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Football Hurling Club General
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F O R N E W S , V I D E O S A N D F I X T U R E S www.gaa.ie
Football Hurling Club General
F O R N E W S , V I D E O S A N D F I X T U R E S www.gaa.ie
GAELIC GAMES RETURN TO PLAY AMENDMENTS
RECENT GOVERNMENT There are some other general updates for not changed on each subsequent
ANNOUNCEMENTS ON AN EXPEDITION Clubs to be aware of – occasion they participate.
IN THE EASING OF RESTRICTIONS • Parents/Guardians can submit Forms
HAVE ALLOWED THE GAELIC GAMES’ • Dressing rooms will remain closed
ASSOCIATIONS TO DO LIKEWISE AND on behalf of their dependents.
until 20 July • Covid Supervisors can check
ADVANCE SAFE RETURN TO PLAY PLANS
EARLIER THAN ANTICIPATED. • The Gaelic Games associations that members of their teams
are waiting on clarification from have submitted Forms but cannot view
From Wednesday, June 24th, Club Pitches the Government on what constitutes a specific information.
will open for Adult training only. Pitches close contact vs. casual contact.
for the minor grade and below will open • Personal information is stored for a
• The restriction on only participants max. of 3 weeks.
from Saturday, June 27th.
attending training sessions will • Hard-copy versions available - https:// • Saturday, 27 June – cover for Minor
These changes are dependent on the be relaxed from June 29 – subject to learning.gaa.ie/sites/default/files/ teams and below training
following requirements being met – max. of 200 people in Club grounds. Health%20Questionnaire.pdf • No GAA Injury Benefit Fund claims will
• Training occurs on non-contact basis • All control measures, e.g. Health be considered for the lockdown period
• All participants complete the Questionnaire and eLearning module, since 13 March.
eLearning Module
eLearning module will remain in place until advised • Property and Liability insurance
• The eLearning module is now
• All control measures are followed, e.g. otherwise. premiums must be paid to
available at https://courses.gaa.ie/
the Health Questionnaire County Committees before Club
Club Games will commence from Friday, Covid19ClubEd/
• Max. of 15 players in a designated area facilities reopen.
July 17th. • The main aim is to educate and
of field (26 counties) • Subject to compliance with the Safe
support Club members and volunteers.
• Max. of 10 players in designated area Inter-County Games will commence from Return Guidelines
• It must be completed by
of field (6 counties) (As of now) October 17th. Training will resume as
planned on September 14th. anyone entering Club facilities, Latest on Spectators
• Coaching numbers for underage
especially those actively involved in
teams must comply with the Code
The advisory group will issue guidance training sessions/games. 26 Counties
of Behaviour before June 29th on the use of Club • Clubs must seek proof of completion • From 29 June, spectators can
Facilities such as bars that serve food, before the initial return to training/ attend training sessions subject to
Other changes are due to come into effect gyms, handball alleys etc.
from Monday, June 29th – games. a maximum of 200 people in a Club
• Contact training and challenge games Health Questionnaire • Parents/Guardians should complete on ground at any given time.
for all from Monday, 29 June (26 • The Health Questionnaire is now behalf of underage players, especially • From 17 July, spectators will be limited
Counties) available at https://returntoplay.gaa. children and youths under 16. to 500 in a Club ground in any given
• Guidance pending from NI Executive ie time, subject to sufficient space for
in relation to the 6 Counties – non- Latest on GAA Injury Benefit Fund Cover/ physical distancing.
• It must be completed before returning Liability Insurance Cover
contact training as per numbers to Club activity. • Wednesday, 24 June – cover for Adult Further Government clarification is
outlined will remain in the interim. • Each participant must declare team training. expected.
that their Health Status has
Football Hurling Club General
F O R N E W S , V I D E O S A N D F I X T U R E S www.gaa.ie
RETURN TO PLAY – HEALTH QUESTIONNAIRES
THE FOLLOWING IS INTENDED TO FOR PLAYERS, GUARDIANS, COACHES, Enter the relevant information and click Click on the link with the email received.
SUPPORT CLUB OFFICERS AND VOLUNTEERS PARTICIPATING IN Continue.
VOLUNTEERS IN THE COMPLETION OF ACTIVITY
THE COVID HEALTH QUESTIONNAIRES
REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE IN GAELIC Access
GAMES ACTIVITIES. The Health Questionnaire is available on
a mobile responsive webpage at the URL
Each person participating in Gaelic Games https://returntoplay.gaa.ie. It may be
must complete a Health Questionnaire, worth bookmarking this on your browser
answering some basic health related or adding a shortcut to it on your desktop.
questions, prior to the first occasion that If the email doesn’t appear in your inbox,
they return to their club. Profile please check span or junk mail folders.
The first step in completing your return
They must also re-confirm that their to play is to create your profile. This Please Note: the validity period for the email
Health Status hasn’t changed on each will allow submission of your initial verification has been extended as some
subsequent occasion that they participate. Health Questionnaire and subsequent users experienced delays in receiving the
Parents / Guardians can submit forms on resubmission in a streamlined manner. verification emails.
behalf of their dependents and forms can
also be submitted on behalf of person’s Register Complete your profile
who may struggle with completing the Go to the URL https://returntoplay.gaa.ie Some additional contact information is
electronic form themselves. and click on the register link. required.
Covid Supervisors in clubs can verify that
individual members of their teams / panels
have submitted forms and are permitted
to participate. They do not have access
to view information provided on forms,
simply that it has been submitted. Verify your email address
You will be asked to verify your email
Forms can be accessed by visiting the URL address prior to completing your profile.
https://returntoplay.gaa.ie or by browsing
to the gaa.ie website and clicking the link
on the homepage.
Football Hurling Club General
F O R N E W S , V I D E O S A N D F I X T U R E S www.gaa.ie
Select your club(s) Please note that your club must also Reconfirming Health Status
You will be asked to select your County, confirm its relevant Supervisors (in a Prior to each subsequent session, you will
relevant Association and Club from the separate process) before access is granted. be asked to reconfirm that your health
drop down options. Ensure that you select this option if you status has not changed. This can be done
are a supervisor, otherwise your teams by accessing the list of forms on your
forms will not be visible. profile and selecting ‘Reconfirm This’.
In the example below, the parent (John
HEALTH QUESTIONNAIRES Murphy) can reconfirm either his own, or
his child’s (Sean Óg) form.
The Health Questionnaire has been
defined by the CoVID-19 Advisory Group
and requires that certain information is
provided prior to returning to play Gaelic
Games.
Add a new Health Questionnaire
Please note that it is possible to add more Once your profile has been completed, you
than one club (e.g. GAA & LGFA / Camogie will be presented with some Health and
clubs) where dual players or children who Safety and Data Protection information,
play different codes are involved. this should be read carefully. To complete You will then be requested to answer five
your questionnaire, select the ‘Add New’ specific questions relating to your health,
Independent Teams (‘amalgamations’), can button. and submit.
also be added in addition to a member’s
home club.
Once completed, the reconfirmed Health
Questionnaire appears on your list.
Once competed, your Health
Questionnaire will be visible on your list. In
the example below, a parent (John Murphy)
has submitted his own form (for the
Seniors) and a form for his son (Sean Óg)
who plays with the U9s.
You will be asked to confirm whether or not
you have completed the mandatory Return Forms can be completed for yourself or
To Play awareness course. for ‘someone else’, in the example below a
dependent child. The relevant Club, Team
You will also be asked to indicate that and Discipline can be added from the drop
you have been assigned the role of CoVID down menus.
Supervisor in your club, if this is the case.
Football Hurling Club General
F O R N E W S , V I D E O S A N D F I X T U R E S www.gaa.ie
FOR COVID SUPERVISORS Health Questionnaire system they will Individual teams can be filtered by
have the ability to view forms submitted selecting the relevant option.
CoVID Supervisors within their club. They will also be able
Clubs are required to nominate CoVID to view forms that they themselves have
Supervisors to coordinate the activities submitted and confirm that their own
required to return to play. One of these health status has not changed by hitting
activities is verifying that participants reconfirm this.
have completed the Health Questionnaire
and have subsequently reconfirmed that
their Health Status hasn’t changed on
each subsequent occasion that they take FOR CLUB OFFICERS
part in Gaelic Games.
Nominating CoVID Supervisors to have
Access to systems access to Health Questionnaires
The Health Questionnaire system has the In order to nominate a CoVID Supervisors,
ability to present CoVID Supervisors with a clubs need to submit the email address of
summary view of all of the questionnaires their Covid Supervisors using the MS Form
and subsequent reconfirmations available here.
submitted for teams in their clubs. There The information displayed can be sorted
are three steps required to authorise by clicking on any of the headings. Please note that only Club Officers using
individuals to perform the Supervisor roles their @gaa.ie email address (or @camogie.
on the system. ie or lgfa.ie if relevant) can submit details
of their clubs Supervisors. Please also
1. The Club Secretary provides the email ensure that only valid email addresses are
addresses of all CoVID Supervisors in submitted. It generally takes 4-6 hours
their club after the club has submitted its form for
2. The individual registers on the changes to take effect.
returntoplay.gaa.ie website
3. The individual ticks the ‘I am a CoVid
Supervisor’ option in their profile
Forms can be filtered using the filters
option (highlighted below) to display
individual Teams and are sorted by date,
making it easy to verify who on a squad
has provided the appropriate information.
Individuals who have all three of these
steps completed will be authorised to view
information relating to their teams.
Note: Supervisors do not have access to
sensitive personal information relating
to the members of their clubs. All that is
provided is the ability to view that a Health
Questionnaire has been submitted.
Supervisor View
When a CoVid Supervisor accesses the
Football Hurling Club General
F O R N E W S , V I D E O S A N D F I X T U R E S www.gaa.ie
PLANS FOR 2020 KELLOGG’S
GAA CÚL CAMPS UNVEILED
THE GAA, IN CONJUNCTION WITH Safe Return to Gaelic Games Document,
KELLOGG’S AND TG4, ARE PLEASED children will be welcomed back to club
TO ANNOUNCE NEW PLANS FOR THE venues around the country from July 20th.
STAGING OF THE 2020 KELLOGG’S GAA
CÚL CAMPS. THE CAMPS THEMSELVES A list of all venues will be confirmed on the For the over 4,000 people who had pre- “We were determined to run the camps
WILL START ON JULY 20TH WITH AN cúl camp website gaa.ie/kelloggsculcamps registered for 2020 camps, they have been this year and while they have to be
EXCITING NEW GAA CÚL CAMP TV on June 22nd when bookings reopen. contacted with three options; 1) a full organised differently, I hope the essence
PROGRAMME AIRING ON TG4 GETTING refund 2) a delivery of kit and a refund of of what they represent will still shine
KIDS WARMED UP FROM JUNE 29TH. Prices are as follows; the remaining amount or 3) priority for a through.
place on one of our re-scheduled camps.
This first phase of camp activity will be First child €65.00/£55.00 “I’d also like to acknowledge the support
broadcast Monday to Friday from 10.25 To allow for all health and safety measures, of long-term partners Kelloggs for their
to 11.00am and repeated at 5.15pm Second child €60.00 / £50.00 capacity at certain camp locations and ongoing support and also TG4, who will
from June 29th to July 17th. It will also be venues may be reduced this year and in play a central role in the first phase.”
available on the TG4 player making the Third+ children €50.00 /£45.00 some instances demand for places will
return to camp activity, both live and on outstrip availability. Early booking is Ruth Hughes, Kellogg Market Head
demand, available to everyone at home Camp times may be altered in selected strongly advised. Ireland said: “We are delighted the
and abroad. venues due to the current circumstances. Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps are going
Since 2006, 1,389,539 children have ahead this year with the exciting
The GAA Cúl Camps series will be Morning: (09.30 to 13.30) participated in the cúl camps programme addition of bringing it to people’s homes
produced by Waterford based Nemeton including over 156,000 children and nearly on the small screen. The GAA have strict
TV, and presented by Gráinne Bleasdale. Mid-morning: (10.00 to 14.00) 6,000 coaches in 2019. We are committed health and safety guidelines in place
Gráinne has had many roles on stage to providing children with the opportunity and I look forward to sending my own
and television, as a puppeteer and Afternoon: (14.30 to 18.30) to play Gaelic games this summer and look kids to our local camp. The whole team
as a presenter, including Operation forward to a new season of both broadcast at Kellogg is proud to help fuel children
Transformation -10@10 (RTÉ), Ros na Rún These options will be clearly outlined on and live Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps. from breakfast table to pitch now more
(TG4), Déan É! (TG4), Dig In Saol Faoi Shráid the camps website and details on specific so than ever.”
(TG4). camps safety protocols will be shared with GAA President John Horan welcomed
all those registering for camps. confirmation of details for the 2020 TG4’s Head of Sport, Ronán Ó
The series will include skills, drills, games, camps. Coisdealbha said: “We are very excited
nutrition, and wellness segments that will The Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps kit is a to be working with the GAA and
appeal to all the family from multiple All- huge part of our camps with mass appeal He said: “I am delighted that we are Kellogg’s on this initiative and to be
Ireland winning Cork Camogie and Football among primary school children all around in a position to confirm plans around giving the next generation of children
star, Rena Buckley, Dublin hurler Liam the country and beyond. Given current arrangements for our 2020 Kellogg’s GAA the opportunity to improve their GAA
Rushe and former Donegal footballer star circumstances, camps schedules may be Cúl Camps and acknowledge all of the skills from home.
Kevin Cassidy. reduced in certain counties which has work that has taken place in recent weeks
prompted the GAA to pursue the option of in an effort to get us to this point. The GAA Cúl Camps television series,
Recent developments with the making kit available for sale for children along with our Campa Cúla4 programme
Government and GAA roadmaps, and who may not get the option to participate “2020 has been a very challenging year for will form a one-hour block of television
extensive planning relating to health and in the 2020 camp programme. Kit will everyone and we have had to revisit what each morning which will entertain and
safety, mean details for this year’s camps be available for sale online at gaa.ie/ are the most successful underage camps educate children with action-packed
can now be confirmed. In line with the kelloggsculcamps. run by any organisation, anywhere. activities during the Summer.”
Football Hurling Club General
F O R N E W S , V I D E O S A N D F I X T U R E S www.gaa.ie
Football Hurling Club General
F O R N E W S , V I D E O S A N D F I X T U R E S www.gaa.ie
OVER 10,000 COACHES AND COUNTING COMPLETE
GAELIC GAMES SURVEY
BY JOHN HARRINGTON the counties have been running has been the club. If you have attended a coaching
enormous. course previously, we will email the survey
Over 10,000 Gaelic Games coaches to you. If any coach wishes to receive the
have already completed the biggest ever “Around 48,000 people have engaged survey directly, they can do so by emailing
coaching survey conducted in Irish sport. with webinars during the months of April gamesdevelopment@gaa.ie
and May. The engagement numbers have
The Gaelic Games Coach Survey 2020 is an been enormous. A number of the speakers Details for the survey are available from
initiative by the GAA, LGFA, and Camogie that we would have had on the various
Association to help shape the future webinars would have emphasised that very Take Gaelic Games Coach Survey 2020
development of Gaelic Games and it has point, that this is an opportunity to think
now been extended for another week. about what it is you do and maybe try Alternatively, you can visit the
things you weren’t able to do in the past, GAA Learning website - https://
“We’re well over 10,000 responses now different communication methods and so learning.gaa.ie/coachsurvey or email
which was the overall target that we were on.
looking for,” GAA Coach Education Officer, gamesdevelopment@gaa.ie
Dr. Peter Horgan, told GAA.ie. “The various lockdown activities that
we’ve had has forced people to be a bit
“We’ve looked at some of the response so creative and I think a lot of coaches have
far and we’re very happy that we’ve gotten responded to that.
a good spread across all counties and
codes. “It’s been a challenging time, but at the
same time some little bit of good might
“What we’re going to do is leave the survey come out of it in the broader sense if we
open for another week, until the end of become a bit more reflective on what we
next week, just for those people who do and how we do it.
haven’t had a chance to engage with it yet
or for anyone who would like to.” “And maybe there might be some ways
we can operate better in to the future
The lockdown has been a challenging time that might be a little bit more friendly
for coaches, but as Limerick GDA James for our time. For example, we mightn’t
Ryan told GAA.ie, they’ve also used it as an have to travel as much if we use video
opportunity to upskill. conferencing and video session and all of
that.”
Coaching webinars run by the GAA and
individual county boards have been hugely How do I access the survey?
successful, and Dr. Peter Horgan believes
that coaches will now be more creative The survey is available online, so you
going forward. can access the survey through GAA.ie,
Camogie.ie and LGFA.ie as well as the GAA
“The engagement that we’ve gotten Learning site – learning.gaa.ie. The survey
across both this survey and some of the will also be sent to each club secretary for
webinars that we’ve been running and all circulation amongst the coaches within
Football Hurling Club General
F O R N E W S , V I D E O S A N D F I X T U R E S www.gaa.ie
CLUBS WARNED OVER WATER SYSTEMS TO AVOID BACTERIA –
NEED FOR A LEGIONELLA PREVENTION PLAN
ACCORDING TO THE CENTRE FOR
DISEASE CONTROL, ‘LEGIONELLA IS A It is important that water is not allowed
TYPE OF BACTERIUM FOUND NATURALLY to stagnate within the water system and
IN FRESHWATER ENVIRONMENTS, LIKE so there should be careful management
LAKES AND STREAMS. IT CAN BECOME A of properties left vacant for extended
HEALTH CONCERN WHEN IT GROWS AND periods. As a general principle, outlets on
SPREADS IN HUMAN-MADE BUILDING hot and cold water systems should be used
WATER SYSTEMS LIKE SHOWERHEADS at least once a week to maintain a degree
AND SINK FAUCETS.’ of water flow and minimise the chances
of stagnation. To manage the risks during
Clubs should implement simple, non-occupancy, consideration should be
proportionate and appropriate control given to implementing a suitable flushing
measures to ensure the risk of Legionella regime or other measures such as draining
remains low. the system if it is to remain vacant for long
periods.
For hot and cold water systems,
temperature is the most reliable way of
ensuring the risk of exposure to Legionella
bacteria is minimised i.e. keep the hot
water hot, cold water cold and keep it
moving. Other simple control measures
to help control the risk of exposure to
Legionella include:
- Flushing out the system on a regular
basis
- Avoiding debris getting into the
system (e.g. ensure the cold water
tanks, where fitted, have a tight fitting
lid)
- Setting control parameters (e.g.
setting the temperature of the hot
water cylinder (calorifier) to ensure
water is stored at 60°C)
- Make sure any redundant pipework
identified is removed.
Football Hurling Club General
F O R N E W S , V I D E O S A N D F I X T U R E S www.gaa.ie
ZERO TOLERANCE FOR RACISM IN GAELIC GAMES
BY JOHN HARRINGTON many ethnicities that we support in our
community awareness campaigns and all
Recently, Franz Sauerland, Stefan Okunbor educational sport programmes,” McTavish
and Lara Dahunsi have given powerful and told GAA.ie
affecting testimonies of the racism they
have suffered on GAA pitches. “The Diversity and Inclusion work in the
GAA takes many forms and we endeavour
It is important that their voices are heard to develop policy and practice of using
because it is only by shining a light on such the family of Gaelic games for cultural
discrimination when it occurs that it can integration and social inclusion of people
be exposed and rooted out. from our diverse ethnic population in Irish
society, along with making sure that all the
The Association is anti-sectarian, anti- games in the Gaelic basket are adapted for
racist, and committed to the principles of people with different abilities.”
inclusion and diversity at all levels. These
values are enshrined in the GAA’s Official Most recently, in collaboration with Sports
Guide. Against Racism Ireland (SARI), McTavish
developed the Association’s Responding to
Last year the GAA launched a manifesto Racism (R2R) educational and awareness
which was summed up by the statement campaign which includes both education
‘GAA – Where We All Belong’. and procedures to follow should any
incidents arise in GAA clubs.
That manifesto wasn’t a self-serving pat
on the back, it was a call to arms, and one After a pilot phase last year, the first
the Association is determined to live up to. Responding to Racism workshop took
place in Mayo last March. Ballaghaderreen
The racist slurs suffered by Franz, Stefan, club-man and All-Ireland winning Mayo
and Lara proves there is a journey still to U-21 footballer, Shairoze Akram, took part what you say and what you do can have Ballaghaderreen since I was very young.
travel, but the GAA has worked hard and in it and believes such workshops can be a consequences and a negative effect on an
continues to work hard to ensure that very important education tool. individual. “But some of my friends were born here
inclusivity is a byword for Gaelic Games. and people will ask them where they’re
“I think those sorts of workshops are “The education side of it is very important from and they’ll say, ‘I’m from Mayo’. But
Ger McTavish is the Association’s Diversity very important going forward. It’s about because some kids might say things then the person will say to them, ‘No,
and Inclusion Officer and, among many educating not just players, but coaches as without knowing exactly what it actually where are you actually from?’
other initiatives, is responsible for well,” Akram told GAA.ie means and others mightn’t realise what
considerable and ongoing efforts to they’re saying is offensive. “They don’t mean any harm and they
address racism on behalf of the GAA, the “Because coaches will then go back to mightn’t think that’s being racist, but it
Ladies Gaelic Football Association, and the their own clubs and counties and the “Even the older generation might ask you, can come across kind of racist.
Camogie Association. message will be reiterated to all the ‘Where are you from?’
players from a young age. “It’s all about educating people on how
“The GAA is made up of one race with “I wasn’t born in Ireland, I was born what they say and how they say it can
“Everybody needs to be educated on that in Pakistan, but I’ve been living in affect others.”Football Hurling Club General
F O R N E W S , V I D E O S A N D F I X T U R E S www.gaa.ie
Thankfully, it is some time since it has last especially clubs that might be struggling Irish people have for their sport,” she told Gaelic Games are thriving now and the
happened, but in the past Akram has been for numbers. GAA.ie. time for consolidation is long past. Now
the victim of racial abuse while playing there is far more to be gained from sharing
Gaelic Football. “Sport is a great way to break down “The GAA is an opportunity for migrants our sporting culture with others.
barriers and it means so much to people to to get involved, to blend in, to understand
“When I was younger, yeah, I would have be welcomed into a town by the local GAA the Irish culture in terms of sport. Proof of that is vividly illustrated by the
experienced it and not just on the pitch but club. rapid growth of our international GAA
off it too,” he says. “And it’s an opportunity as well to embrace units which now number over 400. Once
“And, as I’ve found, being involved in the more of the new community and get them traditionally a home from home for Irish
“When my family moved to Ballaghaderreen GAA has been a great help to me outside to see the welcome, the céad míle fáilte ex-pats, GAA clubs outside of Ireland are
people weren’t used to foreign nationals of sport too. I’ve made friendships and that the Irish are known for. now bastions of multi-culturalism and a
coming in. But I think people have gotten contacts that I’ll have for life.” great advertisment for the GAA’s embrace
more used to it now and that has helped. “That’s why I love getting involved, that’s of diversity.
The GAA is as much a community why I became the integration officer,
“But when we first come over you could be organisation as a sporting one which is to get more people into the club, to Our own Irish identity is something that is
walking down the street with your friends why it is so important that social inclusion experience the embrace I have received constantly evolving. It is enriched by those
and somebody would say something to you. I should be at the core of its ethos. here, to experience the greatness of Gaelic who come here from other countries and
would have gotten a bit of it too on the GAA Football and to join the Longford Slashers bring the best of their own culture with
pitch when I was younger, until the age of 15 The Irish population is an increasingly GAA family.” them.
or so. diverse one and migrants from many
different countries are making a The founding fathers of the GAA hoped The act of opening their arms in welcome
“But once I started playing up to minor and significant contribution to their local GAA the Association would help consolidate to new members in their community has
U21s and started playing with Mayo people clubs since moving to Ireland. Irish identity through the playing of our been a mutually enriching experience for
would get to know you as a person and native sports at a time when they were both GAA clubs and those they’ve brought
they wouldn’t feel the need to say stuff like Longford Slashers are a good example of close to dying out altogether. into the fold.
that. a club who have welcomed the migrant
community with open arms and are now
“I don’t think we have the same level of reaping the rewards.
racism in Ireland that you would in a country
like the USA, but you would be foolish to say They’ve been very successful at underage
there is none or that it isn’t an issue at all.” level in recent years thanks in no small
part to the influx of new families into the
Despite the racism that Akram occasionally area and the club’s proactive approach in
had to endure, he still regards his experience getting them involved.
in Gaelic Games as hugely positive overall
and believes the Association’s policy of More important than the silverware
inclusivity is a win-win one. won is the manner in which the club’s
inclusive policy has made newcomers
“It’s beneficial for both parties,” he says. to the town quickly feel part of the
“The GAA is a great social outlet for new community.
people moving into Ireland.
Longford Councillor, Uruemu Adejinmi, is
“When my parents first moved over the Slashers’ Integration Officer, and has
they knew no one in the town, but from experienced first-hand the positive impact
bringing me to football they got to know it makes when the hand of friendship is
other parents. And it was great for me too willingly extended.
obviously in terms of developing friendships.
In attendance at an Ecumenical Service celebrating contribution to the GAA of all faiths at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin,
“Getting involved in the GAA is an easy are, from left, Archbishop of Dublin Michael Jackson, Uachtarán Cumann Lúthchleas Gael John Horan, and Rev Charles
“The other side of it is that it can be a great win as far as I’m concerned as a migrant Mullen, Dean’s Vicar of St Patrick’s Cathedral.
benefit for clubs to welcome new people in, because you’re sharing the love that theFootball Hurling Club General
F O R N E W S , V I D E O S A N D F I X T U R E S www.gaa.ie
All genders, creeds, and ethnicities are against a player, official, spectator or inclusion reflects diversity, i.e. it aims to Interprovincial Finals are held in Croke
welcome in the GAA because diversity anyone else, in the course of activities offer that sense of belonging to everyone, Park each September and are delivered
makes us stronger. organised by the Association, shall irrespective of gender, marital status, in partnership with Irish Special Schools
be deemed to have discredited the family status, sexual orientation, religion, Sports Council.
There is simply no place in the GAA for Association. age, race or minority community and/or
discrimination, a fact that GAA President disability. The ISSSC is a voluntary organisation that
John Horan made very clear last year when The GAA had in place since 2010 an provides sporting and cultural activities
he spoke at an ecumenical service in St. integration and inclusion officer, Tony The GAA’s Manifesto is summed up by the in special schools, as designated by the
Patrick’s Cathedral. Watene, who carried the flame of inclusion statement “GAA- Where We All Belong” / Department of Education and Science.
and integration for nine years. Tony now “CLG - Tá Áit Dúinn Uilig Ann”. Children with mild-general learning
“I look forward to the day when fills the role of wheelchair hurling and disabilities compete in this 9-a-side Gaelic
another man or woman of mixed ethnic camogie coordinator. The New Zealand We’re proud of and celebrate our Football tournament.
background emulates Sean Óg Ó hAilpín native drove the Give respect, Get respect Irishness; a celebration of our GAA, our
to collect one of our famed trophies on campaign along with the GAA for ALL shared values and of every person who The players represent the regions of
the steps of the Hogan Stand in our own Committee. The GAA for ALL committee helps make the GAA what it is - in every Connacht, Dublin, Munster, North Leinster,
hallowed cathedral, Croke Park,” said oversees the Wheelchair hurling and corner of the globe; that we focus on South Leinster and Ulster and are drawn
Horan. camogie, football for all. Gaelic Games and activities; that we’re from 15 different special schools. Each
community-based; and that we cherish squad comprises 12 boys and 12 girls who
“When we cross the threshold of a GAA The current Diversity and Inclusion our amateur ethos and volunteer base. have been selected from regional trials to
club or dressing room, the only thing that officer, Ger McTavish, employed in 2019, We remain and are proud of what we are play on the hallowed turf of Croke Park.
should matter for the time that we are is determined to further develop the but in doing so and in remaining true to
there is the colour of the jersey that we policy and practice of using the family of all that, we are open and welcoming to The GAA’s support for the M. Donnelly
pull over our heads. Gaelic games for cultural integration and others. GAA Football for ALL Interprovincial
social inclusion engaging people from our Finals reflects the Association’s ongoing
“It’s those colours and the crest which diverse ethnic population in Irish society, 2: In what aspects of the Association’s commitment to engaging with special
the jersey bears that should be the only along with making sure that all the games activities have these steps has the schools, as set out in the new GAA Strategic
distinction between everyone involved on in the Gaelic family are adapted for people greatest impact? Plan, Fís Shoiléir 2018-2021.
a given day. with different abilities.
Many aspects of the Association have GAA Fun & Run is an inclusive activity
“Race, gender, creed or absence thereof, Responding to Racism been positively impacted by such involving a team of batters/kickers
gender preference, profession or political activities to date, from our clubs and and fielders which is suitable for all
persuasion are all issues from our personal In March 2020 in line with the INAR Human schools, to our communities and our ages, genders, and abilities. The game
lives that bear no relevance to the playing Rights week, Ger McTavish launched the volunteers. encompasses a range of fundamental
of our games.” first GAA Responding To Racism (R2R) skills that exist in Gaelic Football, Hurling,
educational and awareness campaign. GAA for All is a family of initiatives in the Rounders and Handball. The rules have
Further information on the GAA’s The campaign, which includes education GAA encompassing Wheelchair hurling been modified to adapt these skills to suit
commitment to promoting equality and elements and procedures to follow should and Camogie, football for all, Fun and Run, individuals involved and their capabilities.
eliminating discrimination. any incidents arise at any level of the GAA, “All Star” Inclusive clubs and intercultural As a game it aims to ensure everyone can
has been developed in collaboration with activities, amongst others. Wheelchair enjoy participation in Gaelic Games, the
1: What steps has the GAA taken in recent Sports Against Racism Ireland (SARI). Hurling and Camogie is an inclusive club, and therefore their community.
years to promote equality and eliminate indoor game involving 6-a-side teams
discrimination? The GAA aims to offer an inclusive and which is suitable for all ages, genders and Cúl 4 All / Cúl Eile Camps are camps for
welcoming environment for everyone. abilities. The rules have been modified children with additional needs that usually
In the GAA official guide, the Association Inclusion essentially means people to suit individuals involved and their happen during the Easter and summer
is Anti-Sectarian, Anti-Racist and having a sense of belonging, of being capabilities. The four provinces compete holidays (but many clubs now run adapted
committed to the principles of inclusion comfortable in being part of something in the M. Donnelly All-Ireland series every games programmes on a weekly basis). The
and diversity at all levels. Any conduct they value. Inclusion is a choice. Diversity year, with the cup currently residing with camps are based on the hugely successful
by deed, word, or gesture of sectarian means being aware of accommodating Munster, the 2019 champions. Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps, which provide
or racist nature or which is contrary to and celebrating difference. Inclusion and boys and girls between the ages of 6 and 13
the principles of inclusion and diversity Diversity in many ways go together. Real M. Donnelly GAA Football for ALL with an action-packed and fun-filled weekFootball Hurling Club General
F O R N E W S , V I D E O S A N D F I X T U R E S www.gaa.ie
of activity during the summer holidays. valued for their unique perspectives and bullying training programme regular coming into the organisation through
Like Kellogg’s Cul Camps, these adapted contributions, so that they can achieve workshops are delivered at Club level in the Diversity and Inclusion officer Ger
camps revolve around maximizing their fullest potential. response to incidents of bullying which at McTavish.
enjoyment and facilitating participant times may also include interventions as a
involvement in Gaelic Games, regardless This is in line with the strategic goal at the result of racist actions. There will also be an adaptive sport
of perceived abilities or additional heart of our Strategic Plan 2017-2021, strategy that will expand the work already
needs. Activities are player-centred which is to value and develop our GAA Referee Training achieved by the GAA. Ger is currently
with a games-based approach with community. working with UNESCO Tralee, Council of
a strong emphasis being placed on In October 2019, as part of a new child Europe and European commission on a
personal and social development and 3: How is the GAA educating our younger safeguarding section, the content human rights programme. The Rights
well-being. Activities are also organised members that discrimination in any form is of referee’s training programme was Understanding in Sport Toolkit (TRUST).
in an age-appropriate manner with a not tolerated by the Association? amended to include a case study on This project will develop a programme
view to optimizing learning, enhancing incidents of a racist nature calling at or for sports practitioners in educational
friendships, improving physical & Code of Behaviour (Underage) during games. Whereas a referee may institutions and the wider community on
psychological wellbeing, while promoting take immediate action during a game if providing human rights education and
school and club links. Since it was adopted in 2010 the Code they are aware or witness racism referees raise awareness of the potential role sport
of Behaviour has highlighted in simple are now obliged to report any allegations can play in human rights promotion. A
There has also been a rise in the delivery language, understood by children of racism during or after a game to their second project that we are involved in is
of intercultural programmes across the and young people, that expressions relevant GAA County Board. Responsibility Sport with Erasmus plus,
GAA, including Coaching programmes and actions of a racist nature are not Solidarity and Responsible Sports Euro
for residents in Direct Provision centres acceptable and will not be tolerated. In Restorative Practice leaders Training in collaboration with
or cultural days at club and county level, addition to our Association rule 1.12 University College Cork.
often coinciding with the popular Lá na in which conduct of a racist nature With the assistance of Consensus NI and
gClubanna. will be deemed to have discredited the the National College of Ireland a five The project aims to introduce in sports
Association we also have Rule 7.2 (e) an week (weekend) training programme was academies and sports clubs, procedures
A recent Embracing Diversity Seminar on the field of play rule that addresses agreed to upskill 20 tutors as part of the that can combat social problems that
was held in Ballyhaunis, where the racism while the above Code has also been introduction of a Restorative Practice today’s sport faces (violence, racism,
community welcomed 75 nationalities to enshrined in Rule. services in the GAA. This new form of intolerance, discrimination, gender
the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence support and alternative intervention has inequality, inequality of access to sports,
for an exchange of knowledge and Incidents of alleged racism can now be been specifically chosen to deal with language stereotypes and others). For
cultures. It included a discussion on dealt with at club, county or national level disputes not traditionally dealt with this, we will want to create a social
projects in the community to promote by select Code of Behaviour Committees under Rules, including issues of racism responsibility stamp and a recognition
diversity and equality, featuring appointed and trained for that purpose. or bullying and personal conflicts. The process adapted to sport and we will want
contributions from residents of the direct training will commence as soon as is to develop a European course training to
provision system, community groups, the Child Safeguarding Training practically possible. sports directors (and consultants) in these
GAA, and An Garda Siochana. issues. We want to make these actions
The GAA is the first NGB in Ireland to 4. Looking to the future recognized at national and a European
The seminar delivered was in include a case study on racism amongst level through a common recognition.
collaboration with the Department of young people, as part of our child On a broader front the inclusion and
Rural and Community Affairs and Dept. of safeguarding (protection) training. equity measures in the extant European We continue to work closely on many
Justice. Participants address this case study as commission white paper on sport will be collaborations with Sport Against Racism
a form of child abuse and are asked how fully implemented in a systematic way Ireland and many other stakeholders.
A GAA Gender Diversity working group is to address any racism and how to be starting with the Club to Community
also currently active, helping to further proactive in addressing such matters. programme where local clubs will engage. For videos and more see www.gaa.ie/
align the GAA’s culture with its values 22,800 GAA coaches attended this There is the template being used to stories/zero-tolerance-for-racism-in-
and actions. The GAA is committed training in 2019. guarantee a social compact with people the-gaa/
to providing an inclusive and diverse with different abilities that will provide
environment in which all members of GAA Tackling Bullying Programme physical access in stadiums and other club
the GAA community should expect to facilities. There are many areas of human
be able to thrive and be respected and As the only Sports NGB with an anti rights and promotion of equality that isFootball Hurling Club General
F O R N E W S , V I D E O S A N D F I X T U R E S www.gaa.ie
LGBTQI+ COMMUNITY ENCOURAGED TO PARTICIPATE IN GAELIC GAMES
BY JOHN HARRINGTON Association were officially represented
at last year’s Dublin Pride Parade, and
The Digital Dublin Pride Festival is taking since then have become the first sporting
place this week so it’s timely to shine a organisations to set up a Gender Diversity
light on the significant work being done to Working Group.
make Gaelic Games more inclusive sports
for the LGBTQI+ community. “The Gender Diversity Working Group
was established last year to look at the
GAA President, John Horan, said in his promotion of gender diversity and includes
address to Congress 2019 that protection members of each of our Gaelic Games
and respect for members of the LGBTQ Associations and indeed external people
community involved in Gaelic Games that we’ve invited in as well,” says the
should be a priority for the Association, Working Group’s Chairperson, Gearóid
and since then the GAA has strived to live Ó Maoilmhichíl, who is also the GAA’s
up to those words. National Children’s Officer.
The GAA, the LGFA, and the Camogie “There would be four maybe five pillars.
And the first pillar just completed and more proactive in creating a welcoming
now gone for consultation among each Association for everybody and we will
of our Associations is called or titled the continue then at the same time with the
participation of the LGBTQI+ community in other pillars which include inclusion,
Gaelic Games. disability, employment et cetera. So
they go on parallel while we’re trying to
“It’s a big breakthrough for us to get this complete the first pillar.
far. We’ve had widespread consultation,
we’re happy with the document and, as “It’s a been a good experience. I think
I say, following consultation we will now it’s going to add tremendously to our
see if it requires major changes in the Associations. It was an eye-opener for
Association. some people that we hadn’t been as
participative or welcoming as we thought
“For example, we may have to look at some we were and that was a good piece of
of our rule wording, we may have to be research that we carried out.Football Hurling Club General
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step I think for the GAA to be so forward-
thinking and so progressive and to really
put the inclusion and participation of
LGBTQI+ people at the forefront of their
work. So I’ve been delighted to be part of
the group and I think it’s really positive.
“We know from our work that trans people
miss out on all the benefits of participating
in sports.
“They often don’t enjoy the mental health
benefits, the physical health benefits, the the Rounders Association along with many
sense of community that can come from other stakeholders.
being part of their local sports group and
that’s something we really want to work on “This committee engages in the awareness
to change so we are really happy at TENI campaigns and also development and
to working with the GAA on this and it’s guidelines around GAA For All.
a great thing to be able to talk about for
Pride.” “Some of the GAA For All initiatives are
inter-cultural activities, wheelchair hurling
The formation of the Gender Diversity and camogie, football for all with the Irish
Working Group is just one example of Special Schools.
the proactive work the GAA, LGFA, and
Camogie Association are currently doing “We also have inclusive Cúl Camps and
in the area of inclusion. All-Star programmes which are club
programmes that give everyone in the
Ger McTavish works as a full-time community the opportunity to come and
Diversity and Inclusion Officer for all three experience the GAA club.
organisations, and her brief is a wide-
“We also consulted with our Youth Forum That welcome and understanding has ranging one. “A lot of other programmes are underway
while we were doing it as well so it’s been been warmly received by leading members through different training and different
good, it’s been welcomed, there have been of the LGBTQI+ community. “The aim of the GAA is to offer an workshops and also an awareness
no obstacles and I’m really looking forward inclusive, diverse, and welcoming campaign.
to the next step where we broaden our Gordon Grehan is Operations Manager environment for everyone,” says McTavish.
horizons. at TENI (Transgender Equality Network
Ireland) and an enthusiastic member of “Over the last 10 years the GAA have been “In March we also launched a responding
“For example, working closely with the GAA’s Gender Diversity Working Group. working very hard in the area of inclusion to racism workshop which is a two-hour
DCU, and we’re also working with other and integration. workshop that gives training to our
organisations where they are promoting “A lot of the work that we (TENI) do is volunteers and members of GAA clubs.”
greater inclusion. We’ve a seminar coming around breaking down barriers to access “There have been many developments
up next week that we will participate in to social inclusion for transgender people,” and many programmes implemented. The For further information on GAA For All, go
so we have started the first steps, at least Grehan told GAA.ie GAA For All Committee is a committee here.
started the first steps. that oversees a lot of the inclusion and
“And one of the really important areas that integration policies and also all of the
“The word is out, people know that trans people face barriers in is sport. So initiatives.
we’re actually serious about, I suppose, I was delighted to be part of the Gender
promoting a greater participation and Diversity Working Group and to be asked “The GAA For All Committee is made
being more welcoming and understanding to represent the transgender community up of the GAA, the LGFA, the Camogie
as well as we do it.” as part of that group. It’s an incredible Association, the Handball Association andFootball Hurling Club General
F O R N E W S , V I D E O S A N D F I X T U R E S www.gaa.ie
Lester Ryan R.I.P.
further add to the evening – These were
HURLING WEBINARS PROVE Niamh Kilkenny, Jamesie O’Connor, Colm At the end of the Nursery Hurling webinar a
Callanan, Fergal Hartley, Michael Rice and glowing tribute with some nice imagery was
last but not least – 18 time All Ireland winner paid to recently deceased Lester Ryan from
A MAJOR HIT Rena Buckley. The conversation went on
for over two hours and for a further hour
Kilkenny who tragically lost his life recently in
an accident.
“backstage” when the live event ended.
Lester worked for the Leinster council and
There were a few surprises also – the first was one of the first full time coaches to be
one unwelcome- fifteen minutes into the appointed by the GAA. His contribution to the
show the system crashed and with nothing development of Gaelic Games in Leinster and
resolved after twenty minutes the “game” further afield will never fully be appreciated as
had to be officially abandoned and re- was indicated by the many tributes paid to him
fixed for the following week (in typical GAA through the Q & A. It was in equal measures
fashion) Luckily punters were not too far ironic and not surprising how the three
from home. Various reasons were given presenters on the night knew Lester and had
for the crash from -too many trying to get fond memories of him.
in- to Slaughtneil reluctant to give away
their secrets – to Microsoft workers being Martin Fogarty from Kilkenny “got to know”
on a Bank Holiday but at the end of the day him as a club opponent from under 14 right
it looks like it was near neighbours Kevin through to adult hurling. They later became
Lynch’s of Dungiven that pulled the plug in good friends spreading the coaching gospel.
an effort to get one over on their admired
The inspirational Slaughtneil club in Derry
and deadly rivals. Like all replays, tickets Damien Coleman from Galway got to know him
were even harder to get for refixture! The in their respective coaching roles in Connacht
first surprise of the evening was a nice and Leinster and also as team mentors in the
BY MARTIN FOGARTY to record these sessions has really paid birthday greeting to Club Stalwarth Patsy Hurling/Shinty games with Scotland.
dividends in a way never imagined due to Cassidy on reaching his 94th. Birthday.
The series of Hurling Specific Webinars the current crisis. Patsy has never missed a Slaughtneil game. Niall Williams from Westmeath had probably
has continued into June with three further His “best wishes” were at the beginning of the fondest memories of Lester and that was as
events to date. Nursery Hurling Values The third webinar of the month was the event so he got two cakes! One at the a young boy hurling for Westmeath and invited
and Guidelines Part 2 and Coaching & a little bit different and proved to be original fixture and another for the replay. down to Kilkenny to take part in the D.J. Carey
Managing a Youth or Adult Team Part 2 unbelievably popular with huge numbers Aoife Cassidy also surprised her Camogie School of Hurling organized most brilliantly by
proved very popular with great numbers attending on the night and over one manager Woody Mckinley on reaching his Lester. An entire column could be dedicated to
from at home and abroad logging in each thousand viewing it online since. This 60th. Birthday. She had an apple tart with that experience and the huge amount of time,
night and an equal amount viewing the workshop took a look at Slaughtneil GAA candles for him and even sung “Happy effort and interest put into it by Lester.
workshops online afterwards. in Derry and got an insight into what Birthday” for him as Gaeilge. She had to eat
makes that little club tick. It took the the cake herself as it wouldn’t hold until Ar Dheis Dé go Raibh a Anam.
Both workshops contained a huge amount form of an interview with fifteen people training resumes.
of valuable advice and practical examples involved at the same time from all over
for those just starting out on their the country which was an operational The tables were turned on Aoife herself
coaching careers or for those coaching at challenge in itself. Hurling manager Webinar 5: Nursery Hurling Values &
with the best surprise of the evening. She
the elite level of club or county. Michael McShane and his Camogie got what appeared to be a best wishes text Guidelines Part 2
Due to the current training restrictions counterpart Dominic “Woody” McKinley message from her sister Eilís in New Zealand
the aim of the webinars was to try to bring along with star players Aoife Cassidy and only to discover that Eilís was actually Webinar 6: Hurling Webinar: Coaching &
the pitch to the sitting rooms and this Brendan Rogers were the guests on the behind the curtain and made a personal Managing a Hurling Team Part 2
was well achieved through the use of top night. However, if that was not enough appearance. The Cassidy sisters, Niamh
class video recordings already produced to whet the appetites of the audience Kilkenny and Rena Buckley then treated Webinar 7: Developing a coaching Eye for
by Connacht GAA and the National Games another plethora of stars were revealed viewers to a lovely “caint agus comhrá” as Hurling
Development Department. The foresight mid-way from behind the curtain to Gaeilge to wrap up the evening.Football Hurling Club General
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GIVING A VOICE TO THE NEXT GENERATION - YOUTHREPS REPORT
THE YOUTHREPS ARE COMMITTED TO
WORKING TO ENSURE THAT OUR PEERS
FEEL VALUED, RESPECTED AND LISTENED
TO AT CLUB, COUNTY AND NATIONAL
LEVEL. EVERY YEAR WE ARE LEARNING
NEW APPROACHES AND PILOTING
IDEAS TO SEE HOW BEST TO MAXIMISE
ENGAGEMENT WITH OTHER YOUNG
PEOPLE.
The 2019 #GAAyouth Forum took place on
Saturday 26th October in Croke Park with
over 400 young people from across Ireland
attending a fun-filled and educational day
with a range of consultations, workshops
and insights with top players and experts.
As part of the Youth Forum a Consultation
Workshop around the topic of drop-
off and a Youth Congress were held to
gather the thoughts and feelings of the
delegates, ensuring that they have their
voice heard.
Consultation Workshop
A consultation focusing on drop-off was In addition to investigating why a young
held with 150 young players aged 14/15. player would stop playing. The YouthReps
The objectives of the Consultation were: facilitated discussions at each table and
encouraged the participants to share and
• to establish the factors that would debate their ideas. Recommendations
lead a young person to stop playing were sought for how to keep young players
Gaelic Games. involved, including
• to identify practical
recommendations/suggestions that • What young players can do.
• What coaches can do.
a teammate, coach and Club could • What clubs can do.
adopt to discourage young people
from dropping out of Gaelic Games.
The many reasons for a young person
dropping off can be seen in the word cloud.Football Hurling Club General
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Youth Congress Do you think that an ‘Interchange’ (unlimited Communication Substance Abuse
and rolling substitutions) system should be
The objectives of the Youth Congress introduced for all age-grades up to U17?
were:
• To allow for discussion and voting in
relation to topical items within Gaelic
Games;
• To gather the feedback on items
through table facilitators and through
voting devices.
The Youth Congress was chaired by
Diarmuid Cahill (Chairperson, GAA Based on the results and findings from the #GAAyouth Forum 2019 the YouthReps
Youth Committee) and attended by John prepared a number of recommendations for consideration by An Coiste Bainistíochta.
Horan (Uachtarán CLG), Kathleen Woods
(Uachtarán, An Cumann Camógaíochta)
and Marie Hickey (Uachtarán, Cumann
Peile na mBan).
Items to be discussed fell into 3
categories: Do you think that the first Inter-County age-
• Games Programmes grade should be increased from U17 to U19
• Communication for Gaelic Football and Hurling?
• Substance Use
Games Programme
Do you think there should be a tiered
Championship Competition for Inter-County
Minor Football?
The full report can be found at www.gaa.ie/news/gaa-youth/You can also read
