Child Safeguarding
Safeguarding at Clane GAA
What is Child Safeguarding?
Child Safeguarding means creating a safe, respectful and enjoyable environment for every child who takes part in Gaelic Games.
At Clane GAA, safeguarding is not just a policy — it is how we behave.
It means:
- Children are treated with dignity and respect
- Coaching is positive, child-centred and supportive
- Clear behavioural standards apply to everyone
- Concerns are raised early and handled properly
- Adults understand their responsibilities
Safeguarding exists to prevent neglect, emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse and bullying, and to ensure that every young person can enjoy sport safely.
The GAA Safeguarding Policy
The GAA Child Safeguarding Policy sets out the standards that all clubs must follow.
It is a mandatory policy under GAA rule and applies to:
- All clubs
- All coaches and volunteers
- All officers
- Parents/guardians
- Players
- Supporters
You can view the official GAA safeguarding resources here:
In line with the GAA Safeguarding Policy, clubs are required to carry out a safeguarding risk assessment and produce a Safeguarding Statement every two years. You can view the Clane Safeguarding Statement at the bottom of this page.
Safeguarding Responsibilities
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. Below are the key expectations at club level:
Clubs Must:
- Appoint trained Children’s Officers
- Appoint a Designated Liaison Person (DLP)
- Ensure all relevant volunteers are Garda vetted
- Ensure all coaches complete Safeguarding training
- Follow safe supervision ratios (2:10 minimum)
- Implement the Code of Behaviour
- Respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns
All children's officers at Clane GAA have completed
- Safeguarding 1 Awareness Workshop
- Safeguarding 2 Children's Officer Workshop
In addition to the above, the Club's DLP has completed a Safeguarding 3 Designated Liaison Person workshop.
Coaches & Volunteers Must:
- Be Garda vetted before working with children
- Complete Safeguarding 1 training
- Maintain appropriate supervision ratios
- Give respect and promote positive behaviour
- Be familiar with and follow the club's guidelines for juvenile coaching
- Never publicly criticise players
- Remain on the sidelines during matches unless requested by the referee
- Raise concerns with a Children’s Officer
Parents / Guardians Must:
- Support positive sideline behaviour
- Respect coaches, referees and volunteers
- Encourage participation and enjoyment
- Raise concerns through the correct safeguarding channels
- Model respectful behaviour
Players Are Expected To:
- Show respect to teammates, coaches and officials
- Play fairly
- Follow the Code of Behaviour
- Speak to a trusted adult if they have a concern
Supporters Must:
- Encourage and applaud effort
- Avoid shouting criticism or instructions
- Respect match officials
- Stay off the field of play
Our Club Safeguarding Policy
Clane GAA has adopted and operates in line with the GAA Child Safeguarding Policy and our own Club Safeguarding Procedures.
You can read the GAA Safeguarding Policy here:
Safeguarding 1 Training Workshop
The club periodically holds safeguarding training for coaches and volunteers. The Safeguarding 1 workshop is a 3-hour training session aimed at:
- raising awareness of the risks of harm to children,
- Informing volunteers of their responsibilities under GAA rules and legislation, and
- supporting volunteers in creating a safe environment for children at our club.
A Child Safeguarding 1 qualification lasts for 3 years. After that time, you will need to complete an online refresher course. The online refresher course lasts for a further 3-year period. You will then need to complete another face-to-face workshop.
All safeguarding workshops require registration through Tobar - the GAA's e-learning platform. You cannot attend a workshop without first registering to attend. This ensures that your safeguarding qualifications are issued and recorded on your e-learning account.
You can find out more about creating a Tobar account here.
Upcoming Safeguarding 1 Workshops
Contact your children's officer to receive an enrolment key and register for your chosen course:
- You can register for an online training course here
- The enrolment key for the online course is Leinster26
Raising a Concern
If you are worried about a child’s safety or well-being:
- Speak to a Children’s Officer
- Or contact the Designated Liaison Person (DLP)
- You do not need proof — concerns can be raised in good faith.
- Early reporting protects children and volunteers.
Read more about raising a concern of abuse here.
Contact Our Safeguarding Team
Club Children's Officer & Designated Liaison Person (DLP)
Greg Daniel
childrensofficer.clane.kildare@gaa.ie
LGFA Children's Officer:
Doreen McMahon
childrensofficer.clane.kildare@lgfa.ie
Camogie Children's Officer:
Cathy Nolan
childrensofficer.clane.kildare@camogie.ie
Hurling Children's Officer:
Fiona McInerney
childrensofficer.clane.kildare@gaa.ie
Clane GAA Safeguarding Statement (2025)
Clane GAA
Founded 1884