News - 06/12/2002
By Stephen Swann
Development Plan Begins...
Messrs. Burgess, Hermon and Swann were tasked at the November Committee Meeting to produce a Club Development Plan - a plan which would tackle every aspect of the running of the Club.
The first meeting of the "Development Planners" resulted in the guys performing a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats to the uninitiated). The result of the SWOT analysis can be found below.
The guys also decided to tackle areas of interest individually before our next meeting:
 Alan Burgess will tackle the topics of Membership, Finance, Coaching (Training) & Umpiring.
At a high level, Alan will attempt to document our current processes surrounding training, our current accounting methods and our membership makeup. He will also produce a plan to improve each area with measurable and realistic targets.
For instance, a target of an individual training programme for the 1st XI squad by the end of the season, or player assessments to be complete for the start of next season, or the introduction of a new fee structure by 2003/2004.
Alan has a very difficult task but requested tackling these issues as he feels passionately about them. His experience on the finance world will be of great benefit when it comes to realigning the work of the Honorary Treasurer!
 Neal Hermon will tackle Facilities & Equipment, Social and Team Performances.
Neal, like Alan, will document our current situation and produce a plan for improvement. He will look INTO areas such as tournaments, touring, balls, nets & pitches.
His major target, however, will be to provide targets for each of the teams within the Club with a view to ensuring that each member of the Club is aware of what the targets/challenges are for their team.
 Stephen Swann will tackle Club Communication, Management & Policy Making.
Stephen has the easy task of describing the current communication methods used by Club officials and improving them. For instance, it may be worthwhile to allow members to UPDATE their contact details securely through the website, thus ensuring up-to-date information is held.
He will also look closely at the Executive Committee and Club Constitution with an attempt to clearly define the "job descriptions" of the committee members and highlight improvements to the management of the Club.
The SWOT analysis was a quick 15 minute brain dump and will probably be added to in the future. It currently stands as follows:
STRENGTHS
Strong feeder system INTO Club hockey via B.R.A.
Current integration with B.R.A. via Mark Long, Stuart Campbell and Paul Reid
Healthy financial situation
Committed voluntary structure
Award-winning website
Academy Sports Club link
Qualified coaches
WEAKNESSES
No Youth Development Officer
Lack of players progressing through the ranks!
Training time is limited
Poor support for fundraising activities
Lack of qualified non-playing coach
Loss of Grammar school students to Universities
Lack of on-field success, at present
Lack of own pitch within Newtownabbey
Limited Club funds for "major" initiatives
OPPORTUNITIES
Grant aid via Newtownabbey Borough Council
Strong increase in Club membership through continued links with B.R.A.
B.R.A.'s long-term view of laying its own synthetic pitch at Roughfort
Qualified coaches are available
Coaching courses are available
Mercian Youth League Infrastructure is in place
THREATS
The high demands on active volunteers
Mossley Hockey Club's plans for a new pitch
Mossley Hockey Club is still used as a base for B.R.A. at present
If anyone feels that they can contribute to the work of the Development Planners, please do not hesitate to contact them.
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