By Alan Rodgers

AN exhibition marking the 50th anniversary of the Bredagh club in south Belfast is being aimed at also inspiring a new generation of members as they prepare to meet the challenges of the next half century.

The club has enjoyed some notable successes since its formation in 1971. Those have been highlighted in the new multi-media exhibition which will continue in the Good Shepherd parochial hall for another week.

Club chairman, Malcolm McFarlane, said the exhibition reflects the importance of the milestone.

“The idea behind this is to remind people of where we have come from and indeed the turbulent time that existed in Belfast in 1971 and the efforts of the brave people who took the decision to start the club,” he said.

“The amount of volunteering over the years has ensured that thankfully today we are in a strong position. So this is a celebration of the efforts that people made during those years and to enlighten today’s members of their history.

“It is extremely positive to emphasise that sense of continuity. The GAA is built on tradition and how the whole community can benefit from the presence and involvement of the GAA.”

Bredagh now has around 1400 members taking part in the four codes of men’s and ladies’ Gaelic football, hurling and camogie as well as a range of cultural and heritage activities.

Their base at Cherryvale Playing Fields on the Ravenhill Road is a hive of activity and their chairman believes that the club is well placed to meet the challenges of the future.

“As with a lot of other clubs, our aim will be to widen our volunteering base and ensure that our players at all levels are facilitated to meet their potential,” he added.

“We have representations of some of the achievements over the past 20 years especially and it will be about making sure we consolidate our current position and push on for the future.

“Third and fourth generation members are now involved in the club, and the children of previous years are now the coaches of the present day. That’s how things have evolved and our challenge is to ensure that this continues to be the case.”