan 2009-2015 57

Taking Ulster GAA to 2015 Taking Ulster GAA to 2015Action Timing Outcome SoughtCommittee/OfficerResponsibilitySeniorStaffLeadAction Timing Outcome SoughtCommittee/OfficerResponsibilitySeniorStaffLeadContinue to organise an annualUlster GAA Club, Community,Volunteer DevelopmentConference/Forum.Develop an Ulster GAA Awardsframework which covers/includes:• Player awards in allgaelic codes• Coaching awards• Volunteer awards• Club and school awardsEstablish a County Maithsupport scheme, to include anofficer accreditation process.Support Cumann na mBunscolUladh in the development of aScoil Maith programme.Ongoing201220122012• Conference/Forumattracting attendancesof 400+.• Awards framework in placefor 2010.• Continued promotion andincreased public awarenessof the full breadth anddepth of GAA activity.• Scheme scoped and agreedwith Counties by 2010.• All Counties accreditedby 2015.• Scoil Maith launched in 2009.• Primary Schools fitfor-purposein terms ofdeveloping and deliveringgaelic games.CoisteForbarthaCoisteForbarthaCoisteForbarthaUachtaránCoisteForbartha,Cumann namBunscol UladhCommunityDevelopmentand PublicAffairs ManagerCommunityDevelopment andPublic AffairsManagerProvincial Director,CommunityDevelopmentand PublicAffairs ManagerCommunityDevelopment/Public AffairsManager• Establishing Ulster GAAHealthy Club and HealthySchool awards programmes.Establish a GAA communityeducation programme inconjunction with St. Mary’sUniversity College Belfast, andQueen’s University Belfast.The Council will also work todevelopment programmes withthird level institutions to dealwith specific areas ofinterest and relevance toeither community orsports development.Develop new GAA urbanstrategic plans for Belfastand Derry.20122012• All Clubs screeningplayers using the GAAcardiac screeningquestionnaire.• All Clubs promotingthe availability ofdefibrillators• Education programmepromoting the history,values and work of theGAA at third level.• Up-to-date plans in placefor both cities in 2015.CoisteForbarthaCoisteForbarthaCommunityDevelopment/Public AffairsManagerCommunityDevelopmentand PublicAffairs ManagerContinue to roll-out UlsterGAA’s Health, Well-Being andLifestyle agenda across theProvince, including:• A primary and secondaryschools educationalhealth programme• Enhancing the third level“Drink, Drugs and SausageRolls Programme”• Organising health events onregional basis in identifiedcluster Clubs• Establishment and trainingof dedicated Club Health andWell-Being Officers• Forming new links withagencies and bodiesresponsible for the promotionof Health and Well-beingOngoing• Events organised in HealthAwareness, ASAP and FirstAid covering all thenine Counties.• Continued promotion andincreased public awarenessof the full breadth anddepth of GAA activity.• Improved levels ofwell-being withinGAA communities.• Through Club Maithpromote the conceptof Volunteer healthcoordinator in each Clubas good practice.• Active health/ASAP policyin each Club.CoisteForbarthaCoisteForbarthaagus OilunaHealth andWellbeingManagerIdentify and take forwardnew initiatives to increasethe presence of and people’sinvolvement in the GAA in theprovince’s larger urban areas.Support the development ofstrategic plans for the GAA’seducational sector in Ulster, ie:• Cumman na Bunscol• Ulster Vocational Schools• Ulster Colleges• Comhairle ArdoideachaisUladh.Support the development ofstrategic plans for the UlsterCouncil’s integrationpartners, ie:• Ladies Gaelic Football201220152015• Two urban-based/focusedinitiatives put in placeeach year.• Up-to-date plans in placefor all sectors in 2015.• Strategic plans in placefor all Ulster GaelicGames Councils.CoisteForbarthaCoisteForbarthaCoiste IomlánúCommunityDevelopmentand PublicAffairs ManagerCommunityDevelopment/Public AffairsManagerCommunityDevelopmentand PublicAffairs Manager58 Comhairle Uladh CLG Lifelong promotion of Gaelic Games, Culture, Community and FamilyUlster GAA Strategic Vision and Action Plan 2009-2015 59

Taking Ulster GAA to 2015Action Timing Outcome SoughtCommittee/OfficerResponsibilitySeniorStaffLeadTitle to go hereSub Title to go here• Camogie• Rounders• Handball.2015Coiste IomlánúDevelop outreach initiativesfocused on forming links andpromoting understanding withthe Unionist communityin Ulster.Ongoing• At least nine crosscommunitygaelic gamesinitiatives establishedby 2015.• Increased awareness andunderstanding of the GAAand its activities by theUnionist Community.• Annual open-day forgroups which currentlyhave no connection withthe GAA.• Links established withcommunity and otherrelevant groups to promotemutual understandingand respect.• Annual event hosted forthe educational sectorwhich involves Governorsand Teachers from allsections of the community.• Displays/showcases ofdifferent cultural traditionsincluded at UlsterGAA events.Coiste BainistíUachtaránProvincialDirectorCommunityDevelopmentand PublicAffairs Manager60 Comhairle Uladh CLG Lifelong promotion of Gaelic Games, Culture, Community and FamilyUlster GAA Strategic Vision and Action Plan 2009-2015 61

Managing for DeliveryManaging for DeliveryComhairle Uladh’s previous two strategies weresuccessful because their implementation wasmanaged. The same approach will be taken with thisstrategy based on two core principles:VolunteeringNational Initiative/ Target Ulster Initiative Current Status• The Council’s elected volunteer Committees willoversee; guide; and monitor the implementation, aswell as delivering large tracts of the work.• The newly established Council’s Staff Executive teamwill comprise of the following staff:• Provincial Director• Director of Coaching and Games• Finance Manager• Operations Manager• Community Development/Public Affairs ManagerThe Executive Team will support the volunteers andoversee the delivery of much of the work involved in2009-2015 Strategic Vision and Action Plan.For each action in the body of the document the variousCommittee and staff responsibilities are clearly marked.The Council’s Developments Committee will take overallresponsibility for the implementation of the strategy andwill report accordingly to the Ulster Convention eachyear. At a more operational level, the Provincial Directorand the Staff Executive team will present a quarterlyprogress report to the Management Committee. Thisreport will highlight:• Progress to date with the strategy• Any issues arising• Any variances from what was planned and anyremedial action to be takenThe Provincial Director will report on the implementationof the strategy at the monthly meetings of the NationalGAA Executive Committee and the President of the UlsterCouncil will submit ongoing reports on the progressof the strategy to both the National ManagementCommittee and the Central Council.The Council’selected volunteerCommittees willoversee; guideand monitor theimplementation,as well asdelivering largetracts ofthe work.Volunteer Forum:Feedback process for national volunteerforum in place at provincial level.Provincial Officer Training in placeVolunteer Committees:Review Volunteer Committee Structureat Provincial Level.Officer Training: All officers havecompleted training modules.Bi-annual Provincial Volunteer forumin placeOfficer Training Provincial Officertraining ongoingRecruitment “Tool-Kit” in placeGames ScheduleFixtures planning: Provincial Fixturesplanning committees appointedEducation: Fixtures planning educationprogramme in placeFuture planning: Each Province has afixtures plan in place for 2010Annual Community DevelopmentConference.New Officer training programmebeing developed for 2010.Review of Ulster GAA CommitteesVolunteer Development ProgrammeUlster Community DevelopmentConferenceUlster Volunteer DevelopmentprogrammeUlster GAA Club Maith Tool-kitCommittee established andappointments will take place after2009 Ulster ConventionBi-Annual fixtures seminars withCounty officials in placeCCC 2010 plans currently indevelopmentIn place since 2007In progressCommenced in 2008In progressIn place since 2007In progressIn placeIn progressIn placeIn progressDelivering on the National GAA AgendaComhairle Uladh has a central role to play in helping roll out the GAA’s national Strategic Vision and Action Plan. It hasno hesitation in rising to meet this challenge. A number of tasks within the national Vision and Plan have been allocatedto Provincial Councils. Those tasks, and where they are addressed in “Teaghlaigh agus Pobail: An Fabraic de CLG” aresummarised below:2009 2011 2015Annual reporting, review and planningprocess in placeNational referees’ plan integrated inprovincial planBi-Annual fixtures seminars withCounty Officials serve as forum forreview and future planningReferee Development Committee planin developmentIn place since 2008In progress62 Comhairle Uladh CLG Lifelong promotion of Gaelic Games, Culture, Community and FamilyUlster GAA Strategic Vision and Action Plan 2009-2015 63

Managing for Delivery2009 2011 2015Managing for DeliveryCommunicationGames DevelopmentNational Initiative/ TargetUlster InitiativeCurrent StatusNational Initiative/ TargetUlster InitiativeCurrent StatusPRO: Training plan for PROs establishedCounty and Club officer trainingprogramme in developmentIn progressRespect initiative piloted at Under12 levelCode of best practice for youth sport:Provincial training teams established ineach provinceUnderage games: representative groupestablished to oversee underage gamesprogramme under the leadership ofthe Provincial gamesdevelopment committeeRespect Initiative operating at Club,County and Provincial LevelChild Protection and Ethics proceduresdeveloped and operatingYouth Work Group will be establishedafter 2009 Ulster ConventionIn place since 2007In place since 2005In progressOfficer Training: Develop atraining programme for effectivecommunication for GAA officersCommunications Calendar:Produce Provincial 2010communications calendarMonitoring; Communicationsmonitoring included in provincialmanagement and planningCounty and Club officer trainingprogramme in developmentCommunications team currentlydeveloping new plan for 2010Communications team in placeIn progressIn place since 2008In place since 2008Refresh Provincial Web-siteWeb-site updated in 2008 and nextreview due to take place in 2012In place since 2008UrbanisationProvincial Steering Groups set up to puturban development plans in placeDerry and BelfastUrban ProgrammesDerry strategy and urbanproject in place since2004 and currently beingreviewed: Belfast Strategyand urban project launchedin 2009Inclusion and IntegrationInclusion strategy:Roll-out inclusion strategy2009 Training: Provincial staff teamtrained in the area of positive inclusionUlster GAA inclusion plan in placesince 2006All Ulster GAA staff receive ongoingdiversity trainingIn place since 2006In place since 2007Sample urban development plansin placeSample available on ClubMaith WebsiteIn place since 2007Provincial plan to include pro-inclusioninitiativesUlster GAA inclusion plan in placesince 2006In place since “Beir Bua”published in 2002Urban development projects active in allurban areas in the provinceUrban Projects active in both DerryCity and BelfastIn place since 2004Cross Community Ulster Communityoutreach projects in placeTwo cross community projectsin placeIn progress since 2007Best Practice; dedicated team in placein the Province to oversee targets andreplicate best practiceCommunity Development UnitStaff have responsibility for urbandevelopment: links established withother urban regeneration practitionersCDU in place since 2008and other links in placesince 2004Links with newcomers: Develop ProvincialScór initiative to increase links withnewcomer communitiesNo progress on this issue to dateNot StartedCentre of Excellence in each urban areain the Province establishedPlans in place for urban centres inboth Derry City and BelfastIn progressOfficer training 50% officers completeddiversity trainingRegional Diversity Training Nights inoperationIn place since 2007:Volunteers and officerstrainedNew series of urban focus areasidentified as a result of changingdemographicsPart of Derry and Belfast strategiesIn place since 2004Provincial Personnel: All Provincialpersonnel training in diversity inclusionAll Ulster GAA staff receive ongoingdiversity trainingIn place since 200764 Comhairle Uladh CLG Lifelong promotion of Gaelic Games, Culture, Community and FamilyUlster GAA Strategic Vision and Action Plan 2009-2015 65

Managing for DeliveryManaging for Delivery2009 2011 2015FundraisingStreamline funding relationships withprovinces and countiesNew funding plans in place for2009/2010In progressNational Initiative/ TargetUlster InitiativeCurrent StatusRoll-out Provincial best-practice modelFull audit achieved withoutqualification for 2008 accountsIn place since 2006Identify person within the GAA to beresponsible for promoting attendancesin the ProvinceAttendances: Provincial initiatives inplace to promote attendancesThree year commercial plan forProvince and Provincial satisfactionindex in placeProvincial Director supported by StaffExecutive Team have responsibility forthis issueICT & Marketing CommitteeChampionship Marketing planbeing developedA working group comprising ofmembers from the Finance Committee,ICT and Marketing Committee andDevelopments Committee will beestablished to develop the ProvincialCommercial PlanUlster GAA attendancesincreased in 2008Ulster GAA attendancesincreased in 2008Plan scheduled for2009Club, Culture and CommunityNational Initiative/ Target125th Anniversary: Promote andcoordinate 125th anniversary clubcultural nightsCommunications: Develop a provincialnetwork of cultural officersUlster Initiative125 Committee and supportteam place.All clubs in receipt of 125 Ulster GAAsupport packCommunity Development Staff in theprocess of completing overall Clubofficer date baseCurrent StatusUlster GAA 125Programme beingrolled outIn placeReview: Review of attendance trendsand marketing of games completed atProvincial LevelReview of 2008 championshipcompleted. Arrangements in placefor 2009In placeParents: Develop material introducingparents to the GAAClub School links resource and ClubMaith took-kit includes informationfor parentsIn placeAttendances in ProvincialChampionships increased by 10%cumulatively since 2008Membership card rolled out atProvincial levelCommercial Plan in developmentAwaiting direction from Central CouncilUlster GAA attendancesincreased in 2008Not StartedWebsites: Hold workshops to promoteweb-site templates “As Gaelige”. Allprovinces have “As Gaelige” section ontheir website.Club Maith advice service in placeClub Maith web-site “As Gaelige”section in developmentIn progressProvincial spectator satisfaction indexin place.Financial ExcellenceIntroduce standard format technologiesand proceduresNo developments on this issue to dateFinancial Management Proceduresin PlaceNot StartedIn place since 2006All provinces have up to datecommunity, family and cultural eventson their website calendar.Signposts; Develop a relationshipwith local authorities to cooperate insignpost initiative.Ulster GAA on-line events calendarin placeCommunity Development Unitprogressing this issue withlocal governmentIn place since 2008In progress: key action in“Teaghlaigh agus Pobail:An Fabraic de CLG”Merit based funding: Pilot merit basedfunding for games developmentMerit based funding model beingapplied to Ulster CouncilIn progressStandard audit process in placeFull audit achieved for 2008 accountsIn place since 2006Introduce value for money audits atProvincial and County UnitsFinance Committee progressingthis issueIn progress66 Comhairle Uladh CLG Lifelong promotion of Gaelic Games, Culture, Community and FamilyUlster GAA Strategic Vision and Action Plan 2009-2015 67

Managing for Delivery2009 2011 2015Title to go hereSub Title to go herePlanningNational Initiative/ Target Ulster Initiative Current StatusGuidelines: Planning Guidelines andtemplates in placePlanning guidelines and supportmaterial present on the Club Maithwebsite. All Clubs now in receipt of theClub Maith Tool-kitIn place since 2007Five year strategy Every Province has afive year strategy and action plan in placeThird Ulster GAA five year strategy inplace from 2009In place since 2002Staff roles: Full-time staff roles andresponsibilities are linked with this planUlster GAA business planning processin placeIn place since 2007Quarterly Meetings; Provincial Staffhave quarterly meetings with whoeveris responsible for delivering the plan inthe countiesCounty strategy review processcommencing in April 2009In progressProvincial Support Process: Support andimprovement process in placefor countiesEight County strategic plans in placewith Provincial support. County Maithaccreditation mark being developedPlans for all UlsterCounties in placein 2009Next Plan; Provincial Plan in place withrewards linked to achievementsCurrent plan timeframe 2009-2015In progressOfficer SupportDeliver and monitor high qualityservice to our officersCommunity Development and InclusionUnit in placeOn-line Club Support Service in placeIn placeClub Maith Accreditation Award in placeClub Maith Officer Resource Website in placeClub Maith Club and Volunteer Tool-kitin placeClub Planning resources in placeOfficer training programme in developmentOn-line discussion forum in place68 Comhairle Uladh CLG Lifelong promotion of Gaelic Games, Culture, Community and FamilyUlster GAA Strategic Vision and Action Plan 2009-2015 69

Title to go hereSub Title to go hereAppendix-Ulster Hurling Development Strategy 2009-2014Teachtaireacht ón Leas-Uachtarán agus Cathaoirleach Coiste Forbartha IománaMessage from the Ulster GAA Vice President and Chairman of the ProvincialHurling Development CommitteeI am delighted to report that the most recentstrategy for the development of Hurling in Ulster(2002 – 2006) identified a number of priorities andrecommendations, many of which have been achieved.Hurling was identified as a key priority for developmentwithin the Ulster Council’s second strategy Beir Bua Nuaand is again identified as a key priority in “Teaghlaighagus Pobail: An Fabraic de CLG”. The development of arobust Hurling Development Strategy was also includedas a key performance indicator within the Council’sBusiness Case for funding to Department for Culture,Arts and Leisure.Comhairle Uladh published its first Strategy for theDevelopment of Hurling in Ulster in 2002 covering theperiod up to 2006. During this time the Council hasoverseen many changes in the political and sportinglandscape both within Ulster and throughout Ireland.Most notably in 2005 the Council secured a fundingpackage for the overall development of Gaelic Gamesin the northern six counties which saw the employmentof key staff for a three year period. Comhairle Uladhsupported investment in programmes in Cavan, Donegaland Monaghan to ensure that there was equity among allthe Ulster Counties.Moving forward it was decided to use the Council’sexisting Business Case and Strategy for the developmentof Hurling as a starting point for the development of anew strategy. As a result, a consultation and planningprocess was initiated within Ulster which resulted in thedevelopment a new Hurling Development Strategy forthe period 2009 – 2014. This new strategy an appendixto the overall Provincial Strategy document will serve asa work plan for our hard working Hurling DevelopmentCommittee as they strive to strengthen the Nationalgame in our Province.A lot of work and effort has went into developing thisdocument and I am grateful to the members UlsterHurling Development Committee for their work in puttingthis document together namely: Seamus McGrattan(Secretary), Frank Smith (Antrim), Pat Donaghy (Armagh),Tom Reilly (Cavan), Michael Murphy (Derry), Naul McCole(Donegal), Ronan Sheehan (Down), Kevin Corrigan(Fermanagh) Noel Mullaney (Monaghan) and Tony Fawl(Tyrone). I would also express my sincere thanks to UlsterGAA Hurling Development Manager Jimmy Darragh forhis contribution to this plan in addition to his continuedhard working and professional approach to the ongoingdevelopment of Hurling in Ulster.Aogan Ó FearghailLeas UachtaránThis new strategy,an appendix to theoverall ProvincialStrategy document,will serve as a workplan for our hardworking HurlingDevelopmentCommittee as theystrive to strengthenthe National game inour Province.70Comhairle Uladh CLGLifelong promotion of Gaelic Games, Culture, Community and FamilyUlster GAA Strategic Vision and Action Plan 2009-2015 71

Comhairle Uladh CLGHurling Strategy 2009-2014Comhairle Uladh CLGHurling Strategy 2009-2014Ulster is the weakest of the four Provinces in Hurling,in terms of both participation and achievement.Across all nine Counties Hurling is viewed as beinginferior to Gaelic Football, as can be evidencedthrough the number of clubs participating and thelack of development and investment from a number ofCounty Boards.A quick scan of the number of clubs participating ineach County will show the challenge that exists ifHurling is to compete with Gaelic Football across theProvince. Even at County level it is evident that Hurlingis not being given the priority it deserves. Each year allCounties play in the Senior, Minor and Under 21 FootballChampionships yet in 2007 only four Ulster Countiescompeted in the Senior and Minor Hurling Championship,and three competed in the Under 21 competition. Thetrend is repeated within each Ulster County, where fewerclubs play Hurling than Gaelic Football. This situation ismost evident in some of the weaker Counties where thenumber of senior clubs participating in the County canbe as low as two. This area of development mustbe addressed if Hurling is to survive within some ofour Counties.Hurling ClubsCountyHurling ClubsUnder 14 FeileEntrants 2007GovernanceRationale Strategy Outcomes SoughtCurrently there is atwo track approach tothe administration ofGaelic Games withinthe Province. A HurlingCommittee exists as asub-committee of theUlster DevelopmentCommittee and hasbeen charged with thedevelopment of Hurlingin Ulster. This Committeeis Chaired by theComhairle Uladh Leas-Uachtarán and is madeup from one delegatefrom each of theUlster Counties.Coiste Iomána remains in place butmust be made up of delegates whoare in a position to represent Hurlinginterests within their respective County.• Improved communication betweenCounty Boards and Comhairle Uladhon Hurling issues.Coiste Forbartha Iomána -responsible for:• Twinning initiatives within Ulster• Allocation of Start-up Hurling Grants• Feile Uladh• Indoor Hurling Initiatives.FixturesAll Ulster Hurling fixtures shallbe administered by the UlsterCompetitions Control Committee.• Coiste Iomána representative of allCounties within the Province.• Members of Coiste Iomána to beMembers of and report to theirCounty Executive.• 2 new twinning initiatives set upeach year.• Development of 20 new Hurling unitseach year.• All Counties represented.• A minimum of 60% of all Hurlingclubs participating.• Organise an indoor hurling blitz ineach County.• Organise an annual Provincial IndoorHurling Blitz.Antrim 36 22Armagh 8 8Cavan 4 0Derry 8 6Donegal 7 5In order to address this situation it is necessary toexpand the game across a number of fronts all of whichcontribute to the future development of Hurling. The keyareas identified for development are:Referee AppointmentsAll referee appointments for UlsterHurling fixtures shall be made by theUlster Referees Committee.• Commencing in 2009 UlsterCompetitions Control Committee toadminister all Ulster Hurling fixtures.• Commencing in 2009 Ulster Referee’sCommittee to appoint referees to allUlster Hurling fixtures.Down 10 9Fermanagh 2 0Monaghan 7 1Tyrone 5 4TOTAL 87 55• Governance• Information and Communication Technology• Refereeing• Coaching and Games Development• Schools and CollegesDevelopment of CrossProvincial HurlingActivity.In some instances for competitionpurposes Ulster Counties and Clubsmay participate with the approval ofthe Ulster Council outside the Province.Conversely, in certain circumstancesteams from outside Ulster mayparticipate in Ulster Competitions .• Development of improved competitivestandards of Hurling at County andClub Level.• Improved player skill level.• Achievement of DevelopmentalHurling Targets.72 Comhairle Uladh CLG Lifelong promotion of Gaelic Games, Culture, Community and FamilyUlster GAA Strategic Vision and Action Plan 2009-2015 73

Comhairle Uladh CLGHurling Strategy 2009-2014Information Communication TechnologyComhairle Uladh CLGHurling Strategy 2009-2014Coaching and Games DevelopmentRationaleStrategyOutcomes SoughtRationaleStrategyOutcomes SoughtIn a modern societywhere informationtechnology is readilyavailable in most homesand most people haveaccess to computers it isvital that Ulster Counciluse this resource todevelop Hurling.RefereeingRationaleCurrently there arenot enough refereesin Ulster to cover allthe games that arecurrently organised. Itis therefore importantthat a pool of highquality referees isdeveloped from everyCounty within theProvince to ensurethat all fixtures arecomplimented by acompetent teamof referees.A dedicated Hurling link to be set upon the Comhairle Uladh Web Site.Electronic CorrespondenceStrategy• Recruitment of new referees• Hurling Referees DevelopmentProgramme be developedsimilar to Ulster Councils CoachDevelopment Programme.• Hurling link to be operational by 2009and will provide information on:• Hurling Coaching andDevelopment articles• Grants for Hurling development• Club development resources• Hurling contacts throughout Ulsterand Ireland• Competition Fixtures, Rulesand Results• Club Contact details• Capital build information• Funding initiatives• Move towards communicationthrough correspondence.Outcomes Sought• A minimum of 2 new referees perCounty to be developed.• Two referee development coursesto be organised each year as partof Comhairle Uladh’s developmentprogramme.• A minimum of one Referee FoundationCourse per year to be organised ineach County.The developmentof Ulster’s coachesis essential if UlsterHurling is to competeon the nationalstage. It is thereforeimportant that futuredevelopment ofcoaches includes theidentification andnurturing of the mosttalented coaches• Recruit and develop a panelof tutors to deliver the newcoaching awards.• Strategic delivery of newcoaching awards throughoutthe Province.• Develop twinning opportunitiesbetween Ulster Countiesand strong Hurling Countiesthroughout Ireland,• Develop a basic hurling awardaimed at introducing adultsto coaching.• Continue to deliver and developa Hurling specific CoachDevelopment Programme.• Strategic deployment of theNational Hurling Co-ordinator todeliver a minimum of:• The introduction of an UlsterHurling Coaching Academy tofurther develop coaches thatwork with elite players.• ‘Fast track’ recruitment of formerCounty hurlers to be supportedand trained to work with CountyDevelopment Squads.• 10 tutors developed to deliver newcoaching awards.• 6 x Level One Courses• 2 x level 2 Courses• 3 Twinning initiatives developed• Core Hurling Skills Certificatedeveloped• 3 x Theory courses per year• 6 x Practical Courses per year• 2 x Comhairle Uladh StaffDevelopment Courses• 3 x Development Days in each County• Coaching Academy introduced byend 2009• Identify and train six former Countyhurlers to coach DevelopmentSquads.74 Comhairle Uladh CLG Lifelong promotion of Gaelic Games, Culture, Community and FamilyUlster GAA Strategic Vision and Action Plan 2009-2015 75

Comhairle Uladh CLGHurling Strategy 2009-2014Coaching and Games DevelopmentRationale Strategy Outcomes SoughtComhairle Uladh CLGHurling Strategy 2009-2014Schools and CollegesRationale Strategy Outcomes SoughtTo compliment thedevelopment of thegame at County andProvincial level it isimportant to provideall clubs with a viablecompetitive structurethat ensures thatall clubs get moregames at a levelcommensurate withtheir ability. Greatstrides have beentaken in recent yearsto address this area ofdevelopment throughthe Ulster Senior ClubLeague. However itis becoming apparentthat this needs to bereplicated at otherlevels to ensure thatour clubs are gettingregular meaningfulgames. It is also vitalthat all Ulster Countiesset their sights highwhen planning forHurling Development.Currently someCounties are contentto opt out of UlsterHurling Championshipsand this is a trend thatmust be reversed.Provision of competitive Provincialclub competitions at Senior, Minor,and Under 16levels through:• Ulster Club Senior Hurling League• Ulster Club Minor Hurling League• Ulster Club Under 16 HurlingCompetitionProvision of competitive andinclusive Provincial CountyCompetitions at the following levels:• Senior Championship• Minor Championship• Under 21 Championship• Under 21 ‘B’ Championships• Under 17, 16, 15 & 14 BlitzChampionships• Minor County League• Under 16 and Under 17Development Squads• Introduce more Hurling clubs• Integrate the Ulster Senior ClubHurling League fixtures into Countyfixture plans.• A minimum of 60 teams involvedeach year.• Increase participation in Ulster ClubMinor League to involve a minimum of:• 24 teams in 2009• 30 teams in 2010• 36 teams in 2011• 40 teams in 2012• 50 teams in 2015• New competition introduced by 2009.• All Ulster Counties to compete ineach year• 6 x Counties to compete in 2009• 9 x Counties to compete in 2010• 4 x Counties to compete in 2009• 6 x Counties to compete in 2010• 5 x Counties to compete in 2009• 3 x Counties to compete in 2010• 1 x Under 17 Competitions• 1 x Under 16 Competition• 2 x Under 15 Competitions• 1 x Under 14 Competition• 4 x Counties to compete in Division 1in 2009• 5 x teams to compete in Division 2in 2009• 8 x sessions per year.• 4 x Competitive opportunities• 4 New Hurling Teams developed eachyear of this strategic plan.The development ofHurling in our schoolsis the responsibility ofCumann na mBunscoil,Coláistí Uladh andCoiste na nGairm ScóilUladh, while ComhairleArdoideachais Uladh(CAU) administersthe universities andthird level colleges.On the performancefront Ulster Collegeshave made significantprogress in the pastnumber of years withSt Patrick’s College(Maghera) winningthe O’Keefe Cup (AllIreland Colleges ‘B’Championship) in 2005and Cross and PassionCollege (Ballycastle)narrowly losing in the2007 final.There has also beenconsiderable progressin the developmentof Hurling withan increase in thenumber of schoolsparticipating inColleges’ competitions.Work at VocationalSchools level howeverhas been in decline fora number of years witha number of schoolsopting to play underthe Ulster Collegesstructures.Primary School HurlingPost Primary School HurlingUniversities and Third LevelCollegesProvide support to CAU through thedelivery of:• Deliver 9 x training courses toprimary school teachers• Organise 18 x Go Games blitzcompetitions each year• Organise 3 x regional blitzcompetitions each year• Organise 18 x Indoor HurlingCompetitions each year• Deliver 9 x training courses to postprimary school teachers• Organise 9 x Super 7/9/11 blitzcompetitions each year• Organise 6 x County indoor blitzcompetitions per year• Organise 3 x regional indoor blitzcompetitions per year• Provide support to Coláistí Uladh andCoiste na nGairm Scóil Uladh throughthe provision of grant aid based onthe developmental needs ofeach organisation.• 4 x coaching seminars and coursesaimed at students and coachesworking with college teams.• Provide support to CAU throughthe provision of grant aid basedon the developmental needs of theorganisation.• Develop links withBritish Universities.76 Comhairle Uladh CLG Lifelong promotion of Gaelic Games, Culture, Community and FamilyUlster GAA Strategic Vision and Action Plan 2009-2015 77

Title to go hereSub Title to go hereTitle to go hereSub Title to go hereAcknowledgements“Teaghlaigh agus Pobail: An Fabraic de CLG”Comhairle Uladh would like to express its gratitude to the following groups and individuals for their support in thedevelopment of the Ulster Strategy 2009-2015, “Teaghlaigh agus Pobail: An Fabraic de CLG”:The 432 volunteer club officials from across the nine Ulster Counties who attended the strategy forum and workshopsat the Ulster GAA Community Development Conference held in Belfast on Saturday 15th November 2008The Management Committee of UlsterCouncil GAA• Tom Daly (President)• Aogan Farrell (Vice President)• Danny Murphy (Provincial Director and Secretary)• Martin McAviney (Treasurer)• Michael Hasson (Public Relations Officer)• Liam Nelis (Chairman Referees Committee)• Oliver Galligan (Chairman Coaching andGames Committee)• Naul McCole (Chairman Irish and Culture Committee)Ulster Developments Committee• Gerry McClory (Antrim)• John Moley (Armagh)• Tom Reilly (Cavan)• Harry Gribbin (Derry)• Edward Molloy (Donegal)• Gerry Mullan (Down)• Brian Armitage (Fermanagh)• Declan Flanagan (Monaghan)• Liam Nelis (Tyrone)• Malachy McGeeney (Cumman na Bunscol Uladh)• Art McRory (Ulster Vocational Schools)• Tom Cullen (Ulster Colleges Council)• Brendan McGeary (CAU)• Robert Maguire (Ulster Handball Council)• Peader Totten (Ulster Rounders Council)Central Council• Christy Cooney (President-Elect)• Pauric Duffy (Director General)Past Presidents• Peter Quinn (Ulster/National)• Paddy McFlynn (Ulster/National)• Sean McCague (National)• Michael Greenan (Ulster)Ulster Camogie Council• Catherine O’Hara (Chairperson)Ulster Ladies Gaelic Football Council• Gerry Doherty (President)• Mary Keegan (Secretary)• Sheena Tally (Ulster Regional Development Officer)Cumann na mBunscol• Paul Duggan (Secretary)• Pat McGivern (Central Council Delegate)The Council would like to thank the following individualswho made contributions to the development of the strategy:• Gerard Bradley• Donal McAnallen• Eamon McMahon• Frankie Quinn• Paddy óg Nugent• Paddy Heaney• Kieran Leddy• Brian McEniff• Frankie Quinn• Jim Murray• Seamus McCloy• Niall Laird• Dan McCartanThe Ulster Council would also like to thank the membersof Ulster GAA staff who contributed to the overalldevelopment of the plan:• Dr. Eugene Young• Stephen McGeehan• Aileen Tohill• Diarmaid Marsden• Damian Kelly• Stephen Donnelly• Sharon Haughey• Ryan Mellon• Gary Mallon• Michelle McAleer• Jimmy Darragh• Terence McWilliams• Geraldine McKavanagh• Bernie McGlinchey• Maura Kelly• Paul Sanders• Paul RouseFinally the Ulster Council would like express its gratitudeto both Mark Conway and Ryan Feeney for their hard workand dedication in managing and facilitating the overalldevelopment process of the Ulster GAA Strategic Visionand Action Plan 2009-2015 “Teaghlaigh agus Pobail: AnFabraic de CLG”78Comhairle Uladh CLGLifelong promotion of Gaelic Games, Culture, Community and FamilyUlster GAA Strategic Vision and Action Plan 2009-2015 79Some imagery supplied by Sportsfile

Title to go hereSub Title to go hereUlster Council GAACennaras Uladh8-10 Market StreetArmaghBT61 7BXT (0044) 28 3752 1900F (0044) 28 3752 8092E info@ulster.gaa.ieW www.ulster.gaa.ie80Comhairle Uladh CLGLifelong promotion of Gaelic Games, Culture, Community and Family