THE GAA in Scotland gathered at the Clydebank Community Sports Hub—the first class home of Glasgow Gaels—for an opening ceremony at which the new strategic plan for the county was unveiled (above).
The strategy will see a new focus on a range of areas which aims to build new links, safeguard the future, enhance youth development and volunteering and secure the finances of the GAA and the member clubs in the county.
It is hoped that the publication of the strategy document will ensure that the revitalisation and development of recent years can now continue in an orderly fashion, and usher in a new era of Gaelic games in Scotland.
Already in recent years Scottish clubs—particularly Glasgow Gaels and Dunedin Connollys—have asserted themselves in Gaelic football in Britain, with the county squad also demonstrating the quality players Scotland can boast at a provincial level, and now a continued development and safeguarding of the gains which have been made has been identified as a priority by the county board.
Outlining the need for such a strategic document, Peter Mossey, Cathaoirleach of Scotland GAA, spoke of the process of consultation and research which informed the new document.
“I feel extremely honoured to undertake the responsibility of chairing Scotland GAA at this juncture in its history, and as part of this to present our strategic plan, which is very much an ongoing work in progress,” Mr Mossey said. “A significant component of this has been our interaction with a range of stakeholders on May 13, 2019, many of whom are here at our strategy launch today and I extend a very warm welcome to everyone.
“The guidance provided by Croke Park on the formal process of strategic planning has been instrumental in this process, and is happening in parallel with a similar initiative by British Provincial Council to revise their strategy, and both of these are facilitated by expertise in Ulster Council with whom the GAA in Britain are strategically twinned.
“Our stakeholder meeting in May 2019 has been extremely useful in canvassing a range of perspectives, and this will be even more important as we continue to evolve and develop those issues we deem to be priorities in the immediate future.
“We look forward to working more closely in the future with Provincial Council of Britain, Ulster Council and Croke Park to ensure that the strategic priorities for Scotland GAA are delivered and we will be increasingly dependent on our volunteers, stakeholders and supporters.
“A great example of what can be achieved exists here in this venue in Clydebank where close working relationships with local West Dunbartonshire Council has enabled delivery of a facility that 10 years ago might have been unimaginable. We are ambitious in continuing our quest to develop infrastructure to ensure that this matches our ambition at all levels to provide for everyone who wishes to participate in our Gaelic Games and to strengthen the integration of Irish culture and Scottish culture.”
dan@theirishvoice.com
