Castleblayney Faughs Juvenile/Young Players Code

Castleblayney Faughs is committed to providing a child centred environment for all our underage players (u18 players also referred to as ‘Young Payers’) where the welfare of the children participating is held above all other objectives. Ensuring that all children are participating in a safe and fun environment will help the club meet its coaching philosophy of ‘as many as we can for as long as we can’ in terms of player retention.

Young players have a right to expect minimum standards from their coaches/helpers (detailed below) but Young Players also have responsibilities that they need meet (as detailed below)

As a registered member of the GAA, you as a Young Player have already agreed to the GAA Code of Conduct for Young Players: Part 1 of Section 3 of the GAA Safeguarding Policy .

Below is a summary of some of the key expectations of Young Players and also what young players are entitled to expect. This summary is taken from the GAA Safeguarding Policy, however, Young Players and their parents should be familiar with the full content of Part 1 of Section 3 of the policy.

Young Players within the Club are asked to do the following:

Never use unacceptable language or racial and/or sectarian or homophobic references towards a teammate, an opponent, a fellow player, coach, official or supporter by words, deeds or gestures.

Never use violence towards teammates, coaches, officials, opponents or supporters.

Never shout at or argue with a game’s official, with their coach, their teammates or opponents.

Never use unfair or Bullying tactics to gain advantage or isolate other players

Never use social media or social media apps to distribute or redistribute offensive content or to taunt, bully or racially abuse others.

Never tell lies about adults or other young people

Accept the decisions of referees and other officials

Do not use phones whilst at training or matches

Remember that coaches are volunteers giving up their own time

Support fellow team members regardless of whether they do well or not

Take due care of Club equipment and facilities

NOTE: Abuse (verbal or physical) of fellow players, coaches, opposition players and/or officials will not be tolerated by the club and the club reserve the right to implement disciplinary action as a last resort which maybe include training and/or match bans for repeat behaviour.

Young players can expect to; a) have fun and experience a sense of enjoyment and fulfilment, b) be treated with respect, dignity and sensitivity; c) be afforded meaningful playing time to assist in the development of their playing skills, within their own age group and in accordance with rule, d) make their concerns known and have them dealt with in an appropriate manner, e) be protected from abuse,

f) be listened to and have their suggestions heard in a constructive manner and g) be coached with mentors with appropriate vetting and safeguarding training. Refer to GAA Safeguarding policy for full list of expectations.

All young players and their Parents should know that it is appropriate to talk to the Club Children’s Officer with any concerns or questions and to tell somebody else if they or others have been harmed in any way.