All coaches/managers in MOY DAVITTS GAA Club have a responsibility to ensure the safety of the
players with whom they work, as far as possible within the limits of their control and are committed to.
MAINTAINING A CHILD CENTRED APPROACH BY:
• Respecting the rights, dignity and worth of every person.
• Treating each person equally regardless of age, gender, ability, ethnic origin, cultural background or
religion.
• Being positive during coaching sessions, games and other activities so that underage players always
leave with a sense of achievement and an increased level of self-esteem.
• Recognising the development needs and capacity of all underage players, regardless of their ability, by
emphasising participation for all while avoiding excessive training and competition. Skills development
and personal satisfaction should have priority over competition when working with underage players.
• Developing an understanding of relevant coaching methods and ensure that they have the appropriate
level of coaching accreditation.
• Not equating losing with failure and do not develop a preoccupation with medals and trophies.
• Recognising that the level of improvement made by underage players is the best indicator of effective
coaching.
LEADING BY EXAMPLE BY:
• Never using foul language or provocative language/gestures to a player, opponent or match official.
• Only entering the field of play with the Referee’s permission.
• Not questioning a Referee’s decisions or integrity.
• Encouraging players to respect and accept the judgement of match officials.
• Promoting Fair Play and encourage all players and fellow officials to always play by the rules of the
game.
• Not encouraging or threatening a player by deed or gesture to act in any unacceptable manner
towards an opponent, fellow player or official.
• Promoting the RESPECT campaign amongst your players, fellow coaches, parents and supporters.
• Not smoking while working with underage players.
• Not consuming alcohol or non-prescribed drugs immediately prior to or while underage players are in
your care.
• Encouraging parents to become involved in your team and Club activities wherever possible.
WHEN WORKING WITH YOUNG PEOPLE COACHES WILL:
• Develop an appropriate working relationship with children based on mutual trust and respect.
• Challenge Bullying in any form whether physical or emotional. Bullying is not acceptable behaviour be
it from a young person, coach, parent/guardian, spectator or match official.
• Not shout at or lecture players or reprimand/ridicule them when they make a mistake. Children learn
best through trial and error. Children and young people should not be afraid to risk error so as to learn.
• Use of any form of physical punishment is prohibited as is any form of physical response to
misbehaviour, unless it is by way of restraint.
• Avoid incidents of horse play or role play or telling jokes etc. that could be misinterpreted.
• Never undertake any form of therapy or hypnosis, in the training of children.
• Never encourage players to consume non-prescribed drugs or take performance enhancing
supplements.
COACHES WILL AVOID COMPROMISING THEIR ROLE BY:
• Avoiding taking coaching sessions on your own.
• Only delivering one to one coaching, if deemed necessary, within a group setting.
• Avoiding unnecessary physical contact with an underage player and never engage in inappropriate
touching of a player.
• Being aware that any necessary contact should be determined by the age and development of the
player and should only take place with the permission and understanding of the player and in an open
environment in the context of developing a player’s skills and abilities.
BEST PRACTICE FOR COACHES
• Ensure that all of your players are suitably and safely attired to play eg. Gumshield
• As a coach always be punctual and properly attired.
• Be accompanied by at least one other adult at coaching sessions, games and in underage team
dressing rooms.
• Set realistic – stretching but achievable – performance goals for your players and teams.
• Keep a record of attendance at training and at games by both players and coaches.
• Rotate the team captaincy and the method used for selecting teams so that the same children are not
always selected to the exclusion of others.
• Keep a record of any injuries and actions subsequently taken. Ensure that another official
referee/team mentor is present when a player is being attended to and can corroborate the relevant
details.
• Make adequate provision for First Aid services.
• Do not encourage or permit players to play while injured.
• Be aware of any special medical or dietary requirements of players as indicated on the medical
consent/registration forms or as informed by parents/guardians.
• Ensure that all dressing rooms and the general areas that are occupied by your players and other Club
personnel, prior to, during or immediately following the completion of any match are kept clean and are
not damaged in any way.
• Be willing to keep the necessary and emergency medication of players in a safe and accessible place in
accordance with the wishes and permission of the parents/guardians.
• Do not administer medication or medical aid unless you are willing to do so and have received the
necessary training to administer such aid.
• Use mobile phones, if deemed appropriate, only via a group text or email system for communicating
with the parents/guardians of players. Any exception to this form of group texting can only be
proceeded with following permission from parents/guardians.
• Do not communicate individually by text/email with underage players.
• Do not engage in communications with underage players via social network sites.
• Encourage parents/guardians to play an active role in organising and assisting various activities for
your teams and your Club.
• If it is necessary to transport a child/young person in your car, ensure that they are seated in a rear
seat with seat belts securely fastened and that all drivers are adequately insured.
• With the exception of their own child a coach should not transport a child alone, except in emergency
or exceptional circumstances.
Best Practice Across Various Age-groups:
• Managers from teams that may be swapping players for alternative age groups should meet in person to
discuss and agree.
• All discussions must involve the management teams and not just direct contact with player or parents. If
agreement is not reached the said managers then meet with Coaching Steering Group.
• A player must not play at an age group for 4 years (ie. must be in his last year of the age group below to
play for higher age group).
• No U17 players are permitted to train with the senior team.
• A coaching team / manager should only manage the same team / group of players for 2 years
consecutively (as far as practical).
• The Enda Gilmore blitz is completed on a date in July – the date to coincide with, or close to, Enda’s
birthday.
• If a management team resigns, the Coaching Officers and/or Coaching Steering Group to convene a new
management group for that age-group.
