Young players play for fun and enjoyment therefore skill development and playing for fun take precedence over highly structured competition. Winning is not the only objective.

The coach will on occasion be required to travel and reside with players in the course of coaching and competitive matches. On such occasions, ensure separate sleeping accommodation for officials and players.

Coaches who use their own vehicles to transport players must ensure that they have adequate insurance cover and be careful not to carry more than the permitted number of passengers. Coaches should be careful not to expose children especially younger participants to extreme weather conditions. Decisions in this regard should be made from the child’s perspective. Where the team is composed of both genders, there should be a male and female official present.

The coach should never be in a room or similar alone with a player. Where this is unavoidable, leave the door open and be within earshot of others. (“Two Deep” supervision) Officials should avoid situations where they are alone with young players in changing rooms. Wherever practicable, there should always be two or more adults in changing rooms. Physical relationships with under-age players are illegal.

Children are defined in Irish law as any person under the age of 18 years.

The use of drugs, alcohol and tobacco should be actively discouraged as being incompatible with a healthy approach to the playing of the game. Coaches should strive to eliminate all unfair practices, including the use of drugs which effect performance.

Coaches should not

 Spend excessive amounts of time with children away from others

• Take sessions alone (always employ “Two Deep” supervision)
• Take children to their homes
• Take children on journeys alone in their car

Coaches should not 

• Use any form of corporal punishment or physical force on a child
• Exert undue influence over a participant in order to obtain personal benefit or reward
• Engage in rough physical games, sexually provocative games or allow or engage
• In inappropriate touching of any kind.
• Make sexually suggestive comments about, or to a child.
• Take measurements or engage in certain types of fitness testing without the presence of another adult. (“Two Deep” supervision)
• Undertake any form of therapy (hypnosis etc.) in the training of children.
• Ridicule or shout at a child for making a mistake or losing a game
• Put undue pressure on a child to please or perform well