CUMANN NA MBUNSCOL NÁISIÚNTA
National A.G.M.2004 (Kerry)
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CUMANN NA MBUNSCOL NÁISIÚNTA |
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National A.G.M.2004 (Kerry) |
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DEVELOPMENT REPORT
The Sixth Annual Roadstone/Cumann na mBunscol Awards took place in the Berkeley Court with an Taoiseach as guest of honour and special guest Uachtarán CLG Seán O Ceallaigh. This was another successful event and a presentation night enjoyed by all guests fortunate to be there. Congratulations to all the award winners and nominees especially to those first time entrants.
The full list of winners is available in this booklet.
Earlier in the year a Roadstone Review Committee met under the Chairmanship of Timmy Maher. It was agreed that all nominees would continue to receive a trophy while the wording of the categories needed to be looked at. The format for the night of the awards was very satisfactory, while the running order needed to be speeded up.
The work of Marty Morrissey who has been involved since the inception of the awards has to be commended. As regards the photographs, they were to be sent to the relevant County Secretaries. This year two new assessors joined the panel – Martin Breheny and Jim O’Sullivan. I want to thank Marty Morrissey and his panel of assessors, Helen O’Rourke, Clíona Foley, Seosamh MacDonncha, Jarlath Burns, Martin Breheny and Jim O’Sullivan for agreeing to judge the entries. I also want to thank Roadstone and their Managing Director Mr. Michael Grogan for their continued support of the awards. I also want to thank Ronnie Delaney and David Roche for their efforts in making the Awards Banquet such a success. I would plead with all units of Cumann na mBunscol to enter at least one category in 2004 because I know that the level of local activity is not reflected in the number of entries.
Last year a video of the Awards Night where President McAleese’s excellent speech was included was produced in association with Roadstone and distributed to all primary schools of Ireland. Cumann na mBunscol wants to record its appreciation of St Patrick’s College, Drumcondra and Tom Fitzpatrick and his students in organising and mailing over four thousand videos. I am sure the schools have found them to be a useful resource and also a cameo of what Cumann na mBunscol is doing throughout Ireland for the promotion of Gaelic games in our primary schools.
Prior to the launch last year of the McDonalds Catch & Kick, the Coaching and Games Committee invited Cumann na mBunscol to be part of the consultative process. This was a major step forward and a sub committee of Nicholas Baxter (Cavan), Gerry O’Meara (Dublin), Richard Bowles (Galway) and Munster Reps- P J Fitzpatrick (Clare) and Liam Weir (Cork) along with Eamonn Mullen ( National Development Officer), Jim O’ Reilly ( National Chairman ) and Margaret Cunningham ( National Secretary ) met Pat Daly and Tony Watene to draw up the programme. I want to thank everybody for their input to the committee.
In meeting the Provincial Units to outline the Catch & Kick Programme, reservations were expressed about the extra workload being put on teachers and also on Runaí Contae at a busy time of the year. This was overcome by the appointment of the G.P.O. as county coordinator who worked closely with the local Cumann na mBunscol unit to help with the smooth running of the event. The equipment that arrived to every school participating in Cumann na mBunscol activities was most welcome and Pat Daly and Croke Park are to be commended in ensuring the prompt delivery of these bags. All Counties participated and had two Representatives taking part in the national event, which was held over five days in Croke Park. Thanks to Comhairle Laighin for agreeing to host it.
The Following Counties made it to the Final Day:
Carlow, Cavan, Cork, Kerry, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath.
An important element of the scheme was the 8-week coaching module, which each school should have had. It was also expected that Blitzes would take place with as many boys and girls playing as possible.
This year we look forward to the launch of the Lift and Strike to promote hurling. This will progress along similar lines culminating in a Croke Park experience for children from each county. We are still awaiting details on equipment. The emphasis again should be on the coaching sessions to raise standards and I would urge all schools to ensure that they are taken up.
While teachers may have certain reservations about the sponsorship, Croke Park and McDonalds are to be commended on this initiative. Thanks is due also to all the GPOs who acted as county coordinators.
A meeting of the Provincial Officers took place with the Cóiste Náisiúnta in September and activities and events in each province were outlined. Exhibition games continue to be played in all provinces.
In Ulster indoor games are popular with increased participation and counties sending representatives to provincial blitzes.
BBC N.I filmed some of sessions. The wish list was that more teachers would be afforded opportunities to take coaching courses. They were also hoping to increase publicity throughout the province and hopefully get more finance.
In Munster, indoor hurling is being promoted in each county, as is handball. It was hoped that the National Handball Finals Day could be improved. The school /club coaching scheme as promoted in Tipperary should be expanded. The Munster Council have a Sub Committee to review the school /club links and how the profile of Cumann na mBunscol can be raised throughout the province. Finance was not an issue. Cork celebrated their centenary and are to be congratulated on their excellent publication. Concern was expressed about the issue of pitch size for the Primary Game in correspondence from the National Sports Council.
In Connacht, the Coaching Manager John Tobin had developed close links with Cumann na mBunscol and was very supportive. The Connacht Council besides their annual grant also gave an extra €5,000 towards the added administration costs, which all counties were incurring. This was greatly appreciated.
At the exhibition games, County Boards now provided the teams with full replica gear. It is hoped to meet with John Tobin to review and evaluate the Catch and Kick Programme. It is intended to provide coaching demonstrations on Liam Sammons New Skills Coaching Book. Counties are striving to make every effort to provide coaching sessions in the schools with suitable personnel.
Coiste Laighin of Cumann na mBunscol have a wide and varied programme from indoor hurling to conditioned games to ground hurling and of course Catch & Kick. This involves all County units at various events with seven different Counties hosting. It is hoped to extend this to nine in the coming year. Kit bags were sponsored for the hurling team in St Patrick’s College Drumcondra. It is hoped to hold a Liathróid Láimhe Day for beginners in Kilkenny, involving the hosts and Dublin. Comhairle Laighin are to be commended on their twice-yearly newsletter, which is very informative. Three new members were elected to the Coiste and the introduction of new blood is to be welcomed.
Arising out of the provincial meeting issues arose around procedures and objections and it was agreed to set up a sub committee to look into the setting up of a Coiste Gearan. Pauric Daly (Uladh), David Finnegan(Laighean), Liam Weir (Mumhan) and Peter Carney (Connacht) with the National Development Officer as Cathaoirleach formed this committee.
Below is the outcome of that meeting. Arising out of the recommendations amendments will have to be make to the constitution. Equally so it is vital that all County Committees of Cumann na mBunscol adopt their own constitution.
COISTE GEARAN
Any complaints or objections must be lodged with the Runaí Chontae in writing within 4 school days of the game. The Runaí informs the other party who also have 4 school days to respond in writing.
The matter can then be dealt with by the Coiste Contae. The decision will then be conveyed to both parties. Any party dissatisfied with the decision of the Coiste may appeal in writing to the Runaí Chontae Cumann na mBunscol within 4 school days. This appeal will be heard by the Coiste Gearán.
A minimum of 5 are elected to this committee at the A.G.M. No member of the Officer Board of Coiste Chontae, Cumann na mBunscol or anybody who has heard the original objection may sit on An Coiste Gearán. No member of the Coiste Gearán may consider any appeal involving their own school. The Coiste Gearán may call all interested parties. A quorum of 3 is necessary to hear all appeals. The decision of the Coiste Gearán is final and binding.
An exciting development during the year was the interest expressed by London Primary Schools in affiliating to Cumann na mBunscol. Patrick Morrissey who is spear heading the drive in London addressed our September meeting and would welcome any support from us. It would seem practical from a football viewpoint that they might be linked to Connacht and benefit from possible links through the Connacht Championship.
Each County Board has a Coaching and Games Committee and in light of proposed changes in the role of G.P.Os, it is vital that Cumann na mBunscol has an active delegate attending the meetings. Schools and Clubs need to develop stronger links, which is mutually beneficial. The delegates need to ensure that money provided for coaching by the Irish Sports Council through Croke Park is used productively and efficiently. We need to insist that the 8-week Coaching Models as set out under the Under Age Strategic Plan take place. We must make our voices heard at County Board otherwise we are part of the problem. Ní neart go cur le chéile.
In conclusion I want to thank the counties for their help and courtesy during the year. I hope that the McDonalds Catch & Kick went well in the counties and we look forward to similar success with the Lift & Strike. Finally thanks to all my colleagues on the National Committee for their help and support.
Have an enjoyable and fruitful sporting year ahead.
Eamon Mullen