Club Update planning & Committee Structure 2023-24
Dear Club Members,
My name is Mags Cronin, in September 2023 the committee nominated and voted on me as new Club Chair and in a first for Avondale United a chairwoman. Attached is an organizational chart of the current club structure, so you can see who is involved in the various areas of the club. We have recently created some more subcommittees and have identified a number of roles that we need help with.
If you have any questions, feedback, suggestions or concerns, I can be reached on 0879535040.
Looking forward to the year ahead. Thank you for the support already received.
King Regards
Mags Cronin
Chairwoman
Avondale Committee 2023-24
Club Key Focus Areas
People Power and Club Ownership
The Committee are all volunteers, some also coaching, while working full time with families. Many hard working members of the club don’t sit on the committee and have given a lifetime service to the club. We are forever grateful and thankful to those members. We would appreciate and need more help on subcommittees, which can be a great way to bring your skills to the club. All are welcome. As a first step for adhoc help please join this Volunteer group to help with events, odd jobs or fundraising here
Dressing Rooms In summer 2020, planning was secured to replace the existing portacabins with similar versions. However a decision was made to reapply for a more permanent structure to best benefit the club. In 2021 a Capital grant was sought which was granted in 2022 of €87,440, plus Cork Council grants of €14,500. The reviewed planning was secured in November 2022 after appeals.
The club in 2022, were offered materials by a local multinational company, from structures used during the pandemic, which would have meant the ability to build the permanent building with the funds available. The materials were delayed in getting moved & in winter 2022 did not then dismantle well. This meant that the Grant Aid secured and Fundraising of Circa €40,000 would not cover the cost of the Club house, added to the increased interest rates post Covid and the Spiral Construction costs.
Our position now is that we have sought new builder quotes to compare to former pricing and a QS review is in progress to achieve best pricing. We have recently applied for the 2023 Capital Grant for the Maximum amount of €200,000 and are lobbying all political avenues to push to get the maximum amount.
Projected started late spring 2024 planning on phased build plan. Stage one
Site clearance groundworks build if all 3 bases and get one block to a dressing room and toilet -to a basic usable level.
Phase two more internal completion which will need fundraising support.
Phase three to get the kitchen, meeting room and external works to completion - dependent on the current capital grant allocation, which is not expected until summer/ winter 2024.
Other Facility issues we are looking for solutions on include Pitch access, Access to an and added facilities for our girls teams.
Communication Plan
It is recognised that we need to work on areas of communication within the Club, Some of the initial changes we are working on are:
After each committee meeting, the plan is to share an agreed report with all members.
Working to encourage increased use of club zap as it is the tool used for most of our club management and communications as well as the website.
Hope to bring all sections of the club together more often - with a spotlight on players & coaches and committee in time, a newsletter style communication to be included in the website. Annual Coach meeting.
Add links to forms to website ( link for new members, Instructions for new coaches, coach informational pages, drills for various age groups, Child Safeguarding statement)
Add club policies to the website.
Improved social media
More targeted communions
Set up ex dales community
ClubMark
We are using the FAI ClubMark as a guide to ensure all aspects of the club are in order, the ClubMark offers clubs such as Avondale a system to show compliance in all areas and mechanisms to gain this compliance, We are a big club so this is taking time to fully document. Our Initial application has been submitted and we are working on the edits required to achieve the ClubMark.
We need all coaches to take responsibility to ensure FAI Garda Vetting and child safeguarding certs are kept up to date and certs submitted before being requested to do so as this is statutory.
Growth of the club
Demand and membership has exploded in recent years and now the committee needs to work towards a strategy to improve the clubs offering to meet that demand and a pathway of playing Soccer, over the coming years, from from young children to Senior teams. While remaining a community focused Club
Grass and pitch availability is an issue locally and in recent years campaigning for more locally hasn't resulted in a solution. We are now looking at new options to see how best to meet the needs of all aspects of the club. What to work more closely with our community.
We will be happy to receive any feedback now and look forward to open discussions at our AGM and some development ideas for consideration.
