Please see below Frequently Asked Questions. If you cannot find what you are looking for please feel free to contact us and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
Child Safeguarding
Should an adult present themselves to a Club to work with underage players and in accordance with our procedures, have vetting, Gaelic Games Child Safeguarding Training, must complete a minimum coaching qualification if acting in the capacity as a Coach and must also complete and be a member of the Association. They must complete these requirements prior to commencing any role with children in our Associations.
All mentors, coaches, supervisors, referees must hold full membership.
Adult teams may still have a player who is 17 years old on the team. The coach is responsible for the 17-year-old players at training and at matches and our workshops cater for those who work with anybody under 18 years of age.
In accordance with vetting legislation, also referred to in the Children First Guidance, all persons who have a regulated role with children, (i.e. coaches, referees, Bord na nÓg members, parents who regularly assist in the Gaelic Games Associations) must be vetted by us before they take up their role. There are no exceptions to this directive.
No, a person must be in receipt of their vetting acceptance letter before they take up the coaching role.
The Camogie Association Vetting Policy states that once vetted an applicant shall be re-vetted within a three-year period.
No, there is an agreement between the Gaelic Games Associations (Handball, Rounders, Camogie, LGFA and the GAA) that we each recognise each other’s vetting. Therefore, if you were vetted through the LGFA/GAA etc. your vetting will suffice for the Camogie Association and vice versa.
Compliance
Each year, Camogie Units are required to complete a compliance template and return it to their higher unit by a specified date, usually in the spring.
The template records the following details:
Names of the club executive, adults working with underage teams, and referees
Membership details
Safeguarding and vetting status
Coaching qualifications
Risk Assessment (Legislative Requirement)
In line with Children First legislation, a Risk Assessment must be completed in early summer. This assessment will be carried out on Foireann, led by the Children’s Officer, with the support and agreement of the club executive.
The Risk Assessment includes the preparation of a Child Safeguarding Statement, which is a statutory requirement. To assist with this process, supporting documentation will be circulated to all units in advance.
The unit secretary to email info@camogie.ie to request a password reset for the Children's Officer email account. The request must come from @camogie.ie email account. A new temporary password will then be issued to the secretary to share with the Children's Officer who will then change to a password they will remember.
If the required information cannot be located on Foireann, contact the relevant member to provide their vetting number and date of receipt, as well as safeguarding certification and date of completion. Members should be advised to link their Tobar and Foireann accounts. The Children’s Officer should also liaise with the Unit Registrar to confirm membership details.
All information on vetting can be accessed on website https://camogie.ie/vetting/
Please refer to the Safeguarding Training Policy for more detailed information. https://www.gaa.ie/downloads/viewer/safeguarding-training-policy-june-2025
SG1 All involved with underage players
SG2 Children's Officer
SG3 Designated Liaison Person (DLP)
Must be renewed every 3 years.
Ratios
• Playing and training activities must abide by a minimum ratio of 2 adults to 10 children, (2:10).
This ratio level requires at least one qualified coach and at least one other responsible adult to
be present at all times
• Ratios of 2:10 apply to each group of ten children or up to ten children in a group
• Groups of 10-20 children must have a minimum of 3 adults present at all times
• Any group that exceeds 20 in number must also abide by the minimum ratios as per above
• The number of coaches and or responsible adults required will depend on the number of children
attending a training session, a camp or game, with consideration also given to the nature of the
activity as required and the needs of the children
Gender requirements
• Where a team or training group consists of both boys and girls, the supervision and coaching
personnel, must also comprise of both male and female personnel
• In the case of an all-female team, at least one of the adults (coach/supervisor) must be female
and similarly in the case of an all-boys team, at least one of the two adults (coach/supervisor)
must be male
