On Sunday last the 2017 GAA Handball Congress took place in The Bridge House Hotel, Tullamore, as the Handball community gathered to review 2016 and plan ahead for 2017.
Uachtarán Willie Roche opened proceedings by inviting Chairman of Offaly GAA Tommy Byrne to address Congress. Tommy welcomed all delegates to Tullamore and wished Joe Masterson the best in his role as President of GAA Handball and assured him of his support throughout his tenure. Kevin Cooke, Chairman of Offaly Handball then welcomed the delegates and wished Joe the best of luck. He thanked outgoing President Willie Roche for his service and thanked the staff in the National Office for their assistance throughout the year.
National Manager's Report
Uachtarán Willie Roche complimented National Manager John Kelly on a very detailed and professional report. The report covered a broad range of topics from Open Handball to Juvenile over all four codes. It is a wide ranging report that addresses the positives and also the challenges facing Handball in the future. Click below for the Annual Report.
Finances:
GAA Handball National Manager John Kelly presented an overview of GAA Handball's Accounts and said the accounts once again were positive for 2016. He said income was up on 2015 due mainly to a rise in registrations, Gate Receipts and Sponsorship income and this was very welcome. Expenditure was also up and the net result was a surplus of 3,555. Considering that in 2013 there was a deficit of 259k it showed how far the accounts have come. He advised that the next step is to try and increase the grants received to enable further projects to be completed. It was noted that the financial affairs are now in a much more healthy place and a long term finance plan is continuing to address the outstanding debt.
Uachtaran CLLE Willie Roche:
Uachtarán Willie Roche addressed Congress for the final time and spoke of how proud he was to have led the association for the last three years. He spoke about his hope that the new National Centre would be built asap and said there was so many great memories from his three year term that it would be impossible to pick one. He thanked everyone who had contributed to his three year term as Uachtarán and wished incoming President Joe Masterson the very best in his three year tenure. He then presented Joe Masterson with his Presidents Medal.
Uachtaran Nua CLLE Joe Masterson:
In his first address to Congress Joe advised he was deeply honoured and priviliged to become President. He said he would work tirelessly with the staff in the office and the provincial and county boards to ensure Handball emerges as the vibrant sport it can be. He thanked Willie Roche and commended him on being an excellent president. He also thanked the Crinkle and Fahy clubs for their support. He remembered those who were no longer with us. He thanked the staff in the Bridge House Hotel for a fantastic weekend. He finished by thanking his family for their support.
Motions:
The below motions were passed at Congress:
Playing Rules Motions
1 . PART V (B) REGULATIONS FOR INTER-CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP
Amend Fo-Riail 47 (K) as follows:
The Irish Handball Council shall organise Inter-Club Championships in Novice, Junior and Open in 60 x 30 and 40 x 20.
Each team to consist of four players and one substitute. Duplication in different teams is not permitted.
Regulations for the Inter Club Championships shall be decided each year by the Central Competitions Control Committee
Games Regulations Motions
1. That Rule 47 (A), (B), (C) & (D) of the Games Regulations be amended as follows
The following All-Ireland Championships shall be promoted each year where facilities offer:
(A) (i) Senior Softball and 40 x 20 Singles and Doubles.
Insert: (ii) Men’s only Senior Hardball Singles and Doubles.
(B) (i) Intermediate Softball and 40 x 20 Singles and Doubles
Insert: (ii) Men’s only Intermediate Hardball Singles and Doubles.
(C) (i) Junior Softball and 40 x 20 Singles and Doubles.
Insert: (ii) Men’s only Junior Hardball Singles and Doubles.
(D) (i) Minor Softball and 40 x 20 Singles and Doubles.
Insert: (ii) Minor boys Hardball Singles and Doubles
2. That Rule 47(G) of the Games Regulations be amended as follows
Over 35 A & B Singles and Doubles 40x20 & 60x30 Championship.
(i) Over 35 'A' - Confined to players over 35 years of age.
(ii) Over 35 'B' - Confined to players over 35 years of age, who have not won Minor, Under 21, Junior B, Junior, Intermediate, 35B ,Mastersor Senior All-Ireland titles.
3. That Rule 47(H) of the Games Regulations be amended as follows
(H) Masters Singles and Doubles and Masters 'A' and 'B' Softball and 40 x 20 Singles and Doubles. (Over 40).
(i) Masters 'A' - Open to players over 40 years of age.(ii) Masters 'B' - Confined to players over 40 years of age who have not won Minor, Under 21,Junior B, Junior, Intermediate, Senior, Over 35 A or B or any Masters 'A' or 'B' All-Ireland titles.
4. That Rule 47(M) of the Games Regulations be amended as follows
47 (M) (i) Ruby Masters A Softball and 40 x 20 Singles and Doubles (Over 65).
(ii) Over 70s Singles and Doubles championships in 40 x 20 and 60 x 30 grades
5. Rule 47 (R) be amended as follows
“Interprovincial Girls Team of 6 & 10 Competitions
60x30 Team of 6
(a) A team consists of 6 players, two at each age group at Under 13, Under 15 & Under 17
(b) Order of play is from Under 13 to Under 17
(c) Team in order of play to be supplied in writing to official in charge before game before play commences
(d) Each pair play two games to 15 aces
(e) The aggregate score decides the winner
(f) In the event of a tie any two players from each side play a tie-breaker to 11 points,
(g) Full Playing rules apply “
40x20 Team of 10
(a) A team consists of 10 players, two at each age group at Under 13,14,’15’16 & Under 17
(b) Order of play is from Under 13 to Under 17
(c) Team in order of play to be supplied in writing to official in charge before game before play commences
(d) Each pair play two games to 15 aces
(e) The aggregate score decides the winner
(f) In the event of a tie any two players from each side play a tie-breaker to 11 points,
(g) Full Playing rules apply “
6. That Rule 49(D) of the Games Regulations be amended as follows
(D) The Intermediate Singles and Doubles All-Ireland Championships shall be confined to the following players:
(i) Players who have won a Minor or Under 21 or Junior All-Ireland Singles or Doubles Championship.
Remove: (ii) Players who have won a Junior Singles or Doubles Provincial Championship before June 1994.
(iii) Players who win the new (post June 1994) Junior Singles or Doubles All-Ireland Championship
7. That Rule 49(E) of the Games Regulations be amended as follows
In Doubles a player must play with a partner from his own county
A player who is not eligible to play in the Senior grade may play Senior Doubles to partner a player who is eligible to do so and also play in his/her own grade. (without affecting their own grading)
A Senior is a player who has represented his/her county in the Senior All-Ireland Championships and/or won: an Intermediate or Senior men’s Singles or Doubles All Ireland title or a Ladies Junior Singles or Doubles All Ireland title
Remove: Hardball:
(i) The All-Ireland Senior Hardball Singles and Doubles Championships shall be open to all players who have won a Minor, Under 21 or adult All-Ireland title in that code, seeding to apply. Players who take part in the Senior championship may compete in one other grade if they are eligible to do so.
Remove: (i) A Junior All-Ireland Hardball title
60x30 Softball:
(i) The All-Ireland 60 x 30 Senior Singles and Doubles Championships shall be open to all players who have won a Minor, Under 21 or adult All-Ireland title in that code, seeding to apply. Players who take part in the Senior championship may compete in one other grade if they are eligible to do so.
40x20:
(i) The All-Ireland 40 x 20 Senior Singles and Doubles Championships shall be open to all players who have won a Minor, Under 21 or adult All-Ireland title in that code, seeding to apply. Players who take part in the Senior championship may compete in one other grade if they are eligible to do so.
8. That Rule 49(F)of the Games Regulations be amended as follows
(F) All-Ireland Club Championships
(i) A player in the All-Ireland Junior B Club Championships must be eligible to play Junior B in the Singles or Doubles Championship and must not have played on a Junior B Club Championship winning team.
(ii) A player in the All-Ireland Junior Club championships must be eligible to play Junior B or Junior in the Singles and Doubles Championships and must not have played on a Junior Club Championship winning team.
(iii) The Open Club Championships are open to all grades of player.
9. That Rule 52(A) of the Games Regulations be deleted
“In Doubles a player must play with a partner from his own county. Where a Senior player has no available Senior partner in his county he may be partnered by a player of any other grade. A player who is not eligible to play in the Senior grade may play Senior Doubles to partner a player who is eligible to do so and also play in his/her own grade. “
10. That Rule 52 (B) and (C) of the Games Regulations be amended as follows:
(A) The All-Ireland Ladies Senior Softball and 40 x 20 Singles and Doubles Championships shall be run on an Open Draw system.
(B) The Senior, Intermediate, Junior and Minor Hardball Singles and Doubles Championships shall be run on an Open Draw system.
11. Delete the following:
57. Over 70s Singles and Doubles championships shall be inaugurated in 40 x 20 and 60 x 30 grades.
14. That in Juvenile All Ireland Championship competition, that an All-Ireland Final cannot be refereed by a fellow club member of any of the players contesting the final.