'We won't stop now': Cappry Rovers continue ambitious plans after Club Mark award

The construction machinery on what will be a new pitch Cappry Park are obvious signs of the building at Cappry Rovers Football Club.

A rather more subtle sign was presented to the club on Saturday.

Cappry Rovers officially received its plaque for being a One Star club in the FAI's Club Mark system.

FAI Regional Manager Trevor Scanlon and Regional Development Officer Shane Barr attended to formally hand over the award.

Cappry Rovers now boast over 300 players, male and female, with 22 underage teams and two senior men's teams. A thriving academy at the club is now setting solid foundations for a future generation.

“We are developing every year and we are going well,” Cappry Rovers Chairman Paddy McNulty told Donegal Live.

“Two years ago, we had around 150 players and we have over 300 now.

“We have a lot of good people and a lot of good coaches here. We have a good committee too. You can never have enough good people around you.”

Cappry were visionaries in being one of the first junior clubs to install floodlights. While they ceased to be some years ago, the club plans to add a spectator stand and new floodlights around the new pitch being developed at Cappry Park.

Two years ago, Cappry Rovers received their Entry Level Club Mark.

McNulty said: “We've worked hard over the last two years to get this next step. It shows that we're doing things right on and off the pitch. We won't stop now and we'll keep going.”

Cappry Rovers are also planning to link in with local schools for coaching and have plans for further expansion and development on and off the pitch as part of a five-year plan launched just over two years ago.

“Club Mark will be mandatory by the end of next year,” Scanlon said. “Cappry are one of the clubs who are ahead of the curve.

“The Club Mark means clubs are much more stable and gives a better place to recruit volunteers.

“The Entry Level award makes sure that clubs have good governance and gives parents peace of mind.

“The Entry Level shows how good a club is off the pitch and the One Star is how good it is on the pitch. It's really a player development centre at that point, all coaches are qualified to coach or teach.

“There is a lot of time and commitment to go into clubs now. The development in this area is absolutely fantastic and the amount of work going in behind it is incredible.

“There are only around 20 clubs with this award all over the country – there is absolutely no stopping you now.”