On Saturday, Oct 7th approximately 150 young people attended the first GAA Youth Forum to be held since 2019.
Young people aged 12 – 21 gathered in Croke Park to attend several workshops addressing themes that were identified over the past year. Those themes included:
– Decision Making Structures
– Communications
– Coach Behaviour & Education
– Addressing Discrimination & Accessibility
– Development & Volunteering Opportunities
The forum concluded with a commitment by the GAA to establish structures to improve the capacity of the organisation to hear the voice of young people and to support young people to influence decision making within the organisation.
GAA Youth Leadership & Sustainability Manager Jimmy D’Arcy outlined a number of next steps for delegates as well as other young people interested in contributing to the promotion of gaelic games.
Included among these is an opportunity to be nominated as a youth representative. Every year 5 GAA Youth Reps are selected to report to GAA Congress on issues of concern to young people in Gaelic games. An opportunity to join a Youth Council was also outlined. The Youth Council will convene regularly and be tasked with reviewing information and making proposals on behalf of young people to the broader organisation.
Click here to apply to be a Youth Representative or join the Youth Council. https://forms.office.com/e/UMaHaJGKVk
More info is available at https://www.gaa.ie/my-gaa/community-and-health/youth-leadership/
By Wed 27th Dec
