Issue link: http://digitaleditions.uberflip.com/i/1518204
8 | SPRING 2024 | www.ladiesgaelic.ie NEWS & SHORTS The Club Compás Programme gives Clubs a digital self-assessment tool to review their performance and get direction on how to address any operational shortcomings. Each Club receives a bespoke self- assessment report that scores their performance against best practice. This report also gives them advice on 'what to do next' and learning resources available to assist. Once the self-assessment aspect of the programme is fully operational, Clubs will have an option to submit applications to become accredited Clubs and receive rewards in recognition of their commitment to good governance. The Club Compás has been developed to help clubs: Encourage Club Planning: by providing Clubs with insights into their current performance and resources to guide action planning conversations among the Club Executive and Sub-committees. Improve Club Governance Standards: by increasing awareness and adoption of the key rules, policies, and tasks relevant to all Clubs. Simplify Volunteer Workload: by streamlining the information and documentation Clubs are routinely asked to provide to Counties, Provinces, Central Council, and the GAA's sister organisations. Support Evidence-Based Decisions: by gathering data on Club performance to inform planning and resourcing decisions and helping Clubs to benchmark their performance against other Clubs. Reward Clubs: by giving them recognition of their commitment to good governance. For more information on the club compás initiative, visit https://ladiesgaelic.ie/lgfa-hub/clubs/club- compas/ Mary O'Connor of St. Brigid's Club in Dublin received the Gradaim an Uachtaráin 2024 in early February. These prestigious annual awards, organised with the support of AIB and broadcast by TG4, are made by GAA President Larry McCarthy to acknowledge outstanding commitment and long service across the club and county network. The awards are a cross-section of people who have shared the common theme of making an inspirational impact on their code and also their club and community. There are provincial, educational, and Irish language awards, as well as awards recognising contributions made to Ladies football and Camogie, World GAA, and handball. Mary's love of Ladies Gaelic Football began over 20 years ago in St. Brigid's GAA Club in Dublin, when she volunteered to coach her daughter's football team, with no prior experience, to ensure her daughter and many more girls had the opportunity to play. Since then, her love and involvement with Ladies Gaelic Football has blossomed. Mary has filled a plethora of extremely significant positions within the world of Ladies Gaelic Football. From being put forward as the Dublin LGFA County Board Delegate for St Brigid's in 2007, to being elected as Dublin County Secretary in 2013, a position she still holds to this day, Mary has overseen the huge growth of Ladies football within the capital with membership figures for the Association increasing by approximately 21,000 in this 10-year period. Uachtarán CLG Larry McCarthy said: "The GAA is powered by the selfless dedication of people who commit to serving something bigger than themselves. "Gradaim an Uachtaráin affords us the chance to recognise individuals who are responsible for that extraordinary service to Gaelic games. In saluting these deserving recipients, we are mindful that they are ambassadors for the thousands of people who volunteer their time for the development of Gaelic games for the present and future generations." Mary O'Connor receives Gradaim an Uachtaráin 2024