The sun is shining, it’s early September and the Saturday morning nursery has started back again in Westmanstown. 

Boys and girls aged 5 to 7 from the Clonsilla, Hansfield, Ongar and Lucan areas are having fun, keeping fit while learning the skills of GAA through small games focussing on football, hurling and camogie but, most importantly, they’re starting friendships, friendships that will endure for years to come.

What makes this morning an extra special one is that, today, we announce our first ever sponsor for the nursery section in Westmanstown Gaels as Urbeo; the highly successful Irish property development and rental company, come on board with us for the next 12 months.

This sponsorship has come about as a result of a lot of work that was kickstarted by former Club Chairperson and Commercial Officer, George Kyne and former Juvenile Chairperson, Michael Healy, not to forget the organisation and logistics managed by Club Secretary, Jen Fagan. 

Joining us on the morning were Richard Ball (Partner) and Andrea Lara Barillas (Marketing Manager) at Urbeo. A new O'Neills Westmanstown / Urbeo jersey was presented to all the nursery children and the nursery coaches all received O'Neills half zips with the Westmanstown / Urbeo branding. Our head of nursery, Geraldine Culloty presented Richard with a framed jersey for their offices and Alan Lynch, Juvenile Chair Person, Declan Jennings, Club Games Promotions Officer, Alan Egan and the great crew of volunteer coaches were on hand for some photos.

Attracting such a high profile company is a credit to our club and with two developments already in Hansfield, Clonsilla and several more in the pipeline, it presents us with a wonderful opportunity to tap into a burgeoning member base that previously wasn’t there. A real opening to grow our, already sizeable, footprint in the Dublin 15 community.

This partnership with Urbeo lands nicely at the start of a new season and is the latest in a succession of good news items for our club members. Here is a short roll call of what’s been happening over the last 12 months; 

• Completion of the Ball Wall, sponsored by club member Vinnie Lynch’s company, Party Delights, the knock-on effect of this piece of infrastructure can currently be seen on the pitches of any Club hurling or camogie fixture. 
  
• Completion of the Supporters Wall - Hats off to Tommy Kelly for doing a superb job on this. It’s the focal piece our home grounds needed, and sits handsomely under the arch of Jerome Twomey Park. (It’s worth mentioning, we still have corporate blocks available on the Supporters Wall - these can be engraved, in situ, with your company name and message. If you are interested, just ask any member of the executive committee for more information.)
  
• GWGaels only Dublin club to host National Feile - After the success of our U15G in their camogie finals in May we were invited to host the National Feile on June 25th. This event put a spotlight on our top class facilities and the compliments and positive comments are still being made.
  
• Our senior sections retain our long standing partnership with Circle K and Aramark as main sponsors - thanks must go to Club President, Jim Murphy for this.
  
• Vantage Resources come on board as newest sponsor of the adult Ladies team.
  
• Under14 Boys secure team sponsor with IQ-Nis

All of this sponsorship is a vital part of club operations and is hugely appreciated. The executive committee are always happy to discuss advertising and sponsorship packages if this is of interest to any of our readers.

There was also a number of cost saving ideas aimed at making things easier on our members and their families that kicked in around the club in the last few months: 

Club Swap Shop: The club swap shop offers our club members the chance to bring along any unwanted, unused or outgrown items, they have the option to swap, donate or take away any gear they may need. Boots, helmets, hurleys, shorts, jerseys, tops and jackets were all donated. Swap Shop returns again on the 17th Sept if you have any items you need or need to offload.

Dominos 50% Off Team Deal: There were a number of teams and families that held parties on the Astro pitches over the summer. We have a club deal with Dominos Ongar for 50% off any order over €100. This is available to anyone using the code GAELSGAA. If you are interested in holding a party on the astro pitches contact Anne Egan on 087 965 7620.

Are you a business owner and would like to offer an incentive discount to club members? To discuss further just ask any member of the executive committee.

In conclusion, there are lots of good things happening around the club, the above only covers a few of the ongoing items that we look forward to seeing delivered. The running of the club is very much like the running of a team, we are always looking for willing participants to contribute.

Without new people stepping forward the club cannot progress and develop so it’s on all of us, as members, to build the future.

Gaels Abú!