Newcastle West GAA Club is fully committed to creating and maintaining the safest possible environment for all young people who participate in our activities. We always do everything in our power to take all practicable steps to safeguard children from any discernible forms of abuse, harm, discrimination or degrading treatment and we respect their rights, wishes and feelings at all times.

Newcastle West GAA Club Child Safeguarding Statement

Please see below the GAA Code of Behaviour(Underage) that guides best practice among all involved in Underage Sport within the GAA. Newcastle West GAA Club Guidelines for Juveniles Mentors Parents & Guardians is derived from the GAA Code of Behaviour.

GAA Code of Behaviour (Underage)

One of the most relevant sections of the Code of Behaviour is Section 3, now titled Maintaining Good Practice and Behaviour. This revised section outlines the minimum levels of behaviour we expect and accept from Young Players, from their Coaches, their Parents, our Clubs, Referees and Supporters. Follow the link below to Maintaining Good Practice and Behaviour section of the Code

Maintaining Good Practice and Behaviour

Newcastle West GAA Club has adopted all the provisions of the Children First Act. These include the requirement to adopt all provisions in relation to mandatory reporting of child abuse, ensuring the appointment of key child safeguarding officers which include the Designated Liaison Person, Margaret Hannan, and Oifigeach na nÓg (The Children’s Officer), Maria Keogh. The Designated Liaison Person shall be responsible at an initial stage for dealing with any concerns relating to the possible abuse of children as reported or made known to them.

Further documentation in relation to child welfare can be accessed below.

http://www.gaa.ie/the-gaa/child-welfare-and-protection/

Vetting in the GAA

In the GAA any person who carries out a role of responsibility such as coaching, managing or training underage teams or indeed adult teams that contain any player under 18 yrs. of age must be vetted. It also applies to organising underage activities or refereeing underage games. Thereafter, each club shall decide if other roles merit a person being vetted.  Details of the GAA Vetting can be found here

There are 2 steps involved in the vetting process:

1. Login to Foireann > Profile > Qualifications & Vetting

2. The National Vetting Bureau will email you an application which you must complete.

For additonal information completing your Garda Vetting application please contact the Club Children’s Officer by email to ChildrensOfficer.newcastlewest.limerick@gaa.ie