On another forum I saw that Meaths income from commercial ventures and fundraising for 2017 was €740,000.
Mayo's was €1.4m.
I know that money isn't going to solve all our problems but it does make me wonder if we need to be doing more in that front.
On one hand I'm weary of the growing commercialization and professionalism of the GAA. I don't know where it can end but at the same time I really want Meath to be competitive again.
There's only so much we can do as supporters but one thing we can do aside from turning up to games and coaching young lads is putting our hands in our pockets.
From what I can tell our membership in our supporters Club numbers little over 200. I've joined for the last few years but not yet this year as money is tight at the moment. But I will.
While it's nice to get the jacket or the t-shirt that comes with it I'd be happy with the all money just going into the team or the clubs. I see it as my way of contributing and all I want in return is our lads to be competitive again. If I can be that greedy I just want Sam back in the county.
I'm just wondering if there are many on here who haven't joined yet. I think we ought to. I also think we should look at crowdfunding ventures as well. That seems to be going on so much nowadays it's a wonder we aren't doing it yet. It doesn't seem to take much organization and you can set up monthly payments etc.
What are people's thoughts on this. I know there are loads of other good causes too and i don't want to get carried away but it's still an area we could be doing a bit more on.
Funding is just one of many issues, Mayo are a sucessful team which makes them attractive to commercial investment. We will find it hard to attract that type of interest until we at least start to show promise. Its a chicken and egg situtation
Replying To LoyalRoyal: "On another forum I saw that Meaths income from commercial ventures and fundraising for 2017 was €740,000.
Mayo's was €1.4m.
I know that money isn't going to solve all our problems but it does make me wonder if we need to be doing more in that front.
On one hand I'm weary of the growing commercialization and professionalism of the GAA. I don't know where it can end but at the same time I really want Meath to be competitive again.
There's only so much we can do as supporters but one thing we can do aside from turning up to games and coaching young lads is putting our hands in our pockets.
From what I can tell our membership in our supporters Club numbers little over 200. I've joined for the last few years but not yet this year as money is tight at the moment. But I will.
While it's nice to get the jacket or the t-shirt that comes with it I'd be happy with the all money just going into the team or the clubs. I see it as my way of contributing and all I want in return is our lads to be competitive again. If I can be that greedy I just want Sam back in the county.
I'm just wondering if there are many on here who haven't joined yet. I think we ought to. I also think we should look at crowdfunding ventures as well. That seems to be going on so much nowadays it's a wonder we aren't doing it yet. It doesn't seem to take much organization and you can set up monthly payments etc.
What are people's thoughts on this. I know there are loads of other good causes too and i don't want to get carried away but it's still an area we could be doing a bit more on."
Probably a bit of a chicken and egg scenario though, success helps funding and funding helps success.
Mayo are a far better team than Meath, so it's probably far easier for them to gain sponsorship+fundraising since sponsors and donors know Mayo will almost certainly be playing big games in August and September. Since Longford beat them in a 1st round qualifier in 2010, Mayo have played in 10 All Ireland Semi finals and 5 All Ireland finals (including replays). Those are big games that people want to be part of and associated with, so sponsoring the team and donating money becomes easy to do.
They're also in division one every year. Rarely at the top of the table, but never really looking to be relegated either. This exposure to games vs. Dublin, Kerry, Tyrone etc. helps grow the profile too.
Compare to Meath. What can we promise an investor/sponsor/punter? In that same time period since 2010 we've had regular mid table finishes in division 2, with more relegation fights than promotion pushes.
We've also had 2 types of championship performance since 2010: 1. Reach a Leinster final and lose to Dublin, before losing a 4th round qualifier. 2. Lose a provincial quarter/semi before losing a 2nd/3rd round qualifier.
I can't see nearly as many people wishing to part with their money for that.
(I know some people will just thump their chest and say we're better than Mayo; "Mayo fear Meath, 1996, Colm Coyle blah blah blah" but at the moment they are on another plane at senior, club, underage, organisational level etc. and we can't compare)
Replying To LoyalRoyal: "On another forum I saw that Meaths income from commercial ventures and fundraising for 2017 was €740,000.
Mayo's was €1.4m.
I know that money isn't going to solve all our problems but it does make me wonder if we need to be doing more in that front.
On one hand I'm weary of the growing commercialization and professionalism of the GAA. I don't know where it can end but at the same time I really want Meath to be competitive again.
There's only so much we can do as supporters but one thing we can do aside from turning up to games and coaching young lads is putting our hands in our pockets.
From what I can tell our membership in our supporters Club numbers little over 200. I've joined for the last few years but not yet this year as money is tight at the moment. But I will.
While it's nice to get the jacket or the t-shirt that comes with it I'd be happy with the all money just going into the team or the clubs. I see it as my way of contributing and all I want in return is our lads to be competitive again. If I can be that greedy I just want Sam back in the county.
I'm just wondering if there are many on here who haven't joined yet. I think we ought to. I also think we should look at crowdfunding ventures as well. That seems to be going on so much nowadays it's a wonder we aren't doing it yet. It doesn't seem to take much organization and you can set up monthly payments etc.
What are people's thoughts on this. I know there are loads of other good causes too and i don't want to get carried away but it's still an area we could be doing a bit more on."
Like yourself I've been in the supporters club the past few years but just didn't get round to it yet, the supporters club do provide vital income and have funded things like gym equipment and other team related stuff over the years which is important. They can also be supported by paying the car park fee at the back of the stand at PT, I know some of the volunteers there have had various difficulties in getting the few bob off the patrons who often drive by nearly taking a few toes as they do, the supporters club run that gate to raise funds and should be respected for their efforts.