2. The journey to date Club established in 1903 in a rural catchment
Won the championship in 1927
Feile under 14 all Ireland champions in 1988
Original field provided by the Parish
Club purchased it own field and opened Fr Eamon Devlin Park in 1974
All Ireland Scor success 1978
St Patrick's Day Community Cultural event
Centenary Celebrations….A Club for All Ages Book and DVD
Emergence and growth of Women's football
Representative players
Minor Final 2006
Senior League Final 2006
Under 13 League Champions Last Night)
Club Maith Gold Standard award today
And much much more

3. Strategic Planning – The Process
Where are we now?
Where do we want to be?
How will we know?
How will we get there?

4. What did we discover..? The obvious things: 100+ years track record
That we had a passion for Gaelic games and culture
The less obvious things:
Changing rural society…new entrants; both national and international
Significant population growth
The rise and rise of women’s football
The need to value and support our key resource…our volunteers and the ethos of volunteering
40% of our community is under 24 compared to 36% across the North
Our built facilities were already 5 years outside their expected lifespan
Increasing operating costs
We were good at meeting the physical activity needs of people aged 8-35…
but not on either side of this age range

5. What did we discover….?
That we were not alone in trying to meet the needs of the community
A number of groups faced challenges relating to community space
Most groups were restricted by increasing operating costs
Capital funding opportunities existed ….with a focus on community development
No one organisation could meet the needs of the community in isolation
Increasing demand through player numbers……need to support the team off the field
Emergence as a cluster club

6. Working in partnership-DDCA
An umbrella association
Donaghmore St Patrick’s GFC
Six schools
Donaghmore Youth Club
Lollipop Play Group
Bardic Theatre
Open Door Club
Torrent Valley Initiative

7. The outputs of our strategy

8. It might look good, but what’s in it?
Indoor multi-games hall (4 court / SCNI Approved)
Fitness and conditioning suite
Home and away changing facilities (6)
Treatment room
Kitchen and function facilities
Modern childcare facilities
Disability access
Refurbished youth facilities
Raised ceiling and stage
6800 sq ft of office / meeting /training space

9. How will we achieve this . . .
Some will invest time, energy and skills
Some can and will invest money
By working together repeating what others envy
By securing the past and building the future
By repeating the GAA model that has served the club and community well

10. Financial Model Stage One £ 1,372k Stage Two £ 598k Stage Three £ 430k
the
Stage One
£ 1,372k
Stage Two
£ 598k
Stage Three
£ 430k
Total
£2,400k

11. The building is not the end game
The building is a means to support the really important work:
Coaching
FUNdamentals Health and wellbeing initiatives
Conditioning programmes
Providing alternative physical activity opportunities for non playing members
Base and good working conditions for volunteers
Training
Base to develop partnership working
Means to fund our work

12. St Pat’s and our Partners
Long term affordability
Torrent Valley
Business Park
2/3
rent
Running
Costs
St Pat’s and our Partners
Youth Services
Arts Development
Migrant Community
Childcare
Social Services
Open Door Club
1/3
Rent
Re-Investment
Fund

13. The ground rules
We will raise all the development costs avoid debt (£1.65million from grants and £750k from the community)
We will provide quality environments for the real work It’s about people!
We will reduce / subsidise operating costs where possible

14. Why has all this been possible?
Because of the vision, energy and commitment of past committees
Because previous generations invested in our community and our assets They passed them on in better condition than they got them
By adopting a strategic planning approach
Forget about the ‘arm round the homework’ way of working

15. Now its our time . . .
To continue to provide for our people from 0 – 90
To meet the developing needs of Donaghmore and district
To build on the success stories and maintain the standards set for us
To care for the community’s assets and ensure we pass them on in better condition than we got them
To be as strategic as our past volunteers and committees when no-one talked about strategic planning

16. From where we stand-the lessons
Being strategic takes time ….in the short term
Shouldn’t be challenged by different cultures and approaches
Validation is good for morale
We meet all the big agenda….not just talk about them
Sustainability and volunteering are not new ideas
We meet the needs of up to 500 people per week and yet build assets for the nest generation
Present excellent value for money
Must be treated as EQUAL Partners…..the proving the model has been done
Need to be resourced to deliver policy…..Service Level Agreement

17. People we appreciate.
Government agencies and representatives….SNI,DSD,IFI,DETI and Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council
Ulster Council GAA
Fellow clubs and volunteers

18. Lets continue the journey in Donaghmore…….
Strategic Planning – The Process