New strategic plan for Ladies Gaelic Football announced

A new Strategic Plan to cater for the phenomenal growth in Ladies’ Football has been launched by the Ladies Gaelic Football Association. With numbers playing the game expected to rise to almost 150,000 within three years, the association has undertaken a major review of its structures and prepared a plan for the future.

Amongst the major initiatives announced in the plan – “Enhancing lives and communities for over 100,000 players”- are the appointment of four full time Regional Development Officers, the recruitment of more coaches and referees, a re-structuring of competitions, improved administration systems and the implementation of a new communications, public relations and marketing programmes.

Two of the Regional Development Officers will be appointed this year, with two more appointed over the next three seasons. They will be assigned to the four provinces. Ladies Gaelic Football is now the biggest female sport in Ireland with over 100,000 players at all levels. The Association expects that figure to increase by at least 50,000 by 2008 and recognises a need to review its structures. The Strategic Plan sets out a vision for the future, outlining strategies to take the organisation forward and to cater for the unrivalled growth experienced over the last five years. The aim is to ensure that the Ladies Gaelic Football Association has the best possible volunteers and policy-makers to lead it, along with a professional team of full time staff working with them on a daily basis to implement the plans and programmes.

The Plan focuses on four major areas – coaching and development, competitions, leadership and management, and commercial and marketing. Launching the Plan, the President of the Ladies Gaelic Football Association, Geraldine Giles said it signals a watershed in the development of the sport.

“Instead of basking in the glow of success we need to prepare for the demands of the future. Our game continues to experience massive growth and we have to prepare and be ready to sustain the growth,” she said.

“This is a very exciting time for our sport and the vibrancy and energy in Ladies’ Football at present is reflected in the Strategic Plan. There are challenges ahead but if we follow this Mission Statement over the next three years then I am confident that we will meet those challenges.”

For further details please contact Paula Prunty, National Games Development Officer, Ladies Gaelic Football Association, Cusack Stand, Croke Park, Dublin 3. Tel: (01) 8363156 or email: paula@ladiesgaelic.ie