GAA: Steelstown Brian Og's have new blueprint for success

STEELSTOWN Brian Og's Chairman, Michael Heffernan believes the club now has '˜a blueprint which offers an opportunity for real progress for the future' after completing its first ever Football Development Action plan.
Pictured at the launch of Steelstown Brian Og's first ever Football Development Action plan this week are; Back row, l-r, Michael Moore, James McGurk, Brid Moore, Brendan Hughes, Niamh Cusack and Dominic Concannon. Front row, left to right, Michael Heffernan (Club Chairman), James McGurk (Coaching Officer) and Lizzie Keys (Ulster GAA).Pictured at the launch of Steelstown Brian Og's first ever Football Development Action plan this week are; Back row, l-r, Michael Moore, James McGurk, Brid Moore, Brendan Hughes, Niamh Cusack and Dominic Concannon. Front row, left to right, Michael Heffernan (Club Chairman), James McGurk (Coaching Officer) and Lizzie Keys (Ulster GAA).
Pictured at the launch of Steelstown Brian Og's first ever Football Development Action plan this week are; Back row, l-r, Michael Moore, James McGurk, Brid Moore, Brendan Hughes, Niamh Cusack and Dominic Concannon. Front row, left to right, Michael Heffernan (Club Chairman), James McGurk (Coaching Officer) and Lizzie Keys (Ulster GAA).

The Action Plan, which has taken three months to compile, highlights the need for the Ballyarnet based club to attempt to match its off-field facilities development, with an on-field football plan which will ultimately result in a return to Division One after an absence of three seasons.

The club were first promoted to the top flight in 2011 where they spent two campaigns and it’s hoped the new development plan can help coaches at various age levels to identify target areas for improvement.

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The ambitious plan was launched in the Steelstown clubhouse and was drawn up using the input of 15 different coaches who

represent all teams within the club from the U6s to senior.

It was created as a result of the club taking part in a series of club structure workshops organised through the Ulster GAA.

Lizzie Keys, a Curriculum Support coach from Ulster GAA, led the workshops which looked at the current position of the club and helped the coaches identify target areas for development.

Club Chairman, Mr Heffernan said the plans will need the input and assistance of everyone at the club if it’s to prove successful.

Steelstown Brian Og's Chairman, Michael Heffernan, James McGurk (Club Coaching Officer) and Lizzie Keys (Ulster GAA) pictured at the launch of the club's first ever Football Development Action plan this week.Steelstown Brian Og's Chairman, Michael Heffernan, James McGurk (Club Coaching Officer) and Lizzie Keys (Ulster GAA) pictured at the launch of the club's first ever Football Development Action plan this week.
Steelstown Brian Og's Chairman, Michael Heffernan, James McGurk (Club Coaching Officer) and Lizzie Keys (Ulster GAA) pictured at the launch of the club's first ever Football Development Action plan this week.
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“It gives me great pleasure to welcome CLG Bhrian Og Bhaile Stil Club Football Development Action Plan,” he said. “This document sets out what club members including boys, girls, adult men and adult Ladies football deem to be the critical projects for completion between now and 2019.

“These selected projects build on the work of club members and officers who have worked tirelessly down through the years to promote the ideals of the Gaelic Athletic Association within our club and parishes.

“With the ideas generated at the initial brainstorming session, coupled with the hours invested in various focus groups and the diligent work of our Football Development Committee, I believe we now have a blueprint that offers an opportunity for real progress for the future. However, in many ways the real work begins now.

“Meeting the ambitious goals set out in this document will need the input and assistance of a large number of people and requires all club members to put their proverbial shoulders to the wheel and actively seek out ways to make a positive contribution.

Steelstown Brian Og's Chairman, Michael Heffernan, James McGurk (Club Coaching Officer) and Lizzie Keys (Ulster GAA) pictured at the launch of the club's first ever Football Development Action plan this week.Steelstown Brian Og's Chairman, Michael Heffernan, James McGurk (Club Coaching Officer) and Lizzie Keys (Ulster GAA) pictured at the launch of the club's first ever Football Development Action plan this week.
Steelstown Brian Og's Chairman, Michael Heffernan, James McGurk (Club Coaching Officer) and Lizzie Keys (Ulster GAA) pictured at the launch of the club's first ever Football Development Action plan this week.
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“Indeed, one of our key priorities is to attract new members and retain current members, and I hope that those reading this, not currently involved in the club, will see within these pages, signs of a vibrant, forward thinking and inclusive organisation.

“It is critically important that we grasp with both hands the opportunities that this plan provides, and ensure that Steelstown Brian Og’s GAA Club continues to effectively serve our members, supporters and the community that sustains us.”

James McGurk the Coaching Officer at Steelstown was involved right throughout the process and is very appreciative of the input and support that came from a large number of people at the club, namely the coaches and the club executive.

Mr McGurk stated that the process from start to finish was ‘hard work’. “There has been a lot of man hours put into creating the Action Plan and at times we had to remind ourselves why we were doing it, but hopefully it will not be in vain.

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“There are a lot of things you would like to do to improve things at the club, but wish lists are easily drawn up, and selecting target areas for development, and drawing up a means to achieve them is not so easy.”

The future certainly looks bright for Steelstown Brian Og’s.

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