See below some important documents in relation to Child Welfare procedures.

Fáite Romhat – Welcome to Mayo GAA Safeguarding site where you can access all the resources and information you need to ensure that your club creates and maintains the safest possible environment in which our children and young people can participate in our Gaelic Games and Activities. We aim to assist you to become more informed of what is required to be in a coaching capacity within your club role by providing you with the necessary links and information.

The Association launched an online version of Code of Behaviour (Underage), the joint Code of Best Practice in Youth Sport. This Code has been agreed between the GAA, the Ladies Gaelic Football Association, the Camogie Association, GAA Handball Ireland and the Rounders Council of Ireland.

The Code of Behaviour replaces all previous Codes and is a mandatory Code of Best Practice for all Gaelic Games Associations in our work with underage players. It is a comprehensive good practice guidance publication and we are anxious that as many players, coaches, parents and other Club personnel have immediate access to its contents.

Mayo GAA is committed to creating and maintaining the safest possible environment for all young people who wish to participate in our Gaelic Games and activities. We will take all practicable steps to protect them from discernable forms of abuse – from harm, discrimination or degrading treatment and shall respect their rights, wishes and feelings.

We do this by:

  • Recognising that all children have the right to be protected from harm.
  • Ensuring that all of our coaches and volunteers are carefully recruited and selected and that they accept responsibility for ensuring the wellbeing of children in their care.
  • Responding swiftly and appropriately to protect the welfare of children who participate in our games and related activities.
  • Providing parents and children with the opportunity to voice any concerns that they may have. Appointing Children’s Officers in each of our Clubs and at County Board level.
  • Appointing a National Children’s Officer to oversee the implementation of good child protection and welfare practices within the Association.
  • Appointing a Designated Person in each Club and County who will liaise with the statutory authorities as appropriate.
  • Appointing a National Designated Person to assist in the processing of child protection and welfare matters. Ensuring that all allegations of abuse of young people are confidentially dealt with in accordance with the Association’s Guidelines for Dealing with Allegations of Abuse (Fourth Edition 2009) and with statutory guidelines and relevant legislation.
  • Reviewing the effectiveness of our Child Protection procedures and policies on an ongoing basis. Ensuring that members, coaches, team mentors, administrators, parents/guardians and spectators sign up to our Code of Behaviour.

Please note the safeguarding requirements (under both legislation and rule) for all those that have a role with under 18s.

These requirements are;

  • A valid vetting acceptance letter dated within the last three years
  • Completion and proof of a safeguarding 1 workshop within the last three years
  • A coaching qualification (if coaching underage)

Information on the Garda Vetting process is below:

The GAA Vetting System is now part of Foireann.

You will need to create an account to begin the vetting process. Log in to Foireann https://www.foireann.ie/

You will need to select the Club that you are a member of and wish to be vetted under. Your Club will then approve your membership.

If you have an account already or have difficulties in creating an account please contact Logging into Foireann – Gaelic Athletic Association

Step 2 Gaelic Games Vetting Invitation Form

Once you have logged into your account on Foireann please click on the Qualifications and Vetting tab and then click Apply to be Vetted. Please ensure your current details on your profile are correct. Please then select your Club and or Association you wish to be vetted for and the role you are applying for vetting. A list of roles can be found here.

It is a requirement by the Garda National Vetting Bureau that an individual seeking vetting is validated that the individual is who they say they are. Therefore, you must provide proof of your identity to be vetted. You must complete this requirement at the initial step of your application, failure to do so will see your application rejected.

It is now a requirement to upload a copy or screenshot of your Photo ID (passport or drivers’ licence) and a proof of your current address in the form of a Utility Bill (no more than 6 months old). You are also required to print and sign the Gaelic Game Vetting ID Validation Form and upload this as a part of your vetting application. The full list of documents which are accepted for verification can be found here

Your Club Children’s Officer will then check your ID Documentation and your signed Gaelic Games Vetting ID Validation Form. If the documents are correct your application will be validated by your Club Children’s Officer and submitted to the GAA. If the documents are not correct your Club Children’s Officer will reject your application and you will be required to upload the correct documentation.

Step 3 Completing the National Vetting Bureau EVetting Application form

Once you complete the Gaelic Games Invitation Form the information provided is forwarded to the NVB by the GAA and you will receive an on-line NVB Vetting Form to complete. Please do not contact the National Vetting Bureau (NVB) regarding your application as they are unable to deal with individual requests from GAA applicants. If you have a query regarding your application, please contact the GAA and not the National Vetting Bureau.

The NVB will issue you with the NVB Vetting Application form. This will be issued to the email address you provided in your Gaelic Games Invitation Form.

Completing this form is a confidential matter between you and the NVB. All sections of the form including current and previous addresses, email address and contact telephone numbers, information on convictions and prosecutions (if any), plus other information will be required when completing the form.

Please ensure that if you have lived in an address in Northern Ireland that you enter the Postcode for the address.

Once all sections of the form have been answered this then completes your application process for E Vetting in the GAA and within a short period of time you shall be contacted by the GAA to inform you as to the outcome of the vetting application.

You and your Club Children’s Officer will be notified when the vetting process has been completed.

A person must be in receipt of a vetting acceptance letter before the person can commence their role.

Each of the three Gaelic Games Associations recognise each other’s vetting. All GAA Vetting queries should be forwarded to evetting@gaa.ie

Vetting in the GAA is for a three-year period. If you are required to be revetted then you must complete a new application by completing Steps 1 to 3.

Mayo GAA Safeguarding Statement 2023 – Click Here

Information on how to organise a Safeguarding Workshop in your club.

The GAA has three levels of Child Safeguarding Training now in place in our Association and attendance is dependent on what role a person may have in relation to their work with children. All training is interactive, fully certified and accredited 3-hour workshops delivered by tutors who have been trained and approved by Sport Ireland and the Association.

Safeguarding 1

Safeguarding Children and Young People in Sport Awareness Workshops relevant to coaches and others who work in a regulated role with children in the Association. Completion is valid for 3 years.

This course can now be completed virtually or face to face and is a mandatory requirement for anyone working with children or young people in the association and must be completed prior to commencement of their position in the club. It is an excellent resource that assists clubs and individuals in the vital area of safeguarding and will help to ensure that clubs have the appropriate safeguarding policies and procedures in place so that they are compliant with both legal and best practice requirements in this area.

Safeguarding 2 – Club Children’s Officer Training for Club Children’s Officer.

Please note all participants must have a valid Safeguarding 1 certificate prior to commencement of this course. Completion is valid for 3 years.

Safeguarding 3 – Designated Liaison Person Training for DLPS in Clubs.

Please note all participants must have a valid Safeguarding 1 certificate prior to commencement of this course. Completion is valid for 3 years.

To organise a Safeguarding course for your club please contact Mayo GAA County Children’s Officer Celia Rattigan @ childrensofficer.mayo@gaa.ie

Online Safeguarding 1 Refresher The GAA recently developed an Online Safeguarding 1 Refresher programme for those who previously attended a face to face Safeguarding 1 workshop. This programme can only be completed if you have attended a face to face Safeguarding 1 workshop within the last three years.

The online refresher may also be availed of by those who have attended relevant safeguarding training with other Sport Ireland approved courses. You can avail of the Online Safeguarding 1 Refresher here.

The Gaelic Games Associations’ recently launched the Safeguarding Training Policy which outlines the three levels of training and depending on your role with children in the Association what training you are required to attend:

Safeguarding Training – Click Here

  • Mayo GAAs Designated Liaison Person is Padraic Carolan 086-6003021, padraiccarolan11@gmail.com
  • Mayo GAA must appoint a Designated Liaison Person (DLP) who shall act as a resource and is responsible for ensuring that reporting procedures within the County are followed so that child welfare and protection concerns are referred promptly to Tusla.
  • Mayo GAA Children’s Officer is Celia Rattigan and can be contacted on 086-0873215, or childrensofficer.mayo@gaa.ie

Children First Act 2015 – Click Here

Contacting Underage Players – Click Here

Social Media Policy Guidelines – Click Here