By Cian O’Connell<\/p>\n
This week, GAA Handball Ireland is embarking on a consultation roadshow to help shape a strategic plan for 2027-2030.<\/p>\n
Following a survey targeting volunteers, referees, coaches, players, parents, administrators, sponsors, and supporters, the Association is eager to develop the sport.<\/p>\n
Lizzy Lynch, recently appointed as Head of GAA Handball, is encouraged by the response. “We’re in the consultation phase of the strategic planning process,” she explains.<\/p>\n
“We’ve done a survey with our membership, we’d a fantastic response from referees, coaches, players, parents, administrators, sponsors, and supporters. We’re also doing one to one consultationwith key stakeholders and all of that information we gathered is forming the discussion points for the roadshow workshops throughout the country.<\/p>\n
“We’ve four workshops on; we were in Limerick on Monday night with the Munster contingent. We’re going to Armagh on Tuesday, going across to Bekan on Wednesday, and finishing up with one in Dublin on Thursday.”<\/p>\n
Lynch highlights the value and importance of affording people opportunities to discuss enhancing GAA Handball. “It’s the memberships association, it’s their sport,” she says. “So, it’s about what they feel has to happen, and where they’d like to see it go.<\/p>\n
Putting the plan together is hugely significant according to Lynch. “I’m only new into the role, and the strategic plan will provide guidance as to the direction the association is going and it will give it the steps to get there,” she explains.<\/p>\n
“It means that the whole Association, will be able to see themselves in it. Members will be able to recognise that when they do a bit of development in their own club or county, they can see where that fits in the overall plan for the Association.<\/p>\n
“I think it will bring the handball community together even more because they’ll all be striving to achieve the same things and pushing the game forward together.”<\/p>\n
The events take place at Ulster GAA’s offices in Armagh (Tuesday), Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence (Wednesday), and St Brigid’s GAA Club, Dublin (Thursday).<\/p>\n