Our series on the ways in which Ireland’s 12,000 sporting clubs are battling back against economic hardship has drawn a lot of feedback and suggestions as to how and why clubs should be taking on new ways to raise money.
Na Fianna in Glasnevin is one of the powerhouse clubs of Dublin GAA and has an impressive clubhouse and grounds just around the corner from the National Botanic Gardens.
Next week they will turn those grounds into a European style Christmas market with Alpine chalets and stalls from a host of local traders.
The market is completely sold out and will feature local traders, Christmas Gifts, Santa Cabin and crafts along with a range of food and beverage concessions. Entertainment throughout the extended weekend of activity will include a performance area featuring groups including choirs featuring members of the club and an Abba Tribute band.
Each Trader will be allocated their own log cabin, fitted with power and lighting and Santa will be present as one would expect.
The club is also involved in promoting a Christmas pantomime in the school which adjoins the grounds and which will take place on each of the nights during which the Festival is on.
It is an example of how a club with members drawn from across a variety of local interest groups and business communities can leverage its own place within local society to help local business capture an important part of local spending at such a critical time of year and also make money itself as a result.
Most clubs will be heading into a renewal period for annual subscriptions and the boost of a cash injection through making the grounds available for a seasonal activity like a Christmas market add money at a time when it is most likely to be needed.
Later this week we will continue our run through how the major sporting organisations are helping their own clubs and will continue to feature innovative ways that clubs are helping themselves.
This initiative was brought to our attention by Sport for Business member Experience Gaelic Games which is based at the club and is rated one of Dublin’s top tourism services by Trip Adviser.
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