Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie

Under-age training misconduct

1…111213141517»

Comments

  • #482
    BrianBoru00
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,035 ✭✭✭BrianBoru00


    dieselbug wrote: »
    I don't I could agree with you here.
    If the individual is to be held personally responsible I think it would be a very poor outlook for every volunteer in every capacity in any club anywhere.

    That's what insurance is there for and any member paying a yearly subscription in making a contribution towards it. I think most people would think twice about volunteering if they thought they would be exposing themselves to personal litigation.



    No - it would mean they would have to cop on.

    If I'm chairman of the club and I make the casting vote to suspend a member for breaching club rules and I've followed all GAA and club protocol then I would not expect to be sued and I would expect the full weight of the GAA all the way up to back me to the hilt including mounting legal defence if required.

    But if I called someone a paedophile with absolutely no credible , let alone proved evidence then I should be left to my own devices - that's not fulfilling the role - that's being a dick and the rule book, law book and probably a few more books should be thrown at me INDIVIDUALLY


    In any case I'm intrigued as I was not aware of any such insurance - in fact I don't believe you can get insurance like that for a voluntary role - I'd like some information on it if any knows any more?


  • #483
    LeoB
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,256 ✭✭✭LeoB


    Both club committees messed up here big time. Each of these should have only necessitated a chat from day one.
    dieselbug wrote: »
    I don't I could agree with you here.
    If the individual is to be held personally responsible I think it would be a very poor outlook for every volunteer in every capacity in any club anywhere.

    That's what insurance is there for and any member paying a yearly subscription in making a contribution towards it. I think most people would think twice about volunteering if they thought they would be exposing themselves to personal litigation.

    Agree 100% If individuals are going to be held personally liable or responsible there will be a severe shortage of mentors in the years ahead. People looking after teams are under enough stress and pressure to put themselves out there to sued.
    BrianBoru00 wrote: »
    To be fair- its not as much of a hachet job. I just hope hes not going down the road of exposing badly handled situations in GAA club because he could basically fill as many pages as he wants given theres over 2500 clubs in the country.

    In regard to this issue - again it seems to have been badly handled by the club,.

    -He had encouraged children to give preference to hurling over football.
    -He had organised training sessions on Saturdays - traditionally a football day.
    -He had been late taking his team off the pitch one night after a training session, delaying the start of a competitive game.
    -He had allowed parents to provide drinks and sandwiches for a celebration, and promoted the notion that the club were remiss for not doing the same.
    -He had missed a training session one night and not paid his annual sub.

    The reasons given here are perfectly legitimate grievances but I'd like to hear his response to each individual charge.
    Is this a football V Hurling issue which happens way too often. . .

    I would echo his sentiments and wonder why the chairman did not personally pay for defamation and what role does Garwyn have for the GAA . . .

    Fair points. Kimmages could change the club name and do a handful of articles every weekday not just a Sunday.

    The bottom line is this was badly handled by both clubs. You couldnt make it up.

    Child protection are key issues here. It has to be the cornerstone of any club who want to progress.
    On the Athenry issue. a mentor swore in the presence of children or at children. Could someone not just ask him to tone it down? I know its not right. But go up and down the country and it is going on everywhere. A lot of people let a curse slip out, I often did and the kids would slag me, is that French? The big error was the man isolating 2 kids in a dressing room, door open or closed. That is serious mistake.

    The O'Dwyers issue is another mess. Again VERY BADLY HANDLED. The committee do have a right to say who is coaching or training a team so I would have no issue there.
    I would have an issue with a mentor organising sessions to deliberately clash.
    I wouldnt ask my club to provide sandwiches I would expect parents to do it.
    He missed a session, so he got stuck at work or a family emergency, this happens to us all.No problem there.
    If he is not a member he should not be over a team
    I would have an issue with Croke park as they appeared difficult to deal with or did they think it would go away?
    The key thing in all this was the language used and not clarified by chairman at the meeting. This I believe was totally taken out of context and I understand how it could be interpreted.

    While I know nobody in Athenry I know a lot of people in O'Dwyers, (chairman included) and my personal experience of dealing with him would all be positive. Always approachable and friendly to me even when we played against each other. He has given a lifetime to the club as have his family and I think it right the G.A.A. take care of his fees. I dont think he or anyone signs up to this type of situation.
    Our juveniles are given a copy code of ethics EVERY YEAR. Mentors get reminders also via email and we do refresher courses and have numerous signs up around the club reminding people the players are kids, mentors are volunteers etc.

    The hurling v Football battle goes on in a lot of clubs and again from a young age it is vital clubs set out their stalls at U/8 that we are a dual club and encourage players to play both. I know in my club every session from academy to U/8 is 40 minutes of each. It is harder for small clubs when players show a preference but they need to make up their own minds and not have obstacles put in their way.

    Both clubs need to have their committees trained and a simple structure put in place to deal with grievances locally and quickly in the interest of everybody but for the safety and well being of the juveniles.

    I stopped mentoring in middle of last year. I have done it for long enough, well over 30 years and was no saint on a sideline. I dont like the way things have changed. The PC is gone haywire, yet I understand why it is there. In some clubs and with some mentors It is all about winning at underage level. I think there is a lack of respect towards mentors and coachs who give up so much time. Years ago we had very few parents at games now the sidelines are full of parents only interested in their darlings. So some mentors feel like previous posters who are school teachers.

    Only other view is I feel somewhat sad for every volunteer who was named. They I have no doubt do their best and some good people in a few sports will be wondering if it is worth getting involved or staying involved.


Advertisement