Code of Conduct and Best Practice

Straffan GAA Juvenile Section is fully committed to safeguarding the well-being of its members. Every individual in the club should at all times show respect and understanding for members’ rights, safety and welfare. Our members should conduct themselves in a way that reflects the principles of our club.

Code of Conduct for Children

Children will be required by the club to:

  • Have fun.

  • Show respect for their coaches, fellow players, opponents, and match officials and the

decisions they make.

  • Wear a gum shield at all matches and training sessions. This is mandatory under GAA

rules.

  • Provide their own sporting and protective equipment including club colour clothing as

advised by coaches.

  • Show respect for Straffan Club facilities and the facilities of any club visited.

  • Remember at all times that they are representing their club, parish and community.

  • Always shake hands with the other team after a match

  • Play fair in training and matches.

  • Be punctual for all matches and training.

Children should not:

  • Cheat, use violence or verbal abuse.

  • Bully.

  • Be dishonest

Code of Conduct for Parents/Guardians

Parents and guardians should:

  • Show appreciation of and respect for sports leaders and their decisions.

  • Inform mentors of any medical condition their child suffers from.

  • Encourage their child to play by the rules.

  • Behave responsibly on the sidelines.

  • Focus on the child’s efforts rather than performance.

  • Focus on the fun and participation of the child in the activity.

  • Be punctual when dropping and collecting your child at training.

PARENTS AND GUARDIANS OF NURSERY PLAYERS MUST STAY ON SITE DURING TRAINING

Code of Conduct for Mentors

  • The club’s activities are to be carried out in an atmosphere of respect for children and in a

spirit of fair play and equality.

  • More than one adult must be present at any of the club’s activities. In the case where an

official of the club is not available to fulfil this requirement a parent or guardian may be

asked to remain for the duration of the activity.

  • Parents will be informed of an injury to a child or problems expressed by the child.

  • Foul or abusive language is not to be used in addressing children.

  • No excessive demands or expectations are to be made on children.

  • The use of corporal punishment or physical force on a child is forbidden.

Mentors should:

  • Avoid spending time with children away from others or taking children alone in their car.

  • Be aware at all times that they are representing their club, parish and community.

  • Show and encourage respect for match officials, opponents, facilities and equipment.

  • Be punctual and encourage punctuality for all of the club’s activities.

  • Rotate the captaincy of the team and ensure that each player gets playing time (this is applicable to all Go Games).

Any breach of the above will be dealt with by the Juvenile Committee.

Important Notice: Mentors cannot phone or text any player under the age of 18 on their mobile phone. They must phone the players parent/guardian. This has been advised by the GAA.

Club Discipline

Misconduct by children will result in a warning issued by the mentor. If this misconduct is repeated, minor sanctions, such as a time out from a training session will be invoked. If the misconduct continues the child’s parents will be informed and they will have to remove the child immediately from the training session so as not to cause any further disruption for the other players. Serious misconduct by a club member will be dealt with by the committee as a whole.

Safety Procedures

  • A first aid kit will be made available by the club for all matches and training sessions.

  • Mentors are to have access to relevant emergency and parent contact numbers at all

sessions.

  • Injuries and dangerous occurrences are to be reported by mentors to the Juvenile

Committee.

  • Safe behaviour on and off the field will be promoted by the club.

Children’s Officer: Deirdre Murphy | +353 87 638 3876

The Children’s Officer ensures the implementation and promotion of the relevant Child Welfare and Protection Codes and Guidelines for good practice in the Club, to ensure that young people can participate, enjoy and benefit from our Gaelic Games in safe and enjoyable surroundings.

Designated Person: Ciarán Reilly | T+353 86 175 1686

The Designated Person is the first point of contact for child protection and welfare incidents, who will in turn contact the County Board designated person and other relevant bodies.

Code of Best Practice Committee: Patricia O’Brien, Bernie Molloy, Jack Hennigan.