New GPOs to benefit five Wicklow clubs
Five clubs set to benefit
WICKLOW GAA is only ‘scratching the surface’ when it comes to appointing GPOs (Games Promotion Officers) according to Wicklow games manager Hugh Kenny in his annual report to Convention recently.
Two new GPOs will start working in the Garden County directly after Christmas. An as of yet unannounced GPO will be shared between Éire Óg Greystones and Kilcoole GAA Club while Birr native Conor Daly will be working with St Patrick’s and Carnew Emmets.
These two appointments follow on from the commencement of work by Wicklow and Tinahely ladies football star Jackie Kinch with Enniskerry, Kilmacanogue and Newtown GAA clubs in the last few weeks and all three join Bray Emmets GPO Willie Braine and AGB’s Noel Morris in full-time paid roles.
However, according to Hugh Kenny, Wicklow are way behind the trend on this with counties like Kildare, Meath and Wexford each having between 18 a d 20 GPOS as a result of the East Leinster Project Funding launched in 2017 which he says received ‘very little response’ from clubs in Wicklow.
‘We will now revisit this proposal in 2020 to gauge an interest,’ wrote Hugh Kenny.
‘If you compare other local counties like Kildare, Meath and Wexford who have about 18/20 GPOs each as a result of the East Leinster Project, we are only scratching the surface.
‘How can we as a county be expected to compete with this onthe-ground full-time staff numbers working in local clubs,’ he added
The finance costs based on a two-, three- and one-club agreement for tiered GPO support are as follows:
Leinster GAA picks up the cost as employers and pays their wages.
Based on a three-club agreement, each club pays €6,600 for 13 hours per week.
Based on a two-club agreement, each club pays €10,000 for 19.5 hours per week.
Based on a one-club agreement, that club will pay €20,000 for 39 hours per week.
‘The single most important element of the GPO scheme is the steering committee within the clubs.
‘The capacity of the initiative to deliver real value for each club is determined by the drive and focus of the steering committee.
‘The main value any club gets from a GPO service is improving and recruiting numbers from nursery right up to under-17 level along with continued skill development with games-based coaching,’ added Hugh Kenny.