A Chairde Gael – Dear Friends

As 2023 draws to a close, we reflect on what has been a momentous year for the club. Eighteen years ago, a small group of people came together with an ambitious vision to set up a hurling club in Ballyvary. Few from the village had ever attended a hurling match before, let alone managed one. However, with the support of the local community, local hurling clubs, and Mayo GAA, Ballyvary Hurling Club recruited its first coaches, purchased equipment, and invited children from the locality to their first training session. It wasn’t long before our underage teams were competing at the high standard set by more established clubs.

Some of that first cohort of players who started the club approached the club in late 2022 with a proposal to set up an adult team, and in March 2023, Ballyvary Hurling Club made history when they fielded their first-ever adult team. This was a pivotal event for the club, which now means that our underage players can continue to play with the club.

While the club has grown, it has managed to do so within its existing resources, its small pool of volunteers, and within its limited budget. In 2023, the club, in consultation with its membership and local stakeholders, and with support from Mayo GAA, will be launching its 3-year Strategic Plan.

In order for the club to maintain momentum, we are asking our friends and supporters, at home and abroad, to take part in our Christmas Prize Draw. Raffle tickets and lines are available from our members and in our local businesses. For the first time ever, we are leveraging technology to allow all of you who are living away to take part in the raffle. Thank you for your continued support for Ballyvary Hurling. And we have one more small ask! Can you please spread the word to your friends and relations through your social media channels?