Do you need a reminder to join the Tipperary Supporters Club?
Are you one of those that means to join the Tipperary Supporters Club every year but forget to do so? Well this is your reminder.
At the 31st Annual General Meeting of the Supporters Club held in the Anner Hotel, Thurles on Tuesday of last week, chairman John Tierney revealed that of the 2,488 paid up members in 2017, around 500 were new, and generally that is the case every year as it is not that supporters refuse to join, it is that they forget or are waiting to be asked.
This is one aspect included in the Supporters Club Strategic Plan 2018-2020 which was launched on the night. One area will be to develop a stronger link with the clubs, and hope to have one membership promoter in each club.
“By drawing up a Strategic Plan, we will not rest on our laurels and look to see in what areas we can improve our support of the Tipperary team,” said John Tierney.
The statement of goals in the plan includes, developing a stronger working committee within the Supporters Club, to increase funding available to the supporters clubs through greater promotion of events and corporate sponsorship, and getting more new members to join, particularly younger ones as the majority of members are over the age of 40. They hope to increase membership by 200 per year with a long term target of having 5,000 members a year.
In 2017, the Tipperary Supporters Club, exceeded the €3 million mark in its fundraising efforts. Set up by Michael 'Babs' Keating in 1986, the past year saw an increase in membership with 200 extra members joining in 2017, unsurprisingly off the back of Tipperary's All Ireland success.
Income overall was almost the same as 2016 at €144,529. The increase in membership and the Fun Run, in association with the Camogie Board, off-set the fact there there was one less golf classic in 2017 as an extra event was held on the weekend of the All Ireland final the previous year.
Less expenses for items such as printing, car stickers, membership gifts and match tickets, it meant €136,750 was provided to support the Tipperary senior hurlers, to cover aspects of their preparation, such as, the payment of the physical trainer, dietician, physiotherapist and doctor.
The Tipperary senior hurling panel were represented by captain Padraic Maher, Brendan Maher and Seamus Callanan, and selectors Declan Fanning and Conor Stakelum, with Stakelum speaking on their behalf saying: “the players and management appreciate everything the Tipperary Supporters Club do for us. They are an integral part of our preparations each year as they provide us with only the best.”
Looking ahead to the coming season, Stakelum said everyone within the squad is driven to achieve success. “We failed last year and didn't get to where we want to be, but with your help, ní neart go cur le chéile (there is no strength without unity)”.
Membership (€40) of the Tipperary Supporters Club for 2018 is now open and this years benefits include: a specially-designed Supporters Club cap; all members are entered into a prize draw for championship match tickets for all Tipperary Senior games; a membership card with which you can avail of a 10% discount in the Tipperary GAA Shop Lár na Páirce and other businesses; a Car Sticker; text alerts for all League and Championship teams; regular news to your email about all the latest in Tipperary GAA circles. New this year, Tipperary Supporters Club members will be eligible to vote for the official 2018 Tipperary Senior Hurler of the Year award at the end of next season.
To join, go to www.tippsupportersclub.com, Lar na bPairce Thurles, or there will be membership drives at all Tipperary home games in the National League.