‘One Club’ model is paying dividends around Galway
There has been much discourse in recent times on the possibility of the LGFA and Camogie Association coming under the umbrella of the GAA in order to pool coaching and financial resources, share facilities and avoid fixture clashes. Yet, would this work?
This week, Tribune Sport catches up with LGFA and camogie representatives from three clubs – Salthill/Knocknacarra, Oranmore/Maree and Claregalway – that have joined forces with their GAA counterparts to adopt a ‘One Club’ model in their local community.
Through this initiative, local GAA, LGFA and camogie clubs form the one executive and work in partnership to deliver games programmes and to fundraise. Although in its infancy in Galway, the ‘One Club’ model is proving a success for those clubs that have embraced it.
“It does work, absolutely,” says Elaine Goldrick, who is Chairperson of Claregalway LGFA, one of three sections – juvenile boys and the men’s football are the others – under the Claregalway ‘One Club’ model.
With Claregalway GAA and LGFA so successful in recent times, particularly at underage, Goldrick admits that it often put a strain on the clubs’ relationship and on supporters when it came to fundraising – as both were making the same demands from the same people.
“So, basically, it (coming together) came down to finance, not culture or ideals or anything,” she says. “Another thing was that every section had its own take on what the Claregalway jersey was and, as a club now, we are pushing that we have one identity – the green and gold and that’s it.”
By amalgamating with the GAA, Goldrick says there has been no loss of their own identity as an LGFA club, noting that they prefer to be seen as a football club rather than a ‘ladies’ football club. “For me, personally, there should be no difference – equal treatment.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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