Introduction

'Nothing Beats Being There' Facebook Competition

Fly someone home for an All-Ireland Final.

Are you missing a cousin in Australia or a brother in the States? Whoever they are, wherever they are, we want to fly them home for an All-Ireland Final of your choice.

Our new Facebook competition is giving all our members, supporters and followers the chance to fly a loved one home from abroad, go to an All-Ireland Final in Croke Park along with two nights accommodation.

To enter visit the Official GAA Facebook page at facebook.com/officialgaa. We would encourage as many members and clubs to share this information via their own Facebook or Twitter pages. Entries close midnight Sunday August 19.

And remember....Nothing Beats Being There!

GAA Ticket Packages

The are a number of great money-saving ticket packages for the GAA Football and Hurling All Ireland Championships. Save anything from 20% to 45% on ticket combo packages. For full details, please see the image below or visit www.gaa.ie/ticketpackages.

We would also like to remind you of the ticket offers available to members of GAA Clubs. For example, the GAA Club Pass with tickets priced at €10 per adult for the All-Ireland Quarter-finals and Semi-finals; minimum purchase of 15 and maximum 50 adult tickets. Seats are in the Davin Stand in Croke Park. For full details of offers available to clubs, please visit http://www.gaa.ie/tickets-and-merchandise/tickets/gaa-club-offers/.

GAA Risk and Insurance Information Update

Fundraising activities
Clubs are reminded that our clubs are involved in a variety of different activities. As part of efforts to keep members safe, we draw your attention to the following activities that are not covered by existing GAA Liability covers:

• Any event excluding matches where the attendance exceeds 500 persons.
• Major development works on club property to be undertaken on a direct labour basis.
• Major development works on club property to be undertaken by a contractor.
• Scrap metal collecting / storing of scrap metal on GAA property or property in the control of GAA units.
• Mechanical Rides and/or Amusement Devices/Fairgrounds/Machinery/Circuses/Motorised Vehicles. 
• Bouncing Castles/Inflatables and/or Trampolines – THESE ARE PROHIBITED ON ANY GAA GROUNDS.
• Motorised Sports/Racing/Aircraft or other Aerial Devices.
• Showjumping, Horse Racing, Donkey Derbies or the use of Animals (other than domestic cats and dogs).
• Bungee Jumping, Parachute Jumping, Abseiling or Rock Climbing or other dangerous activities.
• Rock or Pop Concerts, Fireworks Displays.
• Dances/Discos run on a commercial basis.
• Gymnasia with GAA Club supplied equipment involving more than 10 pieces of health and fitness equipment.
• Any activity on the public highways.

Player Injury Scheme
Only official fixtures or challenge matches are covered by the GAA Player Injury Scheme. Requests for permission for challenge games must be submitted as per requirements of your county board.

Once off themed blitzes and / or fun tournaments are not covered by the GAA Player Injury Scheme. Participants in such events take part at their own risk. Waivers are available from GAA Risk & Insurance Manager, Sinéad Quinn, Croke Park, Dublin 3.

Kelloggs GAA Cúl Camps and Summer Camps
Kelloggs GAA Cúl camps are the only camps covered by the GAA Liability Insurance and Player Injury scheme.  Any other summer camps to be held on GAA grounds must be notified to your county board.

Safety Statements and event Planning
Clubs are reminded that they should have a safety statement in place and in the event of major fundraising activities, a safety plan will be required before extension of liability cover can be confirmed.  Assistance in this regard can be obtained from GAA Risk and Insurance Manager, Sinéad Quinn or Willis Insurance Brokers.

Concussion Awareness Videos from Acquired Brain Injury Ireland

Supported by the GAA and GPA, Acquired Brain Injury Ireland has produced a number of videos on concussion education for players, coaches and parents that may be of use to GAA members.

To view these videos, please click on the following links below:

Concussion Education for parents, coaches and parents
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tm3ibi4ZTeQ&feature=g-upl

It’s Not Always a Knock-out
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J54h_Bj1xJM&feature=g-upl

World Championship for International GAA Units

The GAA has decided to organise a bi-annual World Championship for International Units. It is hoped to include four different championships i.e. Gaelic Football, Hurling, Ladies Gaelic Football and Camogie.  Full details will be finalised with the Ladies Gaelic Football and Camogie Associations shortly.

It is likely that teams will be 9/10/11 a side with squads of 12/13/14/15.  Both Senior and Junior level competitions may take place in each code. Each squad will have some “homegrown” talent i.e. non Irish players. This number is to be confirmed but, for example, each squad might have to include at least 3/4/5 such players. 

It has been decided that this tournament will be staged in Ireland in 2013 as part of the Association's commitment to ‘The Gathering’ but subsequent World Championships will be staged at venues throughout world.  It is hoped to finalise dates with International units as soon as possible and that the Final games will be staged in Croke Park.

Further details on this event will be communicated in the GAA Club Newsletter over the coming months.

The Gathering

The Gathering presents an opportunity to experience Ireland at its very best as the people of Ireland host an unprecedented year-long celebration of everything that is unique and great about Ireland.  

Communities, villages, towns, organisations and businesses across the country are organising special gatherings and events to attract people with Irish connections from all over the world in 2013.  With the focus on Ireland’s vibrant living culture, heritage and people it is a chance for everyone to experience Ireland like never before.

Everyone in the country is asked to reach out to their family, friends, colleagues and connections around the world and invite them home to be a part of specially organised events in their honour.

At national level the GAA will organise their bi-annual World Championship for International units in Ireland as a commitment to “The Gathering”, but clubs all over the country are strongly to get involved in some way. Ideas such as showcasing hurling or football in your club for visitors on a special day next year or inviting back past players to honour them or linking up with clubs overseas and inviting them back for games.  

Also be sure to check out the other Gatherings, Festivals and events planned for your county and see how your club or county can support them.

For further information, visit www.thegatheringireland.com.

National Hurling and Camogie Development Centre at WIT

The National Hurling Development plan was launched last February. A key objective of the plan was the establishment of the National Hurling and Camogie Development Centre in Waterford Institute of Technology Sports Campus.

Supporting the Player, Club and County, key services include:

• A games based approach to training and development
• Skills and fitness assessment
• Diet and nutrition
• Strength and conditioning
• Performance analysis
• Mobile support unit

For more information or if your club or county is interested in availing of any services provided, please contact the NHDC directly by phone on 051-834158 or by email at NHCDC@wit.ie.

Ulster Bank GAA Force

Ulster Bank, one of the official sponsors of the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship, is delighted to announce that the GAA Force initiative is back again this year.

Ulster Bank's GAA Force supports GAA clubs across the country by giving them the chance to win support packages to refurbish and upgrade their facilities. One lucky GAA club will receive the top prize of a support package worth €25,000 and four runners-up (one per province) will receive a support package worth €5,000 each.

The first 100 clubs to simply enter the programme will receive a support package worth €100. The registration process is free and it doesn't take long to fill in the details on the form. Enter at www.ulsterbank.com/gaa.

Over 400 clubs throughout the country entered the inaugural programme last year. It is a unique initiative that offers clubs the opportunity to improve their facilities with funding from Ulster Bank, while also bringing the community together to carry out the work.

Details of last years winning clubs can be seen at http://gaa.ulsterbank.com/force. 

New One Year Premium Seats at Croke Park

Take the experience to the next level - new one year premium seats now available for the first time ever at Croke Park.

Your premium level seat will transform your experience of match day at Croke Park. You’re guaranteed a seat at every GAA match with unparalleled levels of service and comfort.

Premium seats are owned for 3, 5 or 10 year contracts. Now for the first time ever, a 1 year ticket is also available in the Davin Stand for €1,000, making premium level experience more accessible than ever before.

For more information visit www.crokepark.ie/priomh or email priomh@crokepark.ie.

Football Review Committee – Have you Say

GAA members and supporters are constantly debating and discussing aspects of Gaelic football and have many varied and interesting views on how it is played and organised. You now have a chance to express your views in a meaningful way and every form of communication will be considered.

GAA President Liam O’Neill established the Football Review Committee (FRC) to examine the state of Gaelic football at all levels of the game today. The committee will present its findings to the Management Committee of the GAA later in 2012 in order to set in motion a national debate on Gaelic football.

The President stressed that the FRC was to consult widely with GAA people from all over Ireland and abroad in an effort to establish what people involved in the game think about the state of football and what, if any, changes they would like to see.

FRC.ie provides a platform for everybody to do just that so have your say and take our Gaelic football survey. If you have deeper views on any aspect of Gaelic football that are not covered in the survey you can email us or write us a letter.

The major topics that will be discussed and analysed include Playing Rules, Championship and League structures, the balance between inter-county and club competitions, refereeing issues and many more.

Take part in the debate at www.frc.ie or write to FRC, c/o Communications Dept, Croke Park, Dublin 3.

Opel Kit for Clubs

The Opel Kit for Clubs initiative gives something back to GAA clubs whose members support Opel. The programme rewards GAA clubs around the country with top quality training and match gear. 

For every test drive, service or new car purchased by a club member from the Opel range (through your local Opel dealer), the club is awarded points. Club points can be built up and redeemed against top quality training and match gear for your club.  A test drive is worth 10 points, a service is worth 10 points and a purchase is worth 200 points.

We’ve added new gear to the range including Club jerseys (Set of 30), cones, ladders, water bottles and hurdles. Check out the full range and sign up for the initiative at www.opelkitforclubs.com. 

In addition we’ve created a new ‘Opel Kit for Clubs’ Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Opelkitforclubs. Keep up to date with Opel Ambassadors Joe Canning, Liam Rushe, Jackie Tyrell and Colm Cooper. “Like” and be in with the chance of winning gear for your club, as well as the chance to have one of the ambassadors visit your club for a day.

Heritage Hurleys

Heritage Hurleys, an official GAA licensee, have introduced an innovative discounted offer to GAA members where Clubs can receive up to 30% cash back on all sales.

The souvenir/gift hurls are all handmade in Ireland by some of the best hurley makers in the country, using Irish ash.

The offer is an excellent way of generating much needed finances for your club without any cost, time or labour.

For further details, visit www.heritagehurleys.com.

Give Blood – Irish Blood Transfusion Service

70,000 Irish people receive blood transfusions every year. To meet this demand the Irish Blood Transfusion Service needs regular blood donations.

The IBTS rely on people’s generosity - volunteering to go and give blood to help those in their community who need it.

Did you know?
Only 3% of the population gives blood on a regular basis.

1 in 4 people will need a blood transfusion at some point in their lifetime because they are undergoing surgery, recovering from cancer or have been in a serious accident. Blood only lasts for 35 days.

Who can donate?
Those aged 18-65, over 7stone 12lbs and in good health.

Donation Process

• Register your details
• Fill in a health and lifestyle questionnaire
• A Donor Attendant will then check your iron levels
• If you are eligible, you can then give a donation. Less than one pint is taken and you can donate every 90 days
• Rest and enjoy some refreshments
• It is recommended you avoid heavy lifting or exercise that evening
• Remember to have something to eat and plenty of fluids before you donate

Reasons you may not be able to donate: Flu, travel, surgery, pregnancy and certain medications. If you have any queries regarding eligibility please contact the IBTS on the number below.

To find out more about how you can become a blood donor, please see www.giveblood.ie or locall 1850 731 137.