1. Recent Development

Increased Membership via local schools
Numbers of new members had decreased noticeably particularly at the very young ages and this was seen as a threat to the future of the Club. The Committee decided to issue 'flyers' and distribute them at local schools. This has an incredible response and proved that there was a demand for what our Club could provide. In fact the biggest problem resulting from this was how to deal with our newfound prosperity.

Coaching Coaches through FAI
The Committee immediately went about finding volunteers who were wiling to look after teams. In conjunction with the FAI Regional Development Officer, the Club organised training for 30 people at the end of which they were awarded Preliminary Level Coaching Certificates. This was seen as a critical development and a key on which to base the future of schoolboy football within the Club.

Clubhouse Renovation
The Clubhouse is a pre-fabricated structure, which had deteriorated significantly and was giving the Club a very poor image. The exterior was reclad with metal cladding and the inside was revamped and painted.

All-weather training facility
The Committee decided to proceed with the Phase 2 development of this facility, which was to provide a wall at the perimeter with goalposts for 2 no. 5-a-side pitches and goals at the ends to allow one larger match to go on. This work cost €20,000 and the Club received a grant from the National Lottery via the Dept.of Arts, Sport and Tourism for €14,000. The Club intends to proceed with Phase 3 of this development including the installation of a synthetic surface plus upgraded floodlighting.

FAI Summer Camps
The Committee decided to contact the FAI and request that their Summer Camp be held at our Club grounds in Mungret. The FAI was delighted to do so and for one week in August 2002, 180 young soccer players from the regions attended the Mungret Regional/FAI Summer Camp.

Fund Raising
The Club runs a weekly lotto (in conjunction with the local GAA Club) and in recent times has also run Christmas raffles, a draw for a new car and a Greyhound Meeting Benefit Night.

Child Protection Committee
As recommended by the Children First - The National Guidelines for the Protection and Welfare of Children, the Club has formed a Child Protection Committee in order to deal with any issues in this regard that may arise during the day-to-day operations of the Club.

Sports Partnership - Limerick County
The Club is very much in favour of the Sports Partnership initiative and intends to participate fully in the activities of it, providing support where relevant and availing of its support when applicable.
Part 2>>