Appointment of Team Officer (Ver2016-1)

/ Appointment of Team Officer(s)
Acceptance of our Club Codes, Policies & Procedures

Foxrock Cabinteely GAA Club (“The Club”) is committed to the promotion of an environment for participation, play and performance which upholds the dignity and respect of the individual and which supports every individual’s right to participate, play and perform in an environment which is free from any form of harassment, intimidation or bullying, and where improvements in performance are facilitated through a programme of safe, guided practice and measured performance & / or competition.

The Club recognises that the role of the Team Officer within sport is a very important one. Sports Team Officers are expected to conform to ethical standards in a number of areas: respect and dignity, relationships, commitment, co-operation, integrity, safety and competence. They are also expected to receive respect from Parents & Players. To be part of the management team in the Club it is a requirement that we all agree to the Clubs Codes, Policies and Procedures.

Our Clubs Codes, Policies and Procedures are published and available on our Club Web site. They are based on the GAA’s Code of Best Practice in Youth Sport (Our Games Our Code). This document is an extract of this to support your understanding of some the key points of essential to your role. The full documents are available on our Club Web Site.

All adults involved in team training sessions and/or matches are required to be Garda Vetted. They will be required to complete a Garda Vetting form and return it to our Club Secretary. If not already Garda Vetted, a copy of the form is available on our Club Web Site or the LGFA web site:

For the purposes of this document, the Club has four roles that a team officer may occupy:

  1. Lead mentor / manager,
  2. Team coach,
  3. Mentor (who is part of the lead mentor’s / managers management team) and
  4. Team female liaison officer (FLO), which is a mandatory role for any team/squad up to Minor inclusive.

For all ‘Team Officer’ roles, the Executive formally appoints them as part of the selection process. Consequently, a team officer is required to understand their responsibilities and agree to abide by the Club Codes, Policies and Procedures & the GAA’s Code of Best Practice in Youth Sport (Our Games Our Code).

Having read this extract or the Clubs more detailed ‘Club Codes, Policies & Procedures’ (Handbook), you are required to sign and return Page 7to our Club Secretary. Formal appointment is confirmed only upon ratification by the Clubs Executive Committee.

Team Officers

All Team Officers should ensure that young people andchildren benefit significantly from our games by promoting a positive, healthy and participatory approachin our work with underage players. In developing the skill levels of every player, Team Officers should alwaysencourage enjoyment and fun whilst ensuring meaningful participation in our games and activities.Team Officers should always remember that they are role models for the players in their care.

Selection of Team Officers

All Team Officers working with young people and children are required to be suitable for their chosen role(s),and should be appropriately trained, qualified and supported to fulfil such roles. All persons working orvolunteering for such roles are require to undertake agreed vetting and background Garda checks and toattend coaching and training courses relevant to their roles. Team Officers must also be fully paid up members. The lapsing of membership also automatically lapses eligibility to hold or to continue to hold a Team Officer role.

Team Officers should maintain a Child Centred approach

  • Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every person.
  • Treat each person equally regardless of age, gender, ability, ethnic origin, cultural background orreligion.
  • Be positive during coaching sessions, games and other activities so that underage players alwaysleave 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. Skillsdevelopment and personal satisfaction should have priority over competition when working withunderage players.
  • Develop an understanding of relevant coaching methods and ensure that they have theappropriate 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.

Team Officers Should Lead By Example

  • Never use foul language or provocative language/gestures to a player, parent, opponent or match official.
  • Only enter the field of play with the Referee’s permission.
  • Do not question a refereeing decision or refereeing integrity.
  • Encourage players to respect and accept the judgement of match officials.
  • Promote Fair Play.
  • Do not smoke while working with underage players, and do not consume alcohol or non-prescribed drugs prior to or while working with underage playersin your care.
  • Encourage parents to become involved in your team and Club activities wherever possible (see Our Games Our Code of Best Practice in Youth Sport page 9 for further details).

Conduct of Team Officers 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 absolutelyunacceptable behaviour, be it from a young person, team officer, parent/guardian, spectator or match official.
  • Do not shout at or lecture players or reprimand/ridicule them when they make a mistake. Childrenlearn best through trial and error. Children and young people should not be afraid to risk error so asto learn.
  • The use of any form of physical punishment is prohibited, as is any form of physical response tomisbehaviour, unless it is by way of restraint.
  • Avoid incidents of horseplay or role-play or telling jokes etc. that could be misinterpreted.
  • Never undertake any form of therapy or hypnosis in the training of children.

Avoid compromising your role as a Team Officer

Some activities may require Team Officers to come into physical contact with underage players in the course oftheir duties. However, Team Officers should;

  • Avoid taking coaching sessions on your own.
  • Only deliver one to one coaching, if deemed necessary, in a group setting.
  • Avoid unnecessary physical contact with an underage player and never engage in inappropriatetouching of a player.
  • Be aware that any necessary contact should be determined by the age and development of theplayer and should only take place with the permission and understanding of the player and in anopen environment in the context of developing a player’s skills and abilities.

Best Practice

  • A Team Officer is always punctual, looks professional and is properly attired, preferably with some team colours recognition.
  • Ensure that all of your players are suitably and safely attired to play their chosen sport, in particular in the mandatory provision of mouth guards.
  • Keep a record of attendance at training and at games by both players and Team Officers.
  • Ensure that all dressing rooms and general areas that are occupied by your players and otherClub personnel prior to, during or immediately following the completion of any match are keptclean and safe and are not damaged in any way.
  • Be accompanied by at least one other adult in underage team dressing rooms. A male Team Officer should not enter a female dressing room without an FLO and only with her permission once the FLO has obtained the permission of the players.
  • Set realistic – stretching but achievable – performance goals for your players and team.
  • Rotate the team captaincy (particularly up to & including age 12) 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 action 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 medicalconsent/registration forms or as informed by parents/guardians (see Our Games Our Code of Best Practice in Youth Sport page 10 for further information).
  • With the express permission of parents/guardians be willing to keep necessary and emergencymedication of players in a safe and accessible place for administration in accordance with thewishes of the parents/guardians.
  • Do not administer medication or medical aid unless you are willing to do so and have received thenecessary training to administer such aid.
  • Use mobile phones, if deemed appropriate, only via a group text or email system forcommunicating with the parents/guardians of players. Any exception to this form of group textingcan only be preceded with following permission from parents/guardians.
  • Do not communicate individually by text/email with underage players. With the written permission of a parent for a 17 & 18 year, the player can be added to the group text in addition to the parent.
  • 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 foryour teams and your Club.
  • If it is necessary to transport a child/young person in your car, ensure that they are seated in a rearseat with seat belts securely fastened. With the exception of their own child a Team Officer should not transport a child alone, except inemergency or exceptional circumstances.

Go – Games

As called out in our “Club Codes Policies and Procedures (Handbook)”, Dublin Ladies Gaelic have amended the National Go Games rules to extend to U12. The rules below have been adopted to this.

Go Games are small-sided versions of Gaelic Football which have been devised for children up to and including 12 years of age. The following are the key underpinning principles of Go Games:

  • All participants play in the game.
  • Participant needs are catered for, where possible, at U.7, U.8, U.9, U.10, U.11 and U.12 in a manner consistent with the ethos of Go Games.
  • All training sessions & games are structured in a manner which optimises the level of fun, friendship, fair play and achievement derived by participants.
  • Participants train and play in a safe, supportive and stimulating environment where they are encouraged to risk error, to learn and to derive maximum enjoyment from their involvement.
  • Players master the basic skills of Gaelic Football and experience the sense of accomplishment, which derives from acquiring playing proficiency on the left and right hand side of the body.
  • Everybody involved in Go Games, whether as players, parents/guardians, spectators, mentors, teachers, officials etc., should adhere to the key underpinning principles and give expression to the GAA ‘Give Respect, Get Respect’ initiative.
  • Go Games may be organised on a blitz basis. Go Games may be organised by a Club, Primary School, an Approved GAA Centre or the County Board.
  • Games in the U.12 and younger age groups shall be organised on the basis of the ‘Go Games’ model. Games in the U.13 and older age groups shall be organised on a league basis. This is subject to change by the County Board.

Go Games Regulations

  • Go Games are subject to the general rules of the GAA.
  • Teams shall be a maximum of:
  • 7-a-side at U.6 & 7 age levels
  • 9-a-side at U.8 & 9 age levels
  • 11-a-side at U.10, 11 & 12 age levels
  • Participants may not play up in Go-Games age groups unless in the case of U12s seeking competitive football experience before the transition to U13. This can only be with the express willingness and consent of both the U12 and U13 managers/lead mentors.
  • No provision is made to publish scores, to play on a knock-out basis nor to include semi-finals, finals etc.
  • No provision is made to present trophies, cups etc. Where certificates/medals are presented in lieu of participation, the same certificate/medal must be presented to every participant.

Relationships and Boundaries

  • Team Officers must be concerned primarily with the wellbeing, safety, protection and future of the individual player / participant. There must a balance between the development of performance and the social, emotional, intellectual and physical needs of the individual.
  • Encourage and facilitate players / participants’ independence and responsibility for their own behaviour, performance, decisions and actions.
  • Involve players / participants in all decisions that affect them.
  • Do not tolerate acts of aggression.
  • Provide feedback to players in a manner sensitive to their needs. Avoid overly negative feedback.
  • Ensure any physical contact with players / participants is appropriate to the situation and necessary for the players / participants’ skill development. Ensure that no action could be misconstrued.
  • Players/ participants should be made aware of the coach’s qualifications and experience, and must be given the opportunity to consent to or decline proposals for training, performance or competition.
  • Avoid situations with your players / participants that could be construed as compromising.
  • Be conscious of the fact that as a Team Officer of the Club, you are representing the Club at all times when involved in Club activities before, during and after the Club event. Language, gestures and interactions that occur before, during and after a sporting event will not only have an impact on the player / participant but also on spectators and those attending the event. Negative displays will not only undermine the individual; it can also have a negative effect on the reputation of Foxrock Cabinteely GAA Club. Consequently, Team Officers must consistently display high standards of behaviour and appearance.

Professionalism & Respect

  • Actively discourage the use of performance enhancing drugs, the use of alcohol, tobacco illegal substances.
  • Do not exploit any coaching relationship to further personal, political or business interests at the expense of the best interest of your players / participants.
  • Accept and respect the role of officials in ensuring that competitions are conducted fairly and accordance with established rules.
  • Know and abide by rules, regulations and standards, and encourage players / participants to do likewise. Accept both the letter and spirit of the rules.
  • Ensure that activities, training and competition programmes advocated and directed are appropriate for the age, maturity, experience and ability of the individual player / participant.
  • Be honest and ensure that qualifications are not misrepresented.
  • Team Officers must display high personal standards and project a favourable image of their sport and the Club to players / participants, their parents / families, other team officials, club officials, spectators, the media and the public.
  • Team Officers will have access to contact information and must only use this to contact the player / participant (or parents/guardians where appropriate) with information relating to their training and competition needs.
  • The Team Officer is privileged to have regular contact with players and occasionally to travel and reside with players / participants in the course of coaching and competitive practice. A Team Officer must not attempt to exert undue influence over a player in order to obtain personal benefit or reward.
  • Note: Theintention of the Team Officer will not be the determinate as to whether undue influence or pressure has been extended on a player / participant. The impact of the actions of the Team Officer on the player / participant will determine whether the behaviour was acceptable. In situations where teams are travelling it may be a requirement that Team Officers of both genders travel with the team.

Acceptance of the Foxrock Cabinteely GAA Club’s Code, Policy & Procedures

2016

This document is an extract for the Clubs Codes, Policies and Procedures to support your understanding key points essential for your role in working with a Club Team. It is based on the GAA’s Code of Best Practice in Youth Sport (Our Game Our Code), which is the overarching reference document and will take precedence over this Club document. The full documents are available on our Club Web Site.

I confirmed that I understand my responsibilities and agree to abide by the Clubs Codes, Policies and Procedures / GAA’s Code of Best Practice in Youth Sport (Our Games Our Code).

I also agree to the National & Garda Vetting Procedures. **

Signed:______Date:______

Print Name:______Position: ______(See below)

Age Group: ______

This form will be retained by the Secretary of Foxrock Cabinteely GAA Club.

Team Officer Positions

  1. Lead mentor / manager,
  2. Team coach
  3. Mentor who is part of the lead mentor’s / managers management team
  4. Team female liaison officer (FLO)

** See Section 6 pages 41 to 60 of “Our Games Our Code – Code of Best Practice in Youth Sport” for an outline of the Garda Vetting process in LGFA.

For Use by The Club:RATIFIED /NOT RATIFIED______

Signed by the Club Secretary

On Behalf of the Executive Committee

Foxrock-Cabinteely GAA Club - Extract of our Club Codes, Policies & ProceduresPage 1