Rebels’ Bounty going live this week

A message from Cork County Board
A Chara,  

 I’m delighted to let you know that Rebels’ Bounty is going live this week.  Tickets will be available on the website gaacork.ie/rebelsbounty from 3pm Friday December 4th.  Each club secretary/draw coordinator will receive brochures in the post shortly to allow for sales to begin in clubs this weekend.  Tickets cost €100 each, and tickets will be sold directly by clubs or on line at corkgaa.ie/rebelsbounty. 

 Rebels’ Bounty, is a new fundraising initiative designed to support Cork players, clubs and county. There is a new spectacular total prize fund of €500,000, with one lucky member set to win €100,000. 

 Rebels’ Bounty will provide clubs with a significant opportunity to raise funds at a time when traditionally fundraising has been impacted by restrictions imposed to prevent the spread of COVID-19.  

 In every monthly draw, there are 30 cash prizes, ranging from €100 to €20,000. In April and August, the top prize will increase to €25,000. In December, a bumper prize of €100,000 will be given away. The first draw will take place on Wednesday, February 24th where prizes will be drawn for January and February 2021. 

 All the funds raised by the Rebels’ Bounty will be directly and indirectly invested in Cork GAA clubs. The draw is designed to ensure that most of the funds are kept locally to help improve facilities and equipment, while the remainder will be used by Cork GAA to invest in programmes such as Rebel Óg and supports for inter-county players.  

 Speaking about the launch of Rebels’ Bounty Tracey Kennedy, chairperson of Cork GAA, said “The Rebels’ Bounty is a unique opportunity for clubs to raise funds locally, and keep those funds locally. This has been a difficult year for all our clubs, and we hope that members across Cork will stake their claim in the Rebels’ Bounty to support players from under 5s to inter-county. We hope that the new prize structure will provide an even better incentive for members to buy and for clubs to sell tickets. This prize fund will be distributed across the entire county. We would like to wish everyone the best of luck, and thank them for their efforts in supporting the future of our clubs and our county.” 

 I was also delighted to commend on the launch of this significant fundraising drive which has the ability to have a lasting impact for all clubs involved, “Following from the launch of One Cork we are now delighted to official announce details of Rebels’ Bounty, marking the beginning of a new fundraising era for Cork Clubs.  We have increased the prize fund to ensure maximum return for our members, with 30 prizes monthly.  We listened to our members and all 30 prizes are now in cash.  2020 has been a unique and difficult year for our clubs and I’m delighted to launch this appeal allowing clubs to raise vital funds at a time when it is extremely hard to do so.” 

 Clubs will receive brochures in the coming days, if you require additional information or have queries at any time, please contact Trina at rebelsbounty@gaa.ie.   

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‘ONE CORK’ – NEW BRAND TO DRIVE FUTURE SUCCESS FOR CORK GAA

Cork GAA has unveiled an ambitious new programme of investment and commercial activity that it expects will realise more than €20m in revenue over the next five years.

 The income – through commercial revenue including; Cork County Board and stadia sponsorship, concerts and stadium rental and advertising – will be used to invest heavily in clubs across Cork, and in a better resourced county structure.

 One Cork amalgamates all of the existing organisations working to further the sport across the county, including the Cork County Board, the Páirc Uí Chaoimh Stadium Board, Cairde Chorcaí, the clubs and the army of dedicated supporters of Cork GAA.

 The ambition of One Cork is to make Cork GAA one of the most successful sporting organisations in the country, both on and off the pitch. By investing properly in clubs, schools and county structures, One Cork will lay the groundwork for future success at every level from Rebel Óg to Inter-County.

 The plan will build upon a series of strategies in key areas, namely sponsorship, commercial opportunities at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, ticket sales and advertising.

 A group of dedicated Cork GAA supporters with vast commercial experience has been working on the commercial strategy for One Cork for a number of months. Their stated goal is to introduce a commercial engine that will deliver the required return to drive a vision and ambition for Cork GAA.

 In terms of sponsorship, One Cork is looking to activate a number of new opportunities that will realise the true potential of a world class stadium like Páirc Uí Chaoimh. This includes the naming rights for elements of “the Páirc”, its development as a national venue for events and its appeal as a year-round destination.

 One Cork will also look at using its existing real estate for new advertising opportunities, using a model that has worked extremely well for other sports.

  One Cork will deepen links with the clubs and their communities. The goal is to ensure that every player, from the 5-year-old starting out to the inter-county star, will see the benefits of the programme. This has already begun with the Rebels’ Bounty, a revamped draw format that will see clubs directly benefit from improved ticket sales.

 Seán Ó hÓrain, Uachtarán CLG said “One behalf of the wider Association I wish Cork well in their endeavours in establishing ‘One Cork’. The project is ambitious and innovative and has the potential, if fully supported by the wider Cork GAA family, to harness the huge goodwill that exists towards our games in what is the biggest county with the largest number of clubs in the GAA”. 

 Tracey Kennedy, chairperson of Cork County Board said, “One Cork realises a long-held ambition to drive Cork GAA forward united, as befits the largest county in Ireland. By embracing this vision of what Cork GAA should be, every member of every club will be on a firmer footing for the future, both in terms of finance and structure. From this point on, there is a single purpose – the success of the entire organisation with a view to benefitting all our players and all our clubs, and ensuring that the Rebel red is once again a regular feature in Croke Park. I would like to thank those who have given so much of their time to putting this plan in place, and I look forward to being part of the team that brings it to fruition.”

 Michael O’Flynn is part of the One Cork steering group. He said, “Cork GAA has always evoked passion from its supporters, but that passion wasn’t always translated into real commercial success that feeds its growth. I am happy to have been asked to lend my support, and I am proud that One Cork has developed a new vision for Cork GAA. Our plan will bring a strong commercial focus to our activities to ensure that at both club and inter-county level the necessary resources are in place to support players. What is crucial now is that we bring a real focus to executing successfully the plans that have been developed. I firmly believe that One Cork will result in tremendous growth at every level of the game, and I would ask every GAA supporter to become part of it”. 

 Ted Owens from Cairde Chorcaí said, “Our mission has always been to help Cork GAA teams to succeed at the highest level. We believe that this objective and our efforts to improve training facilities and support coaching can best be achieved under the One Cork model. Cairde Chorcaí looks forward to now being incorporated into One Cork, and we ask every GAA member here and abroad to fully support the initiative”. 

 The One Cork steering group includes: Kevin O’Donovan (Chairperson), Ted Owens (Vice-Chairperson), Michael O’Flynn, Jim Woulfe, Kieran Calnan, Tracey Kennedy, Marc Sheehan, Diarmuid Gowen, John Mullins, Tomás Mulcahy, Conor McCarthy, Seán O’Brien and Sinéad O’Keeffe.

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Eight-year-old Michael writes poem to show his love for football

A poem sent in by eight-year-old Michael Lynch from Kilcorney National School, Rathcool, Mallow, with his thoughts on football and on Conor O’Callaghan, pictured.

Rebel Óg would like to thank Michael for taking the time to send the poem in.

 

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Rebels Roar – Support our footballers

Although we can’t be there to cheer the players on physically – we plan on doing so virtually and we need YOU! 

We are asking all Cork schools to WEAR RED this coming Friday in support of the Cork Senior Footballers – who are set to play Tipperary on Sunday in the Munster Senior Football Final.

It couldn’t be easier all we need you to do is;

  1. Wear red this Friday. 
  2. Send in a video/picture of select class group/s showcasing your loudest Rebel Roar. Examples include ‘Up The Rebels’. 
  3. Forward all videos and pictures to pro.cork@gaa.ie 

*The group with the loudest roar will receive a special message from team captain Ian Maguire.

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Competitions for next season

Rebel Óg notes and understands, the concerns raised by a number of clubs around the proposed league and championship structures for next season.

To clarify some of the issues surrounding competitions clubs can enter two, three, or even four teams if they have the numbers at the various age groups, as was the case this season.

From U14 up there will be both league and championship for all teams, but league only at C3 level, as is the case at present.

By implementing these changes Rebel Óg is aiming to ensure that all players get both league and championship games at the correct level for them. Stronger U13/15 players will naturally feature on U14/16 teams, but sometimes a player ‘on the age’ then loses out.

But running competitions for second, third, fourth and C3 sides the aim is to ensure all players get meaningful games, and hopefully will continue to play into adult level for their respective clubs.

Below is the email sent to all club secretaries last night.

A number of clubs have queried the proposal to run competitions for second Fe14 and Fe16 teams and also the competitions at Fe13 and Fe15. We wish to address those concerns, as follows:

1. The primary aim of our Fixture Plan is to provide a meaningful and appropriate games programme for all players.

2. Fe13 and Fe15 competitions have, heretofore, been organised to cater for clubs with large numbers of players. These competitions were primarily intended to cater for clubs that could field “on the age” thus allowing a full programme of games at every age group for those clubs. Most clubs in Cork do not enter Fe13 and Fe15; the average number of entries in recent years is 28 at Fe13 and 23 at Fe15 (out of 130 clubs including independent teams). These competitions were run by the Central Region in the past, North, Mid-South, East and West Regions did not run competitions at Fe13 or Fe15.

3. There have been a number of issues relating to the running of Fe13 and Fe15 competitions;

 

(i). Very few clubs field “on the age”. Strong Fe13 players are used to augment the Fe14 team (and sometimes the Fe15 team) resulting in weaker Fe14 players getting limited game time and the stronger Fe13 players playing too many games; the same issue applies to Fe15/Fe16/Minor. This will be particularly relevant in 2021 as the games will almost certainly be run under Covid Guidelines. By having two teams at Fe14 and Fe16 divided into a stronger and weaker team, clubs are providing a full and meaningful programme of games for the broadest number of players, encouraging greater active participation and avoiding the stronger players at Fe13 and Fe15 playing in too many games and the weaker players not getting sufficient meaningful game time.

 

(ii). Rebel Og runs a very full and busy programme of games across all regions. Clubs have regularly objected to playing Fe13 and Fe14 on the same day or on consecutive days, likewise at Fe15 and Fe16; running two teams at Fe14 and Fe16 will significantly address this issue.

 

4. The proposed format allows maximum flexibility for clubs, enabling them to provide a suitable game programme for all of their players, as follows:

(i). A club can enter a first team and a C3 team (where 10 players only are tied, note that there cannot be a championship at C3, under general rule)

(ii). A club can enter a first and second team.

(iii). A club can enter a first and second team and a C3 team. If clubs wish to enter 3rdor 4th

teams this can be accommodated if there are enough entries.

5. Clubs will be required to prove that they have the players to fulfil their entries, if requested. Clubs that enter a second team must submit a list of 15 players who are first team players only. There has been a history recently of clubs entering competitions and then pulling out shortly after competitions start when they realise that they don’t have sufficient numbers of active players to field in accordance with the fixture programme, thus ruining the competition structure for the remaining teams.

6. The second teams will be in a group with second teams only (and 3rdor 4thteams where applicable). Second teams will not be allowed enter in the regional competitions at Division 1, 2 or 3 level, for the reason outlined in point 5 above.

7. Having a second team means that all players will have a season long games programme, including a championship, improving participation at all levels. (Note; There is no championship permitted for Fe13 under General Rule).

8. All other eligible players, outside of the named 15, can play with both teams until championship. Players who play championship with the first team cannot subsequently play with the second team, in accordance with general rule.

9. We recommend that there would be separate mentors for each team, where available.

10. There will be Fe13 and Fe15 competitions organised, commencing in summer for Fe13 and later for Fe15, the format will be decided when the entries are finalised. There will be a minimum of 4 games in each code for each team, where numbers allow.

11. The Fair play rule is to be used, for second teams, in accordance with the regulations of Rebel Óg.

12. Rebel Óg encourages clubs, where possible, to avoid having individual players playing on more than two teams in each code. The purpose of this policy is twofold; to encourage the broadest possible participation in our games and to avoid player burnout. The Official Guide (6.17 Part 1) allows players from 4 years to play in an age group, apart from Fe12 down, where it is limited to 3 years.

Our aims

  • To provide the best playing experience for all of our players.
  • To structure our games programme to allow players of all abilities to reach their potential.
  • To develop and implement a fixtures plan that gives reasonable certainty as to when games will be played to clubs, mentors, players and their families.
  • To improve participation and performance across all age grades and levels of our games.
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Cork minor and U20 games paused

Minor and U20 Competitions

Following clarification from the Department of Sport around the staging of inter-county fixtures, the GAA can confirm that as of midnight this evening, (Wednesday, October 21), all minor and U20 inter-county competitions are paused until further notice.

Accordingly, Saturday’s scheduled EirGrid GAA U20 football final meeting of Dublin and Galway will not take place.

This evening’s Bord Gáis Energy Leinster U20 hurling fixtures will proceed.

Additionally, the GAA’s CCCC has been informed that Longford will not be fulfilling their Allianz Football League fixture with Cork this weekend.

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County Board: No club games in Cork until February 2021 at earliest

At last night’s County Executive meeting, it was decided to postpone the unplayed 2020 Senior and Intermediate County Finals until the weekend of March 5th-7th, 2021, at the earliest.
It is planned to give adequate notice of games to clubs, with an appropriate window of preparation, in advance of finals.
2020 County Championships at Junior A, B and C level will resume on February 5th-7th at the earliest, with a brief period to be allowed for the completion of Divisional championships in early February where required.
There will be no Club games at adult or juvenile level permitted at County Board or Divisional level before Friday, February 5th.
Club U21 competitions for 2020 will not be completed.
Adult club training is prohibited from midnight tonight and non-contact training for school children outdoors in pods of 15 is permitted for the obvious associated health benefits and should not be competition focussed.
Again, we thank all members and your families for your patience during this uncertain time. Stay safe.
Members are urged to continue to comply with the current government restrictions in relation to Gaelic Games below, taken from the‘Resilience and Recovery 2020 – 2021: Plan for living with COVID-19’ framework.
Level 5 will be in place from midnight tonight, Wednesday, October 21st for 6 weeks, with a review after 4 weeks.
Sports and exercise
Gyms and leisure centres are closed.
No training or matches should take place except:
  • Non-contact training for school children, outdoors in pods of 15
  • Behind closed doors, inter-county Gaelic Games
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Club Coach Mentoring Programme

Rebel Óg Coaching are offering coaches of players between the ages 13 and 17 an exciting opportunity to develop their coaching skills and standards through a new mentoring programme.
Coaches who sign up to the programme will receive a series of blended workshops (face to face and on line) in the following areas :
  • Coaching session design/planning
  • Games based methods
  • Athletic development 
  • Technical skill development
  • Creating team structure (with/without the ball)
  • Communication
WHO SHOULD SIGN UP ?
Club coaches (of 13-17 year old boys) who are very keen to improve their own coaching standards and get more from their training sessions. If a coach has completed a Foundation Course and/or Award One Course, this programme would be an additional platform to hone coaching skills and will touch on elements of these courses but will be more practical and individual in focus.
WHAT IS INVOLVED SHOULD I SIGN UP?
The plan is to have coaches attend 6 workshops of 1 hour in duration over the next 3-4 months.
These workshops would be a minimum of 3 on line webinars and face to face content will depend on Covid 19 guidelines.
We would also setup an informal chat group for coaches to interact with each other to discuss particular coaching topics led by a facilitator.
Coaches should be willing to get constructive feedback on their coaching sessions also.
Coaches will have direct back up from their local GDA also once registered.
HOW DO I SIGN UP?
By following the link below and complete the form on or before Tuesday,  October 20.
Please note this form is an expression of interest and does not constitute acceptance on to the programme. Places are limited and coaches may be shortlisted in advance.
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Cork GAA statement

Cork County Executive wishes to remind members that all club games in Cork are currently suspended in line with GAA guidelines. This directive applies to all ages and grades.

We intend to complete our 2020 programme of games when circumstances allow and the CCC will reschedule outstanding fixtures as soon as possible, subject to prevailing government restrictions, GAA guidelines and inter-county championship fixtures.

The remaining thirteen of our sixteen county finals at adult level had been scheduled over the next month and we thank clubs that have qualified for the latter stages of same for your continued patience at this difficult time for members.

No decision has been made on the club U21 fixtures currently outstanding.

Clubs are also reminded that training is permitted under the Level 3 guidelines

  • All underage training must be on a non-contact basis in pods of up to 15.
  • Adult teams can continue to train as normal.
  • All clubs and players are reminded that Health Questionnaires and all other relevant control measures must continue to be followed for club training.

In line with the suspension of games, the launch of Rebels’ Bounty scheduled for Sunday next has been postponed.

Rebels’ Bounty will instead be launched in late 2019 / early 2020 and a meeting of Cork County Committee, which will be devoted solely to this item, will be held when circumstances allow.

This will allow us to comprehensively outline the benefits of the initiative for clubs and to seek formal approval. There will be an extensive communication drive with clubs in the interim.

It is also planned to hold a general County Committee meeting in the near future on a virtual basis.

Finally, we remind members to comply with all current restrictions and guidelines, and we thank you for you continued support.

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GAA suspend all GAA club games

The GAA’s Management Committee has today endorsed a decision to suspend all GAA club games ​at all levels with immediate effect ​and until further notice.

The decision has been taken in the interest of public safety following a number of incidents that have been brought to our attention in recent days. ​In particular, post-match celebrations and a lack of social distancing at certain events have proved disappointing and problematic.

 This directive applies to all ages and all grades across the island.

Club social centres/bars are also to close.

 ​Training will continue to be permitted as per the guidelines outlined for the relevant levels in the Government’s National Framework for Living with Covid-19 and relevant guidelines in the Six Counties.

 The GAA will continue to monitor the situation in the ​coming days and weeks, regarding changes in government guidelines, before liaising with our units accordingly.

 The Association would also like to acknowledge all of those units who have worked diligently in complying with the public health advice around the staging of our games and training sessions since activity resumed.

 More than ever, we ask that you continue with this approach where training sessions for your players is continuing.

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