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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Secretary’s Report to Annual General Meeting 28th. February, 2004
ADMINISTRATION:
An Coiste Náisiunta met on ten occasions since the AGM in Sligo. The meetings to a large extent concentrated on Affiliation, the Constitution, the Roadstone Awards, the Coiste Gearán, the Website, Allianz sponsorship, O’ Neill’s Franchise, the McDonalds' Skills Competition, Coaching and the Buntus Programme.
ALLIANZ SPONSORSHIP:
Ø Allianz sponsorship is greatly appreciated by Cumann na mBunscol Náisiúnta. However, we received distressing news last September that Allianz were going to withdraw sponsorship from us. The current Allianz deal was worth €250,000 over three years. Other viable options were needed urgently. A meeting was held with Allianz on 13th. December, 2003 and Cumann na mBunscol Náisiúnta agreed to the following:
Ø A one year extension of the sponsorship arrangement.
Ø A figure of €80,000 per year had been agreed.
Ø Provincial units would be responsible for ensuring production and return of PR material.
Ø A briefing with provincial and county PROs would be needed to explain the new arrangements. This seminar for PROs would take place after the AGM.
Ø Details of county finals should be forwarded to Allianz.
Ø Details of county officers should be forwarded to Allianz.
Ø Details of PROs should be forwarded to Allianz
ROADSTONE AWARDS:
Ø The Roadstone Awards Banquet took place at the Berkeley Court Hotel and we were very honoured to have An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern and President Seán Kelly in attendance. A guard of honour of children dressed in county colours was formed in the reception area to welcome An Taoiseach.
Ø We had two new assessors, Jim O’ Sullivan ( The Irish Examiner ) and Martin Breheny ( The Independent ) who were delighted to act as Roadstone Awards assessors.
Ø Several meetings were held with Roadstone. The contribution of David Roche, Michael Grogan, Ronnie Delaney and Marty Morrissey was once again immense and it has been a great pleasure working with such professional people.
Ø Congratulations to all those involved in the organisation of the night and on the smooth running of the event. Cumann na mBunscol received positive reaction and
compliments from the sponsors and from many guests.
Ø Complementary videos on the Roadstone Awards were distributed to every primary school in the country.
Ø We had seven categories altogether and the "Best Cumann na mBunscol School " category was divided into two sections, one for urban schools and one for rural schools. Details of winners may be seen in this booklet.
Coaching and Games Development:
Ø New educational bodies sub-committees had been formed. The Primary Schools’ Committee consists of: Gerry Grogan (Chairperson), Tom Fitzpatrick( Secretary ), Jim O’Reilly, Peter Carney, Paul Sloan, Tim Maher, Tony Watene, Paula Prenty and Gerry O’Meara.
Ø The €10,000.00 grant to counties for Coaching and Games Development was sent out to counties in January, 2004. Concerns were expressed regarding the manner in which this money had been distributed in the past. We would like to reiterate that this sum of money should be spent exclusively on primary schools' activities.
Ø Counties will now have to produce evidence of any coaching initiative which will have to be sent to Croke Park rather than to the Provincial Councils.
Ø Each county should have a rep on the Coaching Games & Development Committee so that they could exert some influence over the distribution of money etc.
Ø Cumann na mBunscol should have an input into the selection of coaches for Primary Schools.
Ø Eamon must be complimented on his efforts in making the McDonalds' "Catch and Kick" scheme a success. We all look forward to the "Lift and Strike" programme this year and it will operate along the same lines as last year’s “Catch and Kick”.
Ø School selection was based on Cumann na mBunscol schools within each county and schools should receive their equipment in the Spring.
Ø Clubs need to adopt schools in their areas to implement the scheme as several clubs did not avail of the coaching grant last year.
Ø The national launch will take place on 30th. March, 2004.
Ø The Provincial Games Manager will have responsibility for the appointment of a coordinator in each county and for the organization of a county launch after 30th. March.
Ø The GPO will work in conjunction with Cumann na mBunscol to assign a School Coordinator who, in turn, will oversee the Programme in each School.
Ø The School Coordinator may come from a Club, may be a Teacher, a Team Mentor, a Parent and/or a Student. School coordinators will have a Coaching qualification.
COISTE GEARAN:
Ø A Coiste Gearán was set up at the Provincial Meeting to form some guidelines for counties as several counties were unsure as how to deal with various problems.
Ø The Coiste Gearán members were Eamonn Mullen ( An Coiste Náisiúnta ), Liam Weir ( Munster ), Peter Carney ( Connacht ), Pauric Daly ( Ulster ) and David Finnegan ( Leinster ). Their first meeting was held in Galway in November. As a result of this meeting various recommendations were made. The details of these recommendations may be found in the Development Report in this booklet,
Constitution and Affiliation:
Ø The London Primary Schools’ GAA Board requested affiliation as they were looking for moral support and coaching guidance from Cumann na mBunscol.
Ø A carefully worded motion has been prepared on associate membership for this AGM.
Ø The constitution was studied with regard to affiliation. Various adjustments were made to the constitution.
Ø A copy of this draft was circulated to Co. and Provincial secretaries before the AGM.
Ø There was a possibility of insurance implications and contact was made with Allianz and with Pat Morrissey to clarify this matter.
Ø London would be considered as another county and it would be grouped with the six counties in Ulster.
Ø Insurance to cover the London Schools’ Board would cost £150.00stg. plus 5% Government levy.
Ø It was noted that there must be some actual benefit of affiliation (and obligations) for overseas units.
Handball:
Ø Girls’ Handball Day in Croke Park is 27-3-04.
Ø Boys’ Handball Day in Croke Park is 3-4-04.
Ø Closing date for entry is 20-2-04.
Ø Hopefully there will be a sit down meal for all concerned at 1.00pm.
Ø The museum shop should be open at all times to cater for the visitors.
Buntús:
Margaret and Tom had a meeting with the Irish Sports Council on Friday, 16-1-04.
It was explained that the GAA are the national governing body for Gaelic Games and as such would have to be consulted in relation to any use of their equipment or coaching resources in any programme the Irish Sports Council would develop. The GAA are an autonomous body and so the Irish Sports Council cannot, nor would it seek to impose any programme onto the organisation. As a result, the Irish Sports Council cannot include GAA equipment or references in Buntús without the approval of the GAA.
We were also informed that the entire Buntús programme will be reviewed in June. The Irish Sports Council would welcome comments or suggestions on the programme from all interested parties. At this stage the Irish Sports Council are still in consultation with the Coaching Games Development Committee in Croke Park in relation to this matter. Hopefully this matter will be resolved in the near future.
WEBSITE:
Ø The website address is www.scoilsport.org . Any items for inclusion should be sent to mgtcunningham@hotmail.com It is hoped eventually to provide counties with valuable information and facilitate their applications to various competitions e.g. Mini-Sevens, Handball and the Roadstone Awards.
The launch of the website would take place shortly. The Press Box in Croke Park would be a good location. The InTouch would also be used to advertise the launch.
O’ Neill’s :
Ø Dave Britton will do a full package for Cumann na mBunscol.
Ø Schools will receive a brochure/price list directly from O’Neills.
Ø Brochure will list retail prices and special offers for schools.eg.
•Children’s Track suits, sweatshirts all available bearing school logos.
•School jerseys with scoilsport logo.
•Adult wear with scoilsport logo and county name, college jackets etc.,
•Outdoor wear (raingear) etc. with Scoilsport logo.
Ø Children’s wear will be ordered directly by school through O Neill’s in March for the following August.
Ø Cumann na mBunscol and O’Neill’s have teamed up to give children the opportunity to focus on Gaelic Games in the context of their school. There are prizes to be won in every County and Province as well as nationally.
Ø Category A : “Tell us about Gaelic Games in your School”
(Open to all children individual or group – max 5)
€500.00 Voucher €100.00 Voucher
32 X €100.00 Vouchers
(Infant’s – 3rd Class - l) or Primary 1- Primary 5
National Winner : 32 County Winners
Ø Entries, accompanied by completed entry form, to be sent to National Co-ordinator, Tom Ryan by June 30th, 2004 Winners announced in September, 2004
My sincere thanks to the Coiste Náisiúnta, provincial and county officers for their co-operation during the year. A special thanks to Uachtarán Seán Ó Ceallaigh and I would like to thank him for his interest and support at all times during his first year as President.
Margaret Cunningham ( Rúnaí )