1 INTRODUCTION
1.1. The Code of Conduct (“the Code”) sets out the basic principles that establish standards of behaviour for all who attend our events or participate in the GAA, including but not limited to:

1.1.1. Officers
1.1.2. Members
1.1.3. Players
1.1.4. Parents/Guardians
1.1.5. Mentors
1.1.6. Supporters
1.1.7. Match officials
1.1.8. Teams and Units (Collectively “the GAA Participants”) 1

1.2. The Code forms part of the Official Guide (“OG”). Rule 1.12 of the OG provides: “The Central Council shall adopt a Code of Conduct for Officers, Members, Players, Parents/Guardians, Mentors, Supporters, Match Officials, Teams and Units, defining appropriate behaviour and practices. The Code shall specify the disciplinary procedures to be applied for breaches of the Code. This Rule shall give and constitute authority for the carrying out of all functions and actions in accordance with the Code.”

1.3. The Code is binding on all GAA Participants and participation and/or attendance at GAA related events is subject to compliance with the Code. 1 Code of Conduct

2 POLICY STATEMENT
2.1. The aim of the Code is to promote and encourage good behaviour and practice by all GAA Participants. It aims to promote and encourage a culture of respect and integrity within the GAA.

2.2. GAA Participants are required to abide by and implement the Code.

2.3. GAA Participants are required to report any suspected breaches of the Code to the relevant Executive or Management Committee for consideration.

3 Scope and Interpretation

3.1. The Code sets out the conduct required of each GAA Participant:-

3.1.1. In the exercise of his or her GAA duties or activities; or 3.1.2. In his or her participation or attendance at GAA events. (each a “GAA Activity”)

3.2. “Rule” has the same interpretation as in Appendix 1 of the Official Guide (“OG”) which provides: “Rule” shall include, where the context requires, any of the Association’s Rules, Bye-Laws and Regulations, the Club Constitution, as well as Central Council Codes, Regulations, Directives and Guidelines all of which shall be enforceable in all respects as if their provisions were embodied in the Official Guide, provided however that should any conflict arise between such provisions and the text of the Official Guide, the text of the Official Guide shall prevail.

3.3. The headings in the Code are included for convenience only and shall not affect the interpretation or construction of the Code.

3.4. The use of particular examples of behaviour shall not restrict the interpretation of the conduct required of GAA Participants as set out in the Code.

4 CODE OF CONDUCT
 In respect of any GAA Activity, each GAA Participant shall:

 4.1. Guiding Principles
4.1.1. Integrity - Maintain, demonstrate and promote the highest standards of integrity;

4.1.2. Respect -
4.1.2.1. Maintain, demonstrate and promote the highest standards of respect;
4.1.2.2. Respect the decisions of all referees, match officials, Committees and Councils;
4.1.2.3. Respect all GAA Participants and Committees and Councils;
4.1.2.4. Respect all property and equipment of the GAA.

4.1.3. Loyalty -
Demonstrate loyalty to his or her unit(s) and team(s);

4.1.4. Values of GAA – Behave in a manner that upholds the values of the GAA;

 4.2. Law and Rules
4.2.2. Comply with the Rules in the OG;
4.2.3. Implement, support and promote the Code;
4.2.4. Cooperate with any investigation in respect of an alleged breach of the Code;
4.2.5. Cooperate with any investigation into alleged breaches of the law by a GAA Participant arising out of a GAA Activity;
4.2.6. Report breaches of the Rules to the appropriate GAA person or Committee in accordance with the relevant Rule;
4.2.7. Submit to the authority of the relevant Committee in accordance with the relevant Rule.

4.3. Conduct
4.3.1. Promote the highest standards of personal conduct;
4.3.2. Promote and support fair play;
 4.3.3. Demonstrate a positive attitude to the games and activities of the GAA;

4.3.4. Not do any of the following:-
4.3.4.1. use foul or abusive languaget
4.3.4.2. use any other forms of abuse;5 DEALING WITH ALLEGED BREACH OF THE CODE
4.3.4.3. provide any form of character reference for an individual as part of legal or Court Proceedings, in his or her capacity as an Officer of the GAA (if applicable). For the avoidance of doubt, GAA Participants may not use GAA-related letterhead nor sign any such character reference in their capacity as an Officer of the GAA. Furthermore, any character reference, whether provided by an Officer or a Member should specify that it is being provided in a personal capacity and not in any way on behalf of or as an Officer or a Member of the GAA;
4.3.4.4. participate in any match-fixing activity.

5.  DEALING WITH ALLEGED BREACH OF THE CODE
 5.1. Breaches of the Code may also be a breach of:- 

5.1.1 the Code of Behaviour (Underage) (“Underage Code”); and /or 5.1.2 Rule(s) in the OG. 
5.2. In circumstances where an allegation could constitute a breach of the Underage Code and the Code of Conduct and/ or the OG, the relevant Management Committee (or the Executive Committee in the case of a Club, where a Club has jurisdiction, to the exclusion of other units, to deal with an alleged breach) may determine, in its absolute discretion, that an allegation shall be dealt with under the Underage Code. Any such determination shall not be subject to review. If no such determination is made, the alleged breach shall be dealt with, as a breach of the Code of Conduct and/ or the OG, in accordance with the disciplinary procedures set out in Chapter 7 of the OG and Chapter 16 of the Codes. 
5.3. In the event that a prior determination has been made under the Underage Code, that an alleged breach shall be dealt with under the Underage Code, the procedures of the Underage Code shall apply and clause 5.2 will not apply. 
5.4. In circumstances where an allegation could constitute a breach of the Code of Conduct and the OG, a disciplinary action may be commenced citing the provisions of both the Code and the OG. 7 Code of Conduct 
5.5. Conduct giving rise to an alleged breach of the Code shall 5.8. Penalties be judged according to the Code in effect at the time the alleged breach occurred. The applicable disciplinary procedure shall be that in effect at the time the disciplinary action is commenced. 
5.6. Disciplinary procedures - Club Alleged breaches of the Code by a GAA Participant arising from GAA Activity in connection with a Club shall be dealt with in accordance with the Constitution and Rules of the Club, but this will not apply to alleged breaches within the respective jurisdictions of the Central Council, Provincial Councils, County Committees and Overseas Units. 
5.7. Disciplinary procedures – County, Province and Central and Overseas 

5.7.1. The procedures set out in Chapter 7 of the OG and Chapter 16 of the Codes shall apply to alleged breaches within the respective jurisdictions of the Central Council, Provincial Councils, County Committees and Overseas Units. 
5.7.2. References in Chapter 7 of the OG and Chapter 16 of the Codes to Disciplinary Jurisdiction and the power to impose penalties shall be read to include the power to impose penalties upon all GAA Participants.
 5.7.3. For the avoidance of doubt, there are no minimum penalties applicable for alleged breaches of the Code. For the purpose of code 16.1(n) , the Management Committee shall decide on the appropriate Proposed Penalty referred to in 8 5.8.1. Save as provided for in paragraph 5.8.2, the penalties set out:- 

5.8.1.1. in the Club Constitution and Rules shall apply to breaches of the Code to which the jurisdiction of the Club applies; 
5.8.1.2. in Chapter 7 of the OG and Chapter 16 of the Codes shall apply to breaches of the Code to which the respective jurisdictions of the Central Council, Provincial Councils, County Committees and Overseas Units apply. 
5.8.2. In the event that the relevant hearings committee finds that a non-member has breached the Code, the relevant hearings committee may, by way of penalty, debar that non-member from attending and/or participating in GAA activities for as long as the hearings committee considers appropriate in the circumstances. 9 that Code. Code of Conduct NOTES Code of Conduct Proposed Structures for Hearing Alleged Breaches and Appeals with DRA option available if so pursued under rule Club Executive (or appointed subcommittee) screens alleged breaches of the Code County Management Committee screens alleged breaches at County Level Provincial Management Committee screens alleged breaches at Provincial Level National Management Committee (or appointed subcommittee) appoints group to screen alleged national breaches at National Level Code of Conduct Alleged breach heard by Club Disciplinary Committee Alleged County breaches and also Club appeals heard by County Hearings Committee Alleged Provincial breaches and also County appeals heard by Provincial Hearings Committee Alleged national breaches heard by Central Hearings Committee Central Appeals Committee hears Provincial and National appeals 10 GAA, Croke Park Dublin 3 Fax +353 1 836 6420 Tel +353 1 836 3222 Gaa, Páirc an Chrócaig