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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Minutes of Annual General Meeting February, 22nd. 2003.
The Annual General Meeting of Cumann na mBunscol was held in the Southern Hotel, Sligo on Saturday, 22nd. February. The meeting was chaired by Jim O’ Reilly and he welcomed all the delegates and especially Lorcán O Ruairc, Brian Coen, Joe Queenan, Tommy Kilcoyne and Moira Graham. He thanked Sligo and in particular Brian Henry and Neal Farry for their hospitality and also for the beautiful gift of a mini-briefcase and bottle openers to all delegates. He also thanked the committee for all the excellent work that they had done over the year. Apologies from Seán Ó Ceallaigh, Catherine Byrne, Liam Mulvihill, Pat Daly and Helen O’ Rourke.
Standing Orders were proposed by Tom Cunningham ( Galway ) and seconded by Robert Hanley (Limerick).
The adoption of the minutes was proposed by Gerry O’ Meara (Leinster) and seconded by Tom Ryan (Dublin).
Correspondence:
Ø A letter stating that President Mary McAleese would be unable to attend the Roadstone Awards twice in a row.
Ø A letter from London Schools’ GAA requesting affiliation with Cumann na mBunscol.
Ø A letter from Allianz concerning supervision by non-teaching staff.
Chairman’s Address:
Jim O’ Reilly said that it was his second year as cathaoirleach and it was a great honour for him to be able to serve Cumann na mBunscol.
Ø The highlight of the year was the presence of President Mary Mc Aleese at the Roadstone Awards Banquet. The whole event was wonderfully orchestrated by Marty Morrissey. The Roadstone Review Committee had met on two occasions and the new categories were agreed upon. They hope to meet again after the AGM. Many thanks to Ronnie Delaney, Michael Grogan and the assessors for the role they played in the Roadstone Awards. The National Executive play an impartial role in the judging of the Roadstone Awards.
Ø National Handball Days would take place on 1st. March for girls and on 29th. March for boys. There was an increase in the numbers playing handball and all Munster counties took part. It was hoped that there would be an improvement in the meal arrangements this year in Croke Park and that a visit to the museum would be included.
Ø There was a major increase in the allocation of tickets last year and it is great to see teachers being rewarded for their unselfish work in promoting our Gaelic Games.
Ø Many thanks to Timmy and his loyal band of workers for attending the INTO / GAA Mini – Sevens in Croke Park at Semi – Finals and Finals. We also received an increase in sponsorship from the INTO.
Ø The exhibition games in all 4 provinces provide the children with a marvellous opportunity to parade their skills in front of large crowds.
Ø He also thanked Allianz who have given us a major increase in sponsorship over the last few years. Added to this we can also look forward to the proposed Catch & Kick Competition which will be funded by McDonald’s. Hopefully it will promote quality coaching and better club/school relations. 2891 schools will receive McDonald’s P.E. gear. The children will participate in 7-a-side blitzes where emphasis will be on fun and enjoyment. The children will be encouraged to develop their catching and kicking skills. Each county will select a pair to go to Croke Park to represent them. The National launch will take place on 25th. March and this will be followed by county launches.
Ø He also congratulated Cork on celebrating their centenary and Dublin on celebrating their 75th. Anniversary.
Ø Jim concluded by thanking all his fellow officers for their great dedication over the last 12 months. He also thanked officers at provincial and county level and also those people at the coalface, the primary school teachers of Ireland who promote Gaelic Games in our schools.
Secretary’s Report
Its adoption was proposed by Michael Hanley ( Down ) and seconded by Gerry O’ Meara (Leinster ).
Treasurer’s Report
Its adoption was proposed by Martin Short (Antrim) and seconded by Michael Quinn ( Tyrone ).
Ø Gerry Mc Donnell questioned whether after school hour supervision applied to teachers only. Margaret Cunningham had received a letter from Allianz stating that non-teaching staff were covered once their position had been approved by the BOM.
Ø He also queried the increase in the insurance premium to schools but he was informed that motion one had been passed at last year’s AGM that “Cumann na mBunscol have no part or act in collecting insurance levies in schools”.
Ø The affiliation of London schools to Cumann na mBunscol was also discussed and Peter Cearney ( Mayo ) suggested that the constitution should be changed as soon as possible to accommodate them.
Public Relations Report:
Ø Jerry Grogan apologised for not having the Scoilsport magazine available for the AGM and assured delegates that it would be distributed to counties as soon as it was printed. The magazine contains a speech by President Mary McAleese where she pays great tribute to the teachers of Ireland. Roadstone were delighted with the Roastone Awards Banquet. Later on in the year they will also receive publicity on RTE through “Nationwide” and a 30 minute documentary programme on Cumann na mBunscol and the Roadstone Awards. A video on the Roadstone Awards will be distributed to schools throughout the country in the month of June. Jerry apologised for some missing projects and promised that he would try and locate them.
Ø Stationary with the new Allianz logo was available for all counties at the end of the hall. The Allianz photoboards would follow shortly. A new agreement would be made with Allianz in the near future and he was very pleased with the response which he had received from counties this year as 30 out of 32 counties responded.
Ø He had provided material for full-page coverage of Cumann na mBunscol affairs in qualifier, quarter-final, semi-final and All-Ireland final programmes. He appealed to counties to supply him with material suitable for inclusion in the above programmes.
Ø Den TV’s “ Stream “ programme filmed a day at the Cumann na mBunscol finals in Croke Park. They visited 2 schools where they filmed coaching and preparations for the big day. If any county has similar ideas Den TV are willing to visit them to film the drama and the excitement of the occasion.
Ø Any new ideas for posters as Gaeilge or any GAA promotional ideas would be welcome.
Ø “The Star” newspaper has offered a full page every Wednesday for Cumann na mBunscol activities. Jerry would appreciate it if some counties would make a commitment to forward material to him every Monday so that he could include it in “The Star” the following Wednesday.
Ø Jerry stated that it was his last year as national PRO as Dublin Cumann na mBunscol was taking up a lot of his time. P.J. Fitzpatrick congratulated Jerry on the marvellous work he had done over the years.
Mini-Sevens:
Ø Timmy Maher said that interest in the Mini-Sevens was growing as all 32 counties participated. The non-elitism factor was very appealing and ensured that 240 children had the opportunity to play in Croke Park this year. It’s great promotion for the GAA as parents, teachers and pupils receive tickets over a period of 6 Sundays.
Ø The application form for the Mini-Sevens appeared in the “InTouch” magazine last October and he hoped to have it in the September issue of the “InTouch” this year. Timmy appealed once again for the return of all Mini-Seven’s forms from the 32 counties in good time as it made his job much easier when all the forms were completed properly. He also pleaded with some counties to break with their tradition of not returning forms to him.
Ø He would also appreciate it if counties would return some interesting snippets about the children involved eg. maybe their parents or some relation had played for their county.
Ø Máiréad O’ Callaghan ( Cork ) suggested that a closing date be included in the “InTouch”. A debate ensued and most delegates felt that each county would decide for themselves what the closing date should be.
Ø Timmy thanked everybody for their huge contribution to the Mini-Sevens and Jim thanked Timmy for all his marvellous work.
Handball:
Ø Malachy Mc Geeney congratulated Tony Crowe ( Carlow ) and Seán Finnegan ( Galway) for organising the Regional Finals. A very high standard of handball was played and the children played with great pride and skill. He also welcomed Lorcán Ó Ruairc from Croke Park to the meeting.
Ø The 31st. December was the closing date for the county finals. The Regional Finals should take place in February and National Finals in March. All counties need to return forms so that Malachy can get medals out in time. At regional finals children should be given t-shirts with provincial colours.
Development Report:
Éamon Mullen thanked secretaries for arranging the provincial meetings which were very worthwhile and they should continue. Vincent Keating felt that the Helmet/Hurley subsidy was very little and needed to be improved to keep up to date with the increase in the price of helmets and hurleys. Donal Mc Carthy
( Tipperary ) proposed and Paul Kinsella ( Kilkenny ) seconded that this matter should be pursued.
Treasurer’s Report:
Its adoption was proposed by Liam Weir ( Munster ) and seconded by Gerry O’ Meara ( Leinster ).
Pat Trainor said that some counties didn’t receive Allianz grant money because they hadn’t sent in any PR material advertising Allianz. Grants would not be forwarded to county secretaries until he had received the treasurer’s report from each county. Blank cheques should be forwarded to the national secretary in September for All-Ireland tickets.
All officers were proposed and seconded en bloc by all delegates.
Uachtarán----------------------------------------------Malachy Mc Geeney ( Armagh )
Cathaoirleach-------------------------------------------------------Jim O’ Reilly ( Cork )
Leas Cathaoirleach--------------------------------------------------Tom Ryan ( Dublin )
Secretary-----------------------------------------Margaret Cunningham ( Waterford )
Assistant Secretary--------------------------------------------Richard Bowles ( Galway )
Treasurer-----------------------------------------------------------Pat Trainor ( Antrim )
PRO----------------------------------------------------------------Jerry Grogan ( Dublin )
Development Officer-------------------------------------------Éamonn Mullen ( Sligo )
Delegate Central Council--------------------------------------Timmy Maher ( Dublin )
1. That Cumann na mBunscol Handball Medals are forwarded to the County Secretary before the County Finals every year. (end of January) (Donegal) Withdrawn.
2. We call on Coiste Náisiúnta to meet with the National Sports Council to ensure that:
(a) Henceforth, all sports bags issued to Primary Schools under the Sports Partnership initiative will contain Gaelic Games equipment.
(b) That trainers will avail of Gaelic Games equipment to teach the generic skills esp. use of hurley in ball dribbling skills etc.
© That trainers be made aware of correct hurling grip and to encourage use of same as this is vital to future development of game. (Clare) Carried.
3. Cumann na mBunscol, Co. Lú, while welcoming new initiatives for coaching etc. are unhappy that the workload involved is being offloaded on Cumann na mBunscol members, i.e. teachers, who are already overburdened with other G.A.A. related responsibilities in Primary Schools. ( Louth ) Withdrawn.
Buntús Programme
After a lengthy debate Motion 2 was carried in relation to the Buntus Programme. P.J. Fitzpatrick ( Clare ) expressed grave concern over the fact that Gaelic Games equipment had been excluded from the Buntus Programme. All delegates agreed that Gaelic Games are a part of our Irish heritage and that every effort should be made by An Coiste Náisiúnta to resolve this matter. Delegates were informed that Croke Park and the Irish Sports Council are already in consultation with each other.
Lorcán Ó Ruairc ( Comhairle Liathróid Láimhe na hÉireann ):
Lorcán thanked Cumann na mBunscol for their invitation to attend the A.G.M. He was aware of the good work that was being done in schools by teachers to promote Gaelic Games and he praised Cumann na mBunscol for all their great work. He thanked Malachy for organising National Handball Days which was a tremendous initiative. He also praised John Cotter who pioneered it in its early days. In Munster all medals were presented at the Munster Handball Final. The Handball Association has no problem in providing medals when they receive the necessary information from counties. We’re all here to complement each other and he firmly believed that a development of local pride leads to national pride. He urged teachers to continue their vigilance in the promotion of Gaelic Games in our schools and he praised Jerry Grogan for all the great work that was being done in his role as PRO.
John Tobin ( Connacht Coach ):
John thanked those teachers who nurtured him in Primary School. They gave him their most valuable commodity which was time. He was grateful for the infectious enthusiasm which they handed on to him. He believed that the McDonald’s Catch & Kick programme would bring more teachers and pupils to Croke Park. He also felt that it would bring more coaching into the schools as there would be 8 football sessions & 8 hurling sessions in schools.
The GPOs would be involved in 75% coaching and 25% promotion.
He also hoped that schools would work hand in glove with the clubs. John then provided the meeting with a demonstration of the Catch & Kick skills.
Joe Queenan ( Chairman of Sligo Co. Board ):
Joe wished everybody a céad mile fáilte and hoped that they all had a pleasant journey. He praised An Coiste Náisiúnta for holding such a successful conference. He thanked all teachers for the tremendous work that they were doing in our schools to promote Gaelic Games. He assured them that such work doesn’t go unnoticed and he encouraged them to keep up the good work. He hoped that they would get more help from Croke Park and county boards.
A.O.B.
PRO Officer, Jerry Grogan wished Alec McClean the very best in his retirement. A raffle was held and P.J. Fitzpatrick ( Clare ) won a weekend for two.
This concluded the A.G.M.