Good Morning all

As we approach the end of another busy year, I'd like to give our members an update on what's been happening across the club over recent months and what the plans are for 2023.

Following a very successful Indoor & Outdoor Track and Field season earlier in the year, the focus from August onwards was a variation of Cross Country preparation, marathon training & general winter base training as many athletes prepare for the Indoors in the new year.

The club saw some strong performances in both Leinster and National cross country championships as our athletes and coaches made the trips to Dundalk, Kilkenny, Donegal and Cork in various tropical conditions which resulted in many medals for Celbridge AC.

A record number of Senior and Fit 4 Life members took on the Dublin City Marathon (among other marathons)  this year which culminated in Martin, David & Garry picking up National team bronze medals while Martin became National Marathon Champion, an achievement we marked recently in the club training centre, congratulations again lads.

We are approaching the end of the first year using our Indoor Training Centre having opened up last Christmas. The facility has proved a huge benefit for all groups within the club, from our obstacle courses for our youngest athletes, to weekly S&C sessions for others, but I think it's fair to say it has added another dimension for the club and its members.

There has been many more highlights for the club this year such as the hosting of many events;

• The primary schools Cross Country competitions
• Both our local and County Community Games Championships
• County T&F Championships
• 2 weeks of the biggest Summer Camps in Ireland
• Staging of our Annual Road Race in August
• Presentation from HerSport.ie on challenges and opportunities for young girls in Sport
• Another year of a successful Couch to 5k program
• Our continued sharing of facilities with Special Olympics group Celbridge Condors & Celbridge Autism Initiatives 

As we look to the new year, we focus our mind firmly on completing the upgrade of our floodlights on our grass track, and the installation of floodlights on our 400m back track. We have agreed on our partner on this project and are waiting on the final sign off from Sport Ireland before agreeing specific dates for the project, we will update through our social media channels in the new year.

As you may know, we moved on to our new Membership & Communications portal ClubZap early in 2022. On the back of a record breaking year for membership numbers, we are pleased to open registration for 2023 at the same rates as this year and would urge our members to re-register in the coming days and weeks. For anyone competing in the upcoming county indoor championships or any other event, you will need to be registered with the club and Athletics Ireland in advance.

For both Juvenile and Senior members, your annual membership includes;

• Athletics Ireland annual registration
• Entry fees to County, Leinster & National Championships, both Indoor & Outdoors competitions (subject to limits where appropriate)
• Supervised (where appropriate) access to our Indoor training centre 7 days a week, times agreed with your coach
• All athletes must register to be insured while training or competing with the club

To register for 2023, please visit https://www.celbridgeac.com/membership_signup and for any registration questions, you can email Sandra at  celbridgeacreg@gmail.com

Once you register with Celbridge AC, there is no further action required by you with Athletics Ireland

The below is the approved management committee for 2023.

Chairperson: John Connors
Vice Chairperson: Sandra McLaughlin
Secretary: Sophia O’Hara
Treasurer: Michael Kennedy
Assistant Treasurer: Tracy Minnock
Development Officer: Derek Tipping
Child Welfare: Derek Gilmartin / Arlene Higgins
Competition Secretary: Sandra Connors
Registrar: Sandra McLaughlin
County Rep: John Connors
Leinster Rep: Majella McGrath
P.R.O: TBC Jan 23
Coaches Rep: TBC Jan 23
Fit 4 Life Rep: TBC Jan 23
Senior Rep: TBC Jan 23

As we close out another record breaking year, I would like to thank all of our athletes, parents and coaches for their ongoing support making our club one of the best in the country. The time put in by our coaches and committee members is incredible across the year, and our club would not be as strong as it is without your energy, drive and passion.

Merry Christmas & a Happy New  Year, see you all in 2023.

Thank you

John Connors

Celbridge AC Chairperson