October Executive Update

With our financial year end being the 30th of September, efforts now turn to preparing for the AGM which we hope to host in late November, all going well.  As with all AGMs, all office holder positions (especially Chairman) and all committees within the GAA club terminate at the meeting and new appointments are made and are effective from the AGM.  It is an opportunity for anyone, who is a valid club member, to put their name forward to be either an elected officer of the club (Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, PRO etc) or to be on the Executive for 2026.  I encourage everyone, who is entitled to do so, to consider putting in a nomination if it is the case you feel you have something positive to bring to the GAA club.  Details on the process and the AGM itself will follow in a few weeks from the Secretary.  

In terms of Executive matters, you may recall that two distinct Working Groups were set up some months ago.  Firstly, the Membership Fees group provided the Executive (on Tuesday 7th October) with an excellent report including recommendations on our future membership fees and structure (2026 - 2027).  The analysis showed that in comparison to other local GAA clubs, local rugby and soccer clubs our membership rates are significantly lower.  It also showed that our membership income is very low and does not even cover our football costs (costs of entering teams, gear, training, medical) let alone any other club costs (lighting, heating, water, mortgage etc).  Given this and the fact that our membership fees have not increased in five years, the Executive approved the proposed membership fee increases for 2026 and 2027 (two years).  However, it is the members at AGM who will decide on that, and it will be put to a vote at the meeting.  It was and is the recommendation of the Executive that our member fees remain competitive against other clubs and sports but raised such that we can fund our club and in particular football focused improvements. 

The Executive also considered the output of the Working Group on Club Gear Supplier for 2026 - 2028, where we will commit as one club (LGFA, GAA, juvenile to adult) to one official club gear supplier, with the same jersey (and gear) rolled out over that term.  The Working Group engaged with five approved suppliers looking to extract from them their best commercial offering, testimonials from other clubs and other metrics.  Following that process, the Executive reviewed the results and approved entering into an agreement with KCS to supply all club gear going forward.  In the view of the Executive, KCS is the most attractive offering available to the club.  The new club jersey (2026-2028) will be unveiled mid-November with the launch of our new Main sponsor Glenveagh PLC, with details to follow.  KCS will provide an in-person gear event in the club on Saturday 15th November (10am to 1pm) for all members to try on gear, decide on sizing and styles and place orders well in time for Christmas. My thanks for David Brady and Alan Kavanagh and all members of their groups for their great work. 

In terms of Football, with our Senior status retained and our Minors finished for the year, I want to extend my appreciation to all players, managers and backroom teams across our adult and minor teams.  In particular I would like, on behalf of the club, to thank Joe Lyons, our outgoing Senior Manager, and his backroom team for all their efforts this year and in recent years with our adult footballers. The Football Committee is conducting team reviews across all teams whose season is finished, and they are turning their focus to next year. Our Mini Leagues, which are kindly sponsored by Credit Union Plus Navan, started last weekend with a great event in Blackwater Park and I ask all volunteers, coaches and members to support the Mini Leagues in every way possible.  A special thanks in particular to Sonya Tobin who is the key organiser for the Mini Leagues. Planning is also ongoing for 'Coach Workshops' over the Winter/Spring with some high profile outside coaches leading them - more details to follow.  

On the Community side, our Healthy Club team have done great work in achieving Healthy Club status for the club.  With regards to our Charity Partner Jigsaw Meath, coin collection boxes remain available in the club for any contributions you may have, and we are also intent engaging in some practical engagements with Jigsaw over the next few weeks and months so watch out for that.  We are in the next few weeks, opening up a coffee morning in the club, to afford our club members who are retired or available to meet in the club and enjoy some tea/coffee and a catch up.  The Committee will also release some details on upcoming events (Christmas party, Club presentation, Member Night) that will take place over the next few months in the club.  We are also looking to retain the momentum created at the recent Club Day by having an active and enduring club history.  If anyone is interested in taking a lead on this, in terms of collating photos, videos, memorabilia and displaying same within the club, please contact myself or Ann Marie. 

With regards to our club Finances, whilst the work to secure key sponsors for next year and beyond is ongoing we are looking for your support for our final fundraiser of 2025, the 200 Club.  This is a great fundraiser, where you be in with a chance to win big on your own, with family or with a group of friends.  The first draw will take place in the club on December 19th.  Be in with a chance to win big and get a ticket. Https://simonstowngfc.com/articles/163498.  From an Infrastructure perspective, we are moving ahead with our plans for the installation of new lights on the main pitch, a skills wall and training area amongst other developments. 

There are some upcoming club dates to flag:-

 
My thanks to all those who continue to support and volunteer for the club. Get involved in any way you can, it will make a big difference. 

Continuing luck to all our teams.