Published: Wednesday, 10th February, 2010 5:00pm

Athlone set for review as urban areas give GAA cause for concern

Athlone is the next urban area that the GAA will examine in their efforts to increase participation levels in larger population centres, according to GAA president Christy Cooney.

Mr Cooney was speaking during the launch of Westmeath GAA's Strategic Plan 2010-2015, which took place in the Mullingar Park Hotel last Wednesday night.

Mr Cooney said the GAA, through its National Urban Development Committee, has looked at participation levels in a number of cities throughout the country - adding that Athlone would be among the next urban areas for the association to examine.

"Athlone is probably the next area to look at because of the population of around 30,000," said the GAA president. "We want to increase participation levels in urban areas such as Athlone."

According to the Strategic Plan (2010-2015), there are 22 underage soccer teams vying for talent in Athlone and its immediate environs. On the other hand, there are just three clubs promoting Gaelic games - Gaelic football is catered for by Athlone and Garrycastle, while Southern Gaels provides the option of playing hurling.

Declan Leonard, a member of the sub-committee which produced the plan, noted that a lot more youngsters are playing soccer than Gaelic games in the Athlone area. He suggested that, rather than being negative about other sports, the GAA "should copy what soccer is good at".

"Rather than being negative about the competition, should we not be copying their modus operandi and developing Gaelic teams based on large estates and districts to feed in at a higher level to the established clubs," asks the strategic plan.

Mr Leonard said the playing of Gaelic games in the county's schools is "our lifeblood", adding that the links between the GAA and schools need to be developed further. He said there should be a liaison officer in each club with the responsibility of forging links with schools in the club's catchment area. Mr Leonard said an inventory of all facilities in the county should be carried out and any shortcomings identified, such as a lack of astro-turf or all-weather pitches.

In conclusion, Mr Leonard said that producing the strategic plan was in some ways "the easy part" and that implementation of its objectives would be far more difficult. He added that the plan should be flexible where needed.

The sub-committee which produced the strategic plan consisted of the following: Sean Kenny, Declan Leonard, Noel Tierney, Noel Delaney, Liam Martin, Tom Farrell, Pat Lynagh, Terry McCague, Ken Kinahan.

Westmeath GAA chairman Tom Farrell said the new strategic plan would involve coaches going into estates in the county's two biggest towns. "I'd appeal to the clubs in Athlone and Mullingar to come together to promote our games in these estates," he said.

Mr Cooney described the report as "very practical and focused on what you need to achieve in Westmeath over the next five years to make the Association stronger in Westmeath."

He said the plan had "practical and achievable targets", but insisted that the aims of the plan won't be achieved without cooperation and hard work from all the county's clubs. He said the success or otherwise of the plan will be judged by whether the clubs are stronger and better as a result.

Turning his attention to the role of schools in promoting Gaelic games, Mr Cooney said clubs need to do all they can to ensure youngsters playing for their schools are given the chance to play for their local club. In terms of attracting more volunteers, Mr Cooney said the GAA doesn't work hard enough to get former players involved, and he said the experience of former players should be utilised further in the role of coaching.

The GAA president said he would like to see every club becoming a dual club for football and hurling, adding that he would also like to see broader involvement with ladies football, camogie, handball and rounders. Pointing out that the national Scór chairman (Des Maguire) was present, he called on all clubs to promote Irish culture and music through involvement in Scór.

Noting the success of the GAA's 125-year birthday celebrations last year, Mr Cooney paid tribute to Athlone GAA club which celebrates 125 years of existence this year.

Describing the GAA as "the dominant force" in Irish sporting society, Mr Cooney said it is also the strongest community organisation in the country. Stressing the positive impact the GAA has on young people, he referred to the recent launch of the Respect programme. "It's the most important initiative that I'll launch during my three years as president."

New clubs in urban areas?

Tony Robinson (youth officer) asked if the sub-committee envisaged a need for more clubs to cater for the increased population in urban areas. Declan Leonard responded by saying that between 40 and 50 per cent of the county's population is in Athlone and Mullingar, whereas the six clubs in the two major towns represent 15.6 per cent of the county's clubs.

"I wouldn't be the person to talk about new clubs but it might arise (in the future)," he said.

The GAA president said "nobody should be afraid of a new club", adding that clubs have to be honest if they cannot provide games for all their players.

After a query from Ned Flynn (C-F/C/W) about whether small rural clubs should amalgamate, Tom Farrell pointed to the example of Maryland/Tang at underage level, and how the formation of the club has benefited both Maryland and Tang at adult level.

Des Maguire (Mullingar Shamrocks) said the existing pitches in Athlone and Mullingar are over-utilised and he asked how more pitches and facilities are going to be acquired in these towns. Tom Farrell said the GAA should look at "sharing facilities" and that sports organisations should talk to local authorities about facilities.

Mr Leonard, who works with Westmeath County Council, said local authorities are willing to provide pitches in estates, but stressed that these would be for community use and not exclusively for use by any one sporting organisation.

John Fagan (Garrycastle) asked whether there are any plans to review the plan to ensure targets are being met. Mr Farrell said it will be reviewed every six months and there will be pressure from the Leinster Council to ensure targets are being met. The county chairman revealed that another sub-committee will be set up to oversee the implementation of the strategic plan.

Leinster Council chairman Seamus Howlin also addressed the assembled club delegates. He noted that Westmeath is the third Leinster county to produce a strategic plan, with Longford and Laois having already produced similar plans.

Noting that over 40 per cent of Westmeath's population lives in Athlone and Mullingar, he said there are "major challenges in promoting our games in urban areas".