Childrens Page 2003

	CUMANN NA MBUNSCOL NÁISIÚNTA
Code of Conduct

CUMANN LÚTHCHLEAS GAEL

GAELIC ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

GUIDELINES

FOR

TEAM MENTORS & OFFICIALS

The greater the sense of achievement, fun and fair play that young people experience when participating in Gaelic Games, the more they will enjoy their involvement and strive to develop their True Potential’

Gabriel Marcel

DIGNITY AND RIGHTS OF YOUTH

It is important that all young players are valued and always treated with the highest level of respect. Their personal dignity and physical integrity are paramount and participation in sport should enable them to have fun, make friends and become better players.

Cumann Lúthchleas Gael believes that a youth centred approach should be adopted by everyone involved in the promotion and development of Gaelic games at underage level. The G.A.A Coaching resources and activity programmes are firmly rooted in this philosophy and highlight the importance of participation, enjoyment and equality. These are also structured to assist young people to value discipline and to strive to achieve their full potential as they mature and develop.

PUTTING “FAIR PLAY” INTO PERSPECTIVE

FAIR PLAY – ‘fir fer / cothrom na feinne’ has long been associated with the Celts. It is defined as a way of thinking, not just of behaving. It incorporates issues such as:

· elimination of cheating e.g. not playing overage players/making biased decisions when officiating

· encouraging players to learn from mistakes and encouraging them to risk error to learn

· creating an environment where young players are encouraged not to ‘give up’ or ‘give in’ and where they are not compelled to win

The following Principles of FAIR PLAY have been designed to ensure that youth sport is conducted in a positive/ empowering environment.

- PHYSICALLY – by acquiring basic playing techniques, improving physical fitness and developing lifetime health habits.

- PSYCHOLOGICALLY – by learning to control emotions and develop a sense of confidence in their own ability – technical, tactical, physical

- SOCIALLY AND MORALLY – by learning to combine with team-mates, play by the rules and respect team mentors and match officials.

Competition should be used as a basis to encourage young people to develop their full potential. Winning or striving to win is essential for enjoyable competition but must not be seen as an end in itsself. Players will be motivated by a range of internal and external factors e.g. prove to themselves or significant others – parents, coaches, teachers, etc. – that they have the required level of ability. The more they feel they have to do it – as distinct from wanting to do it – the more they will succumb to the stresses/ anxieties which result from the fear of losing. They will also find it harder to learn from defeat in that they will more likely transfer blame (scapegoating) as distinct from identifying areas where greater effort or change is required.

‘We do ourselves a disservice on many levels if we lose sight of the fact that culture is above all, in fact, our experience of fun, challenge, history, conflict, love, meaning, joy, friendship and all that makes life worthwhile.’

ROLE OF THE COACH/TEAM MENTOR

Team Coaches and Mentors can ensure that sport has a beneficial impact when they adhere to the following guidelines:

CODE OF CONDUCT

· Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every person and treat each one equally regardless of age, gender or ability.

· Ensure that nobody involved with the team acts towards or speaks to another person in a manner or engages in any other conduct which threatens, disparages, vilifies or insults another person on the basis of that person’s race, religion, colour, descent, national, ethnic or socio-economic background.

· Be positive during coaching sessions so that participants always leave with a sense of achievement and an increased level of self -esteem.

· Recognise the development needs of young players (avoid excessive training or competition) and ensure that they are matched on an individual or team basis.

· Rotate the team captain and the method used for selecting teams so that the same children are not always last to be selected.

· Be punctual, properly attired, lead by example, avoid smoking or the consumption of alcohol in presence of young people.

· Plan and prepare appropriately for each session and ensure proper levels of supervision.

· Ensure permission has been granted by the Club Executive before taking photographs, making videos or fitness testing e.g. measuring body fat, etc.

· Develop an understanding of the OTú Coaching Model and ensure that you have the appropriate level of Coaching accreditation.

· Ensure games, activities and playing equipment are customised to suit the needs of those involved in terms of age, ability, experience and maturity.

· Avoid overcoaching i.e, insisting upon set (stereotyped) playing patterns where individual decision-making and creativity are stifled or where young people are confined to playing in set positions on a continuous basis.

· Don’t shout at/ lecture players or reprimand/ridicule them when they make a mistake.

· Don’t equate losing with failure and do not develop a preoccupation with medals and trophies. (The level of improvement made by young players is the best indicators of Coaching effectiveness).

· Encourage parents/guardians to play an active role in organising activities and to draft a Code of Discipline for everyone involved.

· Never use foul language or provocative language/gestures to a player, opponent or match official. (The Coach should only enter the field with the referee’s permission and should not question their decisions or integrity).

· On occasions when the team travels away, separate sleeping facilities must be provided for all adults. If both genders are in the group, male and female Coaches must be present.

· Avoid sending messages – voice/ text/ e-mail – to players. (All messages/circulars etc. should be in writing and directed to the young person’s parents/ guardians).

· It’s important to recognise that certain situations or friendly actions – e.g. horse play/role play/telling jokes etc - could be misinterpreted and could lead to allegations of misconduct or impropriety.

· Do not have a situation where you are alone in a car or dressing-room with a player.

· Avoid any inappropriate touching when assisting players to perform a technique or when First Aid is being administered.

· Make adequate provision for First Aid and do not encourage or allow players to play while injured. (Keep an adequate record of each injury and ensure that another official - referee/ team mentor – is present when a player is being attended to and can corroborate the relevant details).

· Ensure players are safely attired and that proper insurance arrangements are in place.

· Ensure that all dressing rooms and areas occupied by the Team, prior to, during or immediately following the completion of any Match are kept clean and are not damaged in any way

· Ensure that unrestricted access to the Internet is not provided on the Club premises.

EVERY EFFORT SHOULD BE MADE TO ENSURE THAT THE GREATEST POSSIBLE NUMBER OF YOUNG PEOPLE MAINTAIN AN ONGOING INVOLVEMENT AND THAT THEY EXPERIENCE THE FEELING OF SUCCESS THAT COMES FROM SOMEONE SAYING “WELL DONE” OR “YOU TRIED AS HARD AS YOU COULD” OR “YOU GAVE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE TO THE TEAM”.

‘If only the sun-drenched celebrities are being noticed and worshipped, then our Youth are going to have a tough time seeing the value in the shadows, where the thinkers, probers and teachers are keeping society together’.

ROLE OF PARENTS/ GUARDIANS

Parents/ guardians have an influential role to play in assisting their off spring to adopt positive attitudes and encouraging them to maintain an involvement in sport. The following guidelines will be of assistance in this regard:

DO’S

DO SHOW APPROVAL FOR EFFORT, NOT JUST RESULTS

DO TRY TO APPRECIATE THE STRENGTH OF A YOUNG PERSON’S EMOTIONS - POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE

DO REMEMBER THAT YOUNG PEOPLE PLAY GAELIC GAMES FOR THEIR OWN REASONS AND NOT YOURS

DON’T’S

DON’T CRITICISE PLAYING PERFORMANCE – SEEK TO IDENTIFY AREAS WHERE IMPROVEMENTS CAN BE MADE

‘Instead of making sense of what others do, we should try to understand what sense they make out of what we do.’

Young people must be encouraged to realise that they also have responsibilities to treat others with fairness and respect.

· respect fellow team members giving them support when they do well or not so well

· let the Coach know when they are unavailable for training and competition

· approach the Club’s Liaison Officer with any questions or concerns they may have

· be happy, have fun and experience a sense of enjoyment and fulfilment (There is little or no joy in being a substitute or being continually taken off the team).

· Should a Coach admonish young players for forgetting some of their playing attire?

No, the Coach should reiterate the importance of all players being properly attired and should not allow players to participate without adequate safety equipment e.g. helmet with facial protection when playing hurling.

· During the winter months a young player wants to play in tracksuit bottoms, the Coach jokes about him being a “cissy “ in front of other boys.

Not appropriate to call a young person names whether in front of peers or not. Ensure that all players are always addressed by their Christian names.

· During a summer camp a twelve-year-old regularly turns up without a packed lunch that parents/ guardians were meant to provide.

Refer the matter to the Club’s Youth Liaison Officer to discuss with parents/guardians.

· A ten year old boy/girl is sick on the bus travelling home from an away game after eating a lot of sweets. The coach gives out to him or her for the mess he/she has made.

Not appropriate to take issue with a young person when vulnerable. Inform the child’s parents/guardians on return.

· A coach expresses his/her delight after a win by slapping one of the children on the bum.

Not appropriate. Clubs should not have a culture where it is perceived as acceptable to slap a child’s bum in a playful manner. The matter should be brought to the attention of the Youth Liaison Officer.

· You are coaching an after school team in January and finish at 5 p.m. One eight year old has not been collected by his parents/guardians and lives some distance away.

Arrangements should be made in advance to ensure that all youngsters are collected at the appropriate time. (This highlights the importance of punctuality). Provision should also be made in advance to deal with any contingencies that might arise i.e.young player to travel home with neighbour who has a son/daughter participating. Under these circumstances, the parents/guardians should be contacted and the matter brought to the attention of the Club’s Youth Liaison Officer.

· A team mentor claims that the concept of self-esteem does not make sense.

Not appropriate. It should be explained to the person concerned that self-esteem is another name for the level of self-worth experienced by a person. It can be enhanced when young people are within an environment where their needs are catered for.

· Some parents are inclined to jeer opponents when they are on the sideline at games.

Not appropriate. It should be emphasised to all concerned that they should cheer not jeer.

‘The first duty to children is to make them happy. If you have not made them so you have wronged them. No other good they may get can make up for that’.

· To develop and maintain a youth centred ethos within Cumann Lúthchleas Gael by promoting awareness of the “Code of Best Practice for Youth Sport”.

· To encourage the involvement of parents/guardians in organising activities and to co-operate with parents in ensuring that every young person enjoys his/her involvement.

· To establish good links with local school involved in the promotion of Gaelic games.

· To ensure that PLAYERS, PARENTS/GUARDIANS, COACHES, MENTORS, OFFICIALS & SPECTATORS understand and apply the principles of FAIR PLAY

· To ensure that Club Membership Form – see Appendix 1 – is completed by all youth members.

It is important to note that the Club Youth Liaison Officer does not have the responsibility of assessing, investigating or validating protection concerns, involving underage players. It is possible that these concerns will be brought to the attention of the Youth Liaison Officer. If the Youth Liaison Officer receives a disclosure he/ she should follow the reporting procedures set out in the ‘Guidelines for Dealing with Allegations of Abuse’, (Second Edition), March 2001.

‘ The young always have the same problem – how to rebel and conform at the same time. They have now solved this by defying their parents and copying one another’.

When the effects of drug misuse or substance abuse are considered, the absolute necessity of directing responses at prevention becomes apparent. People need to ensure that they work towards creating safe, healthy environments where young people develop the skills and attitudes necessary to cope with a more drug orientated society. In this context, the importance of having sound educational programmes cannot be underestimated.

Cumann Lúthchleas Gael and the Irish Sports Council are committed, as part of their overall philosophy, to:

“Discourage the use of drugs, alcohol and tobacco on the basis that they are incompatible with a healthy approach to sporting activity”.

Scope of Policy

This policy is in force at all times at GAA facilities and during all activities conducted under the aegis of Cumann Lúthchleas Gael.

Definition of Drugs

For the purpose of this policy the term drug will be defined as all mood-altering substances, both legal and illegal, and involves substances such as tobacco, solvents and alcohol.

It is important that all Club members, officials, staff and mentors follow the law when it comes to illegal drugs and the use of alcohol and tobacco and display leadership and good example particularly when dealing with Underage members.

Education Programme

Aim

The aim of the drug education programme is to ensure that young people maintain a healthy lifestyle and a positive involvement in sport.

Best way of delivering the programme

All drug education programmes should be structured in an age appropriate way and tailored to meet the needs of the various target groups i.e.mentors and players. Back-up support should be sought from existing statutory bodies as appropriate.

Cumann Lúthchleas Gael will endeavour to deal with any alcohol or illicit drug incident in a firm but fair manner, with due regard for the safety and welfare of the individuals involved, other members of the Association, the wider community, and to fulfill any legal obligations that might apply.

Outline of Restrictions

The possession, use, supply or presenting under the influence of, alcohol or illicit drugs (improper or illegal use of solvents, magic mushrooms, medications) are viewed as unacceptable by Cumann Lúthchleas Gael.

Reporting of incidents

Suspected, alleged or confirmed incidents in breach of this policy must be referred to the Chairman of the Club or County concerned. He/she, in turn, will inform the Executive. The Executive will decide on the appropriate response (see sanctions below).

Recording of Information

Information regarding suspected, alleged or confirmed incidents in breach of this policy received by the Executive will be minuted in the usual way. Only in confirmed cases will names of individuals be recorded. The recording of factual information only is preferable, opinions must be stated as such. Responses of the Executive to cases will also be recorded in this way.

Confidentiality

While every effort will be made to respect confidentiality, it may not always be possible to guarantee confidentiality in relation to alcohol or illicit drug incidents.

Involving Parents/Guardians

It will be standard practice to inform parents/guardians if their son/daughter is involved in an alcohol or illicit drug incident. Their involvement and support is seen as essential in the resolution of these difficulties. Parents/guardians will be invited to discuss what has happened and will be informed of the course of action to be taken.

Involving Police Authority

In suspected or alleged incidents involving the supply of illegal drugs, it is policy to inform the relevant police authority. Police advice may also be sought on a case-by-case basis. This decision in this regard will rest with the Club Executive. Cumann Lúthchleas Gael also asserts it’s right to inform the relevant policy authority of any “outside” drug activity affecting the welfare of the Club and its members.

Sanctions

In the event of suspected/confirmed breaches of this code, the following sanctions may apply:

Cumann Lúthchleas Gael retains the right to search any part of its property if there is reasonable cause to believe a substance in breach of this policy may be contained therein. Two officials/mentors of the unit concerned must be present during any form of search. Where there is reasonable cause to believe a player (or others using the facilities) has on their person or in their possession a substance in breach of the policy, they will be asked to volunteer the substance. If they refuse, the relevant police authority may be called in to conduct the search.

Disposing of (Suspected) Illegal Drugs

If an illegal drug (or suspected illegal drug) is found on property or during related activity, it should be brought to the attention of the Chairman of the unit concerned. It should be stored securely by officials/mentors of the unit concerned while relevant policy authority are called to come and collect it. Two officials/mentors should be present during any procedures involving handling of illegal substances.

First Aid and Emergency Procedures

Availability, use and Storage of Solvents

Doping/ Use of Performance Enhancing Substances/ Methods

In the interests of maintaining fair play it is important that player’s adhere to the guidelines set out in the GAA Anti-Doping Code.

Keeping Updated

Regular updates to information can be obtained from www.sports-drugs.com from which a list of all banned substances can be printed. Queries can also be direct to the Irish Sports Council by telephone, if urgent.

Name of Youth Member: …………………………………………Date of Birth: ………………

Address: ……………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Telephone Number: ……………………… (Home) ………………………………(Mobile)

Contact Address: …………………………………………………………………………………..

School: ………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………….……

I commit to assisting the Club in any way I can with regard to the promotion and

I undertake to pay the required sums by the dates specified in the information and accept that in respect of any withdrawal from the trip,

for whatever reason, there can be no refund of the whole or part payments unless the circumstances are covered by insurance.

I confirm that I have received details of the above activity and consent to my child taking part in the visits and activities indicated.

I acknowledge that the Club will be liable in the event of any accident only if they have failed to take reasonable steps in their duty of care

for my child during the trip. I understand that the stall have a common law duty to act in the capacity of a reasonably prudent parent/ guardian.

I have read the Code of Best Practice and agree that my child should abide by this whilst in the care of the Club and I understand that a

serious or continued breach of this Code may result in my child being sent home early at my expense.

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