Launching Austin Stacks new employment initiative ‘Jobmatch’ were, from left: Catherine Ryan, William Kirby, Patrick O’Sullivan (Chairman Kerry GAA County Board), Liam Lynch and Billy Ryle. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
LAST year, Austin Stacks benefited greatly from an initiative to find employment for players who were struggling to get work in town.
Now the ‘Jobmatch’ scheme has been officially launched.
Austin Stacks manager, Stephen Stack, even has gone as far as saying that keeping six of his players from going to work in America for the summer last year was the biggest single factor in their success which saw them end the year as Munster champions.
The club is now building on this in a more structured way, by developing the ‘JobMatch’ initiative that will link employers who have vacancies and players and members who are on the hunt for work.
When ‘JobMatch’ was introduced to the public – at the famous Austin Stacks fundraising dinner where Joe Brolly made an appearance – 50 businesses signed up to the initiative and there have been many more since.
“What opened our eyes, after we got jobs for six players last year, was the fact there was a tremendous willingness from GAA people as a whole and Austin Stacks businesses, to help their players,” said Austin Stacks vice chairman, Liam Lynch.
As part of ‘JobMatch’, a club committee has been established formed of people who have specific skills in their career area. The group will work with club players and members, helping them with CV’s and interview preparation etc.
Austin Stacks are asking employers who sign up to the initiative to do the following; commit to inform the employment committee when a vacancy becomes available and agreeing to interview the candidate the club puts forward.
“Hopefully we can match the needs of our members and our own playing members. The take up in the last two or three weeks has been very strong. We are hopeful this is something that will take off and keep going. The initial signs at the moment are very positive,” said Liam Lynch.
