As befits the nations largest sporting and social organisation the Annual Report of the Director General of the GAA has plenty of relevance across many areas of our society.
A number of the key issues that Paraic Duffy has highlighted are central to the role that Sport for Business has in looking to develop new ways of tackling issues at each level of the crossover between the sporting and commercial worlds.
He has given top priority to the issues of finance and emigration, and their respective impact on clubs and the entire association.
The financing of loans taken out in better days is causing serious trouble in clubs around the country and placing intolerable pressure on club officials who continue in their roles as volunteers.
The day to day running costs of the clubs are also a major challenge as the traditional sources of subscription and fundraising come under significant pressure.
The loss of players through emigration is also a source of grave concern both for the clubs they leave behind who in many cases are finding it difficult to field teams and are having to consider amalgamation with local rivals in order to provide competition; and also for the wealth of new clubs springing up across Europe and around the world who face the challenge of accommodating local players who are just learning the games, and experienced players from Ireland that are looking to maintain a strong connection.
These subjects will be covered in detail at the next Sport for Business Members’ Round Table which will take place in London on Thursday, March 21st.
To read more about the activation of commercial partnerships throughout the year, the importance of promoting games to a live audience, and to download a copy of the report, please sign in or sign up to a one month free trial membership of Sport for Business.

[ismember]The activation of existing partnerships with Championship sponsors is given a high prominence as part of what Duffy refers to as “the most comprehensive promotion of the Championships ever undertaken.”

“This involved an integrated advertising campaign that included TV, radio, press, digital and outdoor media advertising, using the tagline, ‘Nothing beats being there’. The campaign also involved sponsor-activation programmes agreed with our partners, significant use of social media, and the utilisation of GAA national, provincial and county websites with key championship messages.”
“Other worthwhile innovations included the location of a ticket-selling facility in 150 SuperValu and Centra outlets, Open Nights on the same night in all counties, and the provision of match updates via Twitter and Facebook for all championship matches. The campaign represented a much more purposeful approach to marketing our games.”
He also struck a warning note though about complacency.  Highlighting an NFL survey in the US that showed 41% of fans would prefer to watch a game on TV rather than attend in person, he puts forward the fact that attendances in America’s favourite sport are trending downwards and that stadium directors are having to develop ever more effective ways of enhancing the stadium experience.
“Some counties were complacent in their promotion and appear to believe that it is not necessary to promote our games.  Such complacency is no longer acceptable: it is important that we all understand the changed context in which we are trying to attract people to our matches.”
He also highlighted the ticketing improvements achieved through the relationship with tickets.ie and how this had been vital in providing ease of access to tickets for matches; as well as the relationship with Microsoft in developing smartphone apps for the latest technology across multiple platforms.
You can download a copy of the full report from here.[/ismember]