In recent years the club’s success can be measured by increased membership, with a 320% increase in members between 2000 – 2010, these new members have gained access to the Lough as a result of good quality club activities. During the period 2009/10 the club increased its membership from a handful at the start of the decade to almost 80 members last year, with 27% of these members being under the age of 18. Another interesting statistic is that 53% of the members are boat owners, this is a reflection of how accessible the club has made boating to none boat owners, with plans this year to increase the ability for a greater number of non boat owners to enjoy the facilities at Ballyronan
In 2005 the club developed and adopted a 5 year strategic plan which was submitted to Cookstown Council and the NI Sports Council, this plan was a very ambitious plan with new activities for the club to deliver at Ballyronan, such as more involved development of racing teams, increase youth development and formal and accredited training, this year in 2010 all of these ambitions have been achieved. For the club to realise their ambitions, they acquired a fleet of training boats and safety boat and equipment, which is used during training and racing.
The club has also recognised the importance of increasing the social side of club, with various different social activities such as family camping trips to Rams & Coney Island and the festival of lights competition which is held late August every year.
In respect of all of these items the club feels it has achieved, if not exceeded its aspirations, with increased junior members racing and representing Ballyronan at different events on the Lough and beyond. One of the clubs most recent achievements was winning a major ocean race which included 5 a man team exclusively from Ballyronan Boat Club.
For the last two years the club has been working to become a fully recognised Royal Yachting Association training centre, which is now in place. With this now finalised the Ballyronan Boat Club now wants to start delivering fully recognised Royal Yachting Association accredited qualifications which are recognised worldwide.
This will further raise the clubs profile in terms of professional training and boating, and as a result of this the club will be marketed and promoted by the RYA on its website and brochures, which is regarded as the information gateway for boating around the world and will increase the profile of Ballyronan, bringing increased economic benefits to this area.
This year the Ballyronan Boat Club will be offering training which will enable those looking to sail, wind surf or just be a bit more serious about water based activities and Commodore Connor McGuckin states “we are looking forward to becoming one of the best inshore water based training centres in Northern Ireland, and with the continued support of club members Cookstown Council & Traad & Ballyronan Development Association, I’m confident we will realise this” |
