Harman Tackles the Ladies Game

William Harmon: Munster Games Development Officer

By Kevin Casey

William Harmon is settling into his new role as a full time Munster Games Development officer for Ladies football. It’s a role that Central council has implemented and Munster is one of the last Province’s to appoint Harmon to this key role.

However, Ladies Football within the Province should benefit from his expertise as the 28 year old has five years experience working as the GAA officer in IT Tralee where he oversaw the preparation and development of  seven teams catering for a playing personnel of  over 250 members.

With the guts of a month under his belt in his new role he’s finding plenty of challenges to get stuck into: “Well, it’s early days so far but obviously there’s plenty of work to be done.  I’ve just been building up contacts across all the six county boards and getting a feel for how the standing of the Ladies game is within each county”.

“ Implementing a Strategic Plan for Munster is the main objective for the next few months while  also we’ll be looking to further improve the existing clubs as well as trying to get more girls involved in the games at Secondary and Primary level. There’s several initiatives that we’ll be hoping to implement over the coming months such as a coaching development programme, inticing more people to take up refereeing and trying to get more volunteers invovled.”

The Milltown native has identified various aeras within the Province that can be tapped into but interestingly he doesn’t see the overall dominance of Cork Clubs and their InterCounty teams been bad for the game within the Province: “Yes, Cork are the dominant force within Munster but that’s because they’ve a good club structure and have built things up from there in the past five or six years with developments squads and plenty coaching intiatives. It’s time that the other Counties stepped up to the mark”.

So what then does he make of things within his own native County of Kerry? “ While Kerry operate with only five Senior clubs at present we’ll be hoping to build from that basis. The underage sides (county) did very well this year so Kerry need to push on from there. One of the things I’d hope would happen is that we could encourage former players to get back into the game either as a coach, a referee or a volunteer. That’s definitely something I’d like to see happening.”

William is a direct employee of Central council and will liase with the Munster Council and the County boards. The new Munster Development officer though is aware that there are plenty challenges lying in store for him: “ I suppose primarily we still have to change the perception of Ladies football and try an attract a wider playing base and audience to our games.”

“Tosach maith leath na hOibre” (a good start is half the battle) as the old saying goes and guaging from reaction within Kerry his appointment has been well received with the County and his enthusiasm for his new role should ensure that he will play his part in driving on Ladies football  to the next stage of it’s development within the Province.

If you have any queries or would like to get in touch with wiliam on any matter pertaining to the Ladies game in Munster please contact him :

William Harmon: 087 979 4955 or williamharmon@ladiesgaelic.ie