Mayo launches plan to reinvigorate handball

Plans are afoot to inject new life into an old game with a five-year strategic plan for handball in Co Mayo unveiled to great fanfare last month.

That’s in no way to say there’s not already a great vibrancy about the sport throughout the county, but readily identifiable is the over-reliance on just a few clubs to facilitate all those who are playing the game within the county.

At present, there are 13 clubs with Killala set to make that 14 in the very near future, but it’s the intention of those at the helm of handball to broaden the base of players by offering the game as a desirable alternative to off-season training for footballers, hurlers and camogie players alike.

Older generations will remember when every village and crossroads in Co Mayo could boast a handball alley and when the sport was popularly played. The aspiration of Mayo GAA Handball is for the game to rise and flourish again, hence the launch of the 5-year strategic plan. The plan contains clear overall objectives and associated actions aimed at greatly enhancing player numbers – male and female – and playing standards, both for health and wellbeing and competitive success. Mayo has enjoyed many notable individual successes at adult and juvenile levels in national and world competitions but in recent years, those successes have dwindled somewhat, particularly at juvenile level.

“This strategic plan recognises the challenges Mayo GAA handball has faced over recent years while establishing a purposeful set of forward-looking actions based on a strong history of participation and success in the game within our county,” says Ciarán Burke, the chairperson of Mayo Handball.

“We see a great opportunity for the game to enrich and expand the GAA community because handball, in addition to being a very exciting and enjoyable sport in its own right, is an excellent complement to other Gaelic games. It can help young persons develop several transferrable skills and is a very inclusive sport built upon a strong culture of collegiality and respect,” added Burke.

The number of people playing handball in Mayo is in decline with a number of clubs having folded or teetering on the edge of existence, while in the past 10 years only one new club has affiliated. At present, the clubs who are registered in Co Mayo are Aughagower, Ballaghaderreen, Ballinrobe, Belcarra, Bofield, Carnacon, Castlebar, Charlestown, Claremorris, Kiltimagh, Newport, Swinford and Tuar Mhic Éadaigh. There are also some national and secondary schools who have handball facilities but it’s the vision of Mayo GAA Handball to make the county a leader in terms of both players and facilities with its mission being to develop all aspects of the game through proactive interaction with clubs, schools and colleges.

Some of the research informing this strategic plan identified that many of the current handball alleys in Mayo are in need of refurbishment and that a majority of clubs currently have no juvenile development. There is also an over-reliance on a small number of administrators while there is also a need to develop steady streams of income through sponsorship, fundraising and grants.

“This plan sets out several key focus areas to be developed over the target period,” Ciarán Burke explained. “In developing this plan, we reflected on the current condition of the game within Mayo, acknowledging decreased numbers of clubs and members and reduced success, particularly at juvenile level in provincial and national competitions.” 

He added: “The successful implementation of this plan will depend upon a strong working relationship with the Mayo GAA County Board, local sport partnership groups and GAA Handball.

“Our deep history and success within the game are the cornerstones of the association within the county and with this base along with expended support, Mayo GAA Handball can deliver this strategic plan.”