Replying To iarmhiabu: "I don't mean to put a damper on today, sitting here in Cusack and the colour and atmosphere around the town is just fantastic to see. The difference is Roscommon, a County of similar population and resources, have a group of people with the expertise, connections and persistence to drive a major development project like a Centre of Excellence. They don't necessarily happen because one County has more money than another, they usually happen because you have people who can navigate government funding schemes, dedicated fundraising structures and a coordinated team of volunteers willing to spend years on a single project. We do not have the right people steering the county / project at the right moment, leadership, capability, long term vision and timing are the real issues. Launching a €100 per ticket draw just days before a Leinster Final so we could just meet the costs of preparing a County team tells you all you need to know, a County reaching a provincial final should ideally have fundraising campaigns planned months in advance, with the final itself being an opportunity to maximise support rather than scramble for it. Winning the Leinster title has brought back people who have not been at a Westmeath match for years, it would be a good time to launch a properly run supporters club. Even €10 or €20 per month from a few thousand supporters would be significant, have monthly lottos etc. Approach businesses with sponsorship packages, there are loads of businesses who would like to be seen supporting the county. The key is turning this success and momentum into something permanent."
Congrats to the team on a magnificent win . Everything else is insignificant
Replying To iarmhiabu: "I don't mean to put a damper on today, sitting here in Cusack and the colour and atmosphere around the town is just fantastic to see. The difference is Roscommon, a County of similar population and resources, have a group of people with the expertise, connections and persistence to drive a major development project like a Centre of Excellence. They don't necessarily happen because one County has more money than another, they usually happen because you have people who can navigate government funding schemes, dedicated fundraising structures and a coordinated team of volunteers willing to spend years on a single project. We do not have the right people steering the county / project at the right moment, leadership, capability, long term vision and timing are the real issues. Launching a €100 per ticket draw just days before a Leinster Final so we could just meet the costs of preparing a County team tells you all you need to know, a County reaching a provincial final should ideally have fundraising campaigns planned months in advance, with the final itself being an opportunity to maximise support rather than scramble for it. Winning the Leinster title has brought back people who have not been at a Westmeath match for years, it would be a good time to launch a properly run supporters club. Even €10 or €20 per month from a few thousand supporters would be significant, have monthly lottos etc. Approach businesses with sponsorship packages, there are loads of businesses who would like to be seen supporting the county. The key is turning this success and momentum into something permanent."
Thankfully not even you with your incessant criticism could put a shadow on one of our greatest days. A credit to all aspects of Westmeath Gaa in terms of organisation but most importantly we have unearthed a team of heroes who display all that's good in terms of character, team work, resilience and skill and managed wonderfully by a team of clear thinkers on the sideline. What an occasion, what a win and what a team.
Replying To iarmhiabu: "I don't mean to put a damper on today, sitting here in Cusack and the colour and atmosphere around the town is just fantastic to see. The difference is Roscommon, a County of similar population and resources, have a group of people with the expertise, connections and persistence to drive a major development project like a Centre of Excellence. They don't necessarily happen because one County has more money than another, they usually happen because you have people who can navigate government funding schemes, dedicated fundraising structures and a coordinated team of volunteers willing to spend years on a single project. We do not have the right people steering the county / project at the right moment, leadership, capability, long term vision and timing are the real issues. Launching a €100 per ticket draw just days before a Leinster Final so we could just meet the costs of preparing a County team tells you all you need to know, a County reaching a provincial final should ideally have fundraising campaigns planned months in advance, with the final itself being an opportunity to maximise support rather than scramble for it. Winning the Leinster title has brought back people who have not been at a Westmeath match for years, it would be a good time to launch a properly run supporters club. Even €10 or €20 per month from a few thousand supporters would be significant, have monthly lottos etc. Approach businesses with sponsorship packages, there are loads of businesses who would like to be seen supporting the county. The key is turning this success and momentum into something permanent."