​Young Players can benefit greatly from sports in terms of personal development and enjoyment. Our players are encouraged to realise that as a result of their participation in our Gaelic Games that they also have a responsibility to treat other players and officials with fairness and respect. With rights there will always be responsibilities.

In accordance with the law and Association policy, any volunteer in the GAA intending to work with children, must have completed the following:
1. Garda Vetting

2. GAA Child Safeguarding 1 

3. The GAA foundation award at minimum

Further details on Child Safe guarding can be found at this official GAA Link
https://www.gaa.ie/api/pdfs/image/upload/o3i1quplsy8c6e5w0nmo.pdf

Young Players, and those who work with them in our Associations are required to ‘sign up’ and abide by this Code of Behaviour.

YOUNG PLAYERS SHOULD BE ENTITLED TO:

• Be safe and feel safe

• Have fun and experience a sense of enjoyment and fulfillment

• Be treated with respect, dignity and sensitivity

• Comment and make suggestions in a constructive manner

• Be afforded appropriate confidentiality

• Participate in games and competitions at levels with which they feel comfortable

• Make their concerns known and have them dealt with in an appropriate manner

• Be protected from abuse

• Be listened to

YOUNG PLAYERS SHOULD ALWAYS:

• Play fairly, do their best and enjoy themselves

• Respect fellow team members regardless of ability, cultural or ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation or religious beliefs

• Support fellow team members regardless of whether they do well or not

• Represent their team, their Club and their family with pride and dignity

• Respect all Coaches, Officials and their opponents

• Be gracious in defeat and modest in victory

• Shake hands before and after a game as part of the Give Respect Get Respect initiative, irrespective of the result

• Inform their Coach/Mentor/Manager in advance if they are unavailable for training and games

• Take due care of Club equipment

• Know that it is acceptable to talk to the Club Children’s Officer with any concerns or questions they may have

• Adhere to acceptable standards of behaviour and their Club’s Code of Discipline

​• Tell somebody else if they or others have been harmed in any way

YOUNG PLAYERS SHOULD ENGAGE IN GOOD PRACTICE:

• Never cheat – always play by the rules

• Never shout at or argue with a game’s official, with their Coach, their team mates or opponents and should

never use violence

• Never use unfair or Bullying tactics to gain advantage or isolate other players

• Never spread rumours

• Never tell lies about adults or other young people

• Never play or train if they feel unwell or are injured.

• Never use unacceptable language or racial and/or sectarian references to an opponent, a fellow player or official by words, deeds or gesture

• Never consume non-prescribed drugs or performance enhancing supplements