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Hi, I'm looking for guidance on how to deal with a situation or whether I should let it go - any advice would be greatly appreciated.
My son plays soccer and Gaelic football so has been unavailable for play for his gaa team on Sundays as matches are clashing (his age group thankfully moves back to Saturdays from next year). He has however played for the age group up on Saturdays as they were short on numbers. He has also continued to train with his gaa team.
Issue is that the club have now advised that as he is not playing with his age group on the Sunday then he cannot play for for the age group up on the Saturday (even though he has continued to train with his team). He is torn between the two codes and I have not told him that the club are not allowing him to play in the Saturday matches. Also I should add that the position my son plays in on the team up did not have a player in that position so he wasn't taking someone's place.
The club was always aware that this would be an issue as soccer, rugby and GAA all clash for this year only. The rugby club have more flexibility in moving matches and have been able to do so allowing players to play GAA matches on Sundays. Unfortunately the soccer club have to stick to the times per fixture list due to referee scheduling.
Added to this I do know of a similar situation within the juvenile section of the club where this policy is not being enforced. However, in my communication with the juvenile secretary I did not want to name and shame as I think players should play whenever the opportunity arises. I have also read through the GAA document on 'GAA purpose, vision and values' and the clubs policy appears to be in conflict with these values.
Question is do I just accept the clubs policy or if I fought this how would I go about dealing with this? My initial thought was to let this go as I don't want this issue to be used as a stick against him in the future. Thank you
SeasideGAA (Dublin) - Posts: 6 - 29/09/2022 09:31:26
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Replying To SeasideGAA: "Hi, I'm looking for guidance on how to deal with a situation or whether I should let it go - any advice would be greatly appreciated.
My son plays soccer and Gaelic football so has been unavailable for play for his gaa team on Sundays as matches are clashing (his age group thankfully moves back to Saturdays from next year). He has however played for the age group up on Saturdays as they were short on numbers. He has also continued to train with his gaa team.
Issue is that the club have now advised that as he is not playing with his age group on the Sunday then he cannot play for for the age group up on the Saturday (even though he has continued to train with his team). He is torn between the two codes and I have not told him that the club are not allowing him to play in the Saturday matches. Also I should add that the position my son plays in on the team up did not have a player in that position so he wasn't taking someone's place.
The club was always aware that this would be an issue as soccer, rugby and GAA all clash for this year only. The rugby club have more flexibility in moving matches and have been able to do so allowing players to play GAA matches on Sundays. Unfortunately the soccer club have to stick to the times per fixture list due to referee scheduling.
Added to this I do know of a similar situation within the juvenile section of the club where this policy is not being enforced. However, in my communication with the juvenile secretary I did not want to name and shame as I think players should play whenever the opportunity arises. I have also read through the GAA document on 'GAA purpose, vision and values' and the clubs policy appears to be in conflict with these values.
Question is do I just accept the clubs policy or if I fought this how would I go about dealing with this? My initial thought was to let this go as I don't want this issue to be used as a stick against him in the future. Thank you" Let it go and see where the land lies for him next year. You're lucky to have a young fella that's mad for playing sport rather than sitting in front of the TV or an X-box, fair play to him. It's not easy for clubs to schedule games, pitches, referees and rely on parents replying to WhatsApp groups for numbers, on top of coaching them and trying to keep players interested that have little or no gametime. The club knows your son is very keen and as his age group schedule changes next year that should only help him. Getting their backs up won't help at all.
GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7344 - 29/09/2022 11:00:18
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Sounds like a messy one.
Just to clarify in relation to the Saturday team (the age group up from his actual age group): is it that he's training with them some Saturdays, but they don't allow him to take part on the other Saturdays when they have matches?
Also, how old is he? i.e. are we talking Go Games here, or competitive matches?
Are there many weeks left of GAA activity where you live anyway? Here in Wexford, it's all winding down over the next couple of weeks. Am not saying you should just sit back and accept it, but it's relevant all the same.
Finally, just to throw it out there as an option as well - does the soccer club maybe have a different team (e.g. one year up the age grades) with matches/training on Saturdays, where he might be able to go for as long as the two sports clash, thus allowing him to continue with the GAA activity on Sundays?
Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 2245 - 29/09/2022 11:23:32
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Replying To Pikeman96: "Sounds like a messy one.
Just to clarify in relation to the Saturday team (the age group up from his actual age group): is it that he's training with them some Saturdays, but they don't allow him to take part on the other Saturdays when they have matches?
Also, how old is he? i.e. are we talking Go Games here, or competitive matches?
Are there many weeks left of GAA activity where you live anyway? Here in Wexford, it's all winding down over the next couple of weeks. Am not saying you should just sit back and accept it, but it's relevant all the same.
Finally, just to throw it out there as an option as well - does the soccer club maybe have a different team (e.g. one year up the age grades) with matches/training on Saturdays, where he might be able to go for as long as the two sports clash, thus allowing him to continue with the GAA activity on Sundays?" He is training with his own age group during the week but plays for the age group up on Saturday's (whenever asked and doesn't train with age group up). Matches are competitive games and tbh there are maybe only 2-3 matches (max) left in the year but I was told after the last match that he may not be able to play with them again this year. Unfortunately the soccer matches are all on Sundays so for this year there is always a clash.
I just think the whole episode is pure madness (and needless) as the GAA is all about promoting participation, not telling a teenager he can't play - policy just seem archaic. I asked for a copy of the policy but was told it has never been formalized in writing but instead the message has been relayed at Juvenile meetings. In fairness to the club the policy may have been put in place for good reason but I don't think a one size fits all approach works. And I do not want to get into a row with the club as nothing positive will come out of it.
SeasideGAA (Dublin) - Posts: 6 - 29/09/2022 12:02:27
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Replying To SeasideGAA: "He is training with his own age group during the week but plays for the age group up on Saturday's (whenever asked and doesn't train with age group up). Matches are competitive games and tbh there are maybe only 2-3 matches (max) left in the year but I was told after the last match that he may not be able to play with them again this year. Unfortunately the soccer matches are all on Sundays so for this year there is always a clash.
I just think the whole episode is pure madness (and needless) as the GAA is all about promoting participation, not telling a teenager he can't play - policy just seem archaic. I asked for a copy of the policy but was told it has never been formalized in writing but instead the message has been relayed at Juvenile meetings. In fairness to the club the policy may have been put in place for good reason but I don't think a one size fits all approach works. And I do not want to get into a row with the club as nothing positive will come out of it." Some of what you say in your first couple of lines seems very relevant:
He is training with his own age group during the week but plays for the age group up on Saturday's (whenever asked and doesn't train with age group up). Matches are competitive games and tbh there are maybe only 2-3 matches (max) left in the year but I was told after the last match that he may not be able to play with them again this year.
So now it seems that:
a) he's only ever played with the age group up whenever asked to do so, presumably because they were short on numbers, and doesn't have any other regular involvement with them for training or anything else?
b) you're now just saying you've been told that he may not be able to play with them in the remaining matches, rather than he definitely won't be allowed to play? Seems to me that's the answer you'd have got all year long (before soccer was even an issue) if you asked if he could play in the next couple of matches with the age group up - "maybe, maybe not, we'll have to wait and see how we're fixed for numbers".
c) he's still training with his own age group during the week, but you're just deciding yourselves that he'll play the soccer matches on the same days as his own age group's GAA matches, rather than deciding he'll stick with GAA for the next couple of weeks and give the soccer a miss until the GAA is over?
If all that's the case, then I think you should just let it go. Might sound harsh, but reality is the club is continuing to provide opportunities for training and matches for him, and you're just choosing yourselves not to partake of those matches.
Finally, and as somebody else said above, maybe think of it as not a bad problem to have, that he's so interested and active in sports in the first place, rather than just wanting to sit around with a Playstation of Xbox or similar all day.
Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 2245 - 30/09/2022 11:05:35
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I'm all for young people being outside and trying every sport possible,I hate when I hear of teenagers spending hours and hours on screens..in the last month or 6 weeks I've seen young fellas trying to combine,hurling,football,soccer and rugby..this then is made more difficult with all school competitions running to..ive seen teenagers who just can't give anything in a match due to what they've already done during the week..i relation to the parents problem above,I'd be saying leave it go..however I do see where young people will have to make a decision on what they play..I also think parents are part of a problem as they are pushy and want the young fellas to do everything..
CTGAA10 (Limerick) - Posts: 2214 - 30/09/2022 12:03:48
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Could he have done 50/50 play some of his own age group games and other weeks do soccer, if I was over a team and saw one of my players playing ahead and not with my team I would be a bit annoyed, i think compromise is always the best option, you have to think of how the other players see it too. Definitely sounds messy Hope you get a resolution to it
Barrowsider (Carlow) - Posts: 1592 - 30/09/2022 15:20:22
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Replying To SeasideGAA: "Hi, I'm looking for guidance on how to deal with a situation or whether I should let it go - any advice would be greatly appreciated.
My son plays soccer and Gaelic football so has been unavailable for play for his gaa team on Sundays as matches are clashing (his age group thankfully moves back to Saturdays from next year). He has however played for the age group up on Saturdays as they were short on numbers. He has also continued to train with his gaa team.
Issue is that the club have now advised that as he is not playing with his age group on the Sunday then he cannot play for for the age group up on the Saturday (even though he has continued to train with his team). He is torn between the two codes and I have not told him that the club are not allowing him to play in the Saturday matches. Also I should add that the position my son plays in on the team up did not have a player in that position so he wasn't taking someone's place.
The club was always aware that this would be an issue as soccer, rugby and GAA all clash for this year only. The rugby club have more flexibility in moving matches and have been able to do so allowing players to play GAA matches on Sundays. Unfortunately the soccer club have to stick to the times per fixture list due to referee scheduling.
Added to this I do know of a similar situation within the juvenile section of the club where this policy is not being enforced. However, in my communication with the juvenile secretary I did not want to name and shame as I think players should play whenever the opportunity arises. I have also read through the GAA document on 'GAA purpose, vision and values' and the clubs policy appears to be in conflict with these values.
Question is do I just accept the clubs policy or if I fought this how would I go about dealing with this? My initial thought was to let this go as I don't want this issue to be used as a stick against him in the future. Thank you" I wouldn't be getting overly bothered about it if it is going to sort itself out next year.
Playing games in the next age group can cause problems within a club if lads of the age group are dropped for younger players.
He must prefer the soccer if he is going to it every Sunday and not playing the football.
RHF (Cavan) - Posts: 848 - 30/09/2022 15:40:20
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I see it from the point of view from the club that if he's not playing with his age group he can't play a year above his age group. This is common with a lot of clubs. I would ignore the other example where a player is bending the rules in the club as there can sometimes be stuff going on behind the scenes that other player's/parents are unaware of.
You seem happy enough that the soccer fixtures are completely inflexible which is normally the case with soccer, (God help us if we were good at the game)
If for one or two games he chose Gaelic over soccer how would the soccer club react to that?
It's important to keep all options open and I believe young people should play as much sports as possible. He seems to love sports so that's great. There are a lot more opportunities for lads that play Gaelic football over their counterparts that play soccer. As for rugby I would hate any child of mine to play it. The injuries are something shocking
eoinog (Sligo) - Posts: 1656 - 30/09/2022 17:04:38
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Replying To Pikeman96: "Some of what you say in your first couple of lines seems very relevant:
He is training with his own age group during the week but plays for the age group up on Saturday's (whenever asked and doesn't train with age group up). Matches are competitive games and tbh there are maybe only 2-3 matches (max) left in the year but I was told after the last match that he may not be able to play with them again this year.
So now it seems that:
a) he's only ever played with the age group up whenever asked to do so, presumably because they were short on numbers, and doesn't have any other regular involvement with them for training or anything else?
b) you're now just saying you've been told that he may not be able to play with them in the remaining matches, rather than he definitely won't be allowed to play? Seems to me that's the answer you'd have got all year long (before soccer was even an issue) if you asked if he could play in the next couple of matches with the age group up - "maybe, maybe not, we'll have to wait and see how we're fixed for numbers".
c) he's still training with his own age group during the week, but you're just deciding yourselves that he'll play the soccer matches on the same days as his own age group's GAA matches, rather than deciding he'll stick with GAA for the next couple of weeks and give the soccer a miss until the GAA is over?
If all that's the case, then I think you should just let it go. Might sound harsh, but reality is the club is continuing to provide opportunities for training and matches for him, and you're just choosing yourselves not to partake of those matches.
Finally, and as somebody else said above, maybe think of it as not a bad problem to have, that he's so interested and active in sports in the first place, rather than just wanting to sit around with a Playstation of Xbox or similar all day." Taking advice on board I did decide to let it go. I left the decision on what sport to play to my son and whatever he decides. In fairness he is mad keen on both and hopefully can have a good run next year.
The club have been clear that if he does not train and play for his own age group then he cannot play up and I have advised the mentors of age group up that in order to avoid any issues that he shouldn't be considered. However, at his own age group the team are continuing to play lads from the lower age group that do not play for the age group they are meant to be playing at (one case is similar that lad plays soccer but I do not know the reason for 2 other cases of lads playing up). So the rule is not being enforced throughout but only in this case. But it is what it is and nothing positive will come out of fighting this. I'm hearing alot of issues regarding club politics - but life is too short to get involved in this.
SeasideGAA (Dublin) - Posts: 6 - 01/10/2022 15:14:10
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Replying To CTGAA10: "I'm all for young people being outside and trying every sport possible,I hate when I hear of teenagers spending hours and hours on screens..in the last month or 6 weeks I've seen young fellas trying to combine,hurling,football,soccer and rugby..this then is made more difficult with all school competitions running to..ive seen teenagers who just can't give anything in a match due to what they've already done during the week..i relation to the parents problem above,I'd be saying leave it go..however I do see where young people will have to make a decision on what they play..I also think parents are part of a problem as they are pushy and want the young fellas to do everything.." Agree. And to be clear the decision to play whatever sport he wants is down to him. I said just go with whatever is your preference (even though he is mad keen on both).
SeasideGAA (Dublin) - Posts: 6 - 01/10/2022 15:17:12
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Replying To Barrowsider: "Could he have done 50/50 play some of his own age group games and other weeks do soccer, if I was over a team and saw one of my players playing ahead and not with my team I would be a bit annoyed, i think compromise is always the best option, you have to think of how the other players see it too. Definitely sounds messy Hope you get a resolution to it" Resolution is just not to make him available for the year up (even though the rule is not being enforced throughout) as from what I am hearing there is alot of internal politics issues within the - just want to move on from it and start again next year.
SeasideGAA (Dublin) - Posts: 6 - 01/10/2022 15:30:43
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Replying To eoinog: "I see it from the point of view from the club that if he's not playing with his age group he can't play a year above his age group. This is common with a lot of clubs. I would ignore the other example where a player is bending the rules in the club as there can sometimes be stuff going on behind the scenes that other player's/parents are unaware of.
You seem happy enough that the soccer fixtures are completely inflexible which is normally the case with soccer, (God help us if we were good at the game)
If for one or two games he chose Gaelic over soccer how would the soccer club react to that?
It's important to keep all options open and I believe young people should play as much sports as possible. He seems to love sports so that's great. There are a lot more opportunities for lads that play Gaelic football over their counterparts that play soccer. As for rugby I would hate any child of mine to play it. The injuries are something shocking" It's not really about how the soccer club would react - I have left the decision with my son to choose the match he wishes to play (even though he knows I would prefer him to play GAA). The policy is not being enforced throughout the club but it is what it is and nothing positive will come out of it (have to remember we are dealing with teenagers that just want to play sport and not an intercounty team).
SeasideGAA (Dublin) - Posts: 6 - 01/10/2022 15:37:37
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