Games Overview "An organization is vibrant and vigorous when its aims and objectives - and those of its key stakeholders - are at one in that each will find gratification and realization in the other i.e. a self actualizing organisation which is in, of and for itself in terms of transforming potentiality into actuality". Games Development within the GAA is a complex assignment not least because it involves the development of two games - Hurling and Gaelic Football- in a variety of settings e.g. in Clubs/Counties/Schools at Child, Youth & Adult level - and balancing this with a divergent and, at times, conflicting array of other needs e.g. investment in facilities and/or player/volunteer welfare - across a range of units e.g. urban/rural, large/small, successful/unsuccessful and in a variety of contexts e.g. in disadvantaged/socially excluded areas and/or in traditional/non - traditional playing areas. Against such a background, there will always be a strong temptation to deal with segments e.g. hurling and/or for units - often well intentioned - to operate in isolation. Unfortunately this inevitably leads to duplication, which invariably - and almost paradoxically - culminates in fragmentation. Failures within the system of this nature are compounded by of other social phenomena e.g.increased urbanization and predisposition to sedentary lifestyles. For many people today, social capital has more to do with time spent in the pub, or night club, that anything else. While this may be one of the inevitable by products of the Celtic Tiger, it highlights the importance of all units buying into and committing to the implementation of policies that will reinforce the volunteer backbone of the Association and enhance its contribution - in a more grounded and rounded way - to the sporting and cultural well being of Irish society. This, in turn, will advance the GAA's status as Ireland's premier organisation in terms of promoting community identity and involvement at local level. In this context, it's important that the big converging issues (mix of existing and emerging) - which are under the control of the GAA - are identified and addressed. These can be summarized as follows: • Provide Adult players - at all levels - with a preprogrammed schedule of Games • Ensure that provision is made to deal with the changing demographics in Dublin • Finalise a national Strategy with a view to (a) installing Floodlighting at the main grounds in each County and (b) upgrading all such facilities • Examine alternatives to the existing Inter - County Junior and Intermediate competitions which have regard for the changing demographics outside of Dublin • Establish a Basic Administration Structure (BASe) - at County & Provincial level - so that the capacity is in place to ensure that the GAA Grassroots to National Programme (GNP) is implemented with maximum effectiveness & efficiency • Adopt a National Plan for the phased development of Full Length Floodlit Artificial Grass Pitches in Urbanized areas • Review the Disciplinary Playing Rules with a view to ensuring that: (a) sanctions are commensurate with offences (b) offences are dealt with on a consistent basis and (c) provision is made within the Playing Rules to deal with cynical offences such as body checking and fouling an opponent away from the play. These can trigger much bigger disciplinary problems when they are not detected or not penalised. (It's not without significance that last year's National Leagues - statistics are set out in Appendix 1- were among the best ever as a zero tolerance approach was adopted to offences of this nature). While it's possible to adopt a hope for the best approach or adhere to a policy of make it up as you go along or wait and see i.e. if motions dealing with these issues are submitted to, and passed at Congress, the reality is that the Association would be much better advised to adopt a more proactive approach to dealing with these matters, and to do so on an integrated (joined up) basis. This will require a Strategic Plan which provides clear direction and focus and that will enable the Association to take the final quantum leap in terms of rounding off the incremental process of change that has evolved over the past decade. It's important that such a Plan is put into effect - sooner rather than later - and that the ad hoc/piece meal/cherry picking approach - that was adopted when it came to the implementation of the Strategic Review Report - is avoided. The following proposals are put forward on the basis that they are central to any such Strategic Plan. Committee Reports - Games Overview DISCUSSION What is the biggest dilemma facing County Officials at the present time? The biggest source of aggravation for County Officials is the fact that they are unable to engage in forward planning. Failure to set out an advance schedule of games for Club players can be attributed to anyone or a combination of the following factors: (a) the amount of time taken to complete the Senior All Ireland Championships - (b) the knockout Championship format - and the provision that has to be made for drawn games and (c) the insistence - among County Team Managers - that Club Championships games be put on hold. What is the biggest bugbear for Players? Not knowing when games are going to be played and the inability to plan training inputs in a manner which has regard for best scientific practice. This is compounded by the difficulties experienced by them - particularly if they have a strong sense of commitment - when planning holidays or much more fundamental issues such as weddings and honeymoons etc. What is the biggest source of illusion - and greatest source of disillusionment to players - within the Association today? That all participating Counties and - by extension - that all players have realistic prospects of success in the All Ireland Senior Football Championship. What is the biggest challenge currently facing the Association from a demographic perspective? The need to ensure that the number of team affiliations - at senior inter-county level - reflects the rapidly increasing population in Dublin. How can these issues be addressed on an integrated and strategic basis? Establish a competitive framework - at inter-county level - based on a 36 model i.e. existing 32 Counties, London and make provision for new affiliations in North Dublin, South Dublin and West Dublin. How - in practical terms - would the National Leagues be adapted to have regard for this framework? Create 4 Divisions - with nine teams in each. Dublin would play in Division 1 - it would have first choice on all Dublin players. Teams from North, South and West Dublin would commence participation in Division 4. Each team participating in the League would play four home and four away games and the team in top position would be declared winners of their respective Divisions. North, South and West Dublin would play their home games as follows: North Dublin - Parnell Park, South Dublin - Tallaght/RDS and West Dublin - Abbottstown The top two teams in each Division would be promoted and the bottom two relegated apart from Division 1 of the National Hurling League where one team would be promoted and relegated. How - in practical terms - would the All - Ireland Championships be adapted to have regard for this framework? In Football, the top 24 teams in the NFL would compete for the Sam Maguire Cup i.e. 4 Groups - established on a Provincial basis - with six teams in each. (In some instances, teams from outside a Province might be included - there is already a precedent for this with London). Each team would play five games - on a home and away basis. (The teams with the best League finishing position would be rewarded by having three home games). The top team in each Group would be declared Provincial winners and qualify for the All - Ireland Quarter Final. The teams finishing in the 2nd and 3rd position in each Group would cross over - on the basis of an open draw - to contest preliminary Quarter Finals. The teams finishing in 2nd position would be rewarded with a home venue. All games - from quarter final stage onwards - would be played at neutral venues. The teams finishing in 4th position in each Group would qualify for the Quarter Finals of a new (Tier 2) competition - the Iggy Jones Cup - and the teams finishing in 5th/6th position would contest preliminary Quarter Finals. All games in this competition, with the exception of the All Ireland Final, would be played on a home and away basis - superior finishing position in the competition would determine home venue up to and including the semi - finals. (In the event of equality in this regard, superior finishing in the National Football League would be used to determine home venue). TOMMY MURPHY CUP The bottom 12 teams in the National Football League would be divided - on a geographic basis - into two Groups of six. Each team would play five games on a home and away basis. The top team in each Group would qualify for the semi-final of the Tommy Murphy Cup and the teams finishing in 2nd and 3rd position would contest Quarter Finals. All games, with the exception of the All Ireland Final, would be played on a home and away basis - the team with the superior finishing position would get home venue. (In the event of equality in this regard, superior finishing in the National Football League would be used to determine home venue). HURLING - NATIONAL LEAGUE The National Hurling League would be organized on the same basis as in Football i.e. there would be 4 Divisions with nine teams in each Division. The only difference is that one team - as against two in Football - would be promoted and relegated from Division 1 each year. HURLING - ALL IRELAND CHAMPIONSHIPS The Championship would be divided into 3 Tiers - with 12 teams in each Tier i.e. Liam Mc Carthy Cup, Christy Ring Cup and Nicky Rackard Cup. LIAM MC CARTHY CUP The Mc Carthy Cup would comprise of two Groups of six i.e. Munster and the Rest of Ireland. Each team would play five games - on a home and away basis - with the team topping each Group being declared winners and qualifying for the All-Ireland Semi Final. The teams finishing in second and third positions in each Group would contest Quarter Finals. The Quarter Finals and Semi Finals would be played at neutral venues - this would involve Croke Park for the Semi Finals. CHRISTY RING CUP The Christy Ring Cup would comprise of two Groups of six - based on a geographic basis - and would be played off on the same basis as the Mc Carthy Cup. (All games, with the exception of the All Ireland Final, would be played on a home and away basis - the team with the superior finishing position would get home venue). NICKY RACKARD CUP The Nicky Rackard Cup would comprise of three Groups of four teams. Each team would play 3 games and the team topping each Group would qualify for the semi -finals. The runner up team with the highest finishing position in the NHL would also qualify for the semifinals. (All games, with the exception of the All Ireland Final, would be played on a home and away basis - the team with the superior finishing position would get home venue). EXTRA TIME - HURLING & FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS In the event of a draw, extra time would be played in all play off games with the exception of (a) the Tier 1/Senior Semi Finals and (b) the All Ireland Finals in all Championship competitions. CROKE PARK - HURLING & FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS The Final of each All Ireland Championship would be played in Croke Park. SENIOR ALL IRELAND HURLING AND FOOTBALL FINALS The dates of the Senior All Ireland Hurling and Football Finals would be brought forward by two weeks i.e. the Hurling would take place on the last Sunday in August and the Football would take place on the second Sunday in September. What would the chief advantages be of a National League and All Ireland Championship framework based on a 36 team model which includes North, South and West Dublin and which incorporates: (a) 4 Divisions in the League - these are played on a straight League basis i.e. no play offs (b) a 3 Tier Championship system in Hurling & Gaelic Football and (c) where finishing position in the National Leagues determines Championship status? 1. All games would be played on predetermined dates. Only very limited provision would have to be made for replays and - apart from the restricted period during which the All Ireland play-offs would take place - officials would be able to plan and provide Club players with a regular programme of games. 2. All Counties would be guaranteed - depending on their status - a minimum number, a more even spread and a better overall balance of games. 3 Disciplinary sanctions could be imposed on a fairer i.e. more even handed and consistent basis - see discussion below. 4. It would be possible to have more and better regard for best practice in terms of team preparation e.g. peaking/periodization. The current problems attaching to burnout e.g. players playing two games on the one weekend - at one extreme - and - at the other - problems resulting from dropout due to lack of games - would be largely eliminated as would the need for pre - Christmas training on a group/team basis. (It would be impossible to justify this on the grounds of keeping players fresh or to justify having more than two training sessions per week during the playing season - for the same reason). In addition, it would be possible to achieve a greater degree of synchronization between Club and County training and, in the process, to ensure that Club Coaches develop a greater understanding of the principles of physical fitness. From an overall player welfare perspective, all inter-county team training programmes should be validated and approved by a panel of experts appointed by the Association to ensure best practice in this regard. 5. The changing demographics in Dublin would be addressed in a meaningful way and the big numbers coming through on foot of the Dublin Games Development Plan would be adequately catered for. 6. All teams would have good prospects of success in the National Leagues and All Ireland Championships i.e. all units would be provided with the opportunity to better themselves/deliver on their full potential and would be provided with a platform - as part of a national organisation - on which to do so. This is the fundamental principle underpinning Games Development within the GAA and the ultimate objective of programmes that are implemented in this context. (Any system within which units experience repeated and recurring failure is guaranteed to provide little more than learned helplessness). It worth noting that the introduction of Junior & Intermediate Club Championships - on foot of a motion from the Competitions Work Group which was routed through Ard Chomhairle in 2004 - has been very successful and that the origin of these competitions can be traced back to an experimental rules competition in Junior Football that was introduced by the National Games Development Committee in 1994. 7. All Inter-County Players - in both Hurling and Football - would have a realistic chance of contesting a National final in Croke Park. 8. All Counties would be participating in the National Leagues and Championships and there would be no element of coercion involved - over the past two years, the problems - for whatever reason - experienced with the Tommy Murphy Cup in this regard have been less than edifying. 9. The status of the National Leagues would be significantly upgraded and the draw could be formatted to avoid Championship pairings - or potential pairings - in the concluding rounds. Flash point games could also be scheduled closer to the Championship. (The system should be such that the National Leagues cannot be demeaned, denigrated or devalued in the way that they have been in recent years). 10. Incentives would be in place, and Counties would be rewarded for winning matches e.g. the more wins, the higher the team's finishing position and the more home games etc. and the horse trading/wrangling that takes place in this context would effectively be eliminated. 11. The ongoing period of experimentation - this commenced with the Liam Mc Carthy Cup in 1996 - would finish. (A unique feature of this is the fact that no sooner had one experimental format been agreed upon, than it is was overtaken by the need for the next one). 12. A far more robust system would be in place in terms of dealing with/managing change. The fact that the system would throw up variations from year to year - based on promotion/relegation or "provincial" draws would introduce a healthy degree of variation, add value in terms of credibility without causing any instability. 13. There would be fewer mismatches. 14. More County games would be played in a shorter period of time - during the summer months - thereby creating further leeway for the completion of more Club fixtures at the best time of year. 15. Proper provision could be made for the organisation of Leagues - for Club players - that could be played on a divisional, county, regional or provincial basis. (These would evolve - in an organic way - once a streamlined intercounty system is put in place that would carry through from year to year). By way of additional bonus, it would be another major step in the right direction if players on the margins of a County panel i.e. those who would not be playing on a given weekend, could be freed to play in these Leagues with their Clubs. 16. The overall profile of the games would be greatly enhanced. 17. The potential to market the games in the most effective way possible - and to seek out new sponsorships - would be significantly increased. 18. Initiatives such as Club Tyrone -a promotional vehicle - used to generate funds for the development of the games would - in the fullness of time - become common place. (People are happy to commit to such causes once the funding is used in a transparent manner and to address player welfare issues and/or is used to assist with the implementation of the GAA Grassroots to National Programme (GNP) within the county i.e. helps to maximize the numbers playing and optimize playing standards). 19. The Champion 15 concept - as used in the Christy Ring & Nicky Rackard Cups - i.e. where at least one player from each participating County is selected - on foot of nominations received in games played in that competition - could be extended. 20. The concept of family tickets could be actively promoted. 21. Counties would be able to engage in more prudent financial management - a further incentive could be given in this regard by allowing them to retain their home gate receipts in the National Leagues. 22. A specific proportion of overall income could be allocated for player/volunteer welfare - to attempt to do so under the existing system would simply heap inequity upon inequality. The system proposed here is more egalitarian and in keeping with the aims and objectives of the Association. A credit transfer system could be introduced for inter-county players - on the basis of their contribution as role models etc. - whereby credits could be offset against stamp duty incurred when purchasing their first place of residence. 23. The bulk of the matches would be played on a supporter friendly basis i.e. home and away basis. This would be good for local businesses and ensure that Counties derive maximum benefit from investment in facilities. 24. The operation of a limited form of Draft - beginning with the Counties that have not won a Senior All Ireland for thirty years or more - would become a realistic option in terms of equalizing each team's prospects of All Ireland success - particularly in the Mc Carthy Cup. 25. The role of the Provincial Councils would be enhanced - they would be of central importance in terms of the implementation of the National Strategic Plan in a number of key areas e.g. games development, physical/infrastructural development and corporate governance i.e.ensuring efficient and effective administration at all levels with the result that the overall strength of the Association would be considerably greater than the sum of its parts. Are there any other changes that would further embellish this competitive framework? Introduce a bonus point for any team that scores two or more goals from play in any National League or Championship game - other than a game in the Championship play offs. What other changes could be made to ensure the National Fixtures Schedule is as streamlined as possible? Complete the U.21 Football Championship, the Sigerson and Fitzgibbon Cups and the Club Championships prior of the start of the National Leagues. Reschedule and restructure the Provincial Cup competitions - FBD League, Mc Grath, Mc Kenna Cup and Kehoe Cups etc. so that each team would be guaranteed three games in preparation for the National Leagues. (Place an embargon all other Tournaments and Challenge games etc. at Senior level). How could the existing Intermediate and Junior Competitions be revamped to compliment this framework and to have regard for the changing demographics in areas outside of Dublin? Each Province would establish a City, Commuter and Country Cup Competition that would be played off between November and January. Representative teams would be drawn from each City area e.g. Cork, Limerick, Waterford, Galway, Belfast, Derry, areas on the Dublin Commuter belt e.g. East Meath, North Kildare, North Wicklow and from Country areas outside of these - the number of Country teams would reflect the relative size and strength of the game in the area concerned. Adult Club players i.e. those over the age of 21 would be eligible to play on the basis that they have not represented the County at senior level that year and were not participating in the Club Championships or Third Level Competitions. Each team would get a minimum of two games - these would all be played under lights - and two teams - in each Code - would qualify from each Province to participate in the All Ireland Play Offs. How could the rules with regard to eligibility for Third Level College competitions be revamped to have regard for changes within mainstream education and to avoid the problems experienced in 2005? Confine participation in Third Level College Competitions to the four year period immediately after the completion of second level education. In other words, a player - provided he was a registered student - would be eligible to play fresher's competition in his first year and would be eligible to play with other college teams that year and for a further three years. If, for example, he decided to take a year out on completion of second level education, he would then forfeit the right to play first year (fresher) competition and would be eligible to play in other Third Level competitions for a three year period only. What infrastructural facilities would compliment a competitive framework - based on a 36 team model - where finishing position in the National Leagues would determine Championship status? The introduction of floodlighting at each County ground and the implementation of a phased development programme whereby all Tier 1 County grounds have a capacity of 25,000 - 30,000. The GAA Grassroots to National Programme (GNP) is primed to maximize participation and optimize playing standards. What is the most important requirement in this regard? To put a Basic Administration Structure (BASe) in place which provides the capacity to ensure that the Key 1 2 3 of the GNP are implemented in the most effective and efficient manner possible. What are the Key 1 2 3 of the GNP? To provide all players with a coordinated programme of Games - appropriate to their needs and ability - as set out in the Pathway to Elite Performance (PEP). To compliment the Games with an incremental range of Skill development activities - these would be organised in Clubs and Schools in conjunction with other promotional activities - as part of an overall Sport Through Education Programme (STEP). To underpin the games and skill development activities with a programme of Coach Administrator and Referee Education (CARE) within which provision is made for Applied Lifelong Learning (ALL) and ACE Accreditation i.e. a quality assurance system - based on compliance with criteria/standards - attaching to an Approved Centre of Excellence (ACE). Is there any other change/s that could be made that would augment the implementation of the GAA Grassroots to National Programme (GNP)? The development of full length floodlit artificial grass pitches is an essential requirement in urbanized areas. Apart from catering for a high volume and diverse range of activity - grass or sand based pitches could not cope in this regard - these would double as one - stop - shops for the promotion and development of the games - for 52 weeks of the year - on the basis that the constraints imposed by the lack of natural light and/or inclement weather - unless extreme - would not arise. The funding that will accrue from the use of Croke Park by the Rugby and Soccer authorities to be used for this purpose on the basis that it will tangible evidence and leave a lasting legacy of how this funding was used to assist with the promotion and development of Gaelic Games. Rules of Hurling and Gaelic Football Include a paragraph at the beginning of the Rules setting out the Association's ethos in these matters. This paragraph to read as follows: "The Rules of Hurling and Gaelic football serve to (i) ensure that the games are played in a fair manner and in a spirit of true sportsmanship (ii) reward players who make the ball the focal point of their attention (iii) make provision for physical contact while minimising the potential for foul play, injury and gamesmanship (iv) facilitate the evelopment and displayof skillful in a safe playing environment". Where foul play is concerned, justice will only be done and be seen to be done when sanctions are imposed on a fair, reasonable and consistent basis. While there are a number of complex factors which currently militate against this, it's important that these are identified and dealt with on an objective and proactive basis. As the problem is a multifaceted one, a multifaceted approach will be required to deal with all of the issues involved. A cherry picking or piece meal approach will not suffice: a complete overhaul of the existing disciplinary system is required. The reasons for this are set out below. Playing Rules/Disciplinary Playing Rules/Sanctions/Natural Justice An Overview 1. Is there too high a tolerance of foul play within the Association? Yes Evidence: Players can accumulate yellow cards with impunity. 2. Is there ambivalence as to what constitutes foul play? Yes Evidence: *Categories of foul play are not defined and are not as comprehensive as they need to be. For example, there is not specific provision with the current rules to deal with any of the following: biting, gouging, spitting, provoking a brawl/free for all, to travel a distance to become involved in a melee, body checking or fouling an opponent away from the play. The lack of clarity is compounded by euphemisms such as "it's a man's game", "the referee should use his common sense", "there is nothing wrong with the rules - you'll get the odd clip" etc. and the fact that all elements of rule violating aggression/behaviour are not consolidated into one rule - see revamped Rule 5 for full details. 3. Does the imposition of sanctions give rise to anomalies/inconsistencies which are contrary to the principles of natural justice, equity and fair play? Yes Evidence: The imposition of sanctions based on time and games gives rise to situations where players who commit the same offence incur different penalties depending on the time of year and/or the competition format. For example, a player who receives a one month suspension will automatically miss the game at that level and in that code while another player might miss more than one game. A player who receives an eight or twelve week suspension in October - on foot of a more serious offence - might miss no game while another player who commits the same offence in July could miss the remainder of the season including, for example, the All Ireland Quarter- Final, Semi-Final and Final. Such anomalies/ inequities have no basis in law or logic and have to be addressed - as a matter of urgency - is the system is not to continue bringing the Association into disrepute. Players who have dual involvement i.e. those who play Hurling and Gaelic Football or who play at different levels - Club, County or College - can be subject to stiffer penalties - for committing the same offence than players who do not have multiple levels of involvement. If time is it to be utilised, it would be more effective if the time ban precluded playinginvolvement at all levels and if it was complimented with a match ban - in a specific competition - which might continue to take affect after the time ban has elapsed. If nothing else, this would overcome the problem of players getting extended suspensions - e.g. six months - and missing no games. rview The issue of eligibility also needs to be looked at i.e. where a player who is subject to a one match ban gets off on the basis that he is no longer eligible to play in the competition concerned. The pressure which this system brings to bear on those with responsibility for making fixtures needs to be examined as does the fact that players at inter-county level are dealt with on a preferential basis either by match referees and/or committees who deal with players who have been ordered off. for rest of report click here www.hoganstand.com/general/articles/report.aspx Tweet

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