Mayo clubs to feature on new GAA webinar
The social finance model offers tailored support to volunteer-led, community-focused organisations like GAA clubs to achieve their long-term goals.
That’s according to Community Finance Ireland (CFI), which is urging GAA clubs across the island of Ireland to consider social finance when thinking about how to sustain and grow into the future.
Between 2016 and 2021, CFI has supported GAA clubs in Mayo through a total of €399,570 in social finance loans. Clubs such as Tourmakedy and Ballintubber have drawn down social finance loans from CFI to invest in new equipment or kit, improved facilities or new developments.
Anne Graham, client relationship manager in Connacht and Donegal, said: “We work with clubs right across the island of Ireland, from Bantry to Ballymoney and from Dublin to Dingle. They’re facing many of the same challenges as clubs here across Mayo.
“GAA clubs are often the heart of a local community and it’s vital that they invest in their future to sustain that important role as community hub for generations to come.
“GAA clubs are more than the teams who line out every week – they’re the coaching staff, the groundskeepers and kit team, the hospitality staff, the bus drivers, the board members and those tireless volunteers who rise to every task at hand.
“The heritage of a club relies on these people, and it’s important that clubs invest in the future of those volunteers just as they would look to the future of their senior panel.
“Passing on the baton to the younger generation coming up – both on and off the pitch – is vital for the sustainability of clubs in Mayo and through the hands-on support from our team at Community Finance Ireland, clubs can rely on fair and flexible social finance solutions that can help them become self-sustainable as a club and community hub.”
Between 2016 and 2021, CFI has supported 73 GAA clubs across the island of Ireland to the tune of £3.2 million in Northern Ireland and €5.1 million in the Republic of Ireland.
Webinar
Ms. Graham was speaking at the launch of a new CFI five-part webinar series entitled Supporting GAA Clubs On and Off the Pitch focusing on how clubs can invest in their infrastructure and their people to ensure the sustainability of their club and, as a result, their county.
The webinar series will be hosted by Off the Ball sports reporter Aisling O’Reilly. Each event will focus on a different part of the island with a panel of speakers from local GAA clubs.
The fourth webinar will focus on the challenges faced by GAA clubs in Connacht and Donegal. Speaking at the webinar at 7 p.m. this Thursday (June 9) are Patrick Barrett, chairperson of Ballintubber GAA Club, Tom Neachtain, club coaching officer with CLG Thuar Mhic Éadaigh, and Anne Graham, client relationship manager, Community Finance Ireland. Register here to attend.