Ratoath GAA promotes and implements a code of behaviour that encourages fair play, respect, equality and safety.  Ratoath 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 always 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 Ratoath GAA will be agreeing to abide by our codes of behaviour so we are urging you to be aware and read 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 Ratoath GAA.

Coaches

You, the coach of an underage team 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

• Ensure that all players are suitably and safely attired to play their chosen sport.
• Keep a record of attendance at training and at games by both players and coaches.
• Be punctual and properly attired.
• 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.
• Set realistic – stretching but achievable – performance goals.
• Encourage parents/guardians to play an active role in organising and assisting various activities for your teams and your club.
• Use mobile phones, if deemed appropriate, only via our Club Clubzap App system for communicating with the parents/guardians of players and receive such permission at the commencement of each season.
• Do not communicate individually by text with underage players.
• Keep a record of each injury and actions taken. Ensure that another official, referee, and/or team mentor is present when a player is being attended to and can corroborate the relevant details.
• Ensure that all dressing rooms(N/A during Covid Restrictions) 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.
• 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.
• Do not encourage or permit players to play while injured.
• 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

Players

Our YOUNG PLAYERS should always:

• Play fairly, do their best and enjoy themselves.
• Bump First/Elbows before and after the game irrespective of the result (During Covid Restrictions this is a fist pump or Elbow to elbow Tap)
• Respect fellow team members, coaches, referees and opponents
• Be gracious in defeat and modest in victory.
• Inform their coach/mentor/manager when they are unavailable for training and games.
• Talk to the Club Children’s Officer with any concerns or questions they may have.
• Take due care of club equipment

Latest and full policies are available on our Club Policies page

Parents/Guardians

• Encourage your child to play by the rules
• Respect coaches, Officials’ and Opponents
• Assist the team and co-operate with the club as requested
• Never enter the field of play unless invited to do so.
• Do not put undue pressure on your child or another child

Latest and full policies are available on our Club Policies page

Supporters

• Applaud good performance and efforts from players and opponents, regardless of the result.
• Condemn the use of violence in any form, be it by fellow spectators, coaches, officials or players.
• Encourage players to participate according to the rules and the referees’ decisions.
• Demonstrate appropriate behaviour by not using foul language or harassing players, coaches or officials.
• Never enter the field of play, before, during or after a game, unless specifically invited to do so by an official in charge.
• Respect the decisions of all officials.
• Never ridicule or scold a player for making a mistake during games or competitions.
• Show respect to your Club’s opponents. Without them, there would be no games or competitions.
• Uphold the principles of FAIR PLAY and RESPECT for all.

Latest and full policies are available on our Club Policies page

Club Children’s Officer

Ratoath GAA has 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. Ratoath GAA club children’s’ officers contact information can be found on our contacts page

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

Garda vetting application is available at GAA E-Vetting

Child Protection Workshop

In line with best practice in the recruitment and selection of persons to work with children, all Ratoath GAA coaches are Garda vetted and are required to attend a Child Protection Workshop.

The Child Protection workshop schedule is available from the club child protection officer