Return to play: Covid Officer Update

As we await the next GAA Covid update it seems there will be little or no on-field activity expected to resume this side of Easter as it is now expected that Level 5 restrictions may last until then. Our team mentors and coaches are currently doing great work online with our various team groups to help keep them active and ready for when real-time training resumes which hopefully will be in the not-too-distant future.

GAA Club March Newsletter

The March edition of the GAA Club Newsletter edition includes the following:

• GAA President, Larry McCarthy, calls on the Government to allow children to return to play with their clubs.
• The motions passed at GAA Congress 2021.
• How the GAA is using technology to tackle rural decline.
• Groundbreaking ‘Be Ready to Play’ Coaching Programme launched.
• Gaelic Games concussion e-learning course launched.
• Making Skill Acquisition a Gaelic Games fundamental.

The newsletter is now available at the link here: https://www.gaa.ie/news/read-the-latest-club-newsletter-march-2021/

Club Executive Update

A Chairde

In light of the Government's recent extension to level 5 restrictions up to 5th April, and while we await guidance from our governing bodies GAA, LGFA and Camogie it is most likely that we will not return to play until mid-April at the earliest.

We appreciate this is a difficult period for all and in particular the impact this is having on the kids, youths and adults of the club and the frustration of lack of games and training however we must exercise caution and respect the decisions of our governing bodies and stay the course to protect the wider community.

Our team coaches have been busy organising Zoom activities and team challenges ( in a covid compliant manner ) over the last number of weeks and will continue up to when we return to play. We have recently started back our OgDwyer’s Nursery over Zoom with great success and we will be looking at alternative activities over the coming weeks for all teams.

Our club continues to operate, and we have costs associated with the players and teams. Our recurring costs consist of

• Player association registration,
• Player injury fund contribution,
• Club insurance, rates etc.
• Facilities upkeep
• Getting teams ready for the 2021 season, new sets of jerseys and footballs, sliotars ad training equipments
• Winter training cost accruals

These costs are primarily covered by our club memberships and in normal years any shortfalls would normally be supported by fundraising efforts, club Lotto, Bingo etc.. which are all effectively closed for the moment.

This is not a normal season for us, our club and indeed our players. We will return to play and there is a commitment from our Coaches & Games Committee along with our Club Executive that once we return. We will maximise the playing time and training over the remaining part of the season with a view of squeezing in as many activities as possible.

Our Club Executive are extremely conscious of the challenges and struggles that this year’s membership will put on families, and we will listen and treat every case with respect and confidentiality,

In order for us to continue with club activities and prepare for reopening, we need every player and member to support our club with 2021 membership renewals. We have submitted a request for financial support to the GAA associations and are awaiting a response. If this materialises this refund will be reviewed by the Executive committee for the allowances that can be made moving forward.

The Club Executive committee is confident that the club members will appreciate the sense of this approach and will be supported by the membership and that whereas our ability to fully utilise our Club in 2021 will be reduced, we will all benefit in the coming years and decades from the work supported by the current generation of members right now. Without the income generated by the membership renewals, this will severely impact our ability to fund our club going forward.

Membership is available now on the Club website on the link here https://odwyersgaa.com/membership along with additional information on benefits and membership discounts available.

Should any member have difficulties at this time with meeting the cost of membership please make contact with the club registrar or your team Coach/ Mentor confidentially, we are here to listen and help

O'Dwyers Executive Committee

Player Membership

Player Club /GAA Memberships are now available for renewals and sign-up. We understand that this is a difficult time for our members, so we are hoping that the discounts and the payment options, it will provide some help.

1. Green package is a membership and annual( up-front membership) which includes registration and team support membership team subs

2. White package is made up of registration and monthly payment of 10 payments of €10 per month for team support membership team subs [Only available to March 31st & Note there is a two steps/payments required on this option]

3. Navy package is last years membership consisting of registration and pay per play weekly subs of €5

Each team has to consider our affiliation fees and insurance costs (required for training & games )for the coming season.

The coaches and mentors still hopeful that there will be a strong club season for all teams, we want to ensure that our teams prepared and ready for action on the field. Please support the club, the team and players by paying membership as soon as feasible for you. For more information please have a look at our club website, https://odwyersgaa.com/membership/

Getting Started with GAA

If you are new to the GAA? Have a child who is interested? New to Balbriggan, Balrothery, Balscadden and surrounding areas? Check-out our welcome pages that has all the information you need to get going https://odwyersgaa.com/welcome/

Alternatively, contact any of our coaches or mentors and they can point you in the right direction https://odwyersgaa.com/key-contacts/#team-contacts

Juvenile Teams Update

• OgDwyers Nursery: Are aiming to restart our Nursery Programme online in the coming weeks keep an eye on our club notes/social media for further updates. https://odwyersgaa.com/og
• U7 OgDwyers Academy (Born 2014): are aiming to restart our Academy Programme online in the coming weeks, keep an eye on our club notes/social media for further updates. https://odwyersgaa.com/og
• U8 Mixed (Born 2013): Preparation for the return to games is well underway. We are aiming to get together with the coaches this week and plan some fun activities. New players are very welcome, for further details on practice times and what you need to get started call, WhatsApp or SMS Mick on 086 8211129.
• U8 Girls (Born 2013): Preparation for the return to games is well underway. The girls are taking part in weekly challenges to enhance their skills and fitness. New players are very welcome, for further details on practice times and what you need to get started call, WhatsApp or SMS Mairead 086 2563671.
• U9 Mixed (Born 2012): Preparation for the return to games is well underway. Boys and Girls are doing weekly challenges in both Hurling and Football along including a run to Tayto park this week. Kids completed last weeks challenge which was a 60km run too and from Cadbury’s Chocolate Factory and each player received a chocolate bar as a reward for their efforts. New players are very welcome, for further details on practice times and what you need to get started call, WhatsApp or SMS Declan on 087 9189478.
• U10 Mixed ( Boys Born 2011): Preparation for the return to games is well underway. Boys s are doing weekly skills challenges in both Hurling and Football, the players have also completed virtual challenges including runs to Tayto Park, Croke Park and Dublin Zoo. New players are very welcome, for further details on practice times and what you need to get started call, WhatsApp or SMS Mick on 087 9189478.

• U10 Girls (Born 2011): Preparation for the return to games is well underway. Girls are taking part in weekly skills challenges and getting at least 1k running in too ( and some a lot more). There is also a bonus challenge for extra skills set or a picture taken in a certain location around the town. Plenty of fun for all and lots of smiling faces in the process. players are very welcome, for further details on practice times and what you need to get started call, WhatsApp or SMS Damien on 087 910 4600
• U11 Mixed (Born 2010): Preparation for the return to games is well underway. The players are taking part in weekly challenges to enhance their skills and fitness. New players are very welcome, for further details on practice times and what you need to get started call, WhatsApp or SMS Anne on 086 3007015
• U11 Girls (Born 2010): Preparation for the return to games is well underway. The players are taking part in weekly challenges to enhance their skills and fitness. New players are very welcome, for further details on practice times and what you need to get started call, WhatsApp or SMS Michael on 087 9693780
• U12s Mixed (Born 2009): Preparation for the return to games is well underway. The U12s have become the first O'Dwyers teams to run to Paris. Over the last 6 weeks, the lads have run over 1100km. As well as running to Paris all the players are performing weekly skills in both Gaelic Football & Hurling. There are also bonus points for finding the secret location based on the clue given out at the beginning of each week. The lads also enjoyed a fitness fun session from our GPO this week.

New players are very welcome, for further details on practice times and what you need to get started call, WhatsApp or SMS Ronan 087 2209497

Youth Teams Update

• U12/13 Girls (Born 2008/9): Preparation for the return to games is well underway. The girls are on- route to virtually run to Paris. As well as running to Paris all the players are performing weekly skills in both Gaelic Football & Camogie. There are also bonus points for finding the secret location based on the clue given out at the beginning of each week. The girls also enjoyed a fitness fun session from Aoife Curran this week New players are very welcome, for further details on practice times and what you need to get started call, WhatsApp or SMS Barry/Mick on 087 7389593 / 0868211129
• U14 Boys (Born 2007): Preparation for the return to games is well underway. New players are very welcome, for further details on practice times and what you need to get started call, WhatsApp or SMS Paul on 087 9115403
• U14 Girls (Born 2007): Preparation for the return to games is well underway. New players are very welcome, for further details on practice times and what you need to get started call, WhatsApp or SMS Boss 086 344 5006
• U15 Girls (Born 2006): Preparation for the return to games is well underway. The U15 Girls have been working on their 5-week Fitness February program and are supporting National Women's Day on the 8th March 2021 #ChooseToChallenge. New players are very welcome, for further details on practice times and what you need to get started call, WhatsApp or SMS Cathal on 087 9952164.
• U16 Girls (Born 2005): Preparation for the return to games is well underway. New players are very welcome, for further details on practice times and what you need to get started call, WhatsApp or SMS Sean on 086 303 9097
• U18 Boys (Born 2004/5): Preparation for the return to games is well underway. The Minor team have a weekly HIIT Session and a Team meeting on Mon and on Wed the lads have been joining the Senior team Strength & Conditioning sessions. The lads are currently undertaking a March Marathon challenge, the rules are simple to complete your fastest 42kms in the month of March & the winner receives a club shop or new gear voucher €42. New players are very welcome, for further details on practice times and what you need to get started call, WhatsApp or SMS Robbie 086 8282753 or Dave 087 9702479

Coaching Corner

• Be Ready to Play Programmes

Registration for the “Be Ready to Play” is now open on https://learning.gaa.ie/bereadytoplay

Involves:

🏋🏻‍♀️GAA Athletic Development(S&C) Programmes

🏐GAA Coaching & Sports Science Webinars

Available to:

➡️Youths(13-17years), Adults and Advanced participants

▶️Male and Female

WATCH: Professor Niall Moyna encourages players to 'Be Ready to Play'

https://www.gaa.ie/news/watch-professor-niall-moyna-encourages-players-to-be-ready-to-play/

• Coach & Mentors - Getting ready for the new season

There are 4 important elements that must be covered-off by mentors when involved with teams (particularly juveniles/U-18s) in GAA. The current lockdown presents a good opportunity to get these sorted

1. All Mentors, coaches and team helpers must be members of the GAA.

Details available here: https://odwyersgaa.com/membership/

1. All Mentors are Garda Vetted.

Details of the process available here: https://odwyersgaa.com/coaching/gardavetting/

Should you need assistance please contact our Children's Office Mary Kenny 083–0053937 or childrensofficer@odwyersgaa.com

1. All Mentors must complete a Child Welfare and Protection course.

Mary our Children's Office is organising a course for Club mentors, if you haven't completed the course or need to do a refresher please email Mary at childrensofficer@odwyersgaa.com to book a place on the course. Please state Your Full Name and Team you are involved in your communication to Mary

1. All Mentors must complete GAA Foundation Course

This free course that all coaches & mentors must-have at a minimum, it will provide a necessary understanding of our games. Please email coaching officer@odwyersgaa.com

• JigSaw Workshop

My name is Sarah O'Brien, I am the Youth and Community Engagement in Jigsaw North Fingal, your local Jigsaw service. I wanted to inform you of an event happening in your area with your local Jigsaw Service in Balbriggan. We are holding a 1-hour online workshop for the coaches and trainers in our local area on the 11th March at 18:00. Our One Good Coach looks at how we can promote the mental health of the young people we coach and train in a wide variety of sports. I have attached an E-flyer with some more information for you to read.

If you would like to attend, you can register on the form linked here: https://forms.gle/aXRMzkE1g6NLEJkP6

Capacity is limited to 15 places so please register your interest sooner rather than later to secure your spot on our 1-hour workshop. We look forward to seeing you and your coaches on the 11th of March.

Kind regards, Sarah O'Brien, Youth and Community Engagement Worker

• The Coaching Iceberg

A great concept on what goes into coaching and also what is often overlooked

New Development Update

As previously communicated, we are making good progress on plans to commence our new build later this month (Covid dependent).

• Discussions and contracts are being finalised with the builder and the project plan is nearing completion for phase one building works.
• Hope is to post-commencement notice in the coming weeks
• Planning for the 2021 Sports Capital Grant is progressing well and submission readiness is almost near completion
• We are in regular contact with our key stakeholders on all aspects of the development and all discussions are positive.

The only risk at this moment to the start date is that the contractor can commence with the works due to COVID restrictions.

Facilities Maintenance

The facilities team have upgraded security doors on the back dressing room and fitness hub. The training strip river has been cleared and new fencing erected. Just for the record, 7 footballs, 26 sliotars and 3 players (lost in the 1980s) now in their fifties were all recovered from the clear out!

Keep Updated

Keep updated with all the latest news from the club by following/visiting us at

• ClubZap: https://odwyersgaa.com/clubzap/
• Twitter: @odwyersgaa
• Facebook: O'DwyersGAA
• Web: www.odwyersgaa.com
• Contact Us: A full list of club contacts is available here: https://odwyersgaa.com/key-contacts/