From Small Steps to great Strides

Ulster Ladies Gaelic launched their Strategic Plan 2012 -2017 – “From Small Steps to great Strides” in Kelly’s Inn recently marking the start of their development plans for the incoming years.

After some wonderful entertainment provided by young musicians from the Omagh St. Enda’s club in Tyrone, Uachtarán Cumann Peil Gael na mBan Uladh Hugh Devenney welcomed those in attendance which included Pat Quill, Helen O Rourke and Paula Prunty (Central Council), Ryan Feeney, Martin Mc Aviney and Eugene Young (Ulster GAA), Kathleen Woods (Ulster Camogie) and representatives from the nine Ulster counties.  He also spoke of the role of the volunteers in Ulster who will be instrumental in the implementation of the goals set out saying “Our volunteers in Ulster are second to none and have brought us to where we are today.  They have been at the core of everything we have achieved so far, and I am sure that they will continue to bring us forward in the years ahead.”

In his address to the audience Pat Quill Uachtarán Cuman Peil Gael na mBan said, “This plan maps the pathways you will be following for the next five years. It is progressive and dovetails nicely with the National Strategic Plan and I wish you well for the next five years”.

The final speaker of the evening was Ulster GAA Ladies Development Officer Sheena Kelly who was the driving force behind the new plan. Sheena began by telling everyone that Ulster Ladies Gaelic had achieved 95% of their first startegic plan and that their vision for the next five years would remain the same i.e. “To continue to be the leading female sporting organisation in Ulster with efficent and effective structures in place to help support and guide the participation, the development and the enjoyment of all”.

Sheena continued by briefly outlining the five sections of the plan, the various themed areas included in it and highlighting the priorities for the first year of its implementation. She emphasised the need for continued partnership working with all sections of the GAA family in order to bring the plan forwarded and thanked Ulster GAA for their support thus far.  She concluded with a quote from President Obama summing up the mood of the night…”Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we have been waiting for. We are the ones we seek.”

County Delegates have been issued with copies of the new Strategic Plan and these will be distributed to the clubs at their next County Board meetings.  For a copy of the plan contact Sheena Kelly on sheena.kelly.ulster@gaa.ie or check out www.ulsterladiesgaelic.com