Shelflife wrote: problem is I don't know any of you and you me, One or two have pics up (SFP looks a bit scary) but its not my style to up to some one and say hi are you SFP or call DIOM DIOM in the clan bar.

if your going to the wasps match for preseaon, ill send you my number and ill meet you after. were on the same flight to toulouse so might as well be nice to each other

usually after games i hang around for a pint, im not scary looking unless we lose games like vs cardiff or glasgow :evil:

other members i spot and know from here hanging around the clan bar are, diom, connolly, gaillimheabu, seen pinky once or twice (also on same flight), Decadence, fourdogs is usually around, sol_ie is also usually there, they also might say hello to you

Just following on from the Toulouse thread.

Im happy to help out as would my son (17). based in Mayo so wouldn't be able to hit meetings on a regular basis but would try to make an odd one.

problem is I don't know any of you and you me, One or two have pics up (SFP looks a bit scary) but its not my style to up to some one and say hi are you SFP or call DIOM DIOM in the clan bar.

If we knew there were meetings on a regular basis then maybe we could pop along and see what the story was. (not having a go).

For me that would help if there was an update here as to whats going on and where its happening. You never know who would pop in with a solution to a problem.

gaillimhabu wrote:

menacethedenis wrote: At the Edinburgh game the sides of the bar had been insulated but the roof was untouched. Where all the heat escapes... Was that being done this week? Just curious

Noticed that too while a lad was working on the insulation during the eagles v leinster a.
Should have asked him about the roof but thought it might be a bit cheeky telling him most of the heat will go via the roof

Was at that game too. Didn't feel I coulkd say anything as I wasn't wearing a hat myself

menacethedenis wrote: At the Edinburgh game the sides of the bar had been insulated but the roof was untouched. Where all the heat escapes... Was that being done this week? Just curious

Noticed that too while a lad was working on the insulation during the eagles v leinster a.
Should have asked him about the roof but thought it might be a bit cheeky telling him most of the heat will go via the roof

At the Edinburgh game the sides of the bar had been insulated but the roof was untouched. Where all the heat escapes... Was that being done this week? Just curious

Guys, we had hoped to ask here for volunteers, but unfortunately there's only enough equipment for 2/3 people to work at a time. We already had four volunteers from the committee for today.

Swift4Prez, you could try getting in touch with Aaron via the email address in the link above or else give the branch a buzz in the morning.

It's coming along very nicely by the way, a lick of paint makes a big difference!

swift4prez wrote: not sure if its the right place but if people can see and read it, it will do. not worth new thread.

connacht rugby posted this on facebook and added a picture.

A big thank you to Aaron Turner for working on painting the Clan Bar today. With some more help tonight and tomorrow from Clan members the bar should be looking good for Friday night.

i dont know Aaron and dont know if he's on twitter to ask him, but how did he know about this to help out. connacht say ''With some more help tonight and tomorrow from Clan members'' but how are they selected.
im here bored and wouldnt mind doing my bit there to spend the day and interact with fellow clan members/rugby heads.

is there a place to leave you name as a volunteer? couldnt make tonight as for short notice but wouldnt mind helping out tomorrow if needed with others.

anyone with info comment

Aaron is on the Clan committee, but pretty sure in his day job he's not a painter and decorator.

www.connachtclan.com/about-the-clan/clan-committee

I've said this loads of times already, the Supporters Club needs a means for supporters to offer their expertise and they need to reach out and ask for it.

The Committee should be more of a brains trust, idea's people and recruiting volunteer Clan members to actually implement the ideas for most events / projects...

not sure if its the right place but if people can see and read it, it will do. not worth new thread.

connacht rugby posted this on facebook and added a picture.

A big thank you to Aaron Turner for working on painting the Clan Bar today. With some more help tonight and tomorrow from Clan members the bar should be looking good for Friday night.

i dont know Aaron and dont know if he's on twitter to ask him, but how did he know about this to help out. connacht say ''With some more help tonight and tomorrow from Clan members'' but how are they selected.
im here bored and wouldnt mind doing my bit there to spend the day and interact with fellow clan members/rugby heads.

is there a place to leave you name as a volunteer? couldnt make tonight as for short notice but wouldnt mind helping out tomorrow if needed with others.

anyone with info comment

Have to agree with you, I feel that a family area is important but is not forced upon families.

The ability to bring kids to games is hugely important. Many mothers allow Husbands go to games if they bring along the kids. I remember myself as a young lad the big days out going to game but not having the attention span to last a whole game. If we were to make them feel more welcome the family attendance would help us boost our numbers.

I have witnessed parents with young kids in the clan stand and I cant see it being too enjoyable for them. They turn around for a second and the kid has disappeared in the crowd or else has been blocked by somebody. I would say a number of them would appreciate a family area where there is space for the kids but still a suitable view for the parents.

The clan is the hotspot, as we see by season tickets, and nobody likes having to mind someone in a busy place. If parents decide to do so then that is their decision. If a family area was available I could see it being a success for busy games. But I dont think we should put the parents off bringing kids and should actually encourage it.

I personally think a family area is a good idea, but I don't think kids/families should be pushed into it. The designated family area would be the place to go for a more family friendly environment, but some/most people will prefer to stick with their preferred spot, be it the clan terrace or whatever. If people choose to go into the Clan with their kids, then they should anticipate the possibility of some colourful language, and a more crowded environment. If kids get bored and want to sit down playing their DS, then let them. I've been bored many times at our games so it's hard to blame them. Bottom line is, parents need to have some common sense, and keep an eye on their kids. No biggie.

the free ticket, free babysitter thing is rubbish really. Connacht have doubled their ave attendance over seasons past thanks partly to these people who have their kids with them. while there is no allocated suitable family area people will just have to put up with it or do you wannt to go back to the old days when you could pick a lonely spot on the terrace all for yourselves?

its pretty normal to see kids of all ages at rugby matches and that is a good thing imo. in addition people who bring kids to games tend to spend more at the game on merchandise, food, sweets and drinks etc so it increases all forms of revenue for the club and will continue to be encouraged imo.

On the nintendo thing, there can be no code of conduct at matches and kids do get bored. Plenty of adults around where i stand spend their time in and out of bar during game or on phone which i find equally annoying!

i moved out of the painted area at the first game they where there for.
fair is fair the guy next to me ssaid your not aloud there, you will be moved.
i went to the other side of the tunnel. 2 mins later the yellow area where i moved from was full.

re kids.... i stand next to the players tunnel area and i know one or two others on here do also. good spot to pat the players on the back and keep an eye on eric.
i enjoy having banter with strangers but kids keep litterly runs under my feets, up down like a yooyoo.
in the end i felt rude but had to be done, i crossed my arms and refused to move out of the way. some kids are great others are brought there as its free for under 12 so no need to pay a baby sitter.

oh ya at an other game in the yellow painted area two kids where sitting down backs to the wall playing nintendo ds or whatever its call. i said loudly after people nearly fell over 'free tickets free babysitter' few people said 'very true'

imo the bohermore end of the clan terrace from the dog traps down should be the family area. Its already where the kids teams congregate before the half time game and all kids get to autograph hunt before and after games at the dressing room barrier. it could be sealed off via barrier at dog traps as there is no natural walkway arount them anyway and entrance/ exit would be from bohermore end of terrace. There are toilets there also and it has shelter. perfect.

All non child owner ticket holders avoid it like the plague already so why not make it official.

The stewards appear to concentrate on keepin front wall ant two main entrances clear and very little else. Thankless job though so wouldnt be too critical.The layout/barriers are actually a huge part of the problem as the front barrier location implies that walkway is standing area its so close to front wall.people stand in front and behind this barrier. Other barriers prevent punters from making their way to the back.

RonanL wrote:

Diom wrote: The Clan AGM brought up some points regarding the Clan Stand. In no particular order:

- Walkways are not clear
- Children are running free around the grounds (this is a parent's responsibility IMO)
- Stewards not pro-active enough in moving people out of congested areas.
- The crush towards the center of the pitch when the ends are empty (vertical divisions?)
- No "family-friendly" area.

What is the boards opinion on this stuff?

I think something definitely has to be done about the walkways in the Clan. I had an interesting "conversation" during half time of one of our busier games. I had been in a fairly central spot in the clan for the first half of the game. I went to the toilet at half time and I was returning to "my" spot. By this time of the season, the walkways had been painted yellow, but they were completely blocked with people. I said "excuse me" as I went to walk by some guy who happened to be at the bottom of the steps. He decided that the terrace was full, and told me so in no uncertain terms. He wasn't a steward, just some randomer. I could tell by looking at where I had been standing that there was plenty of space, so I told him that, and also informed him that he was blocking the walkway. I walked on, and sure enough, there was ample room where I had been.

I don't really blame the guy, although he probably should have minded his business. The point is, the placement of the barriers on the terrace, and the lack of policing of the walkways means people can't get in and out easily. This is frustrating for everyone, and probably a safety issue. But most importantly it means it's very difficult to go and get a pint during busy games!

Better supervision of the Stewards is required and matchday planning also obviously, I presume that there are supervisors on duty also to manage them.

If the stewards are on duty they should have ID's and maybe a number identifier on their vests/jackets so that if they are complete numpties then they can be identified and "training provided".

ummm, wrote: I've never been able to get a Clan Terrace ticket, so I wouldn't know

It's a fine line to walk between letting kids enjoy themselves and restricting them too much, but we don't want them doing anything disrespectful. I agree the parents should feel responsible, but if there are no clear guidelines on what is expected of them then each parent will have their own expectations.

At the end of the day it should be all about having as good a time out as possible, but not treating the place as your own personal playground.

Back int' day, when I were a lad on match days Sportsground used to be a great playground. Don't see why it should be any different now if there's enough space.

Either you secure (with fencing) access to areas outside the main stadium area or just accept that younger kids will be kids and get bored at some games and just want to run around. As long as they're a) Safe and b) Not pis*ing off paying punters then let them be....

Diom wrote: The Clan AGM brought up some points regarding the Clan Stand. In no particular order:

- Walkways are not clear
- Children are running free around the grounds (this is a parent's responsibility IMO)
- Stewards not pro-active enough in moving people out of congested areas.
- The crush towards the center of the pitch when the ends are empty (vertical divisions?)
- No "family-friendly" area.

What is the boards opinion on this stuff?

I think something definitely has to be done about the walkways in the Clan. I had an interesting "conversation" during half time of one of our busier games. I had been in a fairly central spot in the clan for the first half of the game. I went to the toilet at half time and I was returning to "my" spot. By this time of the season, the walkways had been painted yellow, but they were completely blocked with people. I said "excuse me" as I went to walk by some guy who happened to be at the bottom of the steps. He decided that the terrace was full, and told me so in no uncertain terms. He wasn't a steward, just some randomer. I could tell by looking at where I had been standing that there was plenty of space, so I told him that, and also informed him that he was blocking the walkway. I walked on, and sure enough, there was ample room where I had been.

I don't really blame the guy, although he probably should have minded his business. The point is, the placement of the barriers on the terrace, and the lack of policing of the walkways means people can't get in and out easily. This is frustrating for everyone, and probably a safety issue. But most importantly it means it's very difficult to go and get a pint during busy games!