Youth Field Sports - GAA

Gaelic Athletic Association

The GAA recently launched the National Strategic Vision and Action Plan 2009 - 2015 which aims to support the development of their key aims. In a Games Development context this means in 7 years time it can be said that "Every player in the country has the opportunity to play meaningful games in an informal, safe and enjoyable environment", thus ensuring more people are active in sport and building a healthier society.

Three Key Objectives are;

• Increase Participation
  - Amongst Children and Youth
  - In urban areas
  - In new communities
  
• Optimise playing standards
  - Hurling, football, coaching, improving facilities
  
• Support healthy and active communities

Key Areas of Focus

• Grassroots to National Programme: Games, Skill Development and Education Initiatives to promote Gaelic Football and Hurling supported by Volunteers and Personnel.
• Hurling is our national game: Personnel have been employed and projects established to develop the game and to expand the outside the 12 strong hurling counties
• Urban areas and new communities: Specific focus on urban areas to grow our sports. An Inclusion Officer has been appointed to support the work in new communities in areas like Tyrrelstown, Co. Dublin and Gort, Co. Galway to expand the reach of Gaelic games.
• Code of Best Practice: This is being implemented and a Children's Officer has been appointed.

The Figures

• Volunteers promote Gaelic games in 2,610 clubs and schools
• 750,000 members in 2,610 affiliated clubs and schools and has 14,504 youth teams
• 2,500 Primary Schools participate in Gaelic Games Initiatives
• 82,500 Cúl Camp participants in 2008
• 2,500 participants in hurling schools of excellence
• 3,000 participants in football schools of excellence
• In co-operation with Coaching Ireland the GAA has become the first national governing body of sport to have its own qualified Tutor Trainers. 42 graduated in 2008.
• 300 tutors trained by the end of this year
• 50,000 qualified coaches
• 300 full time and part time personnel working in games development