Growth in clubs shows camogie continuing to enjoy boom
An overall growth in new clubs of 23% between 2003 and 2013 is the stand-out figure in the report of Camogie Association chief executive Joan O’Flynn to Congress, which takes place today and tomorrow in Armagh City.
The growth in new clubs by province breaks down as a 34% increase in Connacht, 27% in Leinster, 22% in Munster and 11% in Ulster.
“Sometimes when you’re involved in the day-to-day stuff, it’s head down, so it’s good to look back over a decade and see the growth,” said O’Flynn yesterday.
“There have been critical moments, game-changers which facilitated the growth in clubs. One was statutory funding, which is backed up by funding from the GAA and commercial interests.
“The growth in clubs is backed by investment in the sport as a whole, which shows camogie represents good value for investment. There’s a return for the money you put in.
“Hopefully from that and ongoing investment, what can emerge is a female sporting culture. While investment is very important, that’s coming from a very low baseline, but at least for camogie — and other sports — it’s heading in the right direction and there’s a positive return.
“When you create the opportunity, people take the opportunity. It’s about creating an environment and culture where people are interested in trying the sport, enjoying the sport and then the sport grows.”
