Group photo of those attending AGM

Photo of retiring Runai, Michael with Cathaoirleach, Collie Bell

The Annual General Meeting of Cumann na mBunscol an Dúin was held in the Donard Hotel Newcastle on Wednesday 14th November. The large gathering of teachers and football coaches was welcomed by the Cathaoirleach, Collie Bell who tabled the agenda for the meeting. The minutes of the pervious year’s AGM were presented and accepted by those present.

Mr Michael Hanly issued his final report as Runai of the association and each item was debated by the members. Mr Hanly mentioned his appreciation for the excellent work undertaken by the Football Development Manager, John Morgan and the coaches supplied by Down County Board. He regretted that the timetable for the coaches was still unavailable to Coiste. This was no reflection on the quality of the coaching provided but he reiterated the necessity for Cumann na mBunscol to be kept informed about the availability of the coaches and their placement in schools. The Strategic Plan 2007 – 2012 which was distributed by Cumann na mBunscol was highlighted in his report as were the various competitions successfully completed during the year. Reference was made to the impact of Go Games and the resulting lack of a Finals Day. Mr Hanly thanked all who had participated in the past year’s activities, the teachers and school principals who promoted them, the clubs and the Down County Board for their assistance and the press for the local coverage of events. He also paid tribute to our sponsors, Allianz and all the members of Cumann who gave so willingly of their time and expertise. He concluded his farewell speech by wishing all in Cumann na mBunscol an Duin every success in the future.

In his address, Collie Bell, Cathaoirleach, outlined the various competitions organised by Cumann during the School Year 2006-07 viz
• Indoor competitions in boys’ & girls’ football, hurling and camogie
• INTO 7 aside competitions in football, hurling & camogie
• The Canon Esler Cup for boys’ football - an open championship permitting amalgamations of smaller schools with the winners representing their county in the McGreevey Cup
• Girls’ and boys’ representative matches
• Hurling & Camogie Development Programme
• Table Quiz
On behalf of the Committee, he thanked all who had participated in the various competitions, the principals, teachers and coaches involved, the Down County Board for their support, the clubs for providing facilities, the coaching officers for their professionalism, the local press for the coverage given to all events and Allianz for their sponsorship.
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The Treasurer, Mr Gerry Reilly, then gave his report which revealed small surplus. He itemised the subsidies allocated to schools to assist in the purchase of Handball equipment and the Hurling scheme as areas of high expenditure.This, however, ensured that the money was going to those schools committed to these initiatives and for the benefit of the children. Mr Reilly’s detailed report was readily appreciated and accepted by those present. Clarification was sought about the amount of expenditure on postage. With the website now in operation, it was suggested that communications to schools could be effected in this way.

Since both Mr Michael Hanly & Mr Gerry Reilly were not standing for re-election, they presided over the election of officers for the coming year. The following officers were then elected:

Cathaoirleach: Collie Bell

Leas Cathaoirleach: Paddy Hardy

Runai: Brendan Rice

Leas Runai: Kevin Burns

Treasor: Adrian Savage

Leas Treasor: Bro. Christopher

PRO: Paddy Campbell

An Cathaoirleach, Mr Collie Bell, a former Down star and a teacher in St. Colman’s Abbey P.S. Newry addressed the meeting. He thanked the outgoing Runai Michael Hanly for his input over the years and in particular for the manner in which he kept all schools informed of pending activities as well as organising fixtures and venues. His leadership and organisational skills were invaluable to Cumann and he sincerely hoped he would remain a committee member.

Mr John Morgan Football Development Manager for Down thanked all the schools for their assistance over the past year.. His aim was to help the teachers in our primary school to continue the good work with confidence. He acknowledged concerns over the lack of information given to Coiste but felt that this had greatly improved. He related how four new coaches were now available to urban schools and that their involvement was at Key Stage One since the other coaches wre placed in Key Stage Two. The cost of these coaches aws being met by the Department of Education. The new Fun Do coaching pack was explained to those present by Mr Morgan.These packs will shortly be available to clubs and schools and initial reports are most favourable. .He assured all present of his continued professional support throughout this school year.

Leas Cathaoirleach, Paddy Hardy explained the Handball Initiative which will be undertaken this year. Nine schools had indicated their willingness to be involved in this programme and the equipment and information pack was now available.

PRO Paddy Campbell addressed the group. He thanked the Cathaoirleach and the other members who had cited his efforts during the past year and the recognition given to Down by Cumann na mBunscol Naisiunta for the public relations work throughout the year. He acknowledged the assistance afforded to him by the retiring Runai, Michael Hanly and the Leas Cathaoirleach, Paddy Hardy, in the collation of material for the PR folder. Paddy Campbell supported the concerns of Cathaoirleach over the demise of league competitions and Finals Day. He thanked the local papers for their assistance in reporting all events and Diarmuid Cahill for including articles in the Down website and the Down Year Book. He concluded by thanking Adrian McLean, Managing Director of SED who so willingly gave of his time and expertise in the design of the Cumann na mBunscol an Duin website.

All those present were invited by Collie Bell to attend the monthly meetings and so play an active role in the development of the organisation.