The GAA's Minor Review workgroup has tabled a number of recommendations aimed at improving player welfare and providing an appropriate games programme for all young players.

Chaired by Micheal Martin, the workgroup, which was established in January 2014, published its report today following a review of the GAA's rules and policies regarding participation in the Minor and related age grades at club, school and inter-county levels.

Below is a summary of the recommendations ...

1. PLAYER ELIGIBILITY

Amend Rule 6.16 (T.O. 2014) such that a player must be over 17 to play in adult competition (i.e. over the U-21 grade). This is to protect the player from physical injury, reduce the risk of burnout and / or overuse and reduce the number of teams for which players are eligible.

Amend Rule 6.16 (T.O. 2014) with regard to Inter-County eligibility such that a player who is eligible for Minor should not play at Adult Inter-County level.

Amend Rule 6.16 (T.O. 2014) with regard to Inter-County eligibility such that a player who is eligible for Minor should not play at Under-21 Inter-County level.

Amend Rule 6.21 (T.O. 2014) such that a Minor Inter-County player should not play in Adult Club league competitions or Adult Club challenge games until finished Inter-County activity. (An Inter-County Minor panelist is defined as a player named in a panel of 24 players on March 1st. This panel may be amended and confirmed to the County Secretary on a monthly basis).

In order to fully explore the potential for Under 17/19, four Counties (one per Province) should participate in a three-year pilot programme at Club level with amended age grades of Under-13, 15, 17 and 19. The programme should be supported through Games Development funding and a research project conducted to measure the impact on player welfare and player drop out.

2. SCHEDULING OF COMPETITIONS

Club Minor Competitions should be completed no later than the second weekend in October to facilitate the commencement of Post Primary Schools competitions. The playing of mid-week Inter-County games should facilitate Counties in offering a defined programme of games for Club players.

Amend Rule 6.43 (T.O. 2014) to read "Post Primary Schools shall have 'first call' on players who are also involved with a team in an Inter-County Minor or Under 21 Provincial/All-Ireland Championship, and such players shall be restricted to training with a Post Primary School Team only, during such dual involvement." Change to rule in bold. This does not apply to Clubs.

Rule 6.28 (T.O. 2014) be amended to reflect Senior Post Primary School Competitions commencing no earlier than the second weekend in October with All-Ireland Finals to be played no later than the weekend closest to March 31st.

Amend Rule 6.28 (T.O. 2014) such that Provincial Minor Gaelic football championships should commence no earlier than the second week in April and no later than May 1st with games played mid-week (where possible) up to Provincial finals.

Inter-County Minor finals should only be played as a curtain raiser to adult games where this is in the best interest of player welfare. Provinces/Counties should trial the playing of Minor finals as a stand-alone fixture.

Amend Rule 3.47 (T.O. 2014) to create a National Underage CCC (on a pilot basis) to monitor and implement cross-Provincial (inter County) fixtures up to and including Minor.

3. COMPETITION FORMAT

Club

Counties to review underage games structures on a three/five year basis reviewing amalgamations with terms of reference provided by the National Games Development Committee.
Inter-county.

Regional Inter-County leagues should replace the current Provincial Minor leagues in both Hurling and Gaelic football on a three year pilot basis. These games should commence no earlier than the Post Primary schools February mid-term break and should be played mid-week where possible. Groups may be cross-Provincial (while ensuring travel distances are kept to a minimum) but should have a maximum of 8 teams (groups of four) providing a maximum of five games for all teams.

A limit of three Inter-County Minor Challenge games to be permitted per County team. Regional Leagues are designed to ensure teams get adequate preparation time and opportunities.

Football

Each Provincial Inter-County Minor Championship competition should be run using the same format. This should facilitate a second chance for those defeated in their first game thereby ensuring all Minor teams get two championship games.

All-Ireland Minor Football Quarter finals should be discontinued from 2016.

To cater for Counties who have experienced a lack of success at Minor level, a well promoted Under 17 All-Ireland competition should be organised with finals played in Croke Park (where possible).

Hurling

The Hurling Development Committee should develop proposals regarding All-Ireland Minor competitions and the accommodation of Galway and Antrim in an equitable system which promotes best practice in a developmental context.

The All-Ireland Minor Hurling B and C competitions should be organised as Under 17 competitions. These competitions should be well promoted with finals played in Croke Park (where possible).

Schools

A meeting be convened with Department of Education and Skills to discuss the impact of the Haddington Road agreement on extra-curricular sport.

4. PLAYER WELFARE AND COACH EDUCATION

Establish a Monitoring System for relevant player groups to track activity and parameters associated with risk of over-training/burnout.

A point a 'Player Welfare Mentor' in each County (proposal for 2015 pilot being prepared by Medical, Scientific & Welfare Committee).

Extend the 'Player Welfare' Charter to be agreed and signed by Team Managers of Underage Inter-County Teams.

Develop Player Welfare based Education materials and programmes for Players, Coaches & Parents of Players.

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