Hello to all,
As you will be aware, we’ve been busy since the start of the year processing new and renewing memberships for the 2022 season.
The membership increase came into effect from last Wednesday, 2nd February and in the two weeks prior to that we had 469 memberships purchased. Our club registrar, Nicky Weir, will be working her way through these over the coming weeks. This can take some time, ensuring everyone is setup with their GAA membership number on the Foireann system at the correct rate. If you have still to purchase your membership, click here to make a payment. Please note: Without membership, players are not insured.
A few questions have come to committee members over the last fortnight from a number of members requesting further information. These were mainly around the areas of Coaching and Payment Categories:-
“Why do coaches have to pay to coach?”
This question comes up regularly in every club, across the county. If you are a coach with a team in the club, when purchasing your membership, you should request the ‘Adult Non-Player’ option… unless you also play for the club, then you’d be selecting ‘Adult Player’.
Some people thought ‘Social’ was the option here, but that doesn’t provide full voting rights or permission to take part in the day to day activities of running a club.
According the the GAA Membership Guidelines:
Adult-Player and Adult-Non Player are covered under the following “5.1.1 Full Membership may be granted to persons Over 18 years (i.e. shall have celebrated their 18th birthday prior to January 1st of the Membership Year) who subscribe to and undertake to further the aims and objectives of the Club and the GAA.“
Social Memberships: “5.1.4 Social Membership may be granted to persons Over 18 years, as defined above, who subscribe to and undertake to further the aims and objectives of the Club and the GAA, but who do not seek full voting rights and rights to take part in the administrative affairs of the Club or the GAA.”
“Why are there so many options to chose from?”
On the Membership purchase form on ClubZap there are 8 options, here is a list for all and a brief description to help.
- Nursery: Covers all girls and boys aged 5 to 7 that attend the Nursery on Saturday mornings.
- 1st Youth (including Minors): If you’re registering 1 child or more, this is the rate that the 1st child listed will be charged at.
- Subsequent Youth (including Minors): the system will automatically charge this rate for every other child up to 16 years
- Family: This is the rate that will be applied once you go over €350 with total number of memberships for the year.
- Adult Player: If you are an adult player on either mens or ladies teams this is the rate you pay.
- Student / Unemployed Player: If you are in 3rd level education, on an Apprenticeship or Unemployed: this is the rate you pay.
- Adult Non Player: if you coach or help out on the pitches with teams, this is the rate you pay.
- Social, No Voting Rights or Ticket Applications: If you wish to be a member of Westmanstown without additional benefits, ie holding a vote at the AGM, EGM, Requesting Tickets for Games as allocated by county board. (This option is suitable for all those who wish to make an annual contribution to the clubs finances)
“When do memberships have to be paid?”
The GAA membership year runs from January 1st to the 31st December. Persons must have their Club fees paid on a date prior to March 31st as set out by the Club and be registered in order to have a vote at any Club meeting in the upcoming membership year. Please Note: Playing members at all ages need to be registered as a member to play in matches for insurance purposes. Without membership, players are not insured.
“Is there a way to pay my membership in instalments?”
If anybody attached to the club finds themselves in financial difficulty and they are under pressure to pay their membership, please reach out to the club registrar (email: registrar.gardagaa.wmtgaels@gmail.com) and your request will be handled in strictest confidence.
Many thanks,
GWGaels Club Executive Committee
