COACH CODE OF CONDUCT

Coaches should maintain a child centered approach:

•   Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every person.

•  Treat each person equally regardless of age, gender, ability, ethnic origin, cultural background or religion.

 •  Be 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.

•  Recognise 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.

•  Develop an understanding of relevant coaching methods and ensure that they have the appropriate level of coaching accreditation.

•  Do not equate losing with failure and do not develop a preoccupation with medals and trophies. The level of improvement made by underage players is the best indicator of effective coaching.

Coaches should lead by example:

•  Never use foul language or provocative language/gestures to a player, opponent or match official.

•  Only enter the field of play with the Referee's permission.

•  Do not question a Referee's decisions or integrity.

•  Encourage players to respect and accept the judgement of match officials.

•  Promote Fair Play and encourage all players and fellow officials to always play by the rules of the game.

•  Do not encourage or threaten a player by deed or gesture to act in any unacceptable manner towards an opponent, fellow player or official.

•  Promote the RESPECT campaign amongst your players, fellow coaches, parents and supporters.

•  Do not smoke while working with underage players.

•  Do not consume alcohol or non prescribed drugs immediately prior to or while underage players are in your care.

•  Encourage parents to become involved in your team and Club activities wherever possible.

COACH BEST PRACTICE AND COMMUNICATING WITH YOUNG PEOPLE

Coach guidleines / best practice when working with young people:

•  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.

•  Don't 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.

•  The 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.

Avoid compromising your role as coach:

Some activities may require coaches to come into physical contact with underage players in the course of their duties. However, coaches should;

•  Avoid taking coaching sessions on your own.

•  Only deliver one to one coaching, if deemed necessary, within a group setting.

•  Avoid unnecessary physical contact with an underage player and never engage in inappropriate touching of a player.

•  Be 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:

•  Ensure that all of your players are suitably and safely attired to play their chosen sport. e.g. helmets (Hurling and Camogie) and gum shields (Football). 

•  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 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.

Parents/Guardians have an influential role to play in assisting and encouraging their children to fully participate in Gaelic Games, whether by playing our games or attending training or coaching sessions.

In common with Coaches and Club personnel the Parents/Guardians of underage players should act as role models for their children as they participate in Gaelic Games.

NB: Communicating with underage players and teams

Coaches and mentors should never place themselves in a compromising position by texting or communicating via social media sites with underage players. All such communications regarding GAA activities should be sent via the parents or guardians of the underage player, unless otherwise agreed with the parents/guardians, in writing.

In general the following should apply when communicating with underage players:

•  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. (see Juvenile Membership Application form)

•  Do not communicate individually by text/email sites with underage players.

•  Do not engage in communications with underage players via social network sites.

Dealing with Allegations or Concerns of Abuse:

The GAA, Ladies Gaelic Football Association, the Camogie Association, GAA Handball Ireland and the Rounders Council of Ireland all actively work in the promotion of our Games amongst young people and must be alert to the possibility that children with whom we are working may be suffering from abuse or neglect.

We all have a legal duty of care to children and young people. This means that we have an obligation to provide them with the highest possible standard of care in order to promote their well-being and safeguard them from abuse. Organisations are responsible for any failure to provide adequate care and safeguards for children in their care.

Additionally, should any member or employee of our Association be aware of any concerns or reports of abuse by or of an adult such matters should also be dealt with as matters of urgency through appropriate Club channels and in consultation with statutory authorities.

Guidance is available for members or employees on such matters from their relevant Designated Persons.

Each of our Associations has signed up to the joint Code of Behaviour when working with underage players , and we have agreed procedures so as to facilitate our members in the Reporting of Allegations of Abuse to statutory authorities. While additional and detailed guidance is given by each Association on reporting procedures in the event of concerns or allegations of abuse it is important that those who work on our behalf with underage teams and players are aware of the need to apply absolute confidentiality when dealing with all aspects of concern or allegations of abuse. This essentially means that information should only be shared with those that need to know such information in order to protect children or young people.

Any concerns should be made to club Designated Liason Officer, Joanne Gavigan: xxx-xxxxxxxx