GAA Super Games 

What are GAA Super Games?

• Small-sided games format e.g. 9-a-side
• Aimed at youth players aged 12-17 years
• Informal playing opportunities i.e no emphasis on winning
• All players get to play (no substitutes) irrespective of playing ability or experience
• No coaching inputs
• Where participants oversee the organisation of the games
• Youth centred and where they set the prevailing values
• Super Games can be run in Post Primary Schools/Clubs/Centres of Excellence
• Super Games are not result dependent

Why are we delivering the GAA Super Games experience?

The GAA 'Play to Stay' Ethos

In recent years, the GAA has seen a significant trend within the youth population indicated by a decline in the level of participation. This is denoted by a 49% drop off rate between the 12 - 17 year age groups.

On foot of this, a research study was commissioned in 2013 to investigate a solution, namely the GAA Super Games, which were located in 10 Counties across the 4 Provinces. This provided us with valuable quantitative and qualitative information highlighting the driving forces behind continued participation for youth participants e.g. freedom to explore, peer-to-peer interaction, an increase in the amount of game time.

During 2019, 36,065 players participated in the GAA Super Games organised in 1,053 venues across Post Primary Schools and GAA Clubs nationally.

GAA Super Games were developed to provide playing opportunities to those not adequately catered for or served by regular school or club games through traditional competitive structures.

How can GAA Super Games be organised & delivered?

GAA Super Games are currently organised and delivered in a number of different locations nationwide. Below is an outline of the current GAA Super Games delivery formats -

Post Primary School Super Games: Blitz/Series

• 4-6 week programme delivered over 1 to 2 blocks per year with PPS students

• Once off Super Games Blitz’ delivered at various intervals throughout the year in the post primary school setting

GAA Club Super Games: Blitz/Series

• 4-6 week programme delivered over 1 to 2 blocks per year with Club players at an agreed age grade.

• Once off Super Games Blitz’ delivered at various intervals throughout the year in a Club setting

Provincial/County Blitz Super Games: Blitz/Series

• 4 week programme delivered once a week for an hour. Open to all Club players from the specific Province or County at an agreed age grade.

GAA Super Games should provide the below, at a minimum, for participants:

· Minimum 6-week period of activity

· 60 mins per week

· Games Based Approach (Small-sided games)

· Play to Stay Values/Minimal Coaching Input

· Dedicated Super Games Coordinator

· Suitable facilities - Indoor and/or Outdoor

Since 2016, Sky Sports have partnered with the GAA to provide support to GAA Super Games through the provision of kits & equipment. In total, 1,470 kits have been provided to Super Games venues nationwide by Sky Sports. In addition to this, Sky Sports have worked with the GAA to coordinate fourteen Sky Sports Ambassador visits to GAA Super Games venues throughout the Country. These have included visits by well known GAA players to their local Super Games venues such as -

Kieran Donaghy - Sky Sports GAA Super Games Ambassador

Neil McManus to St Mary's Grammar School, Belfast

Paul Broderick to Colaiste Eoin, Carlow

Noel Connors to De La Salle College, Waterford

Killian Clarke to the Louth Super Games Blitz at Louth Centre of Excellence

For more information on Super Games in your county, please contact the relevant GAA Games Development Personnel in your county, here, or visit our website https://supergamescentres.gaa.ie/find-a-centre

For more information on GAA Participation initiatives contact the GAA Games Development office at tracy.bunyan@gaa.ie or 01 819 2356.