U12 ACTIVITY DAY ITINERARY - 29th Sept 2018

Friday 21st September 2018

I would ask that the following details be passed on to those responsible for the kids who are attending the u12 Croke Park activity day, next Saturday, 29th September 2018.

1. All players / parents are asked to meet the full time Down GAA staff members at the CUSACK STAND entrance (Museum Entrance) to Croke Park at 8.30am SHARP on Saturday morning. Children from the same clubs should congregate together so that they are easily recognisable.

**Please note that parents will not be permitted to park their cars in the Cusack Stand Car Park. 

Parking for spectators / parents will be in the Davin Stand (Canal End) Car Park.  Enter via St Margaret's Terrace off North Circular Road. 

Please note that you will have to walk from this car park around to the Cusack Stand entrance with your children who are taking part, which will take 15 - 20 minutes.** 

2. Upon arrival, Down GAA staff will escort the players into the changing rooms. Club Coaches / mentors / parents from each club will be asked to take their seats in the Cusack Stand at this point.

3. All children are asked to come in their club colours with a full club playing kit (including jersey) underneath if possible. Children who will be playing hurling / camogie should bring their own hurls and helmets with them.

4. Children will have a maximum of 30 minutes playing time on the Croke Park pitch. At various stages, children will be required to sit in allocated seats in the stand either before / after their playing time. These seats will be separate to their parents / guardians and will be supervised by Down GAA staff.

4. ALL Children must bring a good packed lunch.

5. The games will take place from 9.30am sharp to 11am. During this time supporters attending can watch the games from the Cusack Stand. Parents / guardians / club coaches MUST NOT encroach onto the playing area either before, during or after the games take place.

6. The children participating in the activity day will get a tour of the Croke Park Stadium from 11.30am to 12.30pm. Parents / family members CANNOT accompany their children on the tour.

We would ask that parents / family members do not book onto their own separate tours during this time as they will need to collect their children once the group tour has finished.

7. At 12.30pm, following the conclusion of the Museum tours, children will be returned to the care of their parents outside the museum entrance. From this point onwards the children are the responsibility of their parents / guardians etc.

8. It is essential that children / adults are on time at all stages of the day to ensure the smooth running of the event from start to finish. Down GAA will have staff present at all stages to help out and run the event. It is essential that children and parents respect the staff at all times and do exactly what they are asked at all times.

9. PARENTS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO ENTER THE PLAYING AREA AT ANY TIME / STAGE THROUGHOUT THE DAY. Given the time of year, Croke Park officials will take a very dim view on parents encroaching onto the pitch which could hinder the event being held in coming years.

Finally we would ask that parents refrain from trying to send additional children into the group who have not been nominated / selected. This puts the staff in a very difficult position and will lead to the child being returned to their parents, likely upset and embarrassed.

We hope that all players / parents  / guardians and family members have a wonderful day in Dublin. I would stress however that it is vitally important that everyone is present at 8.30am on Saturday 29th.