US Gaelic Athletic Association

Home , Camogie Association, Dempsey, Hurling, Jack Boothman, Joe McDonagh, Munster GAA

2017 Annual Convention

Virginia Beach, Virginia November 10th-12th

www.usgaa.org

2017 USGAA Convention Agenda ...... 5

USGAA Convention Standing Orders ...... 8

Minutes of 2016 USGAA Annual Convention ...... 9

Youth Officer Report ...... 25

New Youth Club Development Plan ...... 34

Registration Report ...... 37

USGAA PRO Report ...... 71

Games Development Report ...... 81

Hurling Development Committee Report ...... 101

Referee Committee Report ...... 117

Referee Development Officer Report ...... 123

Treasurers Report ...... 125

Secretary’s Report ...... 147

Insurance Report ...... 163

Motions submitted for 2017 USGAA Convention ...... 167

Officer Nominations for 2018 ...... 176

Proposed USGAA Finals Modifications ...... 179

USGAA Finals Host Committee Charter ...... 181

2017 USGAA Champions ...... 186

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4 USGAA National Convention 2017 – November 10th-12th 2017 – www.usgaa.org

2017 USGAA Convention Agenda

Friday, November 10, 2017

Evening Session

● 8:00 pm-10:00pm:

o Presentation of Officer Reports:

▪ Youth Officer

▪ Registrar

▪ PRO

o Update on 501(c)3 Regulations and Process

● 10:00 pm: Adjournment

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Saturday, November 11, 2017

Morning Session

● 8:30 am Registration of Delegates

● 9:00 am Welcome Addresses:

o Jackie Trudell (Coastal Virginia GAA)

o Gareth Fitzsimons (USGAA)

o Ambassador Dan Mulhall

(Ambassador of Ireland to the United States)

● 9:30 am Adoption of Standing Orders

● 9:35 am Minutes of 2016 Convention

● 9:50 am Presentation of Reports

o Games Development

o Hurling Development

o Referee Development

o Treasurer

o Secretary

o Chairman

● 2017 USGAA Awards

● Other Old Business

12:00 pm Lunch

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Saturday, November 11, 2017

Afternoon Session

● 1:00 pm Resumption of Convention

● 1:00pm Roll Call

● 1:15pm USGAA Finals Host Committee Charter

● 1:45pm Motions

● Election of Convention Chairperson/Secretary

● Election of Officers for 2018

● New Business:

o Proposal re: USGAA Finals structure

● Any other New Business

● Adjournment of Convention

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USGAA Convention Standing Orders

In order to carry out the proceedings of the Convention without delay the following Standing Orders will be observed.

1. The Proposer of a motion or an amendment thereto may speak for 2 minutes, but not longer than 2 minutes.

2. A Delegate speaking to a motion or an amendment must not exceed 1 minute. A maximum of 2 delegates from one club may speak on a motion.

3. The Proposer of a motion or an amendment may speak a second time for 1 minute before a vote is taken, but no other delegate may speak a second time on the same motion or amendment.

4. The Chair may at any time he considers a matter has been sufficiently discussed call on the Proposer for a reply, and when that has been given, a vote must be taken.

5. A Delegate may, with the consent of the Chair, move “that the question be now put,” after which when the Proposer has spoken, a vote must be taken.

6. No motion, other than that properly before Convention, shall be considered.

7. Suspension of Standing Orders may only take place with the consent of two thirds of those present and voting.

8. Any motion seeking to amend or change a Bylaw must have a majority equal to two thirds of those present and voting. A simple majority of those present and voting is necessary to alter a Regulation.

9. The Chair of each Divisional Board shall be entitled to one vote. Each affiliated and registered Club present shall be entitled to two (2) votes even if only represented by one delegate.

10. The Chair may change the order of the items on the agenda with the consent of a majority of those present and entitled to vote.

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Minutes of 2016 USGAA Annual Convention

November 11-13, 2016

San Diego, California.

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Friday November 11th, 8pm.

Youth Officers Report – presented by Liam Hegarty.

Report was adopted as presented.

Registrar’s Report – presented by Lizzie O’Connor.

Report was adopted as presented.

PRO Report – presented by Daithí Ó’Caoimh.

Report was adopted as presented.

Report by Committee to Review Playoffs and Divisions:

Presented by Brian McCarthy.

After some discussion, it was agreed to defer further discussion of possible options, and allow the committee continue moving forward.

At 9:40pm the meeting was adjourned until Saturday, November 12th

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Saturday, November 12th, 9am:

Meeting was convened at 9am by Gareth Fitzsimons

Opening addresses were made by Gareth Fitzsimons (on behalf of USGAA), Tracey Rivera (on behalf of San Diego GAA) and Jerry O’Sullivan (Chairman, Munster Council), who all welcomed the delegates and wished them a successful convention.

Standing Orders were adopted.

Minutes of 2015 NACB Convention (Held in Austin, Texas) were adopted.

Bereaved:

A moments silence was held for those that passed during the year:

Gerry McKnight

Dave Tynan

Seamus Carolan

Pat Keane

Joe McDonagh

Jack Boothman

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Presentation of Reports:

Hurling Development Report – presented by Colm Egan.

Report was adopted as presented.

Treasurers Report – presented by Paddy McDevitt.

Report was adopted as presented.

Secretary’s Report – presented by Paul Keane

Report was adopted as presented.

Insurance Report – presented by Paul Keane

Report was adopted as presented.

Chairman’s Address – presented by Gareth Fitzsimons:

Report was adopted as presented.

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USGAA Development Awards:

Club Development Awards were presented to the following clubs:

Albany Rebels

Baltimore

Raleigh Cuchulainns

St. Brigids

Pittsburgh Celtics

Atlanta Clan na Gael

Columbia Red Branch

National Volunteer Achievement Awards were presented to:

Brian White\Paul McGarry, Seattle Gaels

Kevin McDonnell, LA Wild Geese

Patrick Bourke, St. Patricks Donegal

New Club of the Year awards were presented to the following clubs:

Dallas Fionn McCumhaill

Tacoma Rangers

Columbus Naghten

Website and TV Spot Awards:

LA Wild Geese

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Other Business:

1. Bertie Penny (Western Division) inquired about an incident alleged to have occurred at the USGAA Development Squad training camp.

After Liam Hegarty, Paul Mulcaire and Harry Costello spoke on the topic, Gareth Fitzsimons responded that USGAA would welcome specific information on any incidents that may have occurred.

2. Susan Beaurain (Indianapolis) requested follow-up on the material provided to Kieran Leddy (Munster Council) during the Development Training Weekend.

Paul Keane committed to requesting the material from Kieran.

3. Sean Tobin (Padraig Pearses) raised the topic of Sanction Insurance required by Croke Park.

Liam Moloney, Gareth Fitzsimons and Paul Keane addressed the matter.

2016 Business was deemed concluded at 11:35am

As the Convention was ahead of schedule, it was agreed to move “Review of Byelaws” forward on the agenda.

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Review of USGAA Byelaws:

These were adopted as presented.

Break for Lunch at 12pm

Convention resumed at 1pm

Registration of Delegates:

After registration of delegates and Roll Call, it was deemed that 195 votes were counted as present and entitled to vote.

Review of USGAA Regulations:

These were adopted as presented.

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Motions:

1: Proposal to create Heartland Division submitted by Indianapolis GAA

Passed by Show of Hands

2: Proposal to create Heartland Division submitted by Milwaukee Hurling Club

Withdrawn

3: Proposal to create Heartland Division submitted by Naperville Hurling Club

Withdrawn

4: Proposal to create Heartland Division submitted by St. Louis

Withdrawn

5: Proposal that Senior Football have no less than 8 Resident Players:

Failed by Show of Hands

6: Proposal that Senior Football have no less than 6 Resident Players:

Combined with Motion 7

Passed by Show of Hands

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7: Proposal that Senior Football have no less than 6 Resident Players:

Combined with Motion 6

Passed by Show of Hands

8: Proposal to change wording of Senior Football Resident Players requirement from “no less than” to “no more than”

Passed by Show of Hands

9: Proposal to change wording of Intermediate Football Resident Players requirement from “no less than” to “no more than”

Passed by Show of Hands

10: Proposal to schedule Playoff draw between July 10th and July 15th

Failed by Show of Hands

11: Proposal to allow Hearing Committee to implement Sanction penalties for teams who fail to participate at Playoffs.

Failed by Show of Hands

12: Proposal to implement Minimum Fine of $2,500 for teams who fail to participate at Playoffs.

Failed by Show of Hands

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13: Proposal to allow Divisional Teams in Senior Football at Playoffs

Failed by Show of Hands

14: Proposal to include Sanction Commencement date of May 1st in OG

Failed by Show of Hands

15: Proposal to restrict Sanction players from registering prior to May 1st

Failed by Show of Hands

16: Proposal to prohibit granting of Sanctions after July 1st

Passed by Show of Hands

17: Proposal to prohibit registration of Sanction Players after July 1st

Passed by Show of Hands

18: Proposal to prohibit granting of Sanctions after July 1st

Combined with Motion 16

Passed by Show of Hands

19: Proposal to prevent J1 Sanction County players from obtaining sanctions while their county is still in championship (incl. Qualifiers)

Passed by Show of Hands

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20: Proposal to increase sanction limits to “12+8” and include J1 Sanction’s in this quota:

Failed by Show of Hands

21: Proposal to clarify wording of Sanction Quotas for Senior Hurling to “12+8”

Passed by Show of Hands

22: Proposal to clarify wording of Sanction Quotas for Senior Hurling to “10+8”

Withdrawn

23: Proposal to formalize “Non-Player Form”

Passed by Show of Hands

24: Proposal to extend Registration Dates to facilitate “dormant players”

Failed by Show of Hands

25: Proposal to define role of Honorary President

Passed by Show of Hands

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26: Proposal to allow unlimited substitutions in Ladies Intermediate and Junior Football

Moved up the agenda prior to Motion 14

Passed by Show of Hands

27: Proposal to increase games to 15-a-side and include 2 Homegrown Players:

Failed by Show of Hands

28: Proposal to allow 8 members on USGAA Youth Committee:

Passed by Show of Hands

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Election of Convention Chair and Secretary:

Harry Costello was proposed and elected as Convention Chair;

Hugh Duggan was proposed and elected as Convention Secretary.

Count of Delegates deemed that there were 195 votes present and entitled to vote.

Election of Officers for 2017:

Chairperson: Gareth Fitzsimons was the only nomination, and accepted the nomination. He was duly elected as Chairperson.

Vice-Chairperson: Bernie Connaughton was the only nomination, and accepted the nomination. He was duly elected as Vice-Chairperson.

Secretary: Paul Keane was the only nomination, and accepted the nomination. He was duly elected as Secretary.

Treasurer: Paddy McDevitt, Steve Shannon and John Young were nominated. Paddy McDevitt declined the nomination; Steve Shannon and John Young both accepted the nomination.

John Young won the ballot and was duly elected as Treasurer.

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Registrar: Lizzie O’Connor was the only nomination, and accepted the nomination. She was duly elected as Registrar.

Youth Officer: Liam Hegarty was the only nomination, and accepted the nomination. He was duly elected as Youth Officer.

PRO: Daithí Ó’Caoimh was the only nomination, and accepted the nomination. He was duly elected as PRO.

Central Council: Malachy Higgins, Ger Dillon and Brian White were nominated. Brian White declined; Malachy Higgins and Ger DIllon accepted the nomination.

Malachy Higgins won the ballot, and was duly elected as Central Council Delegate.

Honorary President: Hugh Duggan was the only nomination, and accepted the nomination. He was duly selected as Honorary President.

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Address of Ard-Stiúrthóir:

Ard-Stiúrthóir Páraic Duffy addressed convention, and covered a number of topics in his comments.

New Business:

The 2017 Board Officers took their position and the following items were addressed:

1. Daithí Ó’Caoimh (USGAA PRO) unveiled the new USGAA Logo and Brand

2. Rob Tierney (USGAA GDO) presented a report on Games Development, and the plans to provide a Project-based approach for divisions without a specific GDA.

3. Liam Hegarty presented an outline of the 501(c)3 process

4. Hugh Duggan presented plans for 2017 Referee Development practices.

5. Robert Frost addressed Convention. USGAA National Convention 2017 – November 10th-12th 2017 – www.usgaa.org 23

6. Coastal Virginia were selected as host for the 2017 USGAA Convention.

7. Bertie Penny outlined plans for the 2017 USGAA Finals in San Francisco, and mentioned that 500 rooms had been secured at the Downtown Marriott with a Room Rate of approximately $230.

Adjournment:

A motion to adjourn was accepted at 6:38pm.

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Youth Officer Report

Submitted by Liam Hegarty, USGAA Youth Officer

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USGAA Youth Committee

The USGAA Youth Committee was elected at the USGAA Youth Annual

General Meeting in Philadelphia on November 19, 2016. The following

members were elected and have worked tirelessly for the entire year:

Vice Chairperson Paul Mulcaire (Buffalo Fenians) Secretary Shannon Welton (San Diego Youth) Treasurer Josephine Regan (St.Jarlath’s, Chicago)

Registrar Ellen Joyce (ISYL, Boston) Public Relations Officer Mark Knight (Greenville Gaels Youth) Development Camp Coordinator Ann McKiernan (San Francisco Youth) Cul Camp Coordinator Brendan Gallagher (Glenside Gaelic Club,

Philadelphia) National Collegiate Liaison Alex Whitney (NCGAA)

The committee meets three times a month via conference call. One meeting

a month includes the Divisional Youth Committee Chairpersons. This allows

for sharing of ideas and keeping all divisions up to date on all activities.

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New Youth Club Development Plan

The New Youth Club Development Committee (a subcommittee of the USGAA Youth Committee) continues to implement the New Youth Club Development Plan which supports clubs interested in establishing a youth program. Funding of $2,500 is available to all new youth programs that complete all four (4) phases of the plan. Youth programs currently involved

in the plan are:

• Atlanta Youth • Celtic Cowboys • Charlotte • Columbus • Cleveland • Denver • Detroit Youth (completed 3 phases) • Greenville Gaels Youth (completed 3 phases) • Fox River • Houston Gaels • Miltown Gaels • Milwaukee Youth • Pittsburgh Youth (completed 3 phases) • San Antonio • South Florida

A copy of the New Youth Club Development Plan is included as an appendix to this report. Clubs interested in developing a youth program, please contact Liam Hegarty at [email protected]

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Games

Clubs participated in blitzes, divisional league games and various tournaments during the year. Teams played Gaelic Football, Ladies Football, Hurling and Camogie.

The Central Divisional Youth Committee scheduled games between the three (3) Central Division youth clubs – St. Jarlath’s, Windy City Gaels and Chicago Celtic.

The Northeast Divisional Youth Committee scheduled games between the five (5) Northeast Division youth clubs – ISYL, St. Brendan’s, Trinity Milton, Wolfetones, Maine Gaelic Sports Alliance and Hartford.

The Philadelphia Divisional Youth Committee scheduled games between the three (3) Philadelphia Division youth clubs – Delco Gaels, Glenside Gaelic Club and Shamrocks.

The Mid-West Divisional Youth Committee scheduled games between the five (5) Mid-West Division youth clubs – Buffalo Fenians, Pittsburgh Youth, Detroit Youth, Cleveland Youth and Columbus Youth.

The Southeast Divisional Youth Committee scheduled games between the two (2) Southeast Division youth clubs – Atlanta Youth and Greenville Gaels.

San Francisco Youth (Western Division) and San Diego Youth (Southwest Division) scheduled inner city games.

Clubs from Boston and Philadelphia played challenge games against various New York clubs and participated in New York hosted tournaments.

Buffalo Fenians played challenge games against Toronto.

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Tournaments Inaugural Clan na nGael Underage Blitz

The Inaugural Clan na nGael Underage Blitz was hosted by Atlanta Youth on February 25, 2017. Clubs from Greenville, New York and Atlanta participated in gaelic football and ladies football. Teams competed for silverware in U-8, U-10 and U12 age groups.

Liberty Bell Championships

The Liberty Bell Championships tournament was hosted by the Philadelphia Divisional Youth Committee on July 15, 2017. Clubs from Boston, New York and Philadelphia participated in gaelic football, ladies football, hurling and camogie. Teams competed for silverware in U-8, U-10, U12 and U-14 age groups. 34 teams played 68 games on 9 fields.

Other

Youth Games were also played at the Greensville Cup, the Peach Cup and the Connolly Cup.

Feile

Four teams from USGAA participated in the 2017 Feile Peil na nOg in Ireland which was hosted in Counties Cavan, Fermanagh and Monaghan on June 23-25. San Francisco Youth, Delco Gaels and Boston sent boys teams and San Francisco Youth sent a girls team. Providing our U-14 youth players with the experience of a lifetime is a significant commitment by these clubs. In addition to starting training sessions in January, clubs must also organize travel arrangements, accommodation and sightseeing for families. The cost for the trip ranges from $35,000 to $45,000. Clubs organize various fundraising events to defray the costs to the players.

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In 2018 Chicago plans on joining Boston and Delco Gaels in sending boys football teams. Delco Gaels also plan on sending a girls football team. San Francisco Youth plan on participating in Feile na nGael by sending a hurling and camogie team.

Continental Youth Championships

The 2017 Continental Youth Championships (“CYC”) were hosted by Buffalo Fenians at West Seneca Soccer Complex on July 27 - 30. 203 teams played 552 games on 15 fields over 4 days. U-8 to U-18 teams played gaelic football, ladies Football, hurling and camogie.

In excess of 200 volunteers make this tournament possible. From parking attendants to trash duty, the tasks are numerous. Without referees, the games would not happen. We appreciate the numerous referees, both local and those who travel long distances, especially from Ireland. Thank you to each of the USGAA Divisions that provided referees for CYC.

Thank you to Paul Mulcaire and his CYC Host Committee for an excellent job done at what was commonly referred to during the tournament as “the best location that CYC was ever hosted”.

The CYC continues to grow which provides many challenges. The budget to host the CYC has increased in excess of $150,000. As a result, the CYC Steering Committee hosted a CYC Club Forum in Boston on October 21. Clubs attended to discuss these challenges as they related to governance, finance, growth, playing rules, competition format, amalgamated teams and premier competition.

Many good ideas were discussed and a plan to create a CYC Development Committee was established. Another issue discussed in detail was the cost of providing buses. A plan to review the buses provided to teams was established. Development of a CYC app was also discussed. 30 USGAA National Convention 2017 – November 10th-12th 2017 – www.usgaa.org

Development Camp

The 2017 Development Camp for our best young players was hosted in Buffalo on June 24 – 26. Players were invited to try out for the USGAA U-18 and U-16 Gaelic Football, Ladies Football and Hurling teams. The Camp was led by the Games Development Administrators (“GDA’s”) and invited coaches. The schedule was organized to allow players to participate in both football and hurling try outs. Teams were selected to represent USGAA in the CYC Premier competition.

U-18 Ladies Football and U-16 Gaelic Football, Ladies Football and Hurling teams competed against New York. U-18 Gaelic Football and Hurling teams competed against New York and St. Eunan’s from Donegal, Ireland. Adding a third team to this competition provided extra excitement and players were keen to test their skills against one of the best U-18 club teams in Ireland.

The U-16 Gaelic Football team overcame New York in a very exciting game. The U-16 Hurling game against New York ended in a draw and coaches on both sides decided to let the result stand and not play extra time as players had many games to play over the weekend. The U-16 Ladies Football team was defeated by New York in a close game.

The U-18 Hurling and Ladies Football teams won their respective Premier Competitions. The boys defeated St. Eunan’s in a close game while the girls defeated New York. The U-18 Gaelic Football team made it to the final where they were defeated by St. Eunan’s.

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Cul Camps

Cul Camps were hosted by many clubs throughout the year. Multiple camps were held in San Francisco, Chicago, Boston and Philadelphia. As in prior years, camps were held in Buffalo and San Diego. First time camps were held in Detroit, Greenville and Columbus. Approximately 500 children age 6 to 14 participated in 14 camps.

Many camps used the official Cul Camp gear while others sourced their own camp gear. 300 kits were ordered from Croke Park and distributed to Boston, Buffalo, Columbus and Greenville.

A few other cities have indicated that they will host Cul Camps in 2018 so the growth is exciting. Hosting a Cul Camp is a great opportunity to determine the interest in establishing a youth club.

Coaches

Prior to coaching children all coaches are required to have completed both the GAA Foundation course and the National Center for Safety Initiatives background check. Background checks must be repeated every two (2) years. In 2018 head coaches will be required to complete the GAA Award 1 course. Youth Clubs will be coordinating with the GDA’s and Coach Tutors to schedule Award 1 courses.

National Collegiate Gaelic Athletic Association (“NCGAA”)

The USGAA Youth Committee has developed a working relationship with NCGAA. This allows youth players to continue playing Gaelic Games in college. Players can join established clubs in college and players that find themselves in a college without a Gaelic Games Club are encouraged to start a club and receive support from NCGAA.

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Assistance from Adult Clubs

Many adult clubs assist their local youth club through coaching either consistently or on occasion. This participation by these adult players is greatly appreciated by the youth clubs. We encourage all adult clubs to consider assisting their local youth clubs. Having adult players, especially players from Ireland, attending youth club practices is exciting for these young players and a new voice is always helpful.

USGAA Youth AGM 2017

The 2017 USGAA Youth AGM will be hosted in Boston on January 6, 2018.

Thank You

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the Coaches, Parents, Club Board members, Divisional Youth Committee members and USGAA Youth Committee members who promote Gaelic Games to the young boys and girls in North America. Their work in developing these players is creating a pipeline of players for all the adult clubs in USGAA. I would also like to thank the USGAA Board and USGAA Clubs for their financial support and providing resources such as coaches, tutors, referees, facilities and equipment.

Mol an Óige agus Tiocfaidh Sí!

Respectfully Submitted

Liam Hegarty Youth Officer USGAA

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New Youth Club Development Plan

Phase I - $500

1. Initial conference call with all interested parties in city/club and the NAYC Club Development Committee

2. Establish Youth Board/Committee • A Youth Board/Committee must have a minimum of 3 adults who are not involved in an administrative or coaching role with an adult club. • The established Youth Board/Committee members’ names and contact information (email, telephone) must be submitted to the NAYC Secretary at [email protected]

3. Conference call with all members of the Youth Board/Committee and the NAYC Club Development Committee

4. Establish Youth Board/Committee Bank Account • A copy of a bank statement must be submitted to the NAYC Secretary at [email protected]

5. Identify a minimum of 4 adults suitable as coaches • The coaches’ names and contact information (email, telephone) must be submitted to the NAYC Secretary at [email protected]

6. Host a Foundation Level Coaching Course or identify coaches who have completed the Foundation Level Coaching Course • If a course is held the Tutor must submit a list of attendees to the NAYC Secretary at [email protected]

7. Coaches who have successfully completed the Foundation Level Coaching Course must complete the Coaches Registration and Background Check at www.usyouthgaa.org

Note: Clubs who have completed Phase I are eligible to participate in the NACB Hurling grant program whereby clubs receive a grant up to $400 for purchasing hurling equipment (Helmets and Hurls only). 34 USGAA National Convention 2017 – November 10th-12th 2017 – www.usgaa.org

Phase II - $1,000

1. Register players. • Clubs must register a minimum of 13 players in one age group (U- 8, U-10, etc.)

2. Establish Facebook page which is updated regularly with club activity

3. Host a minimum of 6 blitzes • A schedule of dates and times for the blitzes must be submitted to the NAYC Secretary at [email protected]

4. Establish a 3 year strategic plan for the Youth Club • The strategic plan should include five (5) goals and include who is responsible for achieving each goal and the timeline for completing each goal. • A copy of the strategic plan must be submitted to the NAYC Secretary at [email protected]

5. Establish club logo • Youth clubs aligned with an adult club may use the same club logo. • A copy of the club logo must be submitted to the NAYC Secretary at [email protected]

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Phase III - $500

1. Establish a non-profit corporation and secure 501(c)3 status • Youth clubs aligned with an adult club may use the club 501(c)3 status • A copy of the Determination Letter received from the Internal Revenue Service must be submitted to the NAYC Secretary at [email protected]

2. Host a Cul Camp (minimum 3 days)

3. Attend the Divisional Youth Committee Annual General Meeting (“AGM”)

4. Establish a club website • Youth clubs aligned with an adult club may use the club website

Phase IV - $500

1. Establish an annual schedule of games, meetings, etc • A copy of the schedule must be submitted to the NAYC Secretary at [email protected]

2. Attend the North American Youth Committee Annual General Meeting (“AGM”)

3. Attend the Continental Youth Championships

TOTAL GRANTS AVAILABLE: $2,500

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Registration Report

Submitted by Lizzie O’Connor, USGAA Registrar

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2017 USGAA REGISTRATION

Division Number of Clubs Number of Teams Men's Football Ladies Football Hurling Camogie Number of Members Resident Players Non Club Players Intercounty Transfers Club/Club Transfers Sanctions J1 Visa Sanctions American Born Non Irish Social Member

Central 15 19 10 4 4 1 689 139 14 27 3 101 68 204 2 131 Heartland 16 24 5 2 12 5 461 70 0 10 0 0 0 370 9 2 Mid Atlantic 9 11 3 2 3 3 399 80 0 25 17 2 1 269 5 0 Midwest 12 13 9 1 3 0 362 37 1 1 0 2 0 314 0 7 Northeast 21 34 19 3 12 0 930 340 0 78 4 202 56 222 0 28 Northwest 6 9 3 1 4 1 246 33 1 5 8 2 0 196 1 0 Philadelphia 7 9 6 1 2 0 247 60 0 17 0 27 2 130 1 10 Southeast 12 14 5 3 5 1 346 77 0 11 6 0 0 236 15 1 Southwest 20 27 12 7 6 2 822 254 12 63 63 7 6 380 35 20 Western 14 23 11 3 7 2 738 239 0 50 18 135 38 198 0 60

TOTAL USGAA 132 183 83 27 58 15 5240 1329 28 287 119 478 171 2519 68 259

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2017 USGAA REGISTRATION

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2017 USGAA REGISTRATION

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2017 USGAA REGISTRATION CENTRAL DIVISION

Division: CENTRAL Total Clubs: 15

Club Men's Football Ladies Football Hurling Camogie Number of Members Resident Players Non Club Players Intercounty Transfers Club to Club Transfers Sanctions J1 Visa Sanctions American Born Non Irish Social Member

CuChulainns Sr. 34 7 0 2 0 11 8 4 0 2 Erin's Rovers Jr.A 58 0 0 0 0 0 0 25 0 33 Harry Bolands Sr. 24 10 0 0 0 13 1 0 0 0 John McBrides Inter. 44 26 0 0 0 0 0 7 0 11 Limerick Sr. 36 13 0 2 2 7 9 2 0 1 Michael Cusack Jr. B 52 2 0 0 0 2 0 16 0 32 Na Aisling Gaels Sr, Jr. B 98 15 11 2 0 5 19 45 0 1 Padraig Pearses Sr., Inter. 67 16 0 14 0 15 11 4 1 6

Parnells Sr., Inter. 61 8 0 2 0 15 4 16 0 16

Patriots Jr. A 21 0 0 1 0 0 0 20 0 0

St. Brendans Sr. 34 7 0 1 0 10 6 6 0 4 St. Brigids Sr. 51 8 2 0 1 6 5 20 0 9 St. Marys Int. 37 5 1 2 0 2 0 13 0 14 James Joyce Jr. D 23 1 0 0 0 0 0 21 1 0 Wolfe Tones Sr., Inter. 49 21 0 1 0 15 5 5 0 2

TOTAL 10 4 4 1 689 139 14 27 3 101 68 204 2 131

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2017 USGAA REGISTRATION CENTRAL DIVISION

Social Member Resident Players 19% 20%

Non Irish 0% Non Club Players 2%

Intercounty Transfers 4% Club to Club Transfers 0%

American Born Sanctions 30% 15%

J1 Visa Sanctions 10%

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2017 USGAA REGISTRATION CENTRAL DIVISION

1400

1200

1000

800

600

400

200

2014 2015 2016 2017

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2017 USGAA REGISTRATION HEARTLAND DIVISION

Division: Heartland Total Clubs: 16

Fox River Jr. C 16 1 0 0 0 0 0 14 0 1

Indianapolis Camogie Inter. 10 1 0 0 0 0 0 9 0 0

Indianapolis Jr. A, Jr. C 36 7 0 0 0 0 0 28 1 0

Kansas Jr. D Jr. C 48 8 0 0 0 0 0 40 0 0

Madison Jr. C Jr. B 58 17 0 5 0 0 0 35 1 0

Madison Ladies Jr. B 27 16 0 1 0 0 0 10 0 0

Miltown Ladies Jr. B 14 1 0 0 0 0 0 12 0 1

Miltown Jr. D 15 4 0 0 0 0 0 11 0 0

Milwaukee Jr. B & Jr. C 40 2 0 0 0 0 0 38 0 0

Milwaukee Camogie Jr. 29 0 0 0 0 0 0 29 0 0

Naperville Camogie Jr. 27 0 0 0 0 0 0 27 0 0 Naperville Jr. B 42 7 0 4 0 0 0 29 2 0 TC Robert Emmets Camogie Inter. 27 0 0 0 0 0 0 26 1 0 TC Robert Emmets Jr. B, Jr. C 42 4 0 0 0 0 0 36 2 0 St. Louis Camogie Junior 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 13 2 0 St. Louis Jr. C Jr. B & Jr. C 15 2 0 0 0 0 0 13 0 0

TOTAL 5 2 12 5 461 70 0 10 0 0 0 370 9 2

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2017 USGAA REGISTRATION HEARTLAND DIVISION

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2017 USGAA REGISTRATION HEARTLAND DIVISION

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2017 USGAA REGISTRATION MID – ATLANTIC DIVISION

Division: Mid Atlantic Total Clubs: 9

Baltimore Inter. 35 3 0 0 0 0 1 31 0 0 Baltimore Jr. B Jr. B 54 25 0 7 3 1 0 18 0 0 Baltimore Jr. B 24 3 0 0 0 0 0 20 1 0 Coastal Virginia Junior 43 0 0 0 0 0 0 43 0 0 Coastal Virginia Jr. C 48 1 0 0 0 0 0 45 2 0 Michael Collins Jr. D 17 1 0 0 7 0 0 9 0 0 Washington DC Gaels Junior 46 10 0 0 2 0 0 33 1 0 Washington DC Gaels Jr. B Jr. A 82 28 0 18 4 1 0 31 0 0 Washington DC Gaels Jr. B 50 9 0 0 1 0 0 39 1 0

Total 3 2 3 3 399 80 0 25 17 2 1 269 5 0

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2017 USGAA REGISTRATION MID – ATLANTIC DIVISION

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2017 USGAA REGISTRATION MID – ATLANTIC DIVISION

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2017 USGAA REGISTRATION MIDWEST DIVISION

Division: Midwest Total Clubs: 12

Akron Jr. C 31 0 0 0 0 0 0 26 0 5 Albany Rebels Jr. C, Jr. D 39 4 0 0 0 0 0 35 0 0 Buffalo Fenians Jr. C 30 2 0 0 0 0 0 28 0 0 Cincinnati Jr. C 33 10 0 0 0 0 0 22 0 1 Cleveland St. Pats Jr. C 44 5 0 0 0 1 0 37 0 1 Columbus Naghten Jr.C 30 4 0 0 0 0 0 26 0 0 Detriot Wolfe Tones Jr.B 31 4 0 0 0 0 0 27 0 0 Kalamazoo Jr. C 16 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 0 0 Pittsburgh Banshees Jr. B 23 1 1 0 0 0 0 21 0 0 Pittsburgh Celtics Jr. B 28 2 0 0 0 1 0 25 0 0 Pittsburgh Pucas Jr. C 33 1 0 1 0 0 0 31 0 0 Sycracuse Jr. D 24 4 0 0 0 0 0 20 0 0

Total 9 1 3 0 362 37 1 1 0 2 0 314 0 7

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2017 USGAA REGISTRATION MIDWEST DIVISION

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2017 USGAA REGISTRATION MIDWEST DIVISION

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2017 USGAA REGISTRATION NORTHEAST DIVISION

Division: Northeast Total Clubs: 21

Aidan McAnespies Sr, Jr. A 57 24 0 12 0 15 1 5 0 0 Barley House Wolves Jr. C 25 2 0 0 0 0 0 23 0 0 Boston Shamrocks Sr., Jr. A 66 22 0 6 2 10 9 17 0 0 Christophers Sr. 31 5 0 2 0 10 6 8 0 0 Connacht Ladies Sr. 44 14 0 2 0 8 11 9 0 0 Connemara Gaels Sr., Jr. A, Jr. B 63 22 0 11 1 17 1 11 0 0 Cork Boston GFC Jr. A, Jr. B 67 35 0 5 0 18 2 7 0 0 Donegal Boston GFC Sr., Jr. A, Jr. B 60 33 0 6 0 12 6 3 0 0 Fr. Tom Burkes Sr., Jr. A 58 19 0 1 0 18 3 4 0 13 Galway Football Sr., Jr. B 52 29 0 4 0 17 1 1 0 0 Galway Hurling Sr., Jr. A 57 21 0 6 0 18 9 2 0 1 Hartford Jr. C Jr. B 40 5 0 0 0 0 0 34 0 1 Kerry Jr. B 37 21 0 3 0 6 1 6 0 0 Offaly Jr. A 28 16 0 1 0 8 0 3 0 0 Portland Jr. C 22 2 0 0 0 0 0 20 0 0 Providence Jr. C 25 8 0 0 1 0 0 15 0 1 Shannon Blues Sr., Jr. A 63 9 0 9 0 18 3 24 0 0 Tipperary Jr. A 34 10 0 4 0 6 1 2 0 11 Wexford Jr. A 29 18 0 4 0 4 2 1 0 0 Wolfe Tones Sr., Jr. A 44 20 0 2 0 17 0 4 0 1 Worcester Jr. C 28 5 0 0 0 0 0 23 0 0

Total 19 3 12 0 930 340 0 78 4 202 56 222 0 28

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2017 USGAA REGISTRATION NORTHEAST DIVISION

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2017 USGAA REGISTRATION NORTHEAST DIVISION

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2017 USGAA REGISTRATION NORTHWEST DIVISION

Division: Northwest Total Clubs: 6

Columbia Red Branch/Portland Eireannach Jr. D Jr. C 75 17 0 0 5 0 0 53 0 0 Seattle Camogie Inter 27 0 1 0 0 1 0 25 0 0 Seattle Ladies Jr. B 33 1 0 0 0 1 0 31 0 0 Seattle Mens Jr. C Jr. B 57 12 0 5 2 0 0 38 0 0 Tacoma Rangers Jr. D Jr. C 42 3 0 0 1 0 0 37 1 0 Thomas Meagher Jr. C 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 0 0

Total 3 1 4 1 246 33 1 5 8 2 0 196 1 0

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2017 USGAA REGISTRATION NORTHWEST DIVISION

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2017 USGAA REGISTRATION NORTHWEST DIVISION

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2017 USGAA REGISTRATION PHILADELPHIA REGISTRATION

Division: Philadelphia Total Clubs: 6

Allentown Jr. C 37 5 0 3 0 0 0 29 0 0 Kevin Barry's Sr., Jr. A 35 13 0 7 0 5 0 10 0 0 Na Toraidhe Jr. C 42 3 0 3 0 0 0 26 0 10 Notre Dame Jr. B 34 5 0 0 0 1 0 27 1 0 Donegal St. Patricks Sr., Jr. B 43 12 0 2 0 12 2 15 0 0 Young Irelanders Sr. 41 22 0 2 0 9 0 8 0 0

Total 5 1 2 0 232 60 0 17 0 27 2 115 1 10

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2017 USGAA REGISTRATION PHILADELPHIA REGISTRATION

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2017 USGAA REGISTRATION PHILADELPHIA REGISTRATION

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2017 USGAA REGISTRATION SOUTHEAST DIVISION

Division: Southeast Total Clubs: 12

Atlanta Clan Na Gael Inter. 29 2 0 0 0 0 0 26 1 0 Atlanta Clan Na Gael Jr. C Jr. C 41 16 0 3 1 0 0 20 1 0 Charleston Jr. C 13 2 0 0 0 0 0 11 0 0 Charlotte James Connolly Jr. B, Jr. C 89 30 0 6 3 0 0 42 8 0 Charlotte James Connolly Sr., Jr. B 63 4 0 1 1 0 0 55 2 0 Greenville Gaels Jr. C 13 3 0 0 0 0 0 10 0 0 Nashville Jr. C 13 1 0 0 0 0 0 12 0 0 Knoxville Jr. C 11 2 0 1 0 0 0 8 0 0 Memphis Jr. D Jr. C 5 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 Orlando Jr.D Jr. C 14 3 0 0 0 0 0 10 1 0 Raleigh CuChulainns Jr. B Jr. C 28 6 0 0 1 0 0 18 2 1 Salem Winston Jr. D 27 5 0 0 0 0 0 22 0 0

Total 5 3 5 1 346 77 0 11 6 0 0 236 15 1

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2017 USGAA REGISTRATION SOUTHEAST DIVISION

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2017 USGAA REGISTRATION SOUTHEAST DIVISION

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2017 USGAA REGISTRATION SOUTHWEST DIVISION

Division: Southwest Total Clubs: 20

Albuquerque Jr. D 7 4 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 Celtic Cowboys Jr. A, Jr. C Jr. B 54 22 0 13 1 0 2 15 1 0 Celtic Cowboys Jr. B 34 5 0 0 0 1 0 26 2 0 Cougars GFC Jr. C, Jr. D 78 0 2 9 51 0 0 9 4 3 Denver Gaels Camogie Jr 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 14 0 0 Denver Gaels Ladies Jr. B 17 2 0 0 0 0 0 13 2 0 Denver Gaels Jr. D Jr. B Jr. C 68 14 3 0 0 0 0 51 0 0 Flagstaff Jr.C 33 8 0 0 0 0 0 25 0 0 Fionn Mac Cumhaill Jr. B 28 5 0 0 0 0 0 22 1 0 Fionn Mac Cumhaill Jr. B 45 22 1 7 0 1 0 9 5 0 Houston Gaels Jr. B 89 45 0 9 1 1 1 25 7 0 Houston Gaels Jr. B 22 6 0 0 0 0 0 16 0 0 LA Wild Geese Mens Jr. C 42 17 2 8 2 0 0 11 2 0 LA Wild Geese Ladies Jr. B 25 8 0 0 0 1 0 14 2 0 Na Fianna Camogie Inter 26 11 1 1 0 1 1 11 0 0 Na Fianna LGFC Jr. B 57 17 0 1 0 1 1 29 2 6 Regulators Jr. C 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 18 0 0 San Antonio Jr. C 43 4 0 0 4 0 0 20 4 11 Setenta San Diego Jr. B, Jr. C 71 35 0 12 2 0 0 19 3 0 St. Peter's Jr. A, Jr. C 76 33 3 3 2 1 1 33 0 0

Total 12 7 6 2 822 254 12 63 63 7 6 380 35 20

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2017 USGAA REGISTRATION SOUTHWEST DIVISION

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2017 USGAA REGISTRATION SOUTHWEST DIVISION

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2017 USGAA REGISTRATION WESTERN DIVISION

Division: Western Total Clubs: 14

Club Men's Football Ladies Football Hurling Camogie Number of Members Resident Players Non Club Players Intercounty TransfersClub to Club Transfers Sanctions J1 Visa Sanctions American Born Non Irish Social Member

Clan Na Gael Jr. B 38 20 0 1 1 3 0 13 0 0 CuChulainns Camogie Inter., Jr. 75 31 0 6 1 7 0 27 0 3 Eire Og Jr. B, Jr. C 44 0 0 0 0 0 0 33 0 11 Fog City Harps Sr, Jr. A 115 25 0 3 0 12 16 34 0 25 Michael Cusacks Jr. B 35 12 0 5 1 5 0 12 0 0 Na Fianna Sr., Jr. A 58 18 0 5 0 16 6 11 0 2 Naomh Padraig Sr., Jr. A 49 14 0 8 0 17 3 7 0 0 Sean Treacy Sr., Jr. B 55 30 0 2 0 18 1 2 0 2 Pearse Og SFY GAA Jr. C 34 0 0 0 0 0 0 34 0 0 Sons of Boru/Celts Jr. A 30 12 0 4 0 4 0 9 0 1 St. Joseph Jr. B 47 16 0 0 2 4 2 8 0 15 Tipperary Sr. Jr. A 47 3 0 11 13 18 1 0 0 1 Ulster Sr., Jr. B 55 22 0 5 0 15 8 5 0 0 Young Irelanders/St.Brendans Sr., Jr. B 56 36 0 0 0 16 1 3 0 0

Total 11 3 7 2 738 239 0 50 18 135 38 198 0 60

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2017 USGAA REGISTRATION WESTERN DIVISION

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2017 USGAA REGISTRATION WESTERN DIVISION

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USGAA PRO Report

Submitted by Dok Ó’Caoimh, USGAA PRO

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Commercial Partnerships:

O’Neills continue their partnership and support of the USGAA with the current contract that provides for up to $20,000 of equipment and gear to be made available to our organization. This partnership provides much needed equipment that is used to the benefit of our youth and other initiatives.

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Various promotions by O’Neills this year that were targeted towards our membership included an exclusive competition with the USGAA on Facebook and Instagram, 10% promotions, free delivery and others and all of these were shared on our social media outlets.

Thanks once again to O’Neills for another successful year of partnership and visit the O’Neills store on our website to shop for USGAA merchandise.

For the second year running our end of year awards program is funded by part of the funds from O’Neills to contribute to clubs and their members who have been nominated for making the biggest impact on development of our sports.

Divisions and clubs in the United States can contact Cheryl Kelly at O’Neills to order gear and equipment:

E: [email protected]

T: +44 2871 384810

F: +44 2871 384848

W: www.oneills.com

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We extended our agreement with Magners for another year. Magners contributed $15,000 to the USGAA for a partnership agreement lasting one year. We are hoping to renew this agreement and grow the relationship with Magners again in 2018.

Thanks to John Young and John Cunningham for supporting our efforts in the renewal.

http://usa.magners.com/usgaa/

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If you are interested in having Magners served at your local bar or restaurant please contact:

Megan Skinner Brand Manager, Ciders Vermont Cider Company 1321 Exchange Street Middlebury, VT 05753 C/ 207-233-1359 O/802-458-9469

Magners has 110,000 followers on Facebook and their following will be helpful in growing our audience. This year the USGAA and Magners have been posting each other’s content and brands.

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Social Media

Facebook growth YOY to this year slowed from last year. In 2017 we focused more on relevant engagement rather than growing likes. Relevant engagement meant engaging with our audience here in the US as Facebook algorithms do not automatically push content to all followers.

Our Likes only grew 10% this year compared with 20% a year ago and 34% the year before. The % of Likes within the US has remained steady.

Twitter followers only grew by 16% this year, although we were less active on this platform than last year.

Instagram continues to grow a slow audience although it is not the ideal platform for USGAA without native content.

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USGAA Finals

This year the website: www.sanfrancisco2017.com was developed and maintained by the San Francisco 2016 committee. The website was updated regularly and had plenty of useful information.

We reused the dedicated USGAA administered Facebook page: www.facebook.com/USGAAFinals Access was provided to the local committee and their media contributors.

This year we again live streamed some games and worked with a local drone provider to try to capture some live drone footage.

USGAA Website

We launched our new website in 2017. The new website has a more modern look and feel, fits in with our new branding and is easier to edit and update as well as give us the ability to create and promote our own content.

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The website adapts to all devices so that it is easy to navigate on mobile phones and tablets.

There are forms on the website for submitting to the USGAA which include:

• Tournament Request Form • Referee Report Form • Tournament Report Form • Insurance Forms

We should aim to have all forms available on the website as soon as possible.

For fundraising purposes we were able to work with our bank to create a Donate button. This will give anyone the opportunity to donate to the USGAA, a 501c3 organization and help us to grow our sports.

Thanks to Brian White for working so diligently and creatively on the website.

PRO Webinar

We delivered a webinar on the best practices for a USGAA Club & Division PRO’s in April. It is available to watch here: http://usgaa.org/usgaa-pro-webinar/

USGAA Brand

Launched at last years convention the USGAA brand is becoming more familiar to members and non-members. We have created some guidelines about how and when to use the brand to help those looking to adopt it: http://usgaa.org/brand_guidelines/

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Recommendations for 2018

Paid Content

We have an opportunity to utilize the skills and knowledge of members to create exclusive content and reports from tournaments and games that are posted on the website and promote the USGAA. Asking for information voluntarily gives no incentive and has not worked so far.

USGAA Finals

USGAA Finals coverage should be outsourced to local media to work together with the USGAA, the local committee to post live content on our website and social media. This is our flagship event and it would offer a chance to work with local media and get their buy in to our sports as well promote our sports.

Paid Advertising

We dabbled in this in 2017 and saw some additional engagement online. Increasing this budget again in 2018 will help expose us to new audiences.

Newsletter

An email newsletter would be a nice way to update members and supporters around the country of results, news and sponsor offers. Using a tool like Mailchimp will give us great insights into its success.

Data Driven Organization

Capturing the data and metrics that we know are keys to success are massively important and should help drive our decision making.

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Games Development Report

Submitted by Rob Tierney

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USGAA Games Development Report 2017

In partnership with Croke Park and Munster GAA, Games Development comprises of four main areas: Referee tutoring and development, Coach tutoring and development, the Games Development Administrator (GDA) program, and Games Development Project Support (GGDF and Pilot USGAA Project Fund).

Games Development Administrators (GDA) Personnel Western – Danielle Downey [email protected] Chicago – Colm Egan [email protected] Philadelphia – Ciaran Porter [email protected]

Project basis Northeastern [email protected]

2017 Review

The GDA program continues to be an important part of USGAA’s Development Strategy.

In March 2017 the Northeast GDA resigned and the Northeast were directed down a project route with limited success (Foundation Course, Award One, Cúl Camps, and a Youth Project in Rhode Island). The other three divisions retained their GDA’s.

The GDA’s, who are contracted by the USGAA (600 hours per annum), work as part of their local Divisional Development Committee’s to design programs, deliver training, and develop links throughout the community to increase participation, help clubs to grow, develop talent, and support the volunteer base operating there. 82 USGAA National Convention 2017 – November 10th-12th 2017 – www.usgaa.org

For this program to continue to be funded it requires strong leadership at divisional level and all GDA divisions should have an effective Divisional Development Committee in place.

Their main areas of work in 2017 were: • Club Development (Admin & Planning) • Schools Initiatives • Academies – Elite Players • Camp Programme • Go Games Blitzes/Leagues • Super Touch Blitzes/Leagues • Skills Tests • Adult Club Development • Linking Youth Clubs with Adult Clubs • Coach and Referee Education • Planning and Reporting • Promotion & Publicity

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Highlights from the GDA program in 2017:

Western • Winter program (Youth): In late 2016 and early 2017 we ran 'Wall Ball' at a hand-ball alley in Golden Gate Park. This was an opportunity for a fun puc-around with friends that wasn't in a 'training' based environment. Coaches let the children (mostly u12s), puc against the wall and corrected skills (pucking, catching, their first touch, etc.). Towards the end of the session kids were brought to the indoor facility where they would play a 3 v 3 hand passing possession game in the enclosed space.

• Club Development: Created Cu Chulainn Ladies Camogie club in late 2016, the club got up and running in early 2017- created this club with a few football friends. We entered both the Intermediate and Junior competition with an average 30 home-base players, including some of the SFYGAA underage players that I called up to the Cu Chulainn team, and we won both competitions at North Americans, this is very exciting for adult camogie in USGAA.

• Club Development: SFYGAA U16 and U18 ladies players were encouraged to join an adult team in San Francisco. Worked with both Clan na Gael and Fog City Harps to recruit underage ladies to play with them at North Americans in San Francisco. Integrating youth with adult teams is a key part of their development.

• Development Squad/Coaching Academies: Set up a guest training session for the SFYGAA U16 and U18 Ladies Football with Brid Stack from Cork, 11-time all-Ireland winner.

• Cúl Camps: This year we condensed our camps from 7 average number camps in 2016 to 3 large camps in 2017 (two in San Francisco, one in Burlingame). There were over 60 children at the San Francisco camp with 20+ children at the Burlingame camp. The San Francisco camps were run before CYC so this was a good opportunity for last-minute practice for a lot of these kids. U16 and U18 SFYGAA players were used as coaches at these camps. 84 USGAA National Convention 2017 – November 10th-12th 2017 – www.usgaa.org

Philadelphia • Games Opportunities – Child/Youth: Two very successful six-week winter indoor programs with over two hundred players participating. Following this we went into our spring/summer season with five organized Philadelphia blitzes and the third annual Philadelphia championships.

• Games Opportunities – Adult: Introduction of the spring all American League with the Midwest, Mid Atlantic and Southwest joining in the three weekend competition. This was an expansion of the All American divisional tournament started in 2016 which ensured these players got up to eight additional competitive high quality games before the start of their local divisional competitions. The tournament was also expanded to include Hurling featuring the top players from Philadelphia and New York playing against each other.

• University Initiatives: Saint Joseph’s University had a solid games schedule (including tournaments) played over twelve weekends throughout the school year.

• School Initiatives: Three after school clubs were set up in the Philadelphia area, with over seventy students signed up for these clubs. Future steps will be set up GAA Youth clubs up in these schools in 2018

• Workshops: Throughout 2017, workshops were offered including First Aid, Concussion, Child Protection and Coach Education. These were all attended by coaches and volunteers within the clubs that are working to continue their learning.

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Central • Easter Camp: One of the highlights of this particular event was the participation of all Chicago area adult clubs providing coaches for the day. This is an ongoing strategy to marry the adult clubs with the Youth program and to showcase the talented youth players to the wider Chicago GAA community

• Games Opportunities – Child/Youth: In 2017 Chicago Youth program had an inaugural Parish League. Teams were organized by geography rather that by club. The idea behind the league in addition to getting the games program started early was to encourage the kids and coaches to recruit in their own areas/schools. The one-day event was a huge success with 150+ players attending many 1st time players recruited by their school friends. One Southside school that had two standalone teams at the 7 to 13 age. 5 new coaches were in place on the day and stayed with the program all summer.

• School Initiatives: New Northside Elementary Schools Program. In 2017 Chicago Games development secured a new elementary school in Chicago Park Ridge. This area of the City is the feeder geographical area for Chicago Celtic Youth Club. The school (Roosevelt elementary) is a large school with two classes in each grade resulting in teaching 60 kids in each PE period. After a 5-week success program in the school the district athletic director has proposed a 4 school program for 2018.

• University Initiatives: In 2017 Chicago was host to the College National Hurling tournament. 5 hurling teams traveled to Chicago (Montana, CU, Pitt, Purdue, UCONN) and used a round robin format. This was a fantastic tournament played with very high standards of play, enthusiasm, high intensity and no shortage of high skill levels.

• Games Opportunities – Child/Youth: Chicago St Jarlaths had a standalone Camogie team at CYC 2017 (U14). This team had a full Summer Games program for Camogie and for the 1st time had a standalone Camogie team at CYC. The goal for this Ladies team and all Chicago youth ladies’ teams would be to play both codes with a full and meaningful games program throughout the year. 86 USGAA National Convention 2017 – November 10th-12th 2017 – www.usgaa.org

Development weekend On Saturday 25th March, Games Development hosted two representatives from each Divisions’ Development Committees in Chicago. The strategy was to educate and reinvigorate the development committee’s giving them an outline of the support available and inputs on Games Developments expectations. Munster Football (Pat O’Shea) and Hurling (Joey Carton) Games Managers provided advice and conducted a workshop around development. The GDA’s also made presentations designed to show the various Development Committees the type of projects they manage in the hope that it would provide the committee’s with a focus for their future activities.

Coach Tutoring and Development Personnel 2017: Coach Tutor Leader – Terry Lynch 2018: To be appointed.

2017 review Tutor training was held in Chicago on April 1st and 2nd. In line with Munster’s twinning relationship with USGAA, Paudie Butler and Joe Redington delivered the Foundation Tutor course to some new attendees and also the Award 1 Tutor course to previous Foundation course tutors.

One of the problems we have had within the county is attendees taking courses but not delivering the courses post-training. Each division was told of this concern and their representatives were asked to run courses post-training. Disappointingly, in many cases, this did not happen. I would ask each Division to ensure that there are Foundation and Award 1 courses in place annually.

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2018 – A look Ahead • Training is expected to take place in early 2018, we will ask Divisions to send us new Foundation Tutor course attendees and would invite all those that took the Foundation Tutor course in 2017 to add to their learning by taking the Award 1 course. • Given that the USGAA Youth Board has decided that all CYC coaches in 2018 should have achieved the Award 1 coaching qualification, I would expect an increase in the number of courses hosted by Divisions in 2018

List of Coach tutors Central Colm Egan GDA (Award 1) Mike Hill St. Louis (Foundation) Tom Sheehy Limerick (Award 1) Paul Reynolds Cusacks (Foundation)

Heartland Chris Reuss Fox River (Foundation) Brandon Salfai Fox River (Foundation) Brien Shoemaker Indianapolis (Award 1) Ciaran Connery Indianapolis (Award 1) Marcus Kennedy Madison (Foundation) Heath Moore Madison Gaels (Foundation) Billy Finn Miltown Gaels (Award 1) Dave Olson Milwaukee (Foundation) Aaron Stehling Milwaukee (Foundation) Brian Dake Milwaukee (Foundation) Kevin Harrington Milwaukee (Foundation) Eoin O’Connor Napierville (Foundation) Joe Abkemeier St. Louis (Foundation) Stiofan Fosha St. Louis (Foundation) Keith Vosgreau Twin Cities (Foundation) Ryan Finn Twin Cities (Foundation) Matt Schwertfeger Cusacks (F Award 1)

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MidAtlantic Andrew Healy Michael Collins (Award 1) Tim Kinealy DC Gaels (Award 1) Niall Duffy Richmond (Foundation) Jennifer O’Brien DC Gaels (Foundation)

Midwest Mark Agner Akron Celtic Guards (Award 1) Paul Mulcaire Buffalo Fenians (Foundation) Martin Wall Cleveland SPSJ (Foundation)

Northeast Raymond Brady Aidan McAnespies (Award 1) Kieran Cox Connemara Gaels (Award 1) Aisling Kerr Connaught (Foundation)

Northwest Terry Lynch Seattle (Award 1) Brian White Seattle (Award 1) Andrew Herriott Seattle (Foundation) Conor Mac Carthy Columbia RB (Award 1) Craig Gartland Columbia RB (Foundation) Nick Popravak Columbia RB (Foundation)

Philadelphia: Ciaran Porter GDA (Award 1) Ger Dillon Kevin Barrys (Award 1)

Southeast John Walsh Greenville (Foundation) Donough Forde Greenville (Foundation) Tommy Houghton Greenville (Foundation)

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Southwest Pat Doab Austin (Award 1) Colum Kelly Austin (Award 1) Ronan Wall Culver City (Foundation) Julia Pantoja San Diego (Foundation) Dennis Gage San Diego (Foundation) Kyle Shane Denver (Foundation) Brian Mc Carthy Denver (Award 1)

Western Danielle Downey GDA (Award 1) Mike Nash Eire Óg (Foundation)

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Games Development Project Support Recognizing that only four of the ten divisions within USGAA are formally supported with part-time paid staff (GDA’s), in 2016 Games Development requested financial resources from Croke Park and the Department of Foreign Affairs to provide project driven support throughout the other six divisions.

We were supported with two project models: 1. Global Games Development Fund – Southeast and Southwest 2. pilot USGAA Project Fund – Heartland, MidAtlantic, Midwest, Northwest

Global Games Development Fund 2017 (Total Distribution €27500 / $28417.20)

Southeast Division – Total Grant Awarded €14500 ($15261.10)

Atlanta Clan na Gael – Cúl Camp Atlanta GAA sought and received funding to organize the first ever GAA Cúl Camp for children aged 5 – 12 years old in Atlanta over 5 days for 100 participants during Summer 2017

Total project cost: €15700 – amount requested €5,000 – amount awarded €5000 ($5262.44).

Charlotte GAA – Big Brothers Big Sisters Partnership Charlotte GAA collaborated with the ‘Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the Carolinas’ organization to provide an introductory day to Gaelic Games and Irish Culture to approximately 50 children. Funding was granted to support equipment purchase and facility hire so that the children’s first experience of Gaelic Games was a quality one thereby encouraging them to become further involved in the Club.

Total project cost: €3107 – amount requested €2796.30 – amount awarded €2000 ($2104.98).

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Greenville Gaels – Various Funding was provided to support the Greenville Gaels to deliver a range of Games Development activities including: Award 1 Coaching Course; a Referee Course; a 3-day Cúl Camp; Demo Days in local Schools and Festivals; and a GAA Outreach Programme for disadvantaged young people in the Community.

Total project cost: $13850 – amount requested $6250 – amount awarded €4000 ($4209.96).

Raleigh GAA – Various As part of their application for funding, Raleigh GAA set out a vision to grow all strands of Gaelic Games in the Raleigh area by progressing a number of initiative including: the organization of a Cúl Camp; hosting a Referee Course; organizing a Coaching Event to support the fledgling GAA Club in the University of Chapel Hill (UNC), North Carolina; a Winter Club League; the organization of an Invitational Tournament for Gaelic Football and Hurling; and the hosting of an Irish Cultural & Gaelic Games Festival.

Total project cost: $7935 – amount requested $5000 – amount awarded €3500 ($3683.72).

Southwest Division – Total Grant Awarded €12500 ($13156.10)

Albuquerque GAA – Dues Equipment, and Recruitment The Club is eager to grow and sought and received funding to support expansion through the purchase of suitable equipment, which would facilitate proper training sessions as well as funding for the organization of promotional material and activities.

Total project cost: €2336.72 – amount requested €2222.72 – amount awarded €1000 ($1052.49).

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Austin Celtic Cowboys – Expansion of Adult Gaelic Football & Establishment of Youth Hurling Program Funding was provided to the Austin Celtic Cowboys to support the resourcing and organization of the following activities: Co-ed 7-a-side Adult Football League; Ladies Football Coaching Clinics; Winter & Spring Skills Youth Hurling Development Programme; and a Cúl Camp.

Total project cost: €16740 – amount requested €12000 – amount awarded €5000 ($5262.44).

Denver Gaels – Southwest Invitational Tournament Funding was provided to support the inaugural Southwest Invitational Tournament hosted and organized by the Denver Gaels.

Total project cost: $9500 – amount requested $5000 – amount awarded €5000 ($5262.44).

San Diego/Southwest Division – West Coast 7’s equipment request San Diego GAA, which represents three Clubs in the San Diego area – Na Fianna, St. Peter’s Hurling Club, Setanta GFC – sought and received funding towards the purchase of equipment to enable the expansion of the Tournament to include a fourth field i.e. portable goalposts and nets.

Total project cost: €4593 – amount requested €3674 – amount awarded €1500 ($1578.73).

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pilot USGAA Project Fund 2017 (Total Distribution $17,500)

Midwest Division – Total Grant awarded $4500

Cleveland St Pats St Jarlaths – Enhance and Expand Youth program - Increase playing numbers and playing standards by holding Fall skills camp: a positive move within this division that has traditionally only been a late Spring/Summer one. The grant will assist in lengthening their season and exposing their children to another code. - Request comes with a plan to continue in 2018 – a grant approval now sets the club up well for further development in ‘18 - Exposure to Hurling included as part of plan - Total project cost: $2480 – amount requested $1500 – amount awarded $1500.

Columbus GAA – Lengthen season, recruit, introduction of new codes project - Increase playing numbers and lengthen the season by holding co-ed 7- aside league in the Fall: a positive move within this division that has traditionally only been a late Spring/Summer one. - New Women’s football development - New Men’s hurling development - Develop Youth program - Total project cost: $3700 – amount requested $1500 – amount awarded $1500.

Detroit Harps – Youth Cul Camp - Establish a 2-day youth camp - Primarily football – but will also feature camogie and hurling (the club would like to add a hurling program in the next 1-2years) - Recruit new children – increase enthusiasm in current players - Total project cost: $2210 – amount requested $1500 – amount awarded $1500. 94 USGAA National Convention 2017 – November 10th-12th 2017 – www.usgaa.org

Northwest Division – Total Grant Awarded $1500

Seattle Gaels – New player league & awareness development - Recruitment of players in all four codes - New player clinics and short exhibition matches - Equipment provided from current club supplies - Total project cost: $4660 – amount requested $1500 – amount awarded $1500.

Mid-Atlantic Division – Total Grant Awarded $1000

Baltimore Bohemians – Recruitment and Awareness - New player recruitment: Host an Irish organizations festival to feature GAA - New player recruitment: Host a Fall clinic to demonstrate sports and recruit new members - Total project cost: $1500 – amount requested $1500 – amount awarded $1000.

Heartland Division – Total Grant awarded $10500

Heartland GAA – Butler University- Collegiate project - Recruitment fair - Weekly sessions - Collegiate team to enter Indianapolis Fall League - Prep for NCGAA National Championships - The application notes that a reason some college team’s breakdown is that the personnel move – this model includes existing Indianapolis GAA members who are faculty managing the on-campus program - Total project cost: $1740 – amount requested $1500 – amount awarded $1500.

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Heartland GAA – Marian University – Collegiate project - Recruitment fair - Weekly sessions - Collegiate team to enter Indianapolis Fall League - Prep for NCGAA National Championships - The application notes that a reason some college team’s breakdown is that the personnel move – this model includes existing Indianapolis GAA members who are faculty managing the on-campus program - Total project cost: $1740 – amount requested $1500 – amount awarded $1500.

Heartland GAA – Refereeing project - Host referee training day to educate new and upskill current referees at each Heartland club - Day long sessions will be held at locations that maximize the training for all 10 clubs in the division - Expectation that 5 new referees at each club would be trained - Total project cost: $5000 – amount requested $1500 – amount awarded $1500.

Madison Hurling and GAA – Youth Program project - Establishment of a Youth program - Day long hurling development day aimed at newly recruited youth players - Total project cost: $2500 – amount requested $1500 – amount awarded $1500.

Miltown Gaels – New player recruitment drive/indoor skills sessions - New player recruitment - Indoor skills-based sessions for retention of current and new players throughout Fall and winter 2017 - They note that the expected recruitment benefits should help sustain this project in the future - Total project cost: $2940 – amount requested $1500 – amount awarded $1500.

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Napierville – Camogie - PE program (16-180 women) - High School Camogie program - Total project cost: $6,000 – amount requested $1500 – amount awarded $1500.

Twin Cities Robert Emmett’s – Youth & Adult projects - Establish youth hurling - Adult rookie clinic - 3day camp for youth (GDO to attend) - Youth Fall training sessions - Adult Fall league - Total project cost: $1650 – amount requested $1500 – amount awarded $1500.

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2018 In the year ahead we have a number of initiative’s we are working on: 1. GDA Recruitment 2. Coach Tutor workshops (Foundation Tutor course for new tutors & Award 1 Tutor course for 2017 Foundation attendees) 3. Global Games Development Fund (6 Divisions) – just launched pre- convention – closing date Monday, December 18th, 2017 4. Referee Training

Conclusion USGAA Games Development has reacted to an increased appetite for growth throughout the county and has been able to facilitate that development through project based models.

We stand ready to continue to skill, upskill, educate and provide support for games based development and further contribute to the growth in USGAA throughout 2018 with coach tutoring, refereeing tutoring, GDA activity and the GGDF funding.

I encourage all our delegates and members to consider development projects for the forthcoming year that would increasing games opportunities for your existing players, help recruit new playing/coaching members, develop camps and schools’ initiatives, educate and upskill members, increase refereeing levels, and continue your growth.

As ever, we should all consider the following:

What can I do today to ensure that my club and our county is ready to help the next generation have the same benefits, enjoyment, and camaraderie that I have gained from Gaelic games? 98 USGAA National Convention 2017 – November 10th-12th 2017 – www.usgaa.org

Thanks We appreciate the continued support of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Croke Park (Pat Daly, Aine Gibney, Caoimhe Ní Néill, and Jimmy D’Arcy), and the Munster Council (in particular Pat O’Shea and Joey Carton). Munster’s commitment to the USGAA has proved invaluable through the last number of years and their willingness to offer resources is very much appreciated.

I’d like to thank my fellow members of the Games Development Committee (Gareth Fitzsimons, Bernie Connaughton, and Liam Hegarty) for their guidance throughout the year.

Thanks to the Games Development Administrators and outgoing Coach Tutor coordinator (Terry Lynch) for their work throughout the year and contributions to this report.

Finally, to the countless volunteers who consistently strive to develop our sport – Míle buíochas.

Is mise le meas

Robert Tierney Games Development Officer USGAA [email protected] (412) 478-2799

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Hurling Development Committee Report

Submitted by Colm Egan, Andretta Erickson and Kim Tessean

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In 2016 convention report we had a 5 Year snapshot review of Hurling development.

For 2018 and beyond I would like to reaffirm Hurling Development goals and set out a pathway for future success in Hurling Development throughout the Board area.

To characterize our Hurling (*all references to Hurling include Camogie) clubs would be as follows:

Senior Level Hurling clubs

Currently exclusively in Major cities, Boston, Chicago, San Fran.

Almost exclusively reliant on Irish Born immigrants and Summer player.

Established clubs (typically 12+ years)

• Have strong, established club structures • Full engagement with USGAA • Excellent recruiting drives • Typically have club league augmented by travel teams who are regular participants in tournaments, playoffs, etc. • Have good coach development and Club Ref development. • Full integration with Camogie and Youth Hurling.

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Established clubs (8/12 years into development of Hurling)

• Strong club structure, full engagement with USGAA, excellent recruiting drives, club league and travel team for interaction with other cities. • Currently have a club plan for coach development. • Next step would be emphasis on new camogie growth, Youth program, establishment of a second travel team, e.g., A Junior B squad with a work in progress of full Junior C squad (2nd team)

Fledgling clubs.

Clubs 1 to 7 years in existence.

• Usually do engage with USGAA and have startup travel teams and club games. • In many cases are now working on future coach education development. • Next steps are often increased games outside of their own club with improved travel teams and regular participation at Nationals.

Embryonic clubs.

0 to 3 years.

• Many are existing outside of USGAA (not affiliated). • Clubs that are playing Hurling and do need developmental help to be in a position to affiliate to USGAA. • Clubs that have a great need for Coaching help. o I have identified 7-10 such clubs. Picture is Tennessee only Hurling clubs

So, as we can see there are many different needs to be filled in our clubs across the Board area.

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Potential Goals to achieve success with all strands of Hurling development. Offer Coaching courses to all Hurling clubs across the board area according to need. • Examples o Embryonic clubs/Fledgling clubs should hold regular Foundation level coaching courses for coaches and new players. o Established clubs may have a need for specific aspects of Gameplay. § Establish workshops that cover game specific elements. o Scoring and defending workshops o Overhead Hurling and contact workshops o Striking workshops. o Physical fitness for Gaelic Games. o Ladies only workshops. o Coaching Youth Hurling needs a solid foundation. • For existing coaches continue the coaching pathway to Award 1. o Coaching Youth Hurling needs a solid foundation

• Nationwide, I feel that a web session or sharing tool that allows us to share more footage involving game play and newer training methods would be well received.

Improved Refereeing standards.

Many of the established clubs have worked hard at Ref development and this must be nurtured nationally.

• Have regular Referee assessments

o Have a new Ref mentor program with experienced Refs mentoring new Refs in all codes. o Use new Refs as linesmen for experienced Refs. (and vice versa)

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o Implement regular in-service upskilling of Refs o Give Refs the games to flourish. No Ref will improve without games.

Establish a games calendar for Hurling across the board area. • To be completed by Feb 30th. A games calendar for Hurling. • Establish a nationwide games calendar to enable clubs to plan travel opportunities. • Secondary to game opportunities would be to identify how many people are playing our game; NACB registration does not tell this story. • A concerted effort to have Refs travel to tournaments (coordinated by Ref Development Hugh Duggan and Ref Administrator Dave Slevin), and supported by a games development budget item.

Encourage all developing Hurling clubs to avail of available funding to grow their clubs.

In 2017 and in the Games development programs for 2018 is the Global Games development fund and the Pilot USGAA project fund.

6 USGAA divisions now have additional funding opportunity from Games development.

In the 2017 scheme 12 clubs had specific Hurling/camogie development submissions and two clubs had submissions to fund development tournaments that included Hurling/Camogie.

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A review of 2017.

Tournaments and club’s leagues

Our Hurling development tournaments are holding up with 30 + tournaments played across all divisions.

Very few of our tournaments do not include Camogie and there is much more of an effort to include Youth Hurling workshops on tournament days.

Our most successful clubs always worked on the club league model where teams were formed, and games were regular, well scheduled, and competitive.

Just about all clubs have from a 6 week to a 10-week summer club league providing a hectic games schedule.

Many clubs also run an indoor games program. (For sure in cold weather cities).

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Camogie Review of 2017

Currently, there are camogie clubs in only 6 of the 10 divisions in the US.

In those 6 divisions, there are 13 clubs total with 5 of those clubs in the

Heartland Division, and 3 in the Mid-Atlantic.

The Camogie Development Committee has been tasked with growing

Camogie within the US.

Not only is assistance needed so the existing clubs are strengthened, but then those strengthened clubs can reach out and assist newly formed

clubs and build the next generation of competition!

There are many hurling clubs with camogie players that just need some help to boost them up to the point of having full teams.

Each of those 6 divisions with Camogie clubs have one or 2 teams that

are close along with a couple of the remaining divisions having camogie

players as well.

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Tasks accomplished in 2017:

• Reestablishing the camogie development committee

o Branch of hurling development committee

o Work with Camogie clubs and players on committee goals o Make recommendations on teams registering for finals • USGAA Camogie Facebook page

o Establishing contact with administrators of Camogie Facebook page

o Rename from North American Camogie Consortium to USGAA Camogie so it’s easier to find

o Allow Camogie Development Committee to now be administrators. • USGAA Website

o Added Camogie specific content (type and video) to the hurling area • Playing highlights

o Twin Cities Robert Emmets – sent 2 Camogie teams, junior and intermediate to USGAA Finals –

first time a US Camogie club has

been able to do that;

o 13 Camogie teams at USGAA Finals (8 are in the USGAA)

Chicago St Jarlaths u14 Camogie

2017 CYC

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Goals for Camogie in 2018 :

• More games played

o Camogie only games at tournaments

o Camogie only games between clubs o Camogie leagues • Upskilling

o Player upskilling to raise the standard of play o Referee upskilling to ensure they understand and follow Camogie rules

o Coach upskilling to work with players on the standard of play • Determining where the camogie players are:

o Utilizing the USGAA Secretary to reach out to all club and designate a Camogie contact in all hurling and camogie clubs

• Better grading of teams at USGAA Finals

o At the 2017 finals, there were too many one-sided games. In most cases they involved Canadian and New York teams, and a few

cases involved new teams in the 2017 year.

o The Camogie Development Committee needs to be more instrumental in assisting the USGAA board in looking at gradings of teams and

placement into the finals to improve parity in the divisions.

Submitted by Andretta Erickson,

Camogie Development Chair.

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Hurling at USGAA Finals.

• Men’s hurling accounted for 31 out of the 101 games played at the Playoffs, representing one third games played.

Including camogie games (17), the total number of hurling games has grown to 48 games, representing 48% percent of the games played at the 2017 USGAA Finals.

Hurling is consistently hovering at about 47% of all games played at USGAA Finals

2011 = 47 games of 95 played 2012 = 50 games of 106 2013 = 49 games of 108 2014 = 44 games of 94 2015 = 54 games of 115 2016 = 43 games of 93 2017 = 48 games of 101

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Youth Hurling.

In the 2017 funding scheme 12 clubs had specific Hurling/camogie development submissions.

Most of the planning for development within clubs includes Youth Hurling.

In the GDA cities there is a growing presence of Youth Hurling and this must be constantly worked on as it’s too easy to fall off with hurling.

Total number of CYC 2017 games: Total number of Hurling Games: 551 92 (16.6%) Hurling and Camogie Games = Total Number of Camogie Games: 135 = 24.5% of all games played. 43 (7.8%)

College Hurling.

NCGAA currently has 16 active teams plus 6 teams trying to get up and going. Our teams travel year-round as well as participate with USGAA teams during their summer breaks and at NACB.

This fall alone we had teams travel to Madison, Akron, Knoxville, Jersey Shore, Mary Cosgrove 7s, as well as host their own tourneys in Montana, Pitt, North Carolina, and Hartford for their own NCGAA fall tournaments.

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2017 National Tournament was held in Chicago at Chicago Gaelic Park.

5 hurling teams traveled to Chicago (Montana, CU, Pitt, Purdue, UCONN) and used a round robin format. After two days of intense play Montana battled it out in the end with UCONN for the win.

2018 National Tournament will be selected on November 15th, after all submissions have been reviewed. This year’s finals will include football and hurling and is scheduled to take place in late May.

NCGAA National Board: Chair- Kim Tessean Treasurer- Shawn Sprinkle Secretary- Cody Hedges

East Region Reps- Rob and Kim Rayburn

UCONN, Boston College, St Joes, CUA, UNC, VT, GT

Midwest Region Rep- Kim Tessean (interim rep)

Marian Univ, Butler Univ, Purdue, Pitt, MTSU, Vanderbilt. IU are currently trying to build programs and working on school and NCGAA requirements for status

West Region Rep- Tanner Sholey

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The Future – Starting new College teams

Teams can only be started if there is a current student and or current faculty member at the school and should reach out to NCGAA for help with this process.

New college teams are also required to have non-student advisor who can commit a minimum of 5 yrs. to help guide the teams through their school's specific rules and regulations during times of turnover due to graduation.

This person can also be the coach or a faculty member.

We are expecting a growth of 3 new teams per year over the next 3 years.

We have started Annual Fall Tournaments for each region to help connect those regions schools as well as help the sport grow.

Submitted by Kim Tessean, Chair Collegiate GAA Oct 2017

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Senior Hurling

The Senior Hurling grade is unfortunately in a declining state across the divisions.

Currently 8 Senior Hurling teams Nationwide.

• Boston was reduced to 2 Senior Hurling teams in 2017, • Chicago had 3 teams but a very poor-quality championship. • San Fran was the standout performer with 3 Senior Teams including a new club (Tipperary) and this was played out at the Nationals with an excellent final between the two San Francisco teams, (Naomh Padraig with a huge 9 pt. comeback to beat a fancied Tipp team).

I feel that this 10 minutes of hurling may paper over the serious cracks in the Senior grade.

While I understand cycles in playing standards, our senior grade “homebased” player is now almost nonexistent at the senior grade. Senior is now a summer sanction grade with almost all teams completely reliant on summer players.

My recommendation for the grade would be that the stakeholders (clubs and divisions) would invest in a review of the senior grade, identify the issues and work on a common plan to reinvigorate our highest grade.

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In conclusion

We have many positives across all strands of Hurling Development in our Board area.

A strong USA born playing population is driving our game to new highs across the USA.

Based on the 2016 registration figures hurling players are constituted as follows:

o Total registered playing population 1465 players. (there may be as many as 500+ playing the game of hurling outside of our registration numbers).

468 Irish Born 32% 1465 Total 2016 Hurling registration (157 Irish born in the large city senior/junior A clubs=10%)

997 USA Born 68%

For this convention there should be a healthy debate to establish a Junior D hurling grade. Nationals are starting to see a wide gulf between our top Junior C hurling clubs (established) and the current bottom Junior C grade teams (embryonic/fledgling).

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I thank the clubs and players for their dedication to the game of hurling.

I thank Chair Gareth Fitzsimons and USGAA for their continued support of the Hurling Development Committee and our hurling clubs.

Our partnership with Munster GAA and games development is invaluable, and I commend USGAA for their commitment to the value of this working partnership.

Croke Park Games Development has been stellar in their support of our youth programs and are now working with the Department of Foreign affairs to continue with a vital Global Games Development fund.

I cannot encourage enough our Hurling clubs to pursue the funding opportunities available to you (Outlined in Games development report).

You are doing the hard work in the trenches so please do engage with Hurling Development and avail of all the supports that are available to you as clubs.

Yours in Sport,

Colm Egan, Chair Hurling Development Committee.

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Referee Committee Report

Submitted by:

David Slevin, USGAA Referee Coordinator

Hugh Duggan, USGAA Referee Development Officer

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2017 Review

Referee Development for 2017 began in May with a Joint USGAA/Munster Council Referee Upskill event centered on the

Northeast Division and further development of existing referees in

Boston. Out of that event we identified a need for a Basic Referee

training course in the Northeast and one was held a few weeks later with an attendance of 25 prospective future referees.

With the rule changes going into effect in 2017, the annual In-service training, together with the new ref training course, were distributed early in the season to all Tutors who were recertified in 2016, so that both existing and incoming referees received the correct information.

The National Referees Committee for 2017 was as follows:

Chair- David Slevin Committee- Hugh Duggan, Colm Egan & Paul McCarthy

The committee met via Monthly conference call to discuss opportunities

and plan ongoing development and USGAA Finals.

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Other Key Accomplishments in 2017

• Multiple Basic Referee and In-Service trainings conducted in every

USGAA division in early season to ensure referee availability for

competitions.

• Referee Development Officer, Hugh Duggan, completed over 45 live

referee assessments over the course of the season, giving quality

feedback to each assessed referee on strengths and areas of improvement.

• Umpire and Linesman training administered by Hugh, when possible in

divisions he visited, helped ensure all game officials are properly trained.

• Great improvement my many clubs/divisions in the lead time given when

requesting referee assistance from USGAA for games or tournaments.

• Three of the Four Senior divisions worked actively with USGAA Referee

Coordinator to ensure maximum number of games within the divisions possible were officiated by USGAA referees, and when not possible,

these divisions followed proper process for obtaining Referee assistance

from Munster.

• All Men’s Football and Hurling games at USGAA Finals were officiated

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Recommendations for 2018

• Continued utilization of Tutor network to train new referees and upskill

select referees within divisions.

• Expansion of Tutor knowledge base to include Ladies football &

Camogie, to enable certification of referees for those codes within

USGAA.

• Expansion of Umpire and Linesman training, to all Tutors across the network, to enable its presentation to all possible groups.

• Partnership with Munster to send 2 USGAA Referees to Ireland to officiate at Feile completion or a Munster Minor level competition.

• It is recommended that each division have a referee coordinator or referee development officer in 2018.

• Each division being required to send 2 referees each to USGAA finals,

the referee committee need to be able to review the names submitted to ensure that the referees being sent to the USGAA finals have sufficient

skill and experience to be utilized appropriately at the event.

• Referee Committee should partner with CYC and USGAA Divisions

regarding the required referees that are being sent to CYC, this event is an opportunity for divisions to send less experienced up and coming

referees to obtain experience through CYC.

• 120 USGAA National Convention 2017 – November 10th-12th 2017 – www.usgaa.org

• Clubs/Divisions need must continue to give appropriate notice to

USGAA when requiring USGAA Referee assistance. A minimum of 4

week’s notice is needed for Senior referees to determine if we can fill

the need internally or request a referee from Ireland, and 2 weeks

absolute minimum for requests for junior referees.

• Creation of a Social media style contact group for all referees nationwide in order to keep everyone up to date on referee developments.

David Slevin- USGAA Referee Coordinator

Hugh Duggan-Referee Development Officer

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2017/18 Referee Tutor Network

Midwest Mark Agner Akron

Midwest Keith Knott Akron

Midwest David Slevin Buffalo

Philadelphia Paul McCarthy Allentown

Philadelphia Ciaran Porter GDA

Mid-Atlantic Niall Dempsey DC

Southeast John Watson Nashville

Southeast Scott Cooper Tampa

Southeast Bob Akamine Hampton Roads

Central Colm Egan GDA

Heartland Eric Buss Fox River

Heartland Brian Mathes Indianapolis

Heartland Ryan Finn Twin Cities

Heartland Keith Vosgreau Twin Cities

North West Hud Wilkins Seattle

North West Jeanne Suchodolski Seattle

Western Hugh Duggan Development Officer

Western Danielle Downey GDA

Southwest Treacy Rivera San Diego

Southwest Kevin Mac Donnell LA

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Referee Development Officer Report

A Cairde,

In the past year, I have assessed and graded a total of 44 referees; and I will make sure that they receive these assessments so they can work at becoming better referees. Overall we are improving, but need more on-field training, especially in our Junior divisions.

As the next step in our development program, I would like to host on-field sessions in these divisions between now and the start of the 2018 season. In order to organize this and provide a budget to Rob, our G.D.O, I would ask that divisions provide me with a date that suits then, before the end of 2017.

In the Southwest and Southeast, because of the area, it may be necessary to have more than one session. But this can be done at different locations in the division, if done over a weekend.

We have not addressed the needs of our Ladies Football or Camogie referees and I would like the opportunity to host an on-field training session with these referees at a suitable venue determined by the USGAA.

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I have developed a Guide to Good Refereeing and an Off Season Fitness

Program, which I will distribute to each division so every referee will have the opportunity to improve and develop their skills for the 2018 season.

I would welcome input from any division that will help me with our referee development.

Is Mise

Hugh Duggan

USGAA Referee Development Officer

[email protected]

510-388-9755

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Treasurers Report

PREPARED AND PRESENTED BY JOHN YOUNG, USGAA TREASURER

REPORTS INCLUDED: • OPERATING ACCOUNT • DEVELOPMENT ACCOUNT • YOUTH ESCROW ACCOUNT • INSURANCE ESCROW ACCOUNT

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A chairde,

Following are the reports for all our USGAA accounts from the fiscal year November 1st 2016 to October 31st 2017.

Under the advice of our Executive Committee I separated the Operating and Youth Escrow accounts.

A new account was also started for Insurance Escrow. The 2017 insurance overpayments were deposited into this account totaling $25,820 as follows: • General Liability $ 8,592.00 • Player Medical $ 17,228.00

We were financially stable this fiscal year with all our accounts generating a surplus on their income and expenditure. Our accounts show surpluses as follows: • Operating account $26,747.08 • Development account $ 4,400.39 • Youth Escrow account $ 4,994.00

We are very grateful for our two sponsorship partners and several donations. 1. Magners USA committed to a $15,000 sponsorship in 2017 2. O’Neill’s committed to $20,000 worth of goods (used for our Club Awards Program, CYC County Team Uniforms and other wearables). 3. Donations totaled $3240

We will continue to look for other mutually beneficial ‘top tier’ sponsors in the future.

This year also sees the end of the Michael Brady Legal case. All lawyers’ fees have been paid and a settlement was reached in the case. We will not incur any more expenses in relation to this case.

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We can credit the financial stability to several factors: • Finance Committee setting a budget that was observed • Increased sponsorship income • New clubs’ affiliations income • Decreased expenses • There was also significant fine money collected this year due to club’s non-participation in the 2016 USGAA Playoffs. It is important to note that we recycled approximately $12,000 of this income with an increased contribution to the CYC County Camp.

This directly resulted in parents of the County Camp players not having to pay a stipend per child. This was a one-year commitment for 2017 only, but we continue to look for development opportunities moving forward.

In closing, I would like to thank Patrick McDevitt for all his help with the changeover of accounts and invaluable advice throughout the year, the Executive Committee, my colleagues on the Finance Committee, Megan Skinner with Magners USA, Cheryl Kelly with O’Neill’s, John Cunningham who was instrumental in the renegotiation of our Partnership with Magners USA and the continued support from Croke Park.

Is Mise Le Meas John Young

USGAA National Convention 2017 – November 10th-12th 2017 – www.usgaa.org 127

UNITED STATES GAELIC ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION 2017 ANNUAL TREASURER'S REPORT

2017 BALANCE SHEET AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION

STARTING BALANCE FROM 2016 $ 68,552.74

INCOME: CLUB REGISTRATION $ 68,800.00 CROKE PARK MEMBERSHIP FEES $ 13,066.00 2016 DIVISIONAL LIABILITY INSURANCE $ 650.00 2017 DIVISIONAL LIABILITY INSURANCE $ 28,900.00 PLAYER MEDICAL INSURANCE $ 74,600.00 2017 PLAYOFF HOST FEE $ 14,000.00 2016 ALL IRELAND TICKET INCOME $ 1,170.00 2017 ALL IRELAND TICKET INCOME $ 29,600.00 OTHER INCOME $ 85,115.59 TOTAL INCOME $ 315,901.59

TOTAL AVAILABLE ASSETS $ 384,454.33

EXPENSES Total expenses $ 289,154.51

Actual Bank Balance as of 10/24/2017 $ 100,977.18

Balance $ 100,977.18 Uncleared Checks 2017 $ 5,677.36

Balance $ 95,299.82

128 USGAA National Convention 2017 – November 10th-12th 2017 – www.usgaa.org

2017 OPERATING ACCOUNT ANNUAL TREASURERS REPORT OTHER INCOME REPORT

OTHER INCOME: FINES/APPEALS INCOME $ 29,700.00 SPONSORSHIP INCOME $ 20,000.00 2016 SEATTLE USGAA PLAYOFF INCOME $ 1,345.00 2016 COUNTY CAMP INCOME $ 5,100.00 501C3 AFFILIATION INCOME $ 1,600.00 CENTRAL COUNCIL FLIGHT REIMBURSEMENT $ 1,130.59 DONATIONS $ 3,240.00 REIMBURSIBLES - 14 CANADIAN TEAMS DEPOSIT $ 10,500.00 2017 CYC COUNTY CAMP INCOME $ 8,000.00 USGAA PLAYOFFS INCOME $ 4,500.00

TOTAL INCOME $ 85,115.59

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2017 OPERATING ACCOUNT ANNUAL USGAA TREASURERS REPORT OTHER INCOME BREAKDOWN OTHER INCOME: DESCRIPTION AMOUNT TOTAL

FINES INCOME APPEAL - NORTHEAST DIVISIONAL BOARD $ 100.00 APPEAL - BOSTON CONNAUGHT LGFC $ 100.00 NON PARTICIPATION FINE - BOSTON GALWAY HURLING $ 2,500.00 NON PARTICIPATION FINE - DONEGAL GFC PHILADELPHIA $ 5,000.00 NON PARTICIPATION FINE - BOSTON OFFALY HURLING $ 2,500.00 NON PARTICIPATION FINE - CHICAGO MICHAEL CUSACK HURLING $ 1,500.00 NON PARTICIPATION FINE - CHICAGO HARRY BOLANDS $ 1,500.00 NON PARTICIPATION FINE - BOSTON WOLFETONES GFC $ 2,500.00 NON PARTICIPATION FINE - BOSTON DONEGAL $ 5,000.00 NON PARTICIPATION FINE - BOSTON SHAMROCKS LGFC $ 2,500.00 NON PARTICIPATION FINE - RALEIGH CuCHULAINN GAA $ 1,500.00 FINE - TYRONE PHILADELPHIA - CROKE PARK FINE $ 5,000.00 TOTAL $ 29,700.00 SPONSORSHIP INCOME 2016 SPONSORSHIP PAYMENT - 2ND INSTALLMENT MAGNERS $ 5,000.00 2017 SPONSORSHIP PAYMENT - MAGNERS $ 15,000.00 TOTAL $ 20,000.00 USGAA PLAYOFF INCOME 2016 USGAA PLAYOFFS - FOOD FOR COMMITTEE/REFS REIMBURSEMENT $ 1,345.00 TOTAL $ 1,345.00 COUNTY CAMP INCOME 2016 COUNTY CAMP REIMBURSEMENT - MIDWEST BUFFALO FENIANS $ 375.00 2016 COUNTY CAMP REIMBURSEMENT - NORTHEAST - ISYL $ 825.00 2016 COUNTY CAMP REIMBURSEMENT - WESTERN $ 3,900.00 TOTAL $ 5,100.00 501C3 AFFILIATION INCOME 501C3 AFFILIATION FEE - ALBANY GAA $ 100.00 501C3 AFFILATION FEE - MILTOWN GAELS GAA $ 100.00 501C3 AFFILIATION FEE - ST PATS DONEGAL PHILADELPHIA $ 100.00 501C3 AFFILIATION FEE - KEVIN BARRYS PHILADELPHIA $ 100.00 501C3 AFFILIATION FEE - KALAMAZOO GAA $ 100.00 501C3 AFFILIATION FEE - WILD GEESE GAA (HUNTINGTON BEACH) $ 100.00 501C3 AFFILIATION FEE - BOSTON DONEGAL $ 100.00 501C3 AFFILIATION FEE - Na FIANNA SAN DIEGO $ 100.00 501C3 AFFILIATION FEE - CHARLESTON GAA $ 100.00 501C3 AFFILIATION FEE - NASHVILLE GAA $ 100.00 501C3 AFFILIATION FEE - PHILADELPHIA SHAMROCKS $ 100.00 501C3 AFFILIATION FEE - GREENVILLE GAELS HURLING $ 100.00 501C3 AFFILIATION FEE - YOUNG IRELAND GFC PHILADELPHIA $ 100.00 501C3 AFFILIATION FEE - PHILADELPHIA DIVISIONAL BOARD $ 100.00 501C3 AFFILIATION FEE - GREENVILLE GAELS YOUTH GAA $ 100.00 501C3 AFFILIATION FEE - MEMPHIS GAA $ 100.00 TOTAL $ 1,600.00 130 USGAA National Convention 2017 – November 10th-12th 2017 – www.usgaa.org

CENTRAL COUNCIL FLIGHT REIMBURSEMENT CENTRAL COUNCIL FLIGHT REIMBURSEMENT $ 1,130.59 TOTAL $ 1,130.59 DONATIONS DONATION - 1/2 WEBSITE - ANONYMOUS DONOR $ 2,000.00 DONATION - PNC BANK $ 200.00 DONATION - BANK OF IRELAND $ 1,000.00 DONATION - WEBSITE DONATE BUTTON TEST $ 40.00 TOTAL $ 3,240.00 REIMBURSIBLES REIMBURSIBLES - 14 CANADIAN TEAMS PLAYOFF DEPOSIT $ 10,500.00 TOTAL $ 10,500.00 2017 CYC COUNTY CAMP DEVELOPMENT ACCOUNT $ 4,000.00 USGAA MINOR BOARD $ 4,000.00 TOTAL $ 8,000.00 USGAA PLAYOFF INCOME CAYMAN ISLANDS (2 TEAMS INSURANCE) $ 500.00 CANADIAN TEAMS (14 TEAMS INSURANCE) $ 3,500.00 LIBERTY GAELS PLAYOFF (2 TEAMS INSURANCE) $ 500.00 TOTAL $ 4,500.00

TOTAL OTHER INCOME $ 85,115.59

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185,366.00

$ 7,600.00

16,620.00 29,480.00 20,900.00 74,600.00

$ $ $ $ $ Player Ins 4,850.00 2,600.00 1,850.00 3,350.00 1,350.00 2,850.00 2,850.00 3,850.00 3,850.00 1,500.00

28,900.00 $ Div Insurance 669.00 631.00

1,479.00 1,290.00 1,134.00 1,038.00 2,049.00 1,008.00 2,265.00 1,503.00

13,066.00

$ Member CP 8,500.00 8,100.00 4,900.00 6,700.00 3,200.00 3,700.00 5,700.00 8,500.00 7,400.00

12,100.00 68,800.00

$ Club Reg 2017 AFFILIATIONS INCOME REPORT UNITED STATES GAELIC ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

Registration DIVISION Central Heartland Mid-Atlantic MidWest Northeast Northwest Philadelphia Southeast Southwest Western Northeast Minor Board TOTAL PAYMENT 132 USGAA National Convention 2017 – November 10th-12th 2017 – www.usgaa.org

MID-ATLANTIC Club Reg Member CP Div Insurance

Baltimore Camogie 600 84 Baltimore Ladies Football 600 72 250 Baltimore Mens Football and Hurling 600 258 Coastal Virginia Camogie 600 105 Coastal Virginia Hurling 600 96 250 Mason Dixon Mens Football 250 Michael Collins Mens Football (2nd year) 100 51 250 Richmond Battery 250 Washington DC Camogie 600 132 Washington DC Ladies Football 600 138 Washington DC Mens Football and Hurling 600 198 250 Mid Atlantic Divisional Board 350 $ 4,900.00 $ 1,134.00 $ 1,850.00 $ 7,884.00

MIDWEST Club Reg Member CP Div Insurance Player Ins

Akron Hurling 600 90 250 Albany Rebels Mens Football 600 111 250 Buffalo Mens Football 600 90 250 Cincinnati Mens Football (3rd Year) 100 90 250 Cleveland St. Pats Mens Football 600 132 250 Columbus GAA Mens Football 600 90 250 Detroit Wolfe Tones Mens Football 600 90 250 Kalamazoo Hurling 600 42 250 Pittsburgh Banshees Ladies Football 600 60 250 Pittsburgh Celtics Mens Football 600 78 250 Pittsburgh Pucas Hurling 600 93 250 Syracuse Mens Football 600 72 250 Midwest Divisional Board 350 $ 6,700.00 $ 1,038.00 $ 3,350.00 $ 11,088.00

PHILADELPHIA Club Reg Member CP Div Insurance Player Ins

Allentown Hibernians Hurling 600 111 250 0 Donegal Philadelphia Mens Football 600 87 250 1880 Jersey Shore GAA 100 40 250 460 Kevin Barrys Mens Football 600 102 250 1520 Na Toraidhe Hurling 600 126 250 1600 Notre Dames Ladies Football 600 63 250 420 Young Irelands Mens Football 600 102 250 1720 Philadelphia Divisional Board 350 Philadelphia Youth Insurance (3 clubs) 750 $ 3,700.00 $ 631.00 $ 2,850.00 $ 7,600.00 $ 14,781.00

USGAA National Convention 2017 – November 10th-12th 2017 – www.usgaa.org 133

NORTHWEST Club Reg Member CP Div Insurance

Benton Brigade Hurling (2nd Year) 100 0 0 Columbia Red Branch Hurling 600 210 250 Seattle Gaels Camogie 600 66 Seattle Gaels Hurling/Mens 600 144 250 Seattle Gaels Ladies Football 600 90 Tacoma Rangers 600 123 250 Thomas Meagher Hurling (2nd Year) 100 36 250 Northwest Divisional Board 350 $ 3,200.00 $ 669.00 $ 1,350.00 $ 5,219.00

NORTHEAST Club Reg Member CP Div Insurance Player Ins

Aidan McAnespies GFC 600 129 2000 Barley House Wolves Hurling 600 42 560 Boston Christophers Mens Football 600 57 1120 Boston Cork Mens Football 600 150 1960 Boston Donegal Mens Football 600 126 2400 Boston Galway Mens Football 600 111 1720 Boston Galway Hurling 600 114 1920 Boston Offaly Hurling 600 60 920 Boston Shamrocks Ladies Football 600 159 1120 Boston Wexford Hurling 600 48 840 Boston Wolfetones Mens Football 600 114 1680 Connacht Ladies Ladies Football 600 60 880 Connemara Gaels Mens Football 600 144 2520 Fr. Tom Burkes Hurling 600 120 1600 Hartford Mens Football/Hurling 600 120 1480 Kerry Mens Football 600 87 1280 Portland Marauders hurling 600 54 720 Providence Hurling (2nd Year) 100 75 1000 Shannon Blues GFC 600 150 2320 Tipperary hurling 600 78 880 Worchester Hurling 600 51 560 Northeast Divisional Board $ 12,100.00 $ 2,049.00 $ - $ 29,480.00 $ 43,629.00 Northeast Youth (6 Clubs) $ 1,500.00

SOUTHEAST Club Reg Member CP Div Insurance

Atlanta Clan Na Gael Camogie 600 81 250 Atlanta Clan Na Gael Mens Hurling/Football 600 126 Charleston Hurling 600 39 250 Charlotte James Connolly ladies football 600 171 250 Charlotte James Connolly mens football 600 264 Greenville Gaels hurling 600 39 250 Knoxville GAA (Year 1) 100 30 250 Memphis GAA (Year 1) 100 15 250 Nashville Mens hurling 600 39 250 Orlando Hurling 600 42 250 Raleigh CuChullains Football/Hurling 600 81 250 Winston Salem Wolfhounds (Year 3) 100 81 250 Southeast Divisional Board 350 $ 5,700.00 $ 1,008.00 $ 2,850.00 $ 9,558.00 134 USGAA National Convention 2017 – November 10th-12th 2017 – www.usgaa.org

SOUTHWEST Club Reg Member CP Insurance

Albuquerque Mens Football (Year 1) 100 21 250 Austin Celtic Cowboys Ladies Football 600 99 250 Austin Celtic Cowboys Mens Football/Hurling 600 144 Cougars Mens Football (Year 1) 100 192 250 Denver Gaels Camogie 600 24 250 Denver Gaels Ladies Football 600 45 Denver Gaels Mens Football/Hurling 600 141 Fionn Mac Cumhaill Dallas Ladies Football 600 84 250 Fionn Mac Cumhaill Dallas Mens Football 600 120 Flagstaff Arizona Hurling (Year 3) 100 105 250 Houston Gaels Ladies Football (Year 2) 100 69 250 Houston Gaels Mens Football 600 267 LA Wild Geese Ladies Football (Year 1) 100 57 250 LA Wild Geese Mens Football 600 117 Na Fianna San Diego Camogie (Year 1) 100 69 250 Na Fianna San Diego LGFC 600 147 Regulators Hurling (Year 1) 100 54 250 San Antonio Gaelic Football Club 600 147 250 Setenta San Diego football 600 219 250 St. Peters Hurling 600 144 250 SouthWest Division 350 San Diego Youth Insurance 250 $ 8,500.00 $ 2,265.00 $ 3,850.00 $ 14,615.00

HEARTLAND Club Reg Member CP Div Insurance

Fox River Hurling 600 45 Madison Ladies Football 600 75 250 Madison Mens Football 600 174 Indianapolis Hurling-Football 600 120 250 Indianapolis Camogie 600 30 Kansas City Mens Football 600 93 250 Miltown Mens Football (2nd year) 100 45 250 Miltown Ladies Football (2nd year) 100 48 Milwaukee Hurling Club 600 120 250 Milwaukee Camogie Club 600 90 Naperville Hurling 600 126 250 Naperville Camogie (2nd year) 100 54 St Louis Hurling-Football 600 45 250 St Louis -Camogie 600 45 Twin Cities Robert Emmets-Hurling 600 123 250 Twin Cities Robert Emmets-Camogie 600 57 250 Heartland Divisional Board 350 $ 8,100.00 $ 1,290.00 $ 2,600.00 $ - $ 11,990.00

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WESTERN Club Reg Member CP Div Insurance Health Ins

Clan Na Gaels Ladies football 600 105 250 740 CuChullains Camogie (Year 1) 100 9 250 1180 Eire Og Mens Football 600 96 250 1180 Fog City Harps Ladies Football 600 264 250 1260 Michael Cusacks Mens Football 600 84 250 1220 Na Fianna Hurling 600 105 250 1880 Naomh Padraig Hurling 600 78 250 1740 Sean Treacys Mens Football 600 183 250 2040 Pearse Og (Year 1) 100 39 250 1320 Sons of Boru/Celts Mens Football 600 78 250 1200 St. Josephs Hurling 600 126 250 1160 Tipperary Hurling Club 600 99 250 1800 Ulster Mens Football 600 108 250 2160 Young Irelanders/St. Brendans Mens Football 600 129 250 2020 Western Divisonal Board 350 $ 7,400.00 $ 1,503.00 $ 3,850.00 $ 20,900.00 $ 33,653.00

CENTRAL Club Reg Member CP Div Insurance Player Ins

Cu Chulainn Hurling 600 57 250 1280 Erin's Rovers Ladies Football 600 150 250 480 Harry Bolands Hurling 600 39 250 1120 James Joyce Mens Football (2nd Year) 100 72 250 880 John McBrides Mens Football 600 129 250 1080 Limerick Hurling 600 60 250 1520 Michael Cusacks Hurling 600 129 250 680 NaAisling Gaels Ladies Football 600 171 250 1940 Padraig Pearses Mens Football 600 126 250 2160 Parnells Mens Football 600 132 250 1400 Patriots Mens Football 600 39 250 520 St. Brendans Mens football 600 63 250 1120 St. Bridgids Ladies Football 600 114 250 640 St. Marys Camogie 600 96 250 280 Wolfe Tones Mens Football 600 102 250 1520 Central Divisional Board 350 Chicago Youth Clubs (3) 750 $ 8,500.00 $ 1,479.00 $ 4,850.00 $ 16,620.00 $ 31,449.00

136 USGAA National Convention 2017 – November 10th-12th 2017 – www.usgaa.org

2017 OPERATING ACCOUNT ANNUAL TREASURERS REPORT EXPENSES REPORT

EXPENSE: 2016 COUNTY CONVENTION EXPENSE $ 11,261.09 CONGRESS IRELAND EXPENSE $ 11,187.74 LGFA CONGRESS IRELAND EXPENSE $ 2,301.04 CAMOGIE CONGRESS IRELAND EXPENSE $ 1,037.22 INSURANCE - GENERAL LIABILITY EXPENSE / ACCIDENT MEDICAL $ 77,680.00 CONFERENCE CALL EXPENSE $ 1,922.71 ADMIN EXPENSE $ 3,164.75 WEBSITE/PRO EXPENSE $ 4,835.55 SYMPATHY/DONATION EXPENSE $ 2,556.01 CENTRAL COUNCIL EXPENSE $ 1,919.70 LEGAL FEES EXPENSE $ 9,200.00 BANK FEES $ 380.56 CHICAGO DEVELOPMENT MEETING 3/25 $ 1,334.49 REGISTRATION EXPENSE $ 3,681.41 501C3 APPLICATION FILING FEE- US TREASURY $ 3,000.00 GAA/LGFC/CAMOGIE EXPENSES $ 16,893.32 2017 CYC COUNTY CAMP EXPENSES $ 22,548.76 YOUTH ESCROW TRANSFER $ 11,100.00 2017 USGAA FINALS $ 27,519.02 ALL IRELAND FOOTBALL/HURLING TICKETS $ 28,554.32 SPECIAL CONGRESS EXPENSE $ 3,087.08 DEPOSIT RETURN - CANADIAN TEAMS $ 10,750.00 INSURANCE ESCROW TRANSFER $ 25,820.00 2017 COUNTY CONVENTION $ 3,419.74 YOUTH BOARD DISBERSMENT FROM PLAYOFF FEE $ 4,000.00

TOTAL EXPENSES $ 289,154.51

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2017 OPERATING ACCOUNT ANNUAL USGAA TREASURERS REPORT EXPENSES BREAKDOWN

2016 COUNTY CONVENTION EXPENSE COUNTY CONVENTION - VICE CHAIR FLIGHT (SAN DIEGO) $ 652.20 COUNTY CONVENTION - SECRETARY MILEAGE REIMBURSEMENT (SAN DIEGO) $ 498.00 COUNTY CONVENTION - YOUTH OFFICER FLIGHT (SAN DIEGO) $ 1,194.96 COUNTY CONVENTION - PRO MILEAGE REIMBURSEMENT (SAN DIEGO) $ 133.92 COUNTY CONVENTION - REFEREE DEVELOPMENT OFFICER (SAN DIEGO) $ 428.15 COUNTY CONVENTION - BOOKLET (SAN DIEGO) $ 1,670.17 COUNTY CONVENTION - HOTEL ROOM COST (SAN DIEGO) $ 6,269.20 COUNTY CONVENTION - MEAL WITH DIGNITARIES (SAN DIEGO) $ 414.49 TOTAL $ 11,261.09 CONGRESS IRELAND EXPENSE GAA CONGRESS IRELAND - HONORARY CHAIRMAN $ 1,075.52 GAA CONGRESS IRELAND - CHAIRPERSON FLIGHT $ 1,194.92 GAA CONGRESS IRELAND - VICE CHAIRPERSON $ 592.05 GAA CONGRESS IRELAND - SECRETARY FLIGHT $ 1,146.56 GAA CONGRESS IRELAND - TREASURER FLIGHT $ 680.14 GAA CONGRESS IRELAND - REGISTRAR FLIGHT $ 765.42 GAA CONGRESS IRELAND - PRO FLIGHT $ 1,361.70 GAA CONGRESS IRELAND - YOUTH OFFICER FLIGHT $ 575.42 GAA CONGRESS IRELAND - GDO FLIGHT $ 831.78 GAA CONGRESS IRELAND - CROKE PARK HOTEL ROOMS $ 2,255.84 GAA CONGRESS IRELAND - CONGRESS LUNCH-DINNER-BANQUET TICKETS $ 708.39 TOTAL $ 11,187.74 LGFA CONGRESS IRELAND EXPENSE LGFA CONGRESS IRELAND - DELEGATE 1 FLIGHT $ 595.92 LGFA CONGRESS IRELAND - DELEGATE 2 FLIGHT $ 895.92 LGFA CONGRESS IRELAND - HOTEL ROOMS $ 809.20 TOTAL $ 2,301.04 CAMOGIE CONGRESS IRELAND EXPENSE CAMOGIE CONGRESS IRELAND DELEGATE FLIGHT $ 630.92 CAMOGIE CONGRESS IRELAND ROOM $ 406.30 TOTAL $ 1,037.22 INSURANCE EXPENSE INSURANCE - PLAYER ACCIDENT MEDICAL POLICY $ 57,372.00 INSURANCE - GENERAL LIABILITY $ 20,308.00 TOTAL $ 77,680.00 CONFERENCE CALL EXPENSE CONFERENCE CALL - OCTOBER 2016 - SEPTEMBER 2017 $ 1,922.71 TOTAL $ 1,922.71 ADMIN EXPENSE ADMIN - TREASURER OFFICE SUPPLIES/STAMPS $ 233.69 ADMIN - SECRETARY OFFICE SUPPLIES/PRINTER $ 206.44 ADMIN - 2016 OFFICIAL GUIDES $ 328.08 ADMIN - 2017 ACCOUNTANT FEES (BILL O'SULLIVAN) $ 1,326.25 ADMIN - SHIPPING O'NEILLS GEAR $ 1,070.29 TOTAL $ 3,164.75 WEBSITE/PRO EXPENSE WEBSITE HOSTING SPORT LOMO (1-YEAR) $ 462.56 WEBSITE NEW BUILD BRIAN WHITE CONSULTING $ 4,000.00 WEBSITE HOSTING 1 YEAR NEW WEBSITE $ 163.20 WEBSITE NEW URL PURCHASE 2 YEARS WWW.USGAA.ORG $ 27.90 PRO WEBINAR (ZOOM) $ 54.99 PRO MARKETING - FACEBOOK $ 126.90 TOTAL $ 4,835.55 138 USGAA National Convention 2017 – November 10th-12th 2017 – www.usgaa.org

SYMPATHY/DONATION EXPENSE DONATION - AARON ELLIOTT INJURY BENEFIT FUND (KEVIN BARRYS) $ 500.00 DONATION - DAVID GAVIN GO FUND ME ACCOUNT ($1000 CAD) $ 773.56 DONATION - DAVY THYNNE FAMILY FUNDRAISER $ 500.00 SYMPATHY - ANGELA FITZSIMONS FLOWERS $ 117.21 SYMPATHY - JASON BREEN FLOWERS $ 86.96 SYMPATHY - JOHN O'FLYNN FLOWERS (CANADA) $ 66.90 SYMPATHY - MARGARET MCDEVITT DONATION $ 100.00 SYMPATHY - PAT BLIGH FLOWERS $ 74.98 SYMPATHY - VICE CHAIR AT JASON BREEN FUNERAL FLIGHT $ 336.40 TOTAL $ 2,556.01 CENTRAL COUNCIL EXPENSE CENTRAL COUNCIL - NOVEMBER FLIGHT DELEGATE $ 972.70 CENTRAL COUNCIL - FLIGHT DATE CHANGE TO CONGRESS CC DELEGATE $ 300.00 CENTRAL COUNCIL - HOTEL ROOM 6/16/17 $ 120.00 CENTRAL COUNCIL - FLIGHT DATE CHANGE AND FARE DIFFERENCE FOR JUNE $ 527.00 TOTAL $ 1,919.70 LEGAL FEES EXPENSE LEGAL FEES - 2016 MICHEAL BRADY DEFENSE - HINSHAW AND CULBERTSON LLP $ 3,000.00 LEGAL FEES- FINAL PAYMENT MICHEAL BRADY DEFENSE - HINSHAW AND CULBERTSON $ 3,700.00 LEGAL FEES - MICHEAL BRADY SETTLEMENT CHECK $ 2,500.00 TOTAL $ 9,200.00 BANK FEES EXPENSES BANK FEES NOVEMBER 2016 - OCTOBER 2017 $ 185.56 CREDIT CARD TERMINAL SETUP $ 195.00 TOTAL $ 380.56 CHICAGO DEVELOPMENT MEETING 3/25 EXPENSE CHICAGO DEVELOPMENT MEETING 3/25 - VICE CHAIR FLIGHT $ 494.87 CHICAGO DEVELOPMENT MEETING 3/25 - YOUTH OFFICER FLIGHT $ 615.88 CHICAGO DEVELOPMENT MEETING 3/25 - DOUBLETREE HOTEL $ 223.74 TOTAL $ 1,334.49 REGISTRATION EXPENSE REGISTRATION EXPENSE - TOPSCORE $ 927.32 REGISTRATION EXPENSE - TOPSCORE CREDIT CARD PROCESSING FEES $ 2,754.09 TOTAL $ 3,681.41 501C3 APPLICATION FILING FEE 501C3 APPLICATION FILING FEE (UNITED STATES TREASURY) $ 3,000.00 TOTAL $ 3,000.00 GAA/LGFC/CAMOGIE PAYMENTS PAYMENT - CROKE PARK PAYMENT - TYRONE PHILADELPHIA FINE $ 5,000.00 PAYMENT - LGFA AFFILIATION $ 1,652.93 PAYMENT - MENS FOOTBALL/ HURLING AFFILIATION $ 9,909.58 PAYMENT - CAMOGIE AFFILIATION FEE $ 330.81 TOTAL $ 16,893.32 2017 CYC COUNTY CAMP EXPENSES SHIPPING ONEILLS GEAR/EQUIPMENT $ 905.90 CYC FLIGHT - CHAIRMAN $ 407.97 COUNTY CAMP - FOOD/WATER (WEGMANS/IMPERIAL PIZZA) $ 2,760.74 COUNTY CAMP - HOTEL ROOMS 86 ROOM NIGHTS $ 14,849.15 COUNTY CAMP - BUFFALO BISONS TICKETS $ 3,625.00 ` TOTAL $ 22,548.76 YOUTH ESCROW TRANSFER TO YOUTH ESCROW ACCOUNT FROM 2017 REGISTRATION $ 11,100.00 TOTAL $ 11,100.00 USGAA National Convention 2017 – November 10th-12th 2017 – www.usgaa.org 139

2017 USGAA FINALS (SAN FRANCISCO) 2017 USGAA FINALS - FLIGHT CHAIRMAN $ 477.95 2017 USGAA FINALS - FLIGHT VICE CHAIR $ 396.40 2017 USGAA FINALS - FLIGHT TREASURER - CREDIT CARD POINTS 45,000 POINTS 2017 USGAA FINALS - FLIGHT REGISTRAR $ 413.97 2017 USGAA FINALS - FLIGHT YOUTH OFFICER $ 761.67 2017 USGAA FINALS - FLIGHT PRO $ 169.90 2017 USGAA FINALS - FLIGHT NATIONAL REFEREE $ 616.40 2017 USGAA FINALS - FLIGHT JUNIOR HURLING REFEREE $ 373.06 2017 USGAA FINALS - FLIGHT REFEREE ADMINISTRATOR $ 619.95 2017 USGAA FINALS - USGAA PLAYOFF MEDALS/SHIELD AWARDS $ 2,494.39 2017 USGAA FINALS - REFEREE INSERTS/PHOTOCOPYING/SUB SLIPS $ 707.62 2017 USGAA FINALS - 2 RENTAL CARS AND UBER/YELLOW CAB $ 1,279.18 2017 USGAA FINALS - GEAR FOR REFS/MAGNERS/BOARD AND FOOTBALLS/SLIOTHARS $ 4,398.25 2017 USGAA FINALS - HOTEL ROOMS BOARD/REFEREES/DIGNIATRIES $ 13,583.31 2017 USGAA FINALS - FOOD BOARD/REFS/DIGNIATARIES $ 753.75 2017 USGAA FINALS - MARRIOTT HANDLING CHARGE 9 O'NEILLS BOXES $ 180.00 2017 USGAA FINALS - REGISTRAR ADMIN SUPPLIES $ 293.22 TOTAL $ 27,519.02 ALL IRELAND TICKETS ALL IRELAND TICKETS - FOOTBALL $ 14,152.56 ALL IRELAND TICKETS - HURLING $ 14,118.96 ALL IRELAND TICKETS - SHIPPING $ 282.80 TOTAL $ 28,554.32 SPECIAL CONGRESS EXPENSE SPECIAL CONGRESS EXPENSE - CHAIRMAN FLIGHT $ 1,255.28 SPECIAL CONGRESS EXPENSE - VICE CHAIRMAN FLIGHT $ 430.00 SPECIAL CONGRESS EXPENSE - SECRETARY FLIGHT $ 829.96 SPECIAL CONGRESS EXPENSE - CAR RENTAL/UBER $ 202.63 SPECIAL CONGRESS EXPENSE - CROKE PARK HOTEL $ 369.21 TOTAL $3,087.08 DEPOSIT RETURN CANADIAN TEAMS DEPOSIT RETURN CANADIAN TEAMS - FRASER VALLEY GAELS (1 TEAM) $ 750.00 DEPOSIT RETURN CANADIAN TEAMS - TORONTO CAMOGIE (2 TEAMS) $ 1,500.00 DEPOSIT RETURN CANADIAN TEAMS - TORONTO LADIES FOOTBALL (1 TEAM) $ 750.00 DEPOSIT RETURN CANADIAN TEAMS - VANCOUVER ISSC (10 TEAMS) $ 7,750.00 TOTAL $10,750.00 INSURANCE ESCROW TRANSFER INSURANCE ESCROW TRANSFER - GENERAL LIABILITY OVERPAYMENT $ 8,592.00 INSURANCE ESCROW TRANSFER - PLAYER MEDICAL INSURANCE $ 17,228.00 TOTAL $25,820.00 2017 COUNTY CONVENTION NORFOLK COUNTY CONVENTION - CHAIRMAN FLIGHT $ 554.96 COUNTY CONVENTION - VICE CHAIRMAN FLIGHT $ 368.40 COUNTY CONVENTION - SECRETARY FLIGHT $ 464.60 COUNTY CONVENTION - TREASURER FLIGHT $ 435.60 COUNTY CONVENTION - REGISTRAR FLIGHT $ 395.40 COUNTY CONVENTION - YOUTH OFFICER FLIGHT $ 356.40 COUNTY CONVENTION - CENTRAL COUNCIL DELEGATE $ 647.60 COUNTY CONVENTION - 2 HOTEL ROOM NIGHTS $ 196.78 TOTAL $ 3,419.74 YOUTH BOARD PLAYOFF FEE DISBURSEMENT YOUTH BOARD DISBURSEMENT FROM PLAYOFF FEE $ 4,000.00 TOTAL $4,000.00

TOTAL EXPENSES $ 289,154.51

140 USGAA National Convention 2017 – November 10th-12th 2017 – www.usgaa.org

FUNDS OWED FROM 2017

2016 USGAA FINALS NON PARTICIPATION FINE - TYRONE - PHILADELPHIA $2,500 2017 USGAA FINALS NON PARTICIPATION FINE - CuCHULAINN - CENTRAL $2,500 2017 USGAA FINALS NON PARTICIPATION FINE - WOLFE TONES - CENTRAL $2,500 2017 USGAA FINALS NON PARTICIPATION FINE - WORCESTER - NORTHEAST $2,500 2017 USGAA FINALS HOST CITY HOTEL FINE - LA WILD GEESE - SOUTHWEST $1,000 2017 USGAA FINALS HOST CITY HOTEL FINE - DALLAS - SOUTHWEST $1,000 2017 PLAYER MEDICAL INSURANCE - ALLENTOWN - PHILADELPHIA $600 CHAIRMAN - ALL IRELAND TICKETS $400

TOTAL $13,000

2017 USGAA ALL IRELAND TICKET ALLOCATION

HURLING QTY FOOTBALL QTY HON CHAIR 1 HON CHAIR 1 CHAIRMAN 2 CHAIRMAN 2 VICE CHAIRMAN 2 VICE CHAIRMAN 2 SECRETARY 2 SECRETARY 2 REGISTRAR 2 REGISTRAR 2 YOUTH OFFICER 2 YOUTH OFFICER 2

PRO 2 PRO 2 TREASURER 2 TREASURER 2 CENTRAL 16 CENTRAL 15 HEARTLAND 17 HEARTLAND 16 MID ATLANTIC 10 MID ATLANTIC 9 MIDWEST 12 MIDWEST 12 NORTHEAST 21 NORTHEAST 22 NORTHWEST 6 NORTHWEST 7 PHILADELPHIA 7 PHILADELPHIA 7 SOUTHEAST 12 SOUTHEAST 13 SOUTHWEST 20 SOUTHWEST 20 WESTERN 14 WESTERN 14

TOTAL 150 TOTAL 150

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USGAA COUNTY BOARD 2017 DEVELOPMENT ACCOUNT

REPORTED BALANCE AT 2016 CONVENTION $4,622.52

INCOME: COACHING COURSE REIMBURSEMENT $116.48 DEVELOPMENT GRANTS FROM CROKE PARK $83,644.60

TOTAL INCOME $83,761.08

TOTAL AVAILABLE ASSETS $88,383.60

EXPENSES: MARCH GAMES DEVELOPMENT CHICAGO $9,644.68 APRIL TUTOR UPSKILLING CHICAGO $10,697.31 2016 YOUTH COUNTY CONVENTION - PHILADELPHIA $1,060.06 ADMIN COSTS $827.39 GAMES DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE DUBLIN $909.96 2016 COUNTY CONVENTION - SAN DIEGO $715.07 COACHING COURSE COST $582.40 DEVELOPMENT GRANTS $650.00 BANK FEES $77.60 GLOBAL GAMES DEVELOPMENT FUND GRANTS $28,417.20 NORTHEAST REFEREE UPSKILLING $2,512.26 SHAPE AMERICA CONFERENCE 2016 $1,104.96 CROKE PARK FEILE GRANT $15,463.20 NEW HURLING CLUB EQUIPMENT GRANT $800.00 2017 CYC COUNTY CAMP CONTRIBUTION $4,000.00 REFEREE DEVELOPMENT $1,463.00 2017 COUNTY CONVENTION $435.60 TOTAL EXPENSES $79,360.69

ENDING BALANCE $9,022.91

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2017 DEVELOPMENT ACCOUNT BREAKDOWN USGAA TREASURERS REPORT 11/1/2016 TO 10/30/2017

INCOME: DESCRIPTION AMOUNT TOTAL

COACHING COURSE REIMBURSEMENT COACHING COURSE - (ATLANTA GAA REIMBURSEMENT) $ 116.48 TOTAL $116.48 DEVELOPMENT GRANTS FROM CROKE PARK BALANCE OF 2016 GRANT $ 10,551.00 2017 GRANT $ 29,213.20 2017 FEILE GRANT $ 15,463.20 GLOBAL GAMES DEVELOPMENT FUND SOUTHEAST/SOUTHWEST $ 28,417.20 TOTAL $83,644.60

EXPENSES: DESCRIPTION AMOUNT TOTAL

MARCH DEVELOPMENT WEEKEND 3/25/17 DEVELOPMENT COURSE - DIVISIONAL REIMBURSEMENTS (9 DIVISIONS) $ 7,300.00 DEVELOPMENT COURSE - LUNCH/DINNER DELEGATES AND STAFF $ 389.00 DEVELOPMENT COURSE - TRANSPORTATION COSTS $ 70.09 DEVELOPMENT COURSE - COPYING EXPENSES $ 108.05 DEVELOPMENT COURSE - HOTEL EXPENSES (11 ROOM NIGHTS) $ 1,460.51 DEVELOPMENT COURSE - GDO FLIGHT (CHICAGO) $ 317.03 TOTAL $9,644.68 APRIL TUTOR UPSKILLING WEEKEND 4/2/17 APRIL TUTOR UPSKILLING - HOTEL EXPENSES 25 ROOM NIGHTS $ 3,099.39 APRIL TUTOR UPSKILLING - LUNCH/DINNER DELEGATES AND STAFF $ 872.87 APRIL TUTOR UPSKILLING - TRANSPORTATION COSTS $ 181.38 APRIL TUTOR UPSKILLING - COPYING EXPENSES $ 67.79 APRIL TUTOR UPSKILLING - DIVISIONAL REIMBURSEMENTS $ 5,800.00 APRIL TUTOR UPSKILLING - COACH TUTOR LEADER FLIGHT $ 675.88 TOTAL $10,697.31 2016 YOUTH COUNTY CONVENTION - PHILADELPHIA YOUTH COUNTY CONVENTION - HOTEL ROOMS $ 424.44 YOUTH COUNTY CONVENTION - TRANSPORTATION UBER $ 73.90 YOUTH COUNTY CONVENTION - GDO FLIGHT $ 302.20 YOUTH COUNTY CONVENTION - DEVELOPMENT TEAM DINNER $ 259.52 TOTAL $1,060.06

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ADMIN COSTS ADMIN - OFFICE SUPPLIES TO PRINT CERTIFICATES $ 115.53 ADMIN - SHIPPING COACHING MATERIALS TO MEMPHIS/ALBERQUERQUE $ 40.80 ADMIN - SHIPPING COURSE COMPLETION CERTIFICATES TO CAYMAN ISLANDS $ 26.39 ADMIN - SHIPPING REFEREE AND GDA SUPPLIES $ 602.36 ADMIN - SHIPPING REFEREE SUPPLIES $ 42.31 TOTAL $827.39 GAMES DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE GAMES DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE IRELAND - GDO FLIGHT $ 909.96 TOTAL $909.96 2016 COUNTY CONVENTION - SAN DIEGO COUNTY CONVENTION - HURLING DEVELOPMENT OFFICER CAR RENTAL $ 129.17 COUNTY CONVENTION - HURLING DEVELOPMENT OFFICER FLIGHT $ 369.70 COUNTY CONVENTION - GDO FLIGHT $ 216.20 TOTAL $715.07 COACHING COURSE COST COACHING COURSE - ATLANTA GAA $ 582.40 TOTAL $582.40 DEVELOPMENT GRANTS DEVELOPMENT GRANT - CASCADE YOUTH - INSTRUCTOR SHIRTS AND BALL $ 650.00 TOTAL $650 BANK FEES BANK FEES - NOVEMBER 2016-OCTOBER 2017 $ 74.60 TOTAL $74.60 GLOBAL GAMES DEVELOPMENT FUND GRANTS SOUTHEAST DIVISION - CLAN NaGAEL ATLANTA $ 5,262.44 SOUTHEAST DIVISION - CHARLOTTE JAMES CONNOLLY $ 2,104.98 SOUTHEAST DIVISION - GREENVILLE GAELS YOUTH GAA $ 4,209.96 SOUTHEAST DIVISION - RALEIGH CuCHULAINN $ 3,683.72 SOUTHWEST DIVISION - ALBUQUERQUE GAA $ 1,052.49 SOUTHWEST DIVISION - AUSTIN CELTIC COWBOYS $ 5,262.44 SOUTHWEST DIVISION - DENVER GAELS $ 5,262.44 SOUTHWEST DIVISION - SAN DIEGO NaFIANNA $ 1,578.73 TOTAL $28,417.20 NORTHEAST REFEREE UPSKILLING MARRIOTT HOTEL - 6 ROOM NIGHTS $ 1,627.49 FOOD - REFEREE ADMINISTRATOR AND KEVIN WALSH $ 251.31 CAR RENTAL - REFEREE ADMINISTRATOR $ 83.84 FLIGHT - REFEREE ADMINISTRATOR $ 549.62 TOTAL $2,512.26 SHAPE AMERICA CONFERENCE 2016 NORTHEAST GDA FINAL PAYMENT $ 1,104.96 TOTAL $1,104.96

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CROKE PARK FEILE GRANT CROKE PARK FEILE GRANT - DELCO GAELS $ 5,154.40 CROKE PARK FEILE GRANT - NORTHEAST YOUTH $ 5,154.40 CROKE PARK FEILE GRANT - SAN FRANCISCO YOUTH $ 5,154.40 TOTAL $15,463.20 NEW HURLING CLUB EQUIPMENT GRANT EQUIPMENT GRANT - MEMPHIS HURLING $ 400.00 EQUIPMENT GRANT - KNOXVILLE $ 400.00 TOTAL $800.00 2017 CYC COUNTY CAMP CONTRIBUTION COUNTY CAMP CONTRIBUTION $ 4,000.00 TOTAL $4,000.00 REFEREE DEVELOPMENT/UPSKILLING /OBSERVATION REFEREE DEVELOPMENT SOUTH WEST DIVISION SAN DIEGO 7'S $ 399.00 REFEREE DEVELOPMENT SOUTHWEST DIVISION RUMBLE IN THE ROCKIES $ 188.00 REFEREE DEVELOPMENT NORTHWEST DIVISION SEATTLE/PORTLAND $ 876.00 TOTAL $1,463.00 2017 COUNTY CONVENTION GDO FLIGHT $ 435.60 TOTAL $435.60

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USGAA COUNTY BOARD 2017 YOUTH ESCROW ACCOUNT

REPORTED BALANCE AT 2016 CONVENTION $41,675.00

INCOME: TRANSFER FROM 2017 AFFILIATION FEES $11,100 TOTAL INCOME $11,100.00

TOTAL AVAILABLE ASSETS $52,775.00

EXPENSES: DETROIT YOUTH GAA PHASE COMPLETION $1,000.00 REIMBURSEMENTS TO YOUTH BOARDS FROM 2017 REGISTRATION $5,100.00 BANK FEES (3 MONTHS) $6.00

TOTAL EXPENSES $6,106.00

ENDING BALANCE $46,669.00

USGAA COUNTY BOARD 2017 INSURANCE ESCROW ACCOUNT

NEW ACCOUNT STARTED 2017

GENERAL LIABILITY OVERPAYMENT PAID BY ALL DIVISIONS EXCEPT NORTHEAST $ 8,592.00 PLAYER MEDICAL OVERPAYMENT - PAID BY 4 SENIOR DIVISIONS $ 17,228.00 ENDING BALANCE $ 25,820.00

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Secretary’s Report

Submitted by Paul Keane, USGAA Secretary

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All,

On behalf of USGAA, I would like to welcome everybody to Virginia Beach for the 2017 edition of our Annual Convention, hosted this year by Coastal Virginia GAA. We thank the Host Committee for their organization of the various logistics, and look forward to a very successful weekend.

A warm welcome is particularly extended to Ambassador Mulhall, who took office earlier this year and is attending his first USGAA national event. I am sure he will witness some engaging debate as we continue to map out the future of GAA in this country.

Once again, 2017 has been a busy year both on and off the playing field – stretching from GAA Congress early in the year, to the recent USGAA finals, and providing many noteworthy moments in between.

GAA Congress 2017 GAA Congress took place in Croke Park, Dublin, from February 23rd-25th.

While at Congress the USGAA Delegation had a number of formal meetings with various units, including: Munster Council; New York Board; GAA Player Welfare Officer; GAA Insurance Officer; GAA Development Committee; LGFA; Camogie Association; GPA; O’Neills; GAAGO; Each of the 5 Presidential Candidates.

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The outcome of motions has been circulated previously, and while there

were some attention-grabbing changes made by the GAA in 2017, the

following are those of particular interest to USGAA:

Passed: Motion 16 — International Units are no longer required to submit all deviations for approval – they are now required to submit only new requests for deviation;

Motions 36, 38 — allow for 3/5th majority where 2/3rd majority was previously required at various Committee and Board levels;

Motion 43 — Sanction deadline brought forward to July 1st;

Motion 44 — Intercounty Players cannot get sanctions until their County has been eliminated from Championship (including qualifiers);

Withdrawn: Motion 22 — Sanction players not allowed to play in USGAA before May 1st. This was withdrawn based on assurances given to the Rules Advisory Committee;

As former Leinster Council Chair, incoming President John Horan is very

familiar with the International element of the GAA through Leinster’s

partnership with Europe GAA – the only other International GAA body

approaching the scale of USGAA.

Therefore, his leadership will be familiar with, and able to assist in addressing, the type of issues faced by USGAA.

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LGFA Congress 2017 LGFA Congress was held in Donegal town on March 3rd and 4th. The following motions affecting the USGAA and playing rules were passed:

Amend Rule 109: • Assigns temporary status to Permits issued to Summer players.

Amend Rule 413: • Extend the compulsory wearing of mouth-guards to adult players.

Amend Rule 421: • Allows for the use of “Point’s shoot-out” to replace a second period of extra time, when teams are level after one period of extra-time.

Amend Rule 438: • Referees can give a free (13-metre’s forward) for any player interfering with a 45-m kick.

Amend Rule 474(a): • Classify “attempting to strike” as a red-card offence.

Amend Rule 518: • Allows the referees to utilize scoring devices in determining scores.

A lot of discussion on the first day of Congress was in regards to the "Injury Fund" in Ireland, which does not pertain to the USGAA. Also, Helen O'Rourke (CEO) spoke on her urging the Irish Government to provide more funding for ladies Gaelic Football, as they do the GAA.

Outgoing President Marie Hickey was elected unopposed for a second three year term beginning in 2018, as were all standing officers of Central Council re-elected.

The 2018 LGFA Congress was scheduled for Louth.

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Camogie Association Congress USGAA did not have any motions on the agenda for what was a well-

attended Camogie Association Congress in Croke Park on March

26th/27th, and included delegates from other International Units in London and Europe.

A presentation to Congress by USGAA drew interest, particularly the

overview around the establishing of a Camogie Development Committee, and the growth potential in new cities. Also highlighted in the presentation was the need for assistance with coaching.

Just prior to Congress, the Camogie Association established a new position of International liaison to the US, and appointed Kathleen Egan to the role. A number of USGAA issues were highlighted during a

meeting with Mary O’Connor (Director of Development), who was representing Kathleen Egan at Congress.

No motions at Congress were of immediate concern to USGAA, but

there will be a motion put forward in 2018 to raise the minimum adult

age from 16 to 18, for the protection of child welfare.

Next year, Congress will move to the first weekend of April and will be held in Kilkenny.

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Divisional Championships and Tournaments

Tournaments continue to be the lifeblood of the year for many clubs, particularly those without Divisional Championships -- they also visibly demonstrate the level of activity that takes place outside National Finals.

However, one ongoing concern is the occasional lack of engagement with USGAA by some Organizing Committees – the situation has significantly improved since 2016, but more work needs to be done on this matter.

As mentioned last year, there are 3 reasons that it is crucially important to keep USGAA informed of all games, both Championship, Tournaments and other:

1. USGAA is ultimately responsible for all GAA activities in our jurisdiction, and we must be fully aware of these activities; 2. In order to pitch USGAA to Partners and Sponsors, USGAA needs accurate data on the number of games\teams\events per year; 3. The Referee Committee should be kept informed as to the experience being gained by those refereeing these games.

In 2018, in addition to getting appropriate pre-approval, USGAA must mandate that Match Reports for all games (Divisional Championship, Tournaments and other) be submitted to USGAA CCC within the specified timeframe.

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Continental Youth Championship

A more detailed report on the CYC is contained elsewhere, but it would be remiss of us not to congratulate Buffalo on their successful hosting of the 2017 CYC – the first time the CYC has gone outside the established rotation of Boston, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia and San Francisco.

The continued growth of the CYC will create occasional challenges, but as an investment in the future, its importance should never be underestimated.

USGAA Finals

Over Labor Weekend, approximately 100 teams descended on Treasure Island, San Francisco to participate in the 2017 USGAA Finals.

In unseasonable, indeed record, temperatures, a total of 99 games were played across the 3 days, providing us with many entertaining encounters and 16 National Champions (Listed elsewhere).

What is noteworthy is that a significant number of victors were defeated finalists in 2016, and they deserve congratulations for returning stronger this year.

As always, when reviewing successful events, there is a need to take note of issues that may need to be evaluated going forward. With that in mind:

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• While there were some very competitive games, with the last 5 finals on Field 1 having a combined winning margin of 7 points (excluding Extra-time), there were a number of very one-sided games over the weekend – the average winning margin for the 80 Championship games was 12 points, which does appear somewhat large.

• Scheduling of games is almost at the point of being impossible – this year, there were 7 full dual clubs (plus a number of other clubs with overlapping players), 4 of whom were in both Junior C grades and could possibly have had 4 games on Friday.

This will be addressed in a separate conversation later, but to clarify, this is not about a shortage of playing fields, but an actual shortage of time – adding a 6th field or a 7th field will not solve this problem.

• A number of teams who had entered the Shield Competition subsequently withdrew at the last minute due to lack of players. Nevertheless 22 teams did play 19 Shield games, and it is hoped that the Shield Competitions proved valuable to those teams.

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Website and Online Tools

As part of the launch of the new usgaa.org website, a number of webforms were added to streamline administration activities: • Certificate of Liability Insurance requests • Seek approval of Tournaments • Submission of Tournament Reports • Submission of Referee Reports • Password Reset’s

Utilizing these tools will result in greater efficiency and quicker turnaround on various requests.

Transfers and Sanctions process

In 2017, USGAA encouraged its clubs to adopt the various online Transfer Systems, with very successful results – 91% of Inter-county transfers applications were submitted using PTS.

Going forward, GAA Sanctions will be online in 2018, and Croke Park are open to the idea of providing access to PTS for USGAA club-to-club transfers.

Given that there were 1,186 players joining new clubs in 2017, the use of online tools will streamline the process for all involved.

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Player Insurance

For the past 3 years, USGAA has offered a Player Injury Insurance scheme that has been mandated to all clubs in 4 divisions – Chicago, Northeast, Philadelphia and Western.

A detailed Insurance Report is included separately, but there are some items worth noting here:

• The number of claims initiated has dropped slightly (39 to 36), but still runs at about 9-10 claims per division. • However, the claim amount has increased approximately 90% to

$197k, which is split 52% Female-48 % Male; • The amount paid out-of-pocket by the 15 claimants whose cases processed to completion was $7,500 – the remaining $190k was either paid or negotiated by the Insurance Carrier. • The average age of those 15 claimants was 28.4 years old.

Later today there will be discussion on the future direction of this matter, and I do expect healthy yet constructive debate.

However, I would urge caution against USGAA leaving itself in a position whereby a member of this organization is injured playing our games, and cannot pay their medical costs – for whatever reason.

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