At last we have a date to resume training – albeit very different than what we are used to!
The welcome news that GAA activity is reopening from the 29th June – against the backdrop of the ongoing COVID threat to our families – will require a lot of pre-planning and preparation.
The reopening process brings with it a lot of personal responsibility for everyone taking part in our games. It would be important that everyone involved with Cuala – parents, players, mentors,coaches, staff, section leaders, executive – take some time to familiarise themselves with the GAA’s Covid-19: Guidelines on Safe Return to Gaelic Games
The guidelines set out the new procedures and protocols for return to safe training while we continue the fight against COVID-19. While it will be challenging for everyone to rigorously follow and implement the protocols we have no choice – hopefully the situation will improve as we move forward and we can get back to some degree of normality.
This is a summary Checklist of things that have to be done BEFORE we reopen:
- A 15 Page Document that was sent by Croke Park has to be circulated to everyone and read by everyone PRIOR to returning (see link above)
- Everyone has to familiarise themselves with the basic medical information as outlined in this document.
- All actions in Section 2 have been undertaken to prepare the facilities for the reopening.
- Chairperson and Secretary or their nominees have completed the online Gaelic Games Education module.
- Each Team Prior to training has appointed a Covid Supervisor and they have completed the online Gaelic Games Education module.
- A Timetable has been set out so that individual teams know the training times & allows for cleaning up and no overlapping of players from individual teams.
- All players /parents/mentors/members have completed the on line Gaelic Games Education module.
- A system is in place for completion of player Health Questionnaire and recording of Temperatures.
Gaelic Games Education module:
A certificate of completion must be provided to the Covid Supervisor prior to any resumption of training and/or playing activities
This online module will include information such as:
- COVID-19 disease update information (including symptoms)
- Information on Club facilities use
- Transport guidelines
- Information on Club facilities use
- The Role of the Covid Supervisor
- Health Questionnaire
- Reporting protocols
- Contact tracing
- Personal, facility and equipment hygiene standards
- Training protocols
- Transport guidelines
- Education materials – posters etc
The members of the Covid-19 Advisory Group are:
- Shay Bannon (Chairman) – existing Chairman of GAA Health and Safety Committee
- Professor Mary Horgan, (U.C.C. and President of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland)
- Dick Clerkin (Chairman of GAA Medical Scientific and Welfare Committee)
- Dr Pat O’Neill (Dublin)
- Dr Kevin Moran (Donegal)
- Dr Jim O’Donovan (Limerick)
- Dr Sean Moffatt (Chair of Gaelic Athletic Medics Association and Mayo team doctor)
- Paul Flynn (CEO Gaelic Players Association)
- Stephen Mc Geehan (Head of Operations, Ulster GAA)
- Tony Mc Guinness (Events and Safety Manager, Croke Park)
- Sinéad Mc Nulty (CEO, Cumann Camogaíochta na nGael)
- Helen O’Rourke (CEO, Ladies Gaelic Football Association)
- John Horan (Uachtarán CLG)
- Tom Ryan (Ard Stiúrthóir CLG)
- Feargal Mc Gill (Director of Player, Club and Games Administration CLG)