“Now that the season is coming to an end, I wanted to take the opportunity to thank everyone who has contributed to maintaining Naomh Brid over 2014. To all the mentors, helpers, referees and players ‘go raibh maith agaibh’ for all your efforts and long may you continue to help us build our Club.
I know we are still in the running at some levels to win both Leagues, Championship and tournaments, so good luck to all those teams still competing. Can I would urge all Club members to attend these final matches and lend your support.
To be able to field so many teams is still a remarkable feat for our young years, but let’s not sit on our laurels. Let’s look for ways to always improve what we have. If we are to do this, we need to work together as a Club and integrate the different levels more, whether it be Football, Ladies or Hurling. We need to create an even greater sense of belonging to Naomh Brid.
It is not always easy to do this. It takes time, effort and commitment from our members. As a voluntary organization, all those who pay their membership have a right to be heard and to participate. This applies to how we treat our fellow players, mentors, parents and Committee members. We also need to respect of those around us and this is something we have to re emphasise at every opportunity.
This also applies to how we treat those outside the Club. Can I reinforce our need to refrain from showing disrespect for opponents, opposing mentors, supporter and most importantly referees.
Regardless of what we think of the performance of the referees, we must remember that they too are volunteers and no comment should come from the sideline, from players nor supporters. We all realise that mistakes can be made. I don’t think any of us can hold up our hands and say we could do the job and be completely perfect. Please take this on board at whatever level you are involved.
Could I also urge as many people as possible to either, bring more people into the Club to help at whatever level and if you yourself can do a little more, please come forward.
The Club is essence in administered by a few and we will always welcome more help. This is your Club and we need your help to maintain it.
This is also very important as we now enter the final discussion about developing the Musgrave facility. We have now received planning to develop the training area which will allow for two full pitches to be available, open changing rooms, have floodlights and security fencing around the main pitch. This is a huge achievement in that it allows us to have some of the best facilities in Belfast and the County.
Of course there will be a price for this, and going forward we will need to raise £250,000 towards the overall costing of approximately £850,000.
We will be calling on all resources we can to help achieve this target. Whilst raising these monies, we also have to remember we have annual running costs of over £ 80,000 and we need to factor this into our calculations. But more of that shortly, as we will be reporting on our plans ahead in the very near future.
So thank you all again and please help us move forward. Let’s respect all those around us and let’s enjoy building our Club
Is mise
Dermot”
