Underage GAA Assistance

Now that our adult fixtures and plans for the year are finalised, I would like to take the opportunity, as the new County Secretary, to meet with all underage set-ups across the county.

Having worked within my own underage club for many years and served on Offaly underage committees, I am very aware of the challenges and opportunities at underage level. I would welcome the chance to sit down with your underage executive and coaches to discuss how we can support you over the coming years, listen to your ideas, identify areas for improvement, and build a strong working relationship with our underage committees and coaches.

I will be accompanied by:

The purpose of the meeting is to see where we can assist and strengthen underage structures across the county as we build together.

We are proposing a 2-hour meeting, structured as follows:

Meetings can take place in O’Connor Park/Faithful Fields or online.

Available time slots:

Please reply with the slot that best suits your underage committee & coaches. (or contact Carina in the office)

We look forward to working closely with you and supporting underage development throughout Offaly, we aim to start straight away before the Underage Games Programme commences.

Areas we would like to advise on:

1. Underage Team Coordination • Coordinating teams from U6–U18  • Clear communication between age groups • Ensuring progression pathways between age levels • Linking nursery → juvenile → minor structures • Goal: Clarity and consistency across all age groups.

2. Timetables & Facility Planning • Training schedules • Indoor vs outdoor planning • Shared calendar access • Match-day coordination

3. Charter & Underage Policies • Defining underage values and identity • Participation vs performance balance • Playing time expectations • Behaviour standards • Parent code of conduct • Preventing disputes through clarity • Safeguarding compliance • Code of Behaviour adherence • Social media policy • Photography guidelines • Anti-bullying procedures • Player welfare policies

4. Meeting Procedures & Governance • Structured agendas • Action tracking • Clear decision-making processes • Defined committee roles • Reporting lines to Executive • Alignment with best practice governance

5. Day-to-Day Operational Issues • Resolving coach disagreements • Managing parent concerns • Handling complaints correctly • Clear escalation procedures • Supporting team mentors

6. Team Supplies & Logistics • Equipment audits • Jersey/team gear management • First aid kit checks • Match-day checklists.

7. Games Programme & Calendar Planning • Understanding fixtures structure • Go Games vs competitive formats • Planning around exam periods • Aligning with county calendar.

8. Coach Education & Development • Pathway from parent-helper to qualified coach • Accessing foundation and level courses • In-house workshops • Succession planning • Building long-term sustainability