Byrno's Big Bailout

Brian Cowan is in his final days fulfilling whatever role it is that he is occupying now and with the Belgium AGM on Tuesday night, our Chairman Kevin Keary has one of his committee to thank for getting him out of an awkward issue.

Our pitch situation has long been a problem. Parc50 has a place in our hearts as it is where the club has really grown. However, to some extent, we have outgrown it, mainly due to our player numbers. In addition, it is hard to continually ignore its other problems, such as the surface and lack of fencing around the pitch which makes it particularly difficult for hurling. Not to mention the lack of dressing rooms and lights. As for the BSB, it is just too far out of town and difficult/nearly impossible to get there for 19h.

Everyone appointed to a committee has a generally defined role or at least some scope to make up its definition if they show the initiative to do so. They are responsible for running the day to day business but should also be responsible for looking for avenues to bring the club forward. The main one in this case, in my opinion, has been to find a new home. As far as I could see, only token action was taken until last week.

On Monday, Collie B took some initiative, ignored the usual declaration that the VUB (University in Brussels) was unavailable and took a trip out there. Indeed, it is unavailable for soccer but when he explained that Gaelic Football was more like rugby (grrr), they became quite open to the idea. And there you have it; we now have a pitch, 15mins from Schuman by foot and metro, at the primetime of 20h on Tuesday and Thursday.

It’s a massive boost ahead of the recommencement of training on Thursday night. We have an attractive, floodlit facility with dressing rooms, to help us attract more players. The time is more suitable from a work point of view so it could hardly be better. The only downside is that it closes in June, July and August but there is time to solve that problem.

As for the rest of the AGM, my main gripe is relating to the timing of the meeting itself. I’m open to correction but I’m pretty sure every GAA club in the world has its AGM prior to its County convention. This allows its members time to debate motions to propose at that meeting rather than a small group i.e. the committee, deciding themselves.

This year, I attended the County Convention without having had any explanation of the motions which our club proposed. I was a delegate of the County Board rather than the club on that occasion so had no problem voting against them.

Adding to my frustration was the nature of them. I thought they focused on rules and regulation type of things which weren’t really going to benefit any of us. I had sent a mail with two proposals back in October or November. One was to get rid of the post tournament dinner and instead just have the host club have a do in a pub. The two main reasons were the hassle in organising it and the cost for players which could be eliminated. Very few clubs actually use their sponsor’s premises for it so that is not an issue.

My other suggestion was to amend the yellow card rule. Conchur de Barra received two yellow cards in two games in a tournament last year and as a result could not play for the rest of the day. It’s a ridiculous ruling. Of course, discipline is an issue but to punish someone who may have travelled half way across Europe, by ruling them out for two yellows in two games is ridiculous. Frustration is enhanced by the inconsistency of the refereeing too.

These are practical, simple changes which would actually benefit our members but I don’t think I even got a response to my mail. And without a properly timed AGM, the motions could not be properly proposed.

There was one major initiative kicked off and sustained. That was the Newsletter which Steph and Sylvia so brilliantly produce. However, we have also fallen back in one aspect of promotion. When we got the football going, Conan had us everywhere, regularly featuring on hoganstand.com. We didn’t appear anywhere last year but I saw plenty about Den Hague, Stockholm and Warsaw. Creating awareness is important.

This is not to say the club is not running well, just that a committee’s job is not just to carry out normal business (which was done) but also make meaningful changes that can drive the club on and benefit the members. The pitch is a good step and already the fundraising is becoming more alive.

Over the last few months, a load of people have asked what they can do to help out and the enthusiasm to contribute is magnificent. With good people committed to leading our teams for the coming year, we maintain our healthy condition and the outlook is good for 2011.

Unfortunately I can’t be in attendance to discuss in more detail on Tuesday night.