World GAA has today launched its first Strategic Plan. The document charts a strategic direction for the seven international units and 476 clubs in World GAA from 2024 – 2026.
The launch held ahead of Congress at the Canal Court, Co Down was attended by GAA President Larry McCarthy and Director General Tom Ryan along with representatives of GAA World Council.
The strategy features a variety of objectives to realise the GAA’s stated vision as “a sustainable community-based and volunteer-led Association, where as many as possible participate in Gaelic games and culture for as long as possible, across the globe.”
The plan aims to strengthen both the global reach and the impact of the GAA through a variety of key pillars and actions.
With a focus on promoting Gaelic games on an international scale, the strategic plan emphasises the importance of recruitment, participation, retention, increasing awareness, and fostering strong organisational structures in regions outside of Ireland.
By nurturing and supporting the growth of Gaelic Football, Hurling, Camogie, LGFA, and Handball across the globe, World GAA aims to create a vibrant global community.
The strategic plan recognises the significance of youth development programs and initiatives, aiming to provide young players with the necessary skills, resources, and opportunities to excel in Gaelic games.
In doing so, World GAA aims to secure its future and cultivate a new generation of passionate athletes and ambassadors. The plan also focuses on the importance of governance and transparent decision-making processes within the GAA. By fostering effective communication, ensuring accountability, and embracing diversity and inclusion, the organisation seeks to cultivate an environment that promotes collaboration and drives the sustainable growth of Gaelic games worldwide.
Four strategic themes, each with underlying objectives, have been identified by the World GAA Council and these will form the core of operational activity areas across the globe for the next three years.
– Coaching and Games
– Health and Wellbeing
– PR and Communications
– Officer Training
“The GAA is the greatest community-based, inter- generational and volunteer led organisation in the world – bar none,” said GAA President Larry McCarthy.
“For 140 years it has grown to dominate the landscape of Ireland from Bishopstown to East Belfast, and from Ballymun to Ballina and everywhere in between. Not only that, the GAA and Gaelic games are a global phenomenon with more than 450 clubs providing games, a sense of community and support in towns and cities all over the world.”
“The World GAA Strategic Plan is a visionary document. It is a roadmap to strengthen our existing roots internationally, and to encourage World GAA to boldly go in search of new territories where our magnificent games of hurling, football and camogie, and the ethos of Where We All Belong can have an inspirational impact. The pillars focusing on coaching and games, health and well-being, officer training and PR and communications offer a solid foundation to build upon.”
“The sun never sets on World GAA and this plan has the potential to provide more clubs, more teams, and more friends to the international Gaelic games family.”
“Ar aghaidh linn le chéile,” he concluded, translated as Forward together.
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