Diversity & Inclusion

Almost 150 players competed in the third annual M. Donnelly GAA Football for ALL Interprovincial Finals in September, delivered in partnership with Irish Special Schools Sports Council (ISSSC). The ISSSC is a voluntary organisation that provides sporting and cultural activities in special schools, as designated by the Department of Education and Science.

The tournament seen children with mild-general learning disabilities compete in a 9-a-side Gaelic Football tournament. The players represented the regions of Connacht, Dublin, Munster, North Leinster, South Leinster and Ulster and were drawn from 15 different special schools (see full list of schools below). Each squad comprised of 12 boys and 12 girls who were selected from regional trials to play on the hallowed turf of Croke Park. The GAA’s support for the M. Donnelly GAA Football for ALL Interprovincial Finals reflects the Association’s on-going commitment to engaging with special schools, as set out in the new GAA Strategic Plan, Fís Shoiléir 2018-2021.

The GAA’s support for the M. Donnelly GAA Football for ALL Interprovincial Finals illustrates the Associations unwavering commitment to inclusiveness. By participating in our games, we believe that everyone has the opportunity to thrive and develop their full potential.

GAA Fun & Run is an activity – involving a team of batters/kickers and fielders - which is suitable for all ages, genders, and ability levels. It is particularly suited to meet the needs of people with disabilities, people from socially deprived and ethnic minority groups who often perceive themselves to be excluded from mainstream GAA activities. It aims to provide people with a strong sense of Irish culture and heritage through a purposeful activity that will enable them to grow and maintain optimum participation across the full diversity of Irish community life.

Fun and Run Inclusive program

The game encompasses a range of fundamental skills that exist in Gaelic Football, Hurling, Rounders, and Handball. The rules have been modified to adapt these skills to suit the individuals involved and their capabilities. It aims to enable individuals to grow and maintain optimum participation across the full diversity of Irish community life.

To see how Fun & Run is played watch this video:

Inclusive Camps provide boys and girls – between the ages of 4 and 13 – with an action-packed and fun-filled week of activity during the summer holidays which revolves around maximizing enjoyment and sustaining participant involvement in Gaelic Games. Activities are player-centered with a Games Based approach with a strong emphasis being placed on personal development and well-being. Activities are also organised in an age-appropriate manner with a view optimizing learning enhancing friendships improving physical & psychological wellbeing promoting school and club links.

Inclusive Camps supports – GAA & Sport Inclusion Development officers, Local Sport Partnerships, Teachers & Special Needs Assistants with July prevision support grant, Irish special schools, Teachers, SNA & Parents,

Preparation: Prior to the camp taking place, host a Meet and Greet for the children to meet the coaches, take photographs, and familiarize themselves a little with the premises.

Passport: Autism in Sport passport can be used to enable coaches during the week.

Get support – parents, interested volunteers, positive people, knowledge/ interest background in special needs, people willing to commit, CHILDREN FIRST Expertise: Coaches, Parents, Local teachers & Special Needs

Assistant’s Training: Coaches trained in CARA disability inclusion training and the GAA Foundation level course and Safeguarding is compulsory.

Community partners – Experts, Club executive, Healthy Club Committee, Club Members, Parents, Sponsors, Schools (TY’s) Gaisce, GAA Fun n Run

This is a club drive toward a fully inclusive club. Your point of contact is your club is your Juvenile Secretary and link in with your club executive committee.

Inclusive Club Initiative - "All-Stars Club Program"

The Raheny All Stars established in September 2016. This very special initiative was set up for children with special needs aged 9yrs -12yrs. Their main objective was to include children that could not take part in a typical team game, assisting them with ball skills, exercise, and of course, fun and enjoyment in a safe environment.

Another important goal for us was to promote the ethos of inclusion in the community and the club. The group is child-centered with an emphasis on keeping our children and young people safe when they come to our sessions. All of the coaches adhere to best practices coaching quailicaftions and are all Garda vetted, Acces NI and have received Child Protection training and completed Active Disability ireland training.

Guidelines for Inclusion in GAA Games for ALL Programs:

Start up.

• First Point of Contact is your Juvenile Secretary if players are under the age of 18/Adult Secretary if players are over the age of 18 to communicate startup of children or Adult team. Club executive approval needed. Just an important note: If the inclusive All-stars team is a mixed team, the GAA rule book only permits male and females to participate up to and including U12.  Then the players must register with LGFA or Camogie as it currently stands.
• Development a team, head coach, assistant coach, assistant, OT, doctors, Nurses, fire men, teachers, SNA.
• Meetings Sessions (e.g. Brainstorm meeting, Get Commitment/ Rota/Plan)
• Coach Ratio: 2:4 (this is HSE guidelines & Special Olympics also use this ratio)
• Appropriate Training: Safeguarding, Vetting, Access NI, NGB coaching awards appropriate to age grade coaching.
• Training: Active Disability Inclusion Training,
• Optional Training: Autism in Sport, Special Olympics Ireland introduction course, Lámh, Mankato.
• Meeting needs of Children e.g. Differentiating a coaching plan. 1:1 coaching Vs child needing less support