Cathal Brugha Swimming Water Polo Club Development Overview

Cathal Brugha Swimming & Water Polo Club Development Overview Belfast City Council ‘Game Changer’ Sports Development Conference 10 th Dec. 2014 { Phil Kelly, Chairman Cathal Brugha S&WPC

Introduction Water Polo in Ireland • • • Swim Ireland is our Governing Body National Water Polo Committee administers water polo in Ireland Clubs are based in all four provinces National League & Cup Competition Programme is in place Ireland is represented at various International Tournaments annually Cathal Brugha Swimming & Water Polo Club • • • Established 1932 Has around 150 active members Based at Andersonstown & Falls Leisure Centres and Lagan Valley Leisure. Plex Water Polo is our priority sport Teams at U 10, U 12, U 14, U 16, U 19, Men & Women

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Club Development Planning …a fresh start in 2010! � � � � Necessity to review Club Development Planning was agreed at Club meeting on 3 rd June 2010 & volunteers nominated to lead in the building of a Development Plan BCC Sports Development Unit agreed to offer assistance Informal & formal discussions/workshops held with Club members Current Plan reviewed & successes noted Initial recommendations drafted for inclusion in new plan Draft plan agreed with Senior Officers 20 th July 2010 Draft plan agreed with Executive Committee on 25 th Aug 2010 Plan agreed with Club Members & Officials on 7 Sept 2010

Existing Cathal Brugha Club Structure Club Executive Committee Coaches Team Managers Child Protection Officers Registration & Cash Collection Players Website Manager Chaperones Public Relations Officer Etc, Etc.

New Club Management Structure Cathal Brugha Executive Officers Director of Coaching (non-coaching role) Director of Marketing & Communication Income Generation Manager Communication & Events Manager Team Coaches Club Senior & Junior Managers Income Generation Team Communication & Events Team e. g. PRO, Schools Liaison Officers Players Team Chaperones Admin & Support Team e. g. Registration Officers, Child Protection Officers Referees & Table Officials

Main priorities of the plan ü Create a Sound Finance & Admin Structure ü Ensure Sufficient Facilities & Equipment were available ü Improve numbers of available players & skilled Coaches ü Compete Effectively & Build Strategic Partnerships ü Develop & Encourage Volunteers ü Achieve Sustainable Successes

Key Priorities Identified & Outcome Objectives Specified…. 6: Sustainable Success a) Competition success targets are met b) Coaching and player input is as required c) Finances are sound and sustainable d) Club administration is delivering to an appropriate level e) Club operation is safe & enjoyable for all f) Good communication levels are attained oks o l ess lans c c u at s tion P h ‘W. . ’ Ac ry like eloped delive t Dev ppor es u to s bjectiv of o 4: Competing & Bringing Strategic Influence in all Appropriate Areas a) Competition success goals are set & monitored for next five years b) Strategic influence areas identified and targets set 1: Sound Admin & Finance Structure a) Fully functioning Executive Committee b) Adequate volunteer resource c) Appropriate safety standards applying d) Financial structure compatible with current and foreseen commitments ‘Wh at like. success. ’ l Dev Action P ooks el lans to su oped p of ob port del ivery jectiv es 5: Volunteer resources available to Service Training Sessions, Competition & Administration Commitment a) Appropriate volunteer structure in place & operating b) Communications plan in place & operating c) Volunteer recognition plan in place and operating 2: Sufficient Facilities & Equipment a) Available & well used pool and dry training time compatible with current and foreseen commitments b) Available equipment is sufficient for requirements and replacement plan is in place 3: Optimum Number of Players & Skilled Coaches a) Size and strength of ‘player pool’ is sufficient to deliver good chance of success b) Number & qualifications of coaches meets current and foreseen needs

Written Plans & External Recognition…. . …. current plan & annual reports are available for download from www. cathalbrughawaterpolo. com

Development Journey Milestones & Key Achievements…. 2010 • • • Decision to review Club 2011/12 Development Planning Belfast City Council • Initial One Year plan produced to put in Sports Development Advice 2012/13 place improvement enablers e. g. Planning to Plan – consult resources identified • Coach qualifications were achieved at Level 1 Water Polo, 2013/14 widely with • Club New Committee structure put in place Pool Safety, Mini Water Polo, FUNdamentals, Disability Members • BCC Large Dev. Grant (£ 5, 000)First Awareness, Child Protection, ‘Outand of Hours’ • Aid, Website, Facebook, BCC Twitter Flickr regularly Identify clearsuccessful & achievable Training visited by Club members short term • goals Partnership project a Splash’ • A‘Make ‘Level 0’ point entry Course and delivered • of Two new Level was Twocreated Water Polo Coaches qualified Identify clearpathway actions to Club water polo for aspiring Water Coaches • Polo Junior Coaching Sessions Reviewed & three deliver required • New website & • facebook page. Activities launched Coaching & Lessoncamps Planning has. Leisure been Centre training held. Booklet at Falls outcomes • Coach qualifications were achieved developed and distributed Coaches • Jérometo. Reid and Laura Kerr overseen Junior Early evidence of • Junior Coaching Reviewed • was Cathal Brugha achieved Gold Clubmark accreditation within development programme improvements • Clubmark accreditation was achieved and the Belfast City • Council award scheme Competition highlights: Runners-Up in both Men’s subsequent external validation was • Great Britain U 19 Team partnered Cathal Leagues Brugha in&a Cup training & Women’s Premier Finals and rd provided by Sport NI camp held in Bangor, Belfast in April 3 Lisburn place inand Div 3. U 11’s won 2013 Belfast League and • Substantial media internet coverage • &Jérôme Read and Laura Kerr. Cup were appointed as Water Polo Lisburn throughout the year. Advisor increased public andthe Strength & Conditioning Coach delivered to six Primary • Mini Water Polo Scheme profile of the Cathal Brugha Database Club • Member has been at reviewed and updated Schools Falls L. C. • Men’s Premier • League 2012/13 £ 500 Winners donation to NI Children’s Hospice as a • Awarded Ulster & Ireland Swim of the Year result of our Ireland annual. Club Christmas morning swim • Ciaran Mc. Gurk • Swim Ireland Junior Coach of. Programme the Year Substantial Junior. Club Competition delivered • Pre-season Parents Meeting

Cathal Brugha Junior Water Polo Competition Development Programme 2013/14… 2014/15… (projected) 3 x U 9 Tournaments 2 x U 10 Leagues 1 x U 9 League 1 x U 10 & U 12 Lisburn Cup 1 x U 9 & U 11 Lisburn Cup 2012/13… 3 x U 11 Tournaments 2 x U 12 League 1 x U 11 League 1 x U 10 & U 12 Lisburn Cup 1 x U 9 & U 11 Lisburn Cup 2 x U 9 Tournaments 1 x U 9 League Belfast Primary Pilot Belfast Primary Schools 1 x U 9 & U 11 Lisburn Cup Schools. Extend Pilot Event (400 Boys & Girls) 2011/12… 2 x U 11 Tournaments 2010/11… 2 x U 14 League ( 6 x teams) 1 x U 11 League 2 x U 14 Blitz Tournaments 1 x. Lisburn U 14 Blitz Tournaments 1 x U 9 & U 11 Cup 1 x U 11 League 3 x Clubs 4 x Clubs 1 x Irish U 12 Cup (Dublin) 7 x Clubs & 6 Primary Schools 1, 152 Participants 432 Participants 40 Participants 62 Participants 1, 620 participants (approx. )

Mini & Maxi Water Polo Programme Under 14, Mini & Maxi water polo tournament & league events developed & delivered by Cathal Brugha Swimming & Water Polo Club, supported by our partners in Belfast & Lisburn City Councils { Belfast Christmas League Champions 2013

Cathal Brugha - Social Media Outlets Website: www. cathalbrughawaterpolo. com Twitter: https: //twitter. com/cathal_brugha Facebook: www. facebook. com/cathal. brugha. 5 Flickr: www. flickr. com/photos/63279120@N 05/ Email: info@cathalbrughawaterpolo. com

Website - Facebook – Twitter - Flickr Website, Facebook & Twitter – online from September 2012 Some Website Stats for past 12 months………. 4, 166 unique visitors visited our site (3, 430 ) 7, 938 visits (7, 816 ) 20, 035 page visits (21, 538 ) 50 Countries & 424 Cities 428 Facebook followers – highest of any Club in Ireland (300) 76 Twitter followers (31) www. cathalbrughawaterpolo. com

Media Coverage…

Junior activities Planned for 2014/15 Season • Under 10 Mini Water Polo League - From 21 ST Nov 2014 at Atown L. C. • Under 12 Maxi Water Polo League – from 21 ST Nov 2014 at Atown L. C. • U 9 & U 11 League Finale on Friday 12 th Dec. 2014 • Under 12, 14, U 16 & U 19 Irish Cups – 2014/15 Season • Mini & Maxi Tournaments in New Year at Belfast & Lisburn • Lower Falls Primary Schools event at Falls Leisure Centre – Jan/Feb 2015 • Cathal Brugha Junior ‘Shark Camp’ at Falls LC – Feb/Mar 2015 • Ulster U 14 League at Andersonstown – Nov/Dec 2014 & May/June 2015 • U 10, U 12 & U 14 Summer Leagues (May/June) & Challenge Games • Bag Pack at Asda Andersonstown, Easter 2015 • Cathal Brugha Junior (U 16) Forum • Introduce ‘Teamer’ contact software • Sponsored Swim – February 2014 • Trips for Junior to view Senior Team games

Challenges • • • Increase Member numbers Improve relationship with Schools & Universities Financial stability Additional Coaching Qualifications Increased Parental involvement Higher level performance development Influence future of Andersonstown Leisure Centre development project Improve planning for competitive success Administration – recruit ‘Shadow’ Officers? Explore ways to improve internal communication Sustain & build upon improvements gained so far…

www. cathalbrughawaterpolo. com Email: info@cathalbrughawaterpolo. com