Conference highlights Community
On Saturday, Ulster GAA held its third annual ‘Club and Volunteer Conference’, in partnership with The Irish News. Over 450 people packed into Armagh City Hotel for Ulster GAA’s Flagship non-games event, which has now become extremely popular with Gaels across the Province of Ulster.
The theme of the conference was ‘Stronger Clubs, Better Communities; the legacy of the GAA’s 125th Anniversary Year’ and ‘community’ was very much the key word of the day.
Cardinal Sean Brady delivered the first of three key note addresses. His message to the strong GAA audience was the importance of the GAA to community life across Ulster. He fondly recalled being involved in organising one of the first ever Scór events in Ulster and acknowledge how far Scór had come in its forty year. Cardinal Brady also focused on women in the GAA, he said, “For many years, when I was involved with the GAA, I went to meetings and there were only men there. Now this Association has grown and developed into an organisation that respects and promotes the role of women, both on and off the pitch.”
Former President of the GAA and proud Ulsterman Peter Quinn was cheered as he took to the stage. In his usual articulate manner Peter gave a rousing speech about what the next 125 years will bring for the GAA. He said, “I don’t know what the next 125 years will bring but one thing I am confident about is that in 125 years from now the GAA still be at the heart of communities across Ireland and hopeful across the globe. I have no doubt that the GAA will grow stronger, even from what it is today.”
A warm welcome was extended to Earl Storey from the Church of Ireland when he took to the stage to present the final keynote address of the day. During his address Earl Storey spoke about his admiration for the GAA and its people. He said, “One thing that sets the GAA apart from any other organisation, and this is from an outsider’s view, is the spirit of volunteerism. GAA people are extremely passionate and extremely committed to the values of the Association. It is with great admiration that I look on at people in the GAA, because I can see their passion for the sport and for the promotion of culture.”
The conference also included presentations from Ulster GAA President Tom Daly, Irish News Editor Noel Doran, GAA President Christy Cooney, Ryan Feeney, Ulster GAA, Sharon Haughey, Ulster GAA, Maura Kelly, Ulster GAA, Danny Murphy, Ulster GAA and Aogan O Fearghail, Ulster GAA .
As part of Ulster GAA’s promotion of Scór, the packed audience were treated to performances by Ulster Solo Singing Champion Catherine Grimley, Ulster Recitation Champion Niamh Devine and Dromintee Instrumental Group.
There were a number of workshops ran throughout the day for club members to explore some of the key issues and challenging facing GAA Clubs, including: Fundraising, Promotion of Scór, Communications, Club Development Planning, Valuing Volunteers, Physical Infrastructure and ICT.
Conference Delegates also received useful information about products and services for GAA Clubs from 22 exhibition stalls. The Ulster Cancer Foundation were also on hand to give advice and to operate a skin screening service for delegates. Unite against Hate was also a prominent campaign on the way with many delegates signing the petition.
Ulster Council President Tom Daly who is due to step down from office in February received a standing ovation from the 450 delegates at the end of the conference marking his successful three years in office.
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Presentations from the Conference can be downloaded now from the Ulster GAA Club Maith website at www.ulster.gaa.ie/club-maith/articles/
Registration for the Club Maith website is free.
