GAA Handball Congress took place at the National Handball Centre last Saturday week.
Head of Handball David Britton delivered a comprehensive annual report covering key areas and reviewing the year gone by.
“Over the last 12 months GAA Handball has experienced a transitional period,” he stated.
“As you are all aware the integration of GAA Handball into the National Coaching & Games Development Department began in 2022. As part of the integration process a structural review of GAA Handball was conducted. The review concluded that new professional structures were required at a staffing level, and that additional changes were required to the volunteer structures, primarily at Ard Comhairle level.
“As a direct consequence of this review, GAA Handball has seen a suite of professional, organisational and governance reforms implemented over the last 12 months.”
The report was presented under headings including professional structures, development, national competition, the National Centre, organisation, governance and the year ahead (2024).
Uachtarán Conor McDonnell also presented his report, in which he highlighted the many positive developments over the last year and highlighted the need to have an honest discussion around the number of national competitions in our sport.
“We have to look at the number of competitions and grades,” stated McDonnell.
“We have to be honest about the future of handball and work towards safeguarding and protecting it for the generations to come. Move forward together for a brighter future in handball.”
The accounts were presented by Siobhán Kelly, GAA Financial Controller.
And showed a closing bottom line of -€195,832. This was a major improvement on the figure of -€722,251 presented the previous year, aided greatly by a grant of €500,000 from Central Council to partly clear an accumulated deficit.
There were no motions on the day.
The Congress booklet including accounts and all reports can be downloaded here .