Vols plan ahead
ST. JOHN'S Volunteers have a famous history, having won more county Senior football titles than any other club and produced many famous county players since their founding in 1893.
On February 1, the club focused on their future when they launched their impressive five-year Strategic Action Plan from 20122017. The ambitious plan was launched by G.A.A. President Christy Cooney who was effluent in his praise of what he described as 'beautifully-presented plan, with ambitious, yet achievable targets'.
A large crowd gathered in Whites Hotel where they were addressed by the Mayor, Davy Hynes, who told of hearing stories of famous Volunteers of the past including former Tánaiste, Brendan Corish, and the legendary Willie Goodison.
County Vice-chairman and St. John's Volunteers Development officer, Micheál Martin, gave an overview of the targets set out in the plan under various different sections including coaching and games, finance and fundraising, and communication.
He also highlighted the new St. John's Volunteers website which was launched on the night. The county Vice-chairman outlined that as part of his remit on County Board he was responsible for driving planning for clubs and county.
Fifteen clubs have already signed up to do club plans in 2012 and over the next three years the aim is to ensure every club has a plan in place, while the county strategic plan is currently being redrafted by Martin and his committee.
Club Chairman, Jim Mccarthy, thanked the various sub-committees in the club who worked over a twelve-month period to produce the plan and welcomed all invited guests including G.A.A. President Christy Cooney, who was a former team-mate of his in Youghal G.A.A. club, Co. Cork.
The Uachtarán emphasised that Wexford can only grow as a county if the clubs are strong. He was particularly pleased at the work being done at under-age in the club, noting that the club's policy of ensuring that every player gets a game was the most important facet of any plan.
'Children should be encouraged and given a positive reaction when they play Gaelic games, and I'm delighted that you have put such an emphasis on this in your club,' he said, noting how club Coiste na nóg Chairman, Peter Mcguire, was 2011 county 'clubman of the year'.
He was also delighted that the club had set a target for catering for its talented players by aiming to produce players for the county teams on a regular basis by the end of the plan.
'This shows that you care for your county,' he said before adding that he was confident that the club will regain its place at the top table by implementing this plan and that the club would be in a position to celebrate its 125th anniversary in style.
