Tyrrellspass GAA Club Welfare

Tyrrellspass GAA promotes and implements a code of behaviour that encourages fair play, respect, equality and safety.  Tyrrellspass GAA Code of Behaviour complements the Code of Ethics and Good Practice for Children’s Sport and addresses the appropriate levels of behaviour, practice and conduct required from our young players, coaches, mentors, supporters, parents/ guardians and clubs.

The safeguarding of our members will be a key priority as we recognise that the welfare of the child is of paramount importance in our work.  Every player and parent who registers with Tyrrellspass GAA will be agreeing to abide by our codes of behaviour so we are urging you to be aware and read this page carefully.  As each policy is reviewed and updated it will be published here on the Website and will be readily available and easily accessible to members. It is our responsibility to ensure the best practice is implemented in Tyrrellspass GAA.

Coaches

The coachs of the underage teams within our club provide a positive, healthy and encouraging ethos to our young players while at the same time developing the skills levels of all players. Always encourage enjoyment and fun while ensuring meaningful participation in games and activities.

Respect all players, Give all players an opportunity to play and develop, don’t shout at or lecture players or reprimand 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.

Remember you are a role model for your players!

Best Practice

Tyrrellspass GAA Club follows all guidelines as noted in GAA Code of Behaviour when working with Underage Players.

More details on the code of conduct can be found on the GAA Website.

Some of the highlights include 

• Do not communicate individually by text with underage players.
• 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.
• Make adequate provision for First Aid services.Always remember to avoid compromising your role as a Coach
• Avoid a situation where you are alone in a car or dressing room with a player
• Avoid taking coaching sessions on your own
• Avoid spending time alone with a player or away from others
• Avoid taking young players to your home
• Latest and full policies are available on our Club Policies page

Club Children’s Officer

Tyrrellspass GAA has a Children’s Officers who promote our child welfare ethos and associated codes and guidelines.

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

Team Mentors, juvenile players or the parents of juvenile players can contact our Children’s Officer if they have any concerns or enquiries about child welfare or safety issues. 

Tyrrellspass GAA club children’s’ officers contact information 

Officer: Gary McGivney

Phone: 086 2780869

Email: childrensofficer.tyrrellspass.westmeath@gaa.ie

Garda Vetting

The GAA has a long established principle of vetting any person who, on our behalf, works with children or vulnerable adults in our Association. This principle is enshrined in rule through our Code of Best Practice in Youth Sport and has become part of the overall recruitment and selection process for those who wish to work with us in the GAA, in a voluntary or paid role.

Garda vetting can also now be done online with the new e-vetting service. Details on Garda Vetting Process is available here

Easy rules to remember when a club are organising transport

• It is good practice to receive informed consent from parents and young people who will be transporting their
child, why and how long the journey will take.
• Attempt to have more than one child in the car.
• Alternate drivers if possible and which child is dropped off last.
• Driver should have a point of contact/mobile phone.
• A person other than the planned driver should talk to the child about transport arrangements to check they are
comfortable about the plans.
• The driver must ensure that they have insurance to carry others.

• Drivers representing and volunteering on behalf of a club should be vetted through National Vetting Bureau/Access
NI if driving regularly, and therefore meeting the regulated activity criteria.

• Consider the need for booster seats.
• Parents and coaches can also download Sport Irelands SafeSport App @ https://www.sportireland.ie/Participation/Code_of_Ethics/Code-Of-Ethics-App.One
of the features of the App is a ‘Travel Tracker’ function. This allows parents and coaches who are driving someoneelse’s child/children home, for example after a training session, to permit the child’s parent or guardian to view and have oversight of their location for a specified period of time while they are travelling on a journey.

Child Safeguarding Statement

Everyone involved in our sports and activities should accept the roles and responsibilities that they undertake as we commit ourselves to maintaining an enjoyable and safe environment for all. The safeguarding of our memebers will always be a key priority as we recognise that the welfare of the child is of paramount importance in our work.