In the follow-up to yesterday's article, we continue delving deeper into the recent email from the secretary of Olympic Handball Ireland.
The secretary, Michael Moloney, explained in the email how OHI advertise board positions only though Boardmatch platform because of 2 reasons: is "the best practice as there are no conflict-of-interest issues” explained more in yesterday's article, and because "failed to receive one application from the handball community” to their intent to find a Treasurer in February 2023.
What do you think? Would this decision of not choosing to advertise at all on the official platforms foster inclusivity, or perceived as exclusionary and neglectful of the handball community?
If an announcement doesn't work like we hoped, should we stop using the platform? We're asking if the same thing applies to the Broadmatch platform.
In this era of technology, OHI fails to utilize email marketing, advertising on official channels, and the website effectively to educate and inform the community about its needs.
Not using the official website for announcements any more of the open positions, makes us wonder if the €15,000 spent, as announced during the November AGM, was worth it.
In regard to this spend, we have asked the president, Fintan Lyons, why it was necessary to pay so much for just a website.
"Because that's the fee that we were asked. That's what I was told, excuse me, that's what I was told by João, was necessary to fix the website so that we could edit the website and make changes to the website as needed for the future." (João Ferreira - Operations Director/Coaching Committee)
I'm returning to the idea of how Irish handball has been kept alive throughout the years, and how the federation kept running, thanks to the club members. We're discussing only 5 clubs registered with the Irish League and another 2 clubs facing various issues not being able to be part of the league founded in 2018 and 2023, and a new club founded not even 1 month ago, all with players from different professional backgrounds.
We keep asking: How is it possible that club members are not included in what is needed and at least asked if between them is someone with professional experience in web design, for example, in helping with the website? And how is it possible to spend so much money on a website when the constant mention from board members is that are not enough money?
It has to be remarked that there was hard work in publishing 4 articles only on the Olympic Handball Ireland website over the past weekend, once our presidential illegalities were published.
From what the secretary Michael Moloney stated in the email, “In 2023 we appointed a Director of Marketing who was a member of the handball community and approached us to offer her more than 10 years of experience in the area. As a result, we were able to successfully roll out the rebranding of the association and increase our social media reach.”
We are talking about one year since Olympic Handball Ireland has had a Director of Marketing with over 10 years of experience. Despite this position being filled, the social media accounts of OHI have remained the same as before for a very long time until February this year. However, there were more pictures about school activities throughout the year and handball activities done by OHI and more senior league announcements starting only with this February. The online activity before February was the same as the time when was not a Director of Marketing.
In November, it was stated that the rebranding plan had been initiated before the Director of Marketing assumed the position. However, from the time the position was filled until the new image of Olympic Handball Ireland was published, there was a noticeable delay in online presence, as is expected from such a position in marketing.
Was it really necessary to have the new branding used before being more visible online? After almost 1 year?
We are questioning the "social media reach" that has been mentioned, as to get to a significant "reach", it needs active online presence which includes various actions in terms of consistent posting, engagement with the audience, and strategic use of hashtags and content.
Also, we need to make a comparison with the Scottish Handball Association, which provided exemplary social media activity during the Celtic Cup when the tournament occurred. With that said, during the time when Olympic Handball Ireland hosted the Final4 at the Lagan Valley LeisurePlex Centre in Northern Ireland this March, the social media updates were missing.
From inside sources, it was said that the lack of updates during that weekend was because the OHI staff are not working during their time off. So, we come to the question: how much did the Director of Marketing take care of the social media and other aspects of marketing if the full-time staff had to do it? Whose responsibility was to keep updated the handball community of one weekend event, and how much reach was seen?
The same situation was seen during the weekend of the Olympic Handball Ireland Cup.
Other important news that have been missed to be announced on the official platforms are about the Celtic Legends (indoor handball) and Boys in Green (the only beach handball club in Ireland), two clubs that have been created specifically to attend two important handball events: the Masters Handball World Cup and the Jarun Cup, tournaments both held in Croatia.
There has not been any support seen or announcements made on the OHI pages toward the players who have decided to organize and pay to attend such tournaments where Ireland is represented internationally.
What kind of marketing strategy was put in place if even the participation of these clubs was ignored? Based on which strategy was that "reach" achieved and what kind of awareness was done so far?
If such events have not been supported by the main organization, OHI, what example can the clubs follow if the lack of appreciation, support towards each other, is not promoted by the decision makers of the sport?
Considering that Ireland has only 5 clubs in the league and 2 not registered, and a new one founded recently, forming a small community, every club member and the OHI, need to ask themselves how development can be achieved if there is no mutual support, even at international tournaments.
Director of Marketing plays a crucial role in driving the sport's growth and success by effectively promoting its activities, and we have to mention that we are not questioning the 10 years of experience, however, the responsibilities that were assumed once the position was taken have not been demonstrated so far.
We should better say things that are happening, things that can be demonstrated, and not find excuses to cover the overall situation that the OHI board has created with the re-election issues.
Irish handball needs volunteers who know their responsibilities well and understand that being a volunteer is not the same as being a casual volunteer. The sport needs volunteers who are consistent and understand the role of positions they hold and which are crucial for the development of the sport and of its promotion.
To bring handball to that point of development, everyone would have to understand the importance of being transparent with its duties and inclusive with everyone, even if they are not from your own club or your friends group.
Once again, commenting on what was not done would be considered criticism by OHI, as even the still-active president, Fintan Lyons, confirmed during our chat. Accepting constructive criticism typically leads to improvement in performance, and if taken personally, it can impede progress as everything that is said is ignored and perceived as an attack and negative criticism.
In the email it's been promised to meet with the clubs in the very near future where the issue of presidency re-election will be addressed. However, would there be any other convincing explanations for the missed board re-elections for presidency, technical director, ordinary board member or any other board position?
Besides the re-election issues, are there going to be more credible explanations regarding the conflict of interest within OHI, the lack of inclusivity of volunteers without experience, of avoiding the officials channels for advertising open positions and events, the absence of supervision for those who attain a board position and the significant expenses for the website despite complaints of insufficient funds?
Would be there any better explanation for the lack of the principles and practices of the Government’s National Sports Policy that supposed to be compliant with?
It's crucial that these issues are addressed promptly and comprehensively to restore trust, foster inclusivity, and propel the development of handball in Ireland.
We have to mention that we understand that real human error happens, but how many "human errors" should be accepted?
Many personalities on the board have contributed to the sport at some stage, and that is appreciated for what have been done. However, coming now with an excuse of "human error" for multiple board re-elections missed and many other actions and inaction, that goes against the development, should it be accepted?
The handball community needs a board of individuals who are trustworthy, transparent, value people over power, and treat all club members equally, fostering unity rather than division. Requiring people who are willing to collaborate towards better outcomes, where self-interest isn't prioritized, and where everyone is welcomed to contribute, should be primordial.
For an illustration you could tell, for example, how much you paid for developing this site.