To All Club Members of Ballinhassig AFC

We would like to provide you with an update following our recent Extraordinary General Meeting. This meeting was convened to discuss a proposal from the club committee for a ground’s development project in Gortnaglough, and a vote whether to proceed or not.

We are delighted to announce the proposal was unanimously approved by all attending Club Members.

NEXT STEPS
The soccer club committee are already consumed with day to day running of a soccer club and identified that this project will not be successful without help from club members and volunteers. With that in mind, the proposal sought to create two new Working Groups with no involvement in the day to day running of the soccer club. It was proposed that these groups be formed with the sole purpose of delivering this project and would disband afterwards (~12-18 months).

HELP
We are now urgently seeking people to lead and help us achieve our dream. We are planning a kick off meeting in the coming weeks so if you can offer any support in the following areas, please let us know by email or contact anyone on the club committee.

Development Group
- Accounting, Procurement & Tendering
- Planning & Legal/Regulatory
- Construction

Funding Group
- Fundraising
- Government Grant Applications
- Political, Community, Partner & Other Stakeholder Engagement (PR)

BACKGROUND
The feasibility of developing an all-weather playing surface in Gortnaglough (e.g. Astro) had been discussed for a number of years, but only now does the club consider it is in a position to successfully undertake such a large and challenging initiative:

1. We cleared €80k from our mortgage in the past year which significantly improved the club’s financial stability.
2. Compliance at the club is in a much better place, allowing us to potentially maximise a Government Capital Sports Grant Application.
3. We foresee after 2023 funding from any Capital Sports Grant will be significantly lower and criteria much higher.
4. We have secured commitment of six-figure sums from local business and philanthropy; these offers are not on the table forever and will need to be matched by a successful government grant application.
5. So, we need to act now or risk never embarking on this aspiration.

JUSTIFICATION
There were several reasons put forward as to why the club should proceed:

1. Continued growth of Ballinhassig AFC Soccer Club
   - The club now comprises twenty-two soccer teams from academy up to adult women and men’s teams. ~300 members
   - Soccer is continuing to grow as a participation sport in our surrounding catchment areas.
   - We have frequent full utilization of our two pitches – there are not enough pitches to cater for the number of teams in the club.
   - We have frequent pitch closures due to bad weather; this is a disruption to teams and lost momentum for children.
   - Playing surfaces are not suitable for younger children in the winter - made worse due to constant overuse.
2. Community Engagement
   - The facility is idle weekdays and summer months – it has huge potential for wider use by other community groups.
   - We would like to truly offer football for all which is not possible within the current facility.
3. Revenue
   - The facility does not generate any revenue – it hinders further development and is seen as a liability not an asset.
   - Rental of training pitches from other clubs is leading to a significant revenue drain on the soccer club.
4. Safety
   - Car parking often overflows onto the main road causing an obstruction and a risk to traffic and pedestrians.
   - The open plan layout of the grounds with internal roadways and car park area poses a safety risk to children playing.

Thank you,
Ballinhassig AFC Committee.