Waterford GAA supporters group Club Déise is set to close after 23 years.
The decision was made at their recent AGM as the county board is due to launch a new supporters club for 2024. Club Déise have raised over €2.5 million for Waterford hurling, football and camogie teams.
The committee explained their decision in a press release on Wednesday night. “The county board have decided to form a new supporters club under their existing financial arm. This new body will have an online presence and will be activated in the new year. This means that Club Déise would lose its autonomy and have little or no relevance within this new financial structure. We are left with no other option but to close Club Déise as a fundraising entity for the present, but we will keep the brand name alive in case it may be required in future years.”
All remaining money in their accounts will be made available to the county board. “Club Déise presented its annual accounts to the AGM and has decided that once any outstanding bills are paid and team donations made, the balance of our funds are to be transferred to the board of Waterford GAA to include financing our underage teams. Our bank account will be closed in an orderly fashion over the coming weeks once any outstanding items have been processed and the remaining funds transferred to the county board’s account. Any queries thereafter relating to Club Déise should be made to the county board as we will be no longer have an active club committee.”
County board chairman Sean Michael O'Regan thanked all the volunteers for their contribution to Waterford GAA. "Outstanding people that did outstanding things for Waterford GAA. They won’t be found wanting I know to help out in the future because they’re just great GAA people first and foremost. On behalf of myself personally and as county board chairman, just to sincerely thank everybody associated with Club Déise.”
