Have a look at some of our Frequently Asked Questions below:
The GAA policy states that when we pass on information regarding games, training or other activities
for the attention of our underage players that we do so via group texts and that these group texts
should be sent to the parents/guardians of underage players. The same good practice guidance applies
when using emails or social media sites. The team Coach, Club Registrar or the Club Rúnaí should
obtain these relevant contact numbers/emails when an underage player is being registered on an
annual basis. This recommendation only applies to underage players i.e. under 18 year of age.
If, for whatever reason, a parent/guardian insists or requests that the information is sent directly
by the club to their child and gives this request in writing, the club may, if they so wish, accede
to this request. However, if the club accedes to the request the information can only be sent as part
of a group text and cannot be communicated individually to the underage player. A parental/guardian
request to have such information sent directly to their child may be refused by the club in the
interest of good practice. The GAA would regard the individual texting of an underage player by their
coach or mentor as being inappropriate and unacceptable and a breach of the above code.
An underage player is a person who is eligible to play in a game or event for persons under 18 years
of age or a player who is under 18 years of age and playing above his age group. Legislation in
Ireland also defines a child as any person under 18 years of age and parents/guardians therefore have
a particular level of responsibility for their child’s welfare while they remain under 18 years of
age. (We use the terms child and young person frequently when we refer to underage players.)
The recommended group text mechanism is still preferred but if you have parental/guardian permission
to group text underage players, you may avail of this option.
The same recommendation applies and parental/guardian permission must be sought if you wish to
directly communicate with the young person as part of a group text scheme.
Your County Children’s officer will be in a position to support any officer who requires assistance. Within Ulster GAA; Bernie Fox (Head of Safeguarding) and/or Ciara McCrory (Safeguarding Manager) are available to provide advice, support and information.
The GAA Safeguarding Training Policy for Gaelic Games sets out the accepted Safeguarding Workshops for all Gaelic Games Associations together with any specific requirements for attendance and renewal of certification.
Children’s Officer Email / One Drive support
- GAA Emails: To access your GAA.ie E Mail Account click HERE.
- Password Resets (New Officers are required to reset their passwords) To request a password reset for a gaa.ie email account, please send a request from another club officer gaa.ie email account to Mail.support@gaa.ie.
- Office 365 Training/Support For training on E Mail(Outlook) and other Microsoft 365 features such as One Drive and Teams please click HERE.
Have a question about any of our programmes?
Contact us today to find out more about how our programmes can be applied within your club. Contact us









