Harps Strategic Review Report

[Mr A]

There's a summary HERE (http://www.finnharps.com/News/091019ReviewReleased.htm) plus you can download it in full. The PDF is very big, a smaller version will be available tonight some time.

It won't be a cure all, and certainly it should be revisited in a few years, but I think it's a good thing when a club admits its not realising its potential and makes an honest attempt to improve things. While our report obviously isn't entirely relevant to all other clubs in the LOI, I think most would benefit from a good look at how they do things.

The proposals will be either accepted in full or rejected at a club EGM on Sunday.

[Mark]

Very comprehensive and detailed report. Personally, I'd hope its accepted in full. Well done all concerned.

[Ezeikial]

I see some remarkable similarities in the concepts to those currently being put into practice at Dundalk, particularly in relation to the development of the club beyond an exclusive focus on the 1st team. While the Finn Harps proposals focus on development of partnerships with the wider football community in Donegal, the Dundalk model is much broader with programmes that are designed to integrate the club deeper into the general community (business, ethnic, schools, other sporting, civic, voluntrary groups etc etc) rather then only local football clubs and leagues.

Goodwill, positive perceptions, and awareness of mutual benefits are seen as important in attracting not just additional active supporters but also expanding the base of people willing to contribute financially to various initiatives.

Dundalk FC also recently appointed a Communications Manager whose main brief is to improve lines of communication with all the stakeholders, but especially the fans. So far so good, as recently demonstrated by a fairly slick presentation to over 100 invited supporters who expressed an interest in playing a more active role in the running of the club.



Football Development.
The report highlights the need to focus more on underage and youth development, as well as the need to play a role with other local clubs and leagues in Donegal in promoting and improving soccer in the county.



The report outlines the need to focus on Finn Harps as a Club in the sense that it is much more than just a 1 st Team.
Greater focus is recommended on youth development and a specific position on the Board is proposed in this regard.
The report outlines that much can be achieved if Finn Harps and other local clubs / leagues develop and work on an integrated approach to soccer development in the county. In this regard it is also recommended that the Club gets involved in and promotes the setting up of a Football Development Partnership in Donegal in consultation with the FAI and local soccer bodies, with a view to developing and improving linkages within the soccer community in the county.
Improved communication.

Greater communication with shareholders is recommended via a mid season information meeting to be held, every year.
The committee outline that the Club needs to examine its public relations with fans, media and so forth, and that events / matches should be promoted better.

[cheifo]

Ezekiial I presume your CPO is the person mandated to work with voluntary groups etc?

Are these joint fundraising initatives or ongoing partnerships? It would be interesting to hear a little about how these programmes work in practise.

thanks

[corkharps]

A big YES vote this evening! Onward and upwards for Harps!;)

[Ezeikial]

A big YES vote this evening! Onward and upwards for Harps!;)

Thats the easy bit done!

[corkharps]

Thats the easy bit done!

I know what you mean but that wasn't one bit easy!

[Ezeikial]

I know what you mean but that wasn't one bit easy!

Was there any reasonable arguments opposing it, or just the usual ego based stuff?

[Mr A]

People had some legitimate concerns- especially as to whether we'd get people for the seven board roles.

However, I think we were able to answer most of the concerns pretty well.

The hard part is getting seven good people into the roles obviously, if we can do that the future is bright for FHFC.