GAA president set to launch Castlebar Mitchels’ strategic plan
A FIVE-YEAR strategic plan which has been drawn up by Castlebar Mitchels will be officially launched by the president of the GAA, Larry McCarthy, on Tuesday night, October 18.
On the same night as the launch of the plan at An Sportlann, Castlebar, a presentation will be made to the founding members of Castlebar Mitchels' Bord na nÓg, which was founded in 1971 and celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.
There have been a lot of changes at the home of Castlebar Mitchels since it was formed back in 1828. The club is one of the oldest in the country and its association with MacHale Park, which was owned by the club until the Mayo GAA County Board took it over in 2005, goes back to the very roots and foundation of the Gaelic Athletic Association.
Recognised as one of the leading clubs in the country, Castlebar Mitchels not only caters for the development of Gaelic football, hurling and camogie for men, women, boys and girls, but is also actively involved in promoting cultural activities within the club and involving the wider community of Castlebar in its activities.
The club has also undergone a transformation in terms of developing facilities over the last 10 years in particular, the addition of the astroturf facility proving very popular, while more recently stands and dugout facilities have been installed at the main playing pitch, Josie Munnelly Park.
The club also have produced a very good video on their Facebook page which explains that everyone is welcome to take part in all the activities at the home of Castlebar Mitchels.
FUTURE DEVELOPMENT
It is through the strategic plan that the future development of the club is being planned, with a number of sub-committees established to help in the running and the implementation of the various aspects of the plan over the next five years.
Club secretary Martin Moran said the club was honoured and very much looking forward to having the president attend the launch of the the strategic development plan and also honour the founding members of the Bord na nÓg section, which had been nationally recognised for the work it has done over the years and the contribution it made to developing the underage players in the club.
"The work that was done by the Bord na nÓg over the years has been one of the foundation stones for making the club into what it is today – one of the leading Gaelic football clubs in the country with a very proud tradition," he said.
However, without a proper structure within the club it would not be possible to cater for the large numbers of underage boys and girls as well as senior players who are now enjoying the facilities.
Along with organising training and competitive games for all members, Castlebar Mitchels has also promoted the cultural and social side of the club, the hugely popular and very successful appreciation night held recently at An Sportlann to honour or some of the frontline workers just one example of the involvement with the community. Another aspect is promoting healthier living through the health and well-being club programme, while cookery classes are also proving very popular.
There will be a display of Bord na nÓg photographs at the launch night and anyone with old photographs is asked to submit them to Bord na nÓg secretary Maeve McNicholas or to club secretary Martin Moran.
The Bord na nÓg committee has been rooting around the archives and uncovered a few great photos and bits of Mitchels history which will be on display on the night of the launch – an example of which accompanies this article.