The three Gaelic Games Associations are conducting a survey of young players in Gaelic Games designed to better understand the experiences of players in the 13-19 age cohort across all codes.

The survey will cover topics such as the teams they play for, how often they take part, the coaching environment they experience, and their future in Gaelic Games.

This is the first time that all the Gaelic games Associations have collaborated on such a project for players.

According to the GAA’s Strategy, Insights, and Innovation Manager, Dr. Peter Horgan, the survey will capture both the positives and challenges experienced by young people who play Gaelic Games.

“The GAA, LGFA, and Camogie Associations are aware of the benefits of sporting participation, where participation in sport, particularly in team settings, confers many benefits including enhanced self-esteem, positive social development, fewer depressive symptoms, and increased likelihood of meeting physical activity guidelines,” said Horgan.

“At the same time, not all young people experience sport positively and attrition from sport can be high across adolescence. So, we’re keen that young people tell us what they like or dislike about their involvement.

“Young people are also very engaged in sport and can be involved in multiple sports at the same time. So, we’re interested in learning about how much sport they play, both in Gaelic games and any other sporting interests that they might have.

“Coaches play a key role in the youth sport setting particularly in the experience of young people in sport. Again, not all young people have a positive coaching experience and coaches are often a key factor in drop out.

“So one of the areas that we would like our players to focus their feedback on is how they have experienced being coached in Gaelic games.”

Dr. Aoife Lane, Chairperson of the Gaelic Games Sports Science Working Group and Head of the Department of Sport and Health Sciences in TUS Midlands Midwest, believes great insight can be gleaned from the survey.

“This is a great opportunity to learn more about the young boys and girls who play our games, from their initial engagement through to their current experiences in their club, school and county environments,” said Lane.

“Understanding why young people play Gaelic Games and in what contexts, from coaching to combining with other sports, will provide useful insights for future interventions to enhance participation rates. We, at TUS, are delighted to support this work and particularly to partner with colleagues from TUD, UCC and UU.”

The survey can be completed online through any phone, laptop, or tablet and only takes 10 minutes to complete.

Players who complete the survey can win one of 4 prizes of coaching visits and equipment for their club. One club from each Province will win a coaching visit from one of our coaching ambassadors and playing equipment worth €250.

If you’re a youth member aged from 18 to 19 or you’re a parent of a child aged from 13 to 19 you can complete the survey at this link- https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GaelicGamesYouthStudy.

Important Information: The following Privacy Information is being provided to you as outlined in the General Data Protection Regulation. Read the Participation Research Project Privacy Notice - HERE

This project is part funded Sport Ireland and Healthy Ireland and the advisory group overseeing the development of the study contains the following representatives of the various GAA codes as well as partners in 3rd level institutions from across Ireland.

• Dr Peter Horgan (GAA)

• Kevin Donoghue (GAA & Syracuse University, USA)

• William Harmon (LGFA)

• Aideen Howlin (Camogie Association)

• Dr Aoife Lane (Technological University of the Shannon)

• Niamh Fogarty (Technological University of the Shannon)

• Dr Wesley O’Brien (University College Cork)

• Dr Paul Donnelly (Ulster University)

• Dr Margaret Lawler (Trinity College, Dublin)