YOUR CLUB NEEDS YOUR HELP
CUIDIÚ LINN A CHUIDIÚ LIBH
HELP US TO HELP YOU
As Carryduff GAC begins to implement the GAA’s ‘Return To Play’ arrangements, it is obvious that the Club and all Units/Squads will require the assistance of additional volunteers if we are to make our ‘Return To Play’ a reality.
Information about the GAA’s ‘Return To Play’ arrangement s can be accessed at
and in the numerous sections of information and advice contained thereafter with this link.
On behalf of the Club I wanted to provide information related to some of the main points and the implications for our Club and its entire membership.
OUR THANKS
I would like to begin by extending the thanks of Carryduff GAC Executive Committee to our entire membership for your continued patience, forbearance and support during the very difficult period of the COVID-19 response measures.
I would also like to put on record our sincere thanks to all of those personnel who have continued to contribute to the maintenance and upkeep of our facilities across the period.
GAA ANNOUNCEMENTS
Facilities Re-0pening
On Saturday 20th June, the GAA announced changes to the ‘Safe Return To Gaelic Games’ guidelines made after recommendations by the Association’s Covid-19 Advisory Committee. These changes were subsequently endorsed by the GAA, the Camogie Association and the LGFA.
However, the implementation of the proposed changes within the ‘six counties’ remain contingent upon endorsement of the Northern Ireland Executive. At the time of writing no such endorsement has been formally announced.
The changes announced entailed:
- The opening of pitches for Adult training from Wednesday, June 24th.
- The opening of pitches for Minor and below from Saturday, June 27th.
Both of the above are contingent on a non-contact basis and on the understanding that players and all participants have completed the eLearning module and provided the Club with the prescribed Declaration of Health and are following all control measures in place. Dressing rooms and club buildings are to remain closed until July 20th
Training can only take place on the basis of a maximum of 10 players in a designated area of the field.
It is proposed to allow Club Fixtures from Friday July 17th.
To gain access to Páirc Aodha Dhuibh everyone must have
- A valid Declaration of Health, including an updated electronic confirmation in advance of each session (both available via the GAA electronic system) : and
- completed the GAA ‘Return To Play’ eLearning module (details below).
Parents of juveniles should not leave the Parish Car Park until their child has been permitted access to Páirc Aodha Dhuibh.
eLearning module
The GAA, LGFA and Camogie Association have announced the launch of an eLearning module to inform club volunteers on the guidelines for the safe return to Gaelic Games.
It is essential that the eLearning module is completed by all Covid Supervisors, personnel and players. Parents/guardians are required to complete the eLearning Module in respect of all juvenile members (under 18 years of age) to gain an understanding of the Safe Return Guidelines.
The eLearning Module is available at:-
The module takes 20 minutes to complete and can be accessed via any PC, mobile or tablet device. Those who pass a simple quiz will be able to gain a Certificate which they can print or take a screenshot of to show the Covid Supervisor for their team before their initial return to Club activity, e.g. a training session or game.
Any major changes to the content of the module will be made as soon as possible after policy updates are confirmed and such updates will also be highlighted in the latest updates section of the Covid-19 Education page on the GAA Learning Portal.
Health Questionnaire/Temperature Checks
Prior to commencing training, players, parents/guardians and backroom personnel MUST also complete the self-administered electronic standard risk assessment health questionnaire.
The Return To Play Questionnaire is available at:-
The questionnaire will record if the players has symptoms including a high temperature (37.5°C), fever, cough, sore throat, general weakness, shortness of breath, or changes in taste or smell. The presence of symptoms including a temperature in excess of 37.5°C, precludes attendance at training. In such circumstances, the individual should telephone their GP for advice and management.
The Questionnaire will need to be completed once, before the initial Return to Training.
However, it will be the responsibility of the individual (or parent) to provide an electronic declaration of ‘no change in health status’ in advance of attendance at each subsequent training session or competitive fixture.
It will be the responsibility of the individual (or parent) to inform their team’s Covid Supervisor of any change in circumstance before subsequent sessions.
Temperature checking
It is the responsibility of the individual or the parent of juvenile members (under 18 years of age) to monitor their own temperature.
No representative of Carryduff GAC will undertake temperature testing of any individual.
No-one will be permitted entry to Páirc Aodha Dhuibh without completion of a valid Certification of Health and evidence of the Return To Play eLearning having been completed.
Covid Supervisors
Every club is required to have a sufficient number of Covid Supervisors who must familiarize themselves with and complete the Gaelic Games online education module that will be provided. The Club Secretary and Chairperson have completed the online module and the Executive Committee has responsibility to assure that ALL club members understand both the role and the purpose of Covid Supervisors.
Every team in the Club MUST have at least one nominated person with responsibility for Covid Supervision present at each training session or game. Units of the Club/Panels with larger numbers of players will be required to have a number of nominated persons with responsibility for Covid Supervision present at each training session or game, to ensure that all of the responsibilities of the role can be fulfilled.
The Association has indicated that these nominees will be provided with training and information on their exact role via the Gaelic Games online education module. Covid Supervisors will be on duty and will be clearly identifiable (for example, standardized bib) at all times, while facilities are open until further notice.
All Club members MUST comply with direction and advice given by Covid Supervisors.
Given the large numbers of juvenile members associated with some of our Juvenile Panels, the Club is going to be dependent upon the additional volunteering of club members and parents to be able to deliver training sessions and fulfil fixtures in compliance with Association and Public Health Guidance and Requirements. Without the requisite standards being met, the Club will not be able to offer activities in compliance with these requirements.
YOUR HELP WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.
Attendance records/data management
All Head Coaches will be responsible for the collation of an attendance record at each training session and/or game and the Covid Supervisor will ensure that the record of everybody attending each training session will be available in the event that contact tracing or other intervention is required.
Data management will be consistent with GDPR guidelines.
Restrictions
In the initial return to activities a number of restrictions will remain in place as follows:-
- Cohort Group 1 (U14 and below) begin training – small groups (not more than 10 players/2 coaches in a designated area of the pitch) for non-contact training under social distancing guidelines where players are required to maintain the Government advised distance from each other (currently 2 metres)
- Cohort Group 2 (U15-18) begin training – small groups (not more than 10 players/2 coaches in a designated area of the pitch) for non-contact training under social distancing guidelines – where players where players are required to maintain the Government advised distance from each other (currently 2m)
Note: Underage groups must be comprised in accordance with the ratios provided for by the Code of Behaviour. These are currently 1 coach to 8 children aged under 10 years of age and 1 coach to 10 children aged under 12 years of age.
Parental or guardian sign off on the Health Questionnaire will be required for ALL underage participation (Under 18 years of age).
- Cohort Group 3 (Adult) begin training – small groups (not more than 10 players/2 Coaches in a designated area of the pitch) for non-contact training under social distancing guidelines – where players where players are required to maintain the Government advised distance from each other (currently 2 metres)
As I’m sure you’ll appreciate, this situation is subject to change at very short notice, on an almost daily basis. Further information will be made available as it becomes available to us through the Association. In the interim, we ask members to remain up to date with the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section of the GAA website here:
Is míse le meas,
Pól Mac Conmhaoil, Cathaoirleach, CLG Ceathrú Aodha Dhuibh
Paul McConville, Chairperson, Carryduff GAC
