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Ballinamere/ Durrow GAA Underage Club has enjoyed a period of significant growth in terms of player participation, coach recruitment and on field success over the past few years. Four years ago we had 155 boys & 49 girls registered with just 14 coaches active. Today we have 231 boys & 108 girls registered with an incredible 48 coaches involved.

There have been a number of key driving factors including:

• The setting up of the club nursery catering for children between the ages of 4 & 6.
• The unprecedented growth of our Ladies Football.
• The recruitment and training of 34 new coaches.
• The development and nurturing of relationships with key personnel in both Durrow & Ballinamere
  national schools.
• The provision of almost year round well organised and high level coaching to our children including
  SAQ & fitness testing.
• The high level and professional quality of our communication & interaction with our valued parents.
• The development of our social committee who provide 2 BBQ's a year but more importantly the refreshments after matches where parents, children, coaches & opponents can interact.
• A continued & ongoing emphasis on looking after our players' welfare. In this regard measures
  such as Child Protection courses and annual Garda vetting are now ingrained in our culture.
• The embracing of the Go Games model which has had a direct influence on our player development
  and retention.
• The hard work and unity of our small decisive committee has been vital.
• Close and valued working relationship with both Ballinamere and Durrow adult clubs with the inter- club forum being a particularly beneficial initiative.
• 2^nd largest cúl camp in Offaly.

To continue the good work that has been done we need to ensure that we can continue to train and field 19+ teams. As mentioned earlier neither Durrow or Ballinamere have ever been found wanting in terms of support particularly when it came to provision of pitches. However we have simply out grown the facilities and we need more room. I urge you to please support the fund raising efforts that will be undertaken over the next 12 months by Ballinamere GAA as they seek to develop the new pitch at Ballinamere.

Cathaoirleach Cóiste na nÓg