Limerick FC. A presentation by Pat O Sullivan (Chairman)

Transcription

1 Limerick FC A presentation by Pat O Sullivan (Chairman)

2 Chairman Pat O Sullivan - Aims Achievements to Date Future Plans... 11

3 Aims: 1. Stabilise the Club finances 2. Club Structures 3. Build strong community links (Community based club programmes and a strong youth development programme) 4. Build a strong competitive Senior Club 5. UL Scholarships 6. Continuing to Build Community Links 7. Liaise with FAS on community employment schemes 8. Non profit 9. Miscellaneous 3

4 1. Stabilise Club Finances Achievements To Date: - Substantial Donation to Limerick FC In July 2009, when the Club was in difficulty because of the financial climate at the time. Pat O Sullivan made a significant donation to the Club. This together with his continued commitment helped to stabilise the club financially. Pat O Sullivan then joined the Board as Director and Chairman in August Became owner of club in February Improved the club's cash flow - LFC recently launched a weekly lotto and we are employing lotto sellers on a commission basis and actively looking for more sellers all over the Midwest. - LFC plans to launch its own Loyalty/Membership card for use in a wide range of businesses all over the Midwest next month. - New budgets agreed for 2010 season - Personal commitment to meet any revenue shortfall in Club Structures - A New Advisory Board (made up of prominent local business people) - Employ staff in the day-to-day running of the club - 4 staff employed by the club 3. Building Strong Community Links - Limerick Prison Coach Education: - LFC is currently working on a pilot soccer programme with Limerick Prison. LFC players will go into Limerick Prison to provide coaching courses and information on all aspects of player training to prisoners. The prison authorities have been made aware by LFC that two places on the UL bursary scheme are available to prisoners who will be successful in achieving set targets in coaching soccer. - Community group links The following community groups receive match season tickets on an annual basis - Limerick Youth Service x 8 - Irishtown Garda Youth Initiative x 4 - Southside Garda Youth Initiative x 6 - Extern Moyross x 4 - Northside Youth Café x4 - Links with Clubs and their communities - Limerick FC Sponsored playing kit for 5 clubs in Regeneration Areas in 2009 (Moyross Utd, Star Rovers, Hill Celtic, Hyde Rangers, Carew Park, Moyross Ladies). In 2010 our work with theses clubs is continuing. Star Rovers and Hyde Rangers will receive training facilities at Seanchoill Training Complex for their underage teams. Limerick FC will provide buses for teams to travel to training. 4

5 - Limerick FC has sponsored playing kit for clubs in 2010: (UL Soccer Club, Regional Utd, Shannonside FC, Ballynanty Rovers FC) - Continuing to build strong links with Junior Clubs in the community. - In 2009 Caherdavin Celtic training equipment storeroom was destroyed by a fire, Limerick FC donated the proceeds of one half-time draw to the club to help replace their equipment ( 500) - LFC provided new goal posts for St Michael s FC in Tipperary in advance of Irish International team training for Thomond Park International in Invites to Senior Soccer Internationals at Thomond Park: Over the 2 games, 25 Junior and Schoolboy clubs from the mid-west were guests of Limerick FC at the games. LFC provided Pre-match meal, half time refreshments and post match drinks in the executive lounge at Thomond Park for the clubs. 2 volunteers from each club were invited. This was done to develop strong relationships between all strands of soccer so that soccer can maximise its contribution to social activities in the region. - LFC purchased 50 tickets for Ireland v Italy match and provided free bus to Croke Park. All tickets were given to volunteers of Junior and Schoolboy Clubs in the Midwest in recognition of their dedication to their respective clubs. - LFC met with representatives of each of the five clubs in Regeneration Areas to discuss their needs. LFC assured the five clubs that they are not to go out of existence for any financial reason. Some clubs expressed to LFC that their lack of facilities to train schoolboy players was holding them back. LFC is now providing facilities to resolve this issue at Seanchoill, an allweather training facility. LFC provides Limerick players to assist coaching these young players during sessions (all at LFC cost). 17 May 2009: Africa Day 4 Dec 2009: Mayoral Reception for Limerick FC 3 May 2010: Africa Day, City Hall 3 May 2010: Africa Day, City Hall 5

6 Riverfest 2009: Paul O Riordan, Limerick FC CPO, at Arthur's Quay Park - Shoot competition RiverFest 2009: Abbey River - Limerick FC Duck Race June 2009: Irish Homeless World Cup Team, which featured two LFC players Summer 2009: Colin Scanlan makes presentation to Abbey Rovers 6 Paul O Riordan (CPO) and Colin Scanlan (Academy Director) on some school visits

7 4. Build a Strong Competitive Club - U20s in Action Senior Squad at Preseason 2010 Senior Team Manager Pat Scully under contract until End of Season The following coaching positions are also filled: - Senior Team Assistant Manager: Declan Farmer - Goalkeeping Coach: Paul Fagan - First Team Coach: Mick Sheil - A Championship Team Coach: Donal Magee - Under 20 Team Coach: Barry Lynch - Club Doctor: Dr Harry Comber - Sports Scientist: Keith Higgins (UL graduate) - Physiotherapists: Donnacha Ryan (Chartered Physio), Joe Sweeney (Sports Physio) - Chief Scout: Billy Barrett - Ladies Senior Team Manager: Donal Magee - All our coaches are FAI qualified and are in continued coach education through the FAI Technical Department. All coaches at Limerick FC continue their coach education through the FAI Technical department: coaches completed Kick Start 1 & 2-2 coaches completed Youth Cert. - 3 Coaches completed introductory to Goalkeeping Course Coaches completed Kick Start 1 & 2-3 Coaches completed introductory to Goalkeeping Course - 2 Coaches UEFA B - 2 Coaches UEFA A 2010 U20s in action v Cork City last August - ongoing 2010 LadiesSquad A Champ team in action v Tralee Dynamos this year 7

8 5. UL Bursary Martin Hayes, Dave Mahedy, Pat O Sullivan and Prof Paul McCutcheon at UL Bursary Lauch Mick Doyle (past player), Dave McGrath, Nigel Stanley, Martin Deady (current players), and Pat O Sullivan - Limerick FC has agreed a Soccer Bursary scheme with UL. Bursaries will start in July This is for young players who wish to play with LFC and continue with their education. This gives an option to young players to complete their education while developing their soccer skills. Thereafter, if they wish to go overseas to play football at a higher level, this gives them a much better platform in life to deal with such an event. The bursary is also a tool for young people who did not have the opportunity to receive an education in the past - they can now do so and play football with LFC. - Arising from the success of the NCEF scheme at UL (2008/09), two players gained places on the FAI course at Carlow IT. Dave McGrath, Daniel Clinton, Cian Doyle (Limerick FC) attending UL and playing for UL Soccer Club. Limerick FC sponsored kit for the UL Soccer team in the 2010 Collingwood Cup 8

9 6. Continuing to build Community Links - Continue to build our Academy 250 children took part in our academy in These included weekly classes, Easter Camps, Summer Camps, Autumn Camps at various locations around the city and county. Summer 2009: Leo meets Academy kids Summer 2009: LFC Academy - Continue to build our school visits and coaching programme Paul O Riordan CPO visited a National school per week (Limerick, Clare, Tipperary) Barry Lynch has expanded our schools soccer coaching programme to 5 schools: St Clements, Killmallock secondary school, Crescent Comprenshive, Castletroy College St Patricks National School. We provide 2 coaches to each school on a weekly basis. St Patrick s Day 2010: LFC Academy kids marching in the parade with Leo April 2009 LFC donated 10% of gate receipts from Munster Derby match v Waterford Utd to The Blue Box 9

10 LFC support Cycle for Sick Children with L-R: S. Kelly, L. Mulcahy, P. Hartnett and K. Doyle November 2009: Bob Boulder engaging with Mascots at Limerick FC v Liverpool Legends Pat Scully, Manager, presents medals and trophies at Happy Kelly Memorial tournament Liaise with FÁS on Community Employment Schemes - At this time Limerick FC employs players on a part-time basis from March to November. During the close season many of the players are unemployed and are available to use their unique skills to benefit many sections of the community. LFC employs 37 people both part and full-time (on and off the pitch). - An agreement with FÁS to use these players on community employment schemes could benefit communities, schools and young adults. 8. Non Profit - Pat O'Sullivan has publicly stated that he is not in soccer for money and all funds generated from Limerick FC will go back into the club to fund a successful team and help continue its community work in the Midwest and into education to help young people all over the Midwest to make the right life choices. There is no better way than through soccer. Soccer crosses all divides and promotes social inclusion which can only help with the entire community. Marquee Friendly Matches at Thomond Park will go a long way in assisting LFC with its financial obligations. 9. Miscellaneous Summer 2009: Paddy Hartnett with finalists in the Limerick Sports Partnership penalty competition - LFC is seeking to acquire offices to include a museum, where the historical memorabilia of the club will be displayed. This museum will be staffed by the older retired players (including Al Finucane), who have agreed to become ambassadors for the club. 10

11 1. A Home for Senior Soccer Future Plans: - Limerick FC have tendered a bid for the Markets Field. This is a very ambitious project, Limerick FC have made a positive gesture towards securing the site. Limerick FC are under no illusions that this project needs the support of all stakeholders. Pat has also committed that the Markets Field will become a municipal stadium for the benefit of all the community. Both the Markets Field and LFC will be placed in a trust (non-profit making organisation). 2. Training Facilities - Knockalisheen Complex. Application for planning permission submitted to Clare Co. Co. Follow up actions required on environmental issues regarding site. The development in Knockalisheen is on hold until the current economic climate improves. This site can then be revisited, Limerick FC will hold the current lease agreement on the site. - Also in discussions with UL, in respect of locating our senior teams at their new all-weather complex in Community Engagement - Limerick FC can make a positive impact in the regeneration areas of Limerick and are keen to work with the Limerick Regeneration Agencies on pilot projects. - The club also sees the Shane Geoghegan Trust as a positive initiative for Limerick and looks forward to working with the trust. 11

12 Synopsis All of the above are social and educational based activities, driven by Limerick FC. The role of the club, as it sees itself, is a cog on a wheel to provide a healthy outlet in sporting and educational terms through soccer. The hope is that by playing soccer, young people can enhance their personal confidence, self-esteem, become more responsible and turn out to be better adults and better role models to the younger generation that currently surrounds them. Limerick FC, along with its chairman, wants to play its role in Limerick and the Mid-West area towards achieving these goals.