SPORTS AND SOCIAL PROGRAMME

Sports and Social events have been the mainstay of Macra clubs since the foundation of the organisation and one of the primary aims of Stephen Cullinan himself, after the provision of agricultural education for rural young people, was to get them together on a social basis. The Oxford dictionary describes the word social as meaning "living or preferring to live in a community rather than alone" and this is surely why Macra came into being in the first place. A club meeting itself could be described as a social event. The sports side of the programme evolved from club meetings when groups decided they would like to do something together.
Sports and social events come naturally into club programmes and are now present at county and national events.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE SPORTS AND SOCIAL PROGRAMME

To improve the quality and variety of social and sporting activities open to rural young people.

It is hoped that this will be achieved through the following objectives -

   ·    Complementing the existing activities enjoyed in clubs by encouraging members to try new activities, thus adding variety to the club programme
   ·    Promoting teamwork, a sense of fair play, healthy lifestyle, personal fitness and development of skills
   ·    Providing a variety of opportunities for members to interact socially at club/county and national level
   ·    To contribute to the overall development of the member

The Sports and Social Programme comes under the umbrella of the National Programmes Sub-Committee and it will be introduced in two phases over a three year period. Training for county officers to oversee this programme area will be provided at the County Officer Training weekend.

Phase one includes an emphasis on national sports competitions which will run in conjunction with some of the major social events already in place, e.g. the national basketball competition will take place during the Queen of the Land weekend in November. A complete list of these competitions are included in the national calendar and rules and application forms are included in the appendix to this book.

Phase two will look at expanding the sports activities from the more popular football and hurling to activities such as clay pigeon shooting, fishing etc., with training and rules accessed to allow clubs and members to try them. Regional and national training may be organised for sports that have not sufficient interest in any one local area.

On the social side there are a number of proposals for new events such as:

   ·    The twinning of clubs in adjoining counties for social events
   ·    The promotion of club exchanges with pre-exchange visits
   ·    Summer gatherings on a regional basis like the "North West Summer Fest"
   ·    Reviewing the format for the Rally
   ·    A national presentation of prizes event.

Social events will also be expected to adhere to a certain standard with quality and professionalism being the key aim. With this is mind organisational skills will be included in the training provided for county and club officers.

The Sports and Social Programme is bringing together events that have been happening together with ideas and initiatives for new events which will be given support by the provision of information and training. It is hoped that clubs and counties/regions will set targets at the beginning of the year to ensure that sports and social events are included in club/county programmes.

Social events to choose from -

   ·    Golf and Pitch and Putt courses

   ·    Bowling

   ·    Horses - make a club outing to a local riding school, perhaps the trip could be run in conjunction with other clubs in the area

   ·


Hill walking - is a growing past-time in Ireland, check out you nearest club by contacting the Association for Adventure Sports (AFAS) at the House of Sport, Longmile Road, Dublin 12

   ·    Festivals - make a trip to a festival/arts event contact AOIFE (Association of Independent Festivals and Events) at 0402/32214

   ·    A night with a difference - For fun and variety hold a theme night and invite other clubs e.g. Caribbean night, barn dance, a mid-year Christmas party etc.

   ·    Roving supper - plan a five course meal ... having each course in a different house!