What would you do

Johnson_76

If your eight year old was pushed to the ground by the coach at GAA training and told to sit out. Child was scared.

This coach regularly calls them "fkn idiots". I am not happy with him placing his hands on him though. But, then we have rural community, GAA is God etc etc... I'm a bit stuck, advice appreciated

ax530

Speak to the club child protection officer

_Brian

Yea.
Child protection officer, there should be more than one.

That behaviour is completely unacceptable.

lazygal

Remove your child immediately. Why the hell would you ever want them in that environment?

SeaFields

Speak to the child protection officer as pointed out or any other club official if you can't get a hold of the CPO.

There isn't a club I know that would stand for that. In my own the trainer would be given his marching orders from the club.

Mrcaramelchoc

The cpo as everyone has said.but me personally id also be giving that coach a good piece of my mind, the bastard, who does he think he is?there's no way id let him away with that.

jlm29

What do other parents think? Does your child really love GAA, or do they play because they should, and everyone else does? If they love it, they shouldn’t have to leave because of a man child who’s re-living his childhood dreams through a crowd of 8 year olds, but that behaviour is obviously not acceptable, so somebody else should get the boot.
It doesn’t matter whether youre urban or rural, I think every club has members/volunteers that just live for the club. Most of them have an understanding that not everyone else does too though. I live in a rural area too, and this behaviour doesn’t go on, even though GAA is very very important to many people. I would speak to the head of the club, or the child protection officer, or anyone who might listen really. Better still a group of parents can approach. Surely you’re not the only one with concerns

claiva

Did you witness this occuring yourself ? Do you attend the training sessions ? Be careful before accusing anyone of anything until you have hard and fast facts to bring to the CPO.

Charles Ingles

It was will toughing him up.
No need to be so protective young boys too soft these days.
Did you ask your son why he was pushed to the ground and told to sit down?
Maybe he was bullying another player and the coach was teaching him a lesson.

Wanderer78

Charles Ingles wrote:

It was will toughing him up. No need to be so protective young boys too soft these days. Did you ask your son why he was pushed to the ground and told to sit down? Maybe he was bullying another player and the coach was teaching him a lesson.

Fcuking hell!

lazygal

Charles Ingles wrote: »

It was will toughing him up.
No need to be so protective young boys too soft these days.
Did you ask your son why he was pushed to the ground and told to sit down?
Maybe he was bullying another player and the coach was teaching him a lesson.

I hope you don't have kids.

Mrcaramelchoc

Charles Ingles wrote: »

It was will toughing him up.
No need to be so protective young boys too soft these days.
Did you ask your son why he was pushed to the ground and told to sit down?
Maybe he was bullying another player and the coach was teaching him a lesson.

At 8 years of age?
Please tell me you are a troll.please.

lawred2

Charles Ingles wrote: »

It was will toughing him up.
No need to be so protective young boys too soft these days.
Did you ask your son why he was pushed to the ground and told to sit down?
Maybe he was bullying another player and the coach was teaching him a lesson.

Maybe sit this thread out sport

Charles Ingles

I'm deadly serious.
Did you ask your son what he done wrong?
People wrapping their kids up in cotton wool these days.
Don't forget this man gives up his time free of charge to train the kids.
Maybe you should show an interest and stay and watch the training instead of expecting him to babysit

Wanderer78

Charles Ingles wrote:

I'm deadly serious. Did you ask your son what he done wrong? People wrapping their kids up in cotton wool these days. Don't forget this man gives up his time free of charge to train the kids. Maybe you should show an interest and stay and watch the training instead of expecting him to babysit

The trainer sounds like a right arsehole, a fcuking bully!

Charles Ingles

Wanderer78 wrote: »

The trainer sounds like a right arsehole, a fcuking bully!

Still a volunteer, and I'm sure the story will change when she speaks to him.
Also parents should remain at training to support and show an interest in their child

Wanderer78

Charles Ingles wrote:

Still a volunteer, and I'm sure the story will change when she speaks to him. Also parents should remain at training to support and show an interest in their child

So volunteers are exempt from their role as a protector to children, thus allowing them to bully?

Charles Ingles

Wanderer78 wrote: »

So volunteers are exempt from their role as a protector to children, thus allowing them to bully?

That's if the child's version of events is correct.
I highly doubt a man giving up his time to teach children is doing so to bully them

drunkmonkey

Wanderer78 wrote: »

So volunteers are exempt from their role as a protector to children, thus allowing them to bully?

There's a difference between bullying and handing out a cup of cop on.
Parent should stay at training or even get involved in training themselves.

Mrcaramelchoc

Charles Ingles wrote: »

I'm deadly serious.
Did you ask your son what he done wrong?
People wrapping their kids up in cotton wool these days.
Don't forget this man gives up his time free of charge to train the kids.
Maybe you should show an interest and stay and watch the training instead of expecting him to babysit

No one should be allowed lay a hand on a child.ever.
Also the op said the child was afraid.so you think fear is a good thing in an 8 year olds game.you are out of your mind.
Have you kids?

Wanderer78

Charles Ingles wrote:

That's if the child's version of events is correct. I highly doubt a man giving up his time to teach children is doing so to bully them

Let's take a closer look at this

Johnson_76 wrote:

If your eight year old was pushed to the ground by the coach at GAA training and told to sit out. Child was scared.

Child pushed to the ground = child scared

Johnson_76 wrote:

This coach regularly calls them "fkn idiots". I am not happy with him placing his hands on him though. But, then we have rural community, GAA is God etc etc... I'm a bit stuck, advice appreciated

Regularly calls them 'fcuking idiots'!

....and you can't see a problem with this!

Wabbit Ears

With all due respect you really need to do the child protection L1 course as, simply put, your views are wrong and have no place in sport, especially at jr level. It's not your fault, you simply know no better. Luckily you can learn that what you've been spouting is dumb as fcuk nonsense and be a better person.

Wanderer78

drunkmonkey wrote:

There's a difference between bullying and handing out a cup of cop on. Parent should stay at training or even get involved in training themselves.

'Handing out a cup of cop on', what planet are you folks on!

jlm29

lazygal wrote: »

I hope you don't have kids.

I hope he’s not a GAA coach

Charles Ingles

Yes I have and I volunteer with children in a different sport.
But the amount of busybody parents and that show no interest in their child just drop them off and expect them to be babysit.
Then come winging at the slightest thing.
The parents who stay with their child and show an interest are by far the nicer and better parents

Wanderer78

Charles Ingles wrote:

Yes I have and I volunteer with children in a different sport. But the amount of busybody parents and that show no interest in their child just drop them off and expect them to be babysit. Then come winging at the slightest thing. The parents who stay with their child and show an interest are by far the nicer and better parents

Maybe parents are drained from working, both in and out of the home, trying to keep the show on the road, placing the blame on a coaches obvious misbehaviour due to this, that's just disturbing! An adult placed in a position to train and mentor kids, pushes them to the ground and calls them ****ing idiots, is just fine!

drunkmonkey

Wanderer78 wrote: »

'Handing out a cup of cop on', what planet are you folks on!

Planet not building another generation of snowflakes.

Wanderer78

drunkmonkey wrote:

Planet not building another generation of snowflakes.

Ah yes, we re getting to it now! Adults never ever have the right to mistreat kids, whether it be physically or mentally, the actions of a bully can last a lifetime, leading to detrimental effects, in some cases suicide!

Adults such as coaches play a vital role in society, in many ways, protection of the well being of those kids is critical, in preventing such serious events in the future. If coaches are not willing or able to do this, maybe coaching isn't for them!

koutoubia

I know when I did my CPO course we were told that there should be 2 coaches at training. No adults should be left in a situation where an accusation can be made.
Was there a second trainer there?
If so can they back up/ deny any attitude/incidents that have arisen.
OP certainly approach both senior members and CPO of the club to inform them if what your child has told that you!

lawred2

Charles Ingles wrote: »

That's if the child's version of events is correct.
I highly doubt a man giving up his time to teach children is doing so to bully them

Given everything that's happened in this country with institutional, sporting and leisure organisations it beggars belief someone would still come out with statements this stupid

Hal3000

As a parent of 2 kids I think coaches shouting at the children calling them F*ckin edjits is not such a big deal. It can help prepare them for the tough road ahead. However, pushing a kid to the ground is a step too far.

iamwhoiam

Hal3000 wrote: »

As a parent of 2 kids I think coaches shouting at the children calling them F*ckin edjits is not such a big deal. It can help prepare them for the tough road ahead. However, pushing a kid to the ground is a step too far.

are you for real ? Is there any need to use crude bad language with kids .? Absolutely not .

jlm29

Hal3000 wrote: »

As a parent of 2 kids I think coaches shouting at the children calling them F*ckin edjits is not such a big deal. It can help prepare them for the tough road ahead. However, pushing a kid to the ground is a step too far.

What tough road though? Kids need to learn, from adults, that it’s not ok to talk to people like that. If my 7 year old was heard in school next week calling someone a “f**kin idiot”, you can be sure the principal would be on the phone to me. It might be said in secondary school, but I doubt it would go un-reprimanded. If someone in my professional life called me a “f**ckin idiot”, it would not be acceptable either. So why do kids need to be prepared for something that is generally unacceptable in the real world

nikkibikki

Hal3000 wrote: »

As a parent of 2 kids I think coaches shouting at the children calling them F*ckin edjits is not such a big deal. It can help prepare them for the tough road ahead. However, pushing a kid to the ground is a step too far.

When they get to 10/12 ish, maybe yes as they should have a bit of cop on at that stage to know its a swear word. But at 8, nope.

The CPO in our club would hit the roof at the coach and I'd imagine he'd be immediately suspended. Yes the coach is a volunteer giving up his time for free but that doesn't exonerate him from wrong doing. And this is all kinds of wrong.

granturismo

Johnson_76 wrote: »

If your eight year old was pushed to the ground by the coach at GAA training and told to sit out. Child was scared.

This coach regularly calls them "fkn idiots". I am not happy with him placing his hands on him though. But, then we have rural community, GAA is God etc etc... I'm a bit stuck, advice appreciated

This mentor has to have completed a child protection course or else he shouldnt be coaching. At this course, he has been told that verbal abuse and physical contact with a child is not acceptable. I was a mentor for juvenile teams for 8 years.

You need to talk to the club child protection officer now. If it was me, I would also be having a few words with this 'mentor'.

If the club do not deal with this alleged breach of child protection they are opening pandoras box if this is not handled by the child protection officer.

What happened before your son was pushed, its not relevant to the mentor's behaviour but you should know.

drunkmonkey

Before everyone loses their mind, did you actually hear what the coach said and witnessed the push to the ground or are we relying on the testimony of an 8yr old to make assault and abuse allegations against the coach.
Talk to the coach yourself and see what happened.

Snow Garden

I coach at underage and this is all wrong. If true, this guy should never coach children again. No question about it.
Speak to the CPO and chairperson about removing this idiot asap.

Snow Garden

lawred2 wrote: »

Given everything that's happened in this country with institutional, sporting and leisure organisations it beggars belief someone would still come out with statements this stupid

+1000

Zero tolerance.

Plumbthedepths

Considering the responses of some on this thread zero lessons have been learned about the protection of children. As for toughing up kids what does that do? only encourages them to behave in the same abusive manner as referred to by the coach on Claire Byrne.

Johnson_76

Thanks for all the responses. Yes there was another trainer there, I just know they will stick up for each other.

I have spoken to my son and while he can mess, can't all kids. On this occasion I don't think he was catching the ball "correctly" which led to this push.

I used to train GAA myself and have done the courses. I know it's a tough hour, it's not for me. But I cannot imagine pushing a child. I'm afraid of the backlash from the community here. That's all.

lazygal

Johnson_76 wrote: »

Thanks for all the responses. Yes there was another trainer there, I just know they will stick up for each other.

I have spoken to my son and while he can mess, can't all kids. On this occasion I don't think he was catching the ball "correctly" which led to this push.

I used to train GAA myself and have done the courses. I know it's a tough hour, it's not for me. But I cannot imagine pushing a child. I'm afraid of the backlash from the community here. That's all.

Your child is your priority, not a community which is OK with child abuse because its linked to the gaa.

iamwhoiam

Johnson_76 wrote: »

Thanks for all the responses. Yes there was another trainer there, I just know they will stick up for each other.

I have spoken to my son and while he can mess, can't all kids. On this occasion I don't think he was catching the ball "correctly" which led to this push.

I used to train GAA myself and have done the courses. I know it's a tough hour, it's not for me. But I cannot imagine pushing a child. I'm afraid of the backlash from the community here. That's all.

You are yours sons voice so speak up for him . The community are not your priority

0lordy

I was involved in a case a few years back regarding a coach being abusive towards kids. Turned out there was no parent that could directly validate what was alleged.

If it was me, I would observe how a training session is being run. If the coach does either of the things you have mentioned, that's a problem. If he is coaching by himself, that's also a problem.

I appreciate that the guy is a volunteer, but as a coach of 2 different codes, I would expect to be called to task if I behaved in that manner.

Ilovethe bonesofyou

Charles Ingles wrote:

Still a volunteer, and I'm sure the story will change when she speaks to him. Also parents should remain at training to support and show an interest in their child

It doesn't matter a sh!te if he's a volunteer. He has no right to lay a hand on your child.

drunkmonkey

Ilovethe bonesofyou wrote: »

It doesn't matter a sh!te if he's a volunteer. He has no right to lay a hand on your child.

He's training him to run around after other lads with a stick in his hand.

eurokev

If I was the trainer and you came to me complaining about that, I wouldn't want anything more to do with you or your son and you could go and find another club as far as I was concerned.

I highly doubt the trainer went over and violently pushed him or anything of the sort. There is no context here and we are relying on information from an 8 year old.

I remember playing in primary school and we had a great hurling trainer. When playing games or doing drills he would regularly get in our way, knock us off balance, push us, pull at our hurleys or jerseys etc.. He trained us when we were much older too and did the same things. These are all parts of the game that he was teaching us to handle.

Gaa is a hard sport, in another year or two your son will be coming up against lads giving him plenty of belts, a lot of which will be dirty. What are you going to do then??

Ilovethe bonesofyou

drunkmonkey wrote:

He's training him to run around after other lads with a stick in his hand.

And your point is?

granturismo

drunkmonkey wrote: »

He's training him to run around after other lads with a stick in his hand.

The GAA has moved on.

https://www.gaa.ie/the-gaa/child-welfare-and-protection/code-of-behaviour

CONDUCT OF COACHES WHEN WORKING WITH YOUNG PEOPLE
• The use of any form of physical punishment is prohibited as is any form of physical response to misbehaviour, unless it is by way of restraint.

spurious

The kids are 8 ffs. It should be about having fun and enjoying the game. Skills can come later. Not catching the ball correctly...Jesus wept.

granturismo

B-D-P-- wrote: »

Jesus ****ing christ, Lets jump the gun and call the gaa a community of pedos while we're at it.

Said no one in this thread.

JustJoe7240

Johnson_76 wrote: »

I have spoken to my son and while he can mess, can't all kids. On this occasion I don't think he was catching the ball "correctly" which led to this push.

Using your own judgment, Do you really think a coach pushed a kid on the ground for not catching a ball "correctly"? If you do, You need to wise up.