Cork GAA online Easter camps hailed as a major success

Some creative thinking from our games development personnel has seen over 6,000 children engage in fun interactive GAA activities this week from the comfort of their own homes. GDA’s performed live  movement and skill sessions which children followed over 4 days as a novel way of replacing the Easter camps they would have attended in their clubs.
Games Manager, Kevin O Callaghan noted, “GDA Colm Crowley floated the idea at a recent meeting and other GDA’s rowed in with some excellent content to bring the project to fruition. Numbers have been beyond our expectations with 11,000 views of the content through the week and we are exploring further similar projects in the near future reaching out to teenage players also.”
There were 2 live sessions each day. Session 1 was aimed at 4-8 year olds, ran by Colm Crowley and Pat Spratt. Session 2 was run by James McCarthy and Paudie O Brien for 9-12 year olds. Feedback from parents has been really positive with this novel initiative allowing parents and children to get active together and engage in physical activity to boost fitness and mental health in a fun way.
The sessions are a great resource for boys and girls to continue practicing their skills in the coming weeks so please log on to the link below and engage with the activities presented.
The Easter camps are just one element of the games development staff’s resourceful strategies in over coming the covid 19 impass. Cork GAA are also running weekly “Wednesday night Webinars” with a different guest speaker each night aimed at coaches of club players. Next Wednesday sees Pat Spratt talking about club structures and the benchmarking programme and coaches can log in by registering in advance with GDA Colm Crowley*.
There will also be a series of On Line foundation courses rolled out over the next 8 weeks catering for over 300 coaches throughout the county. Those wishing to register for foundation courses can register with Shane Supple*
*colm.crowley.gda.cork@gaa.ie
*shane.supple.gda.cork@gaa.ie and log on to www.rebelogcoaching.com  for further details of all initiatives.

Coivd-19 Supports and Resources

We hope that you all had a lovely Easter. Please find a number of additional supports and resources below that may be of interest to yourselves and your networks;

Getting through COVID-19 Together

The Department of Health, The HSE and Healthy Ireland have launched a new site offering advice and tips on how you can look after your mental wellbeing and cope with your new daily routine: https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/together/. Here you will find supports and information across a number of areas of wellbeing.
They have also provided a link to some online counselling and support services for anyone struggling with their mental health, older adults or anyone requiring additional support during this time; https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/4/mental-health-services/connecting-for-life/news/supports-and-services-during-covid-19.html

ExWell@Home programme

The ExWewll@Home programme offers a derailed and supportive home exercise programme for people with any long term medical problems. The programme operates on medical referral and has medical oversight. All details can be found at www.exwell.ie There will also be a short video tuition session on the RTE website every Monday Wednesday and Friday on the Lifestyle page; https://www.rte.ie/lifestyle/living/2020/0406/1128814-watch-aerobic-workout-using-a-chair

GAA

Ulster GAA have launched a Covid-19 site which will provide updated guidance and support to their members https://ulster.gaa.ie/covid-19/
The GAA have added a number of different activities to their website that can help keep children entertained at home. They are available here; https://www.gaa.ie/my-gaa/getting-involved/kids-activities

Cork GAA Executive meeting 31/03/2020

The executive of Cork County Board met via video-conference on Tuesday, March 31st.

The following items were discussed:

Staffing and salaries – guidance received from Croke Park is to be applied to all employees.

Clubs who have direct employees are advised to contact HRqueries@gaa.ie

All Cork GAA employees are currently working remotely.

Covid-19

    • Testing continues at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
    • Cork GAA is co-operating with Cork City and County Council community support initiatives.
    • No activities should be undertaken at any club grounds between now and April 12th, (including grass cutting), apart from emergency situations.
    • Clubs are commended for their work in supporting their local communities.
    • https://www.gaa.ie/news-archive/news/supervalu-centra-and-the-gaa-club-together/

A development proposal from Bishopstown GAA was passed, subject to County Board approval.

The rúnaí updated the executive on the joint Cork GAA / SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh business plan, on which work continues to progress in association with BDO Eaton Square.

Various projects under the remit of the executive are ongoing, including child protection compliance and the enforcement of regulations for camps with regard to child protection, safety and insurance.

A subcommittee of the executive is to be set up under the chairmanship of development officer Pat Horgan to examine all aspects of independent teams ahead of the 2021 season.

An update on the SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh audit will be provided to the next executive meeting.

Planning in relation to competitions is of limited value in the present uncertain climate and will be subject to future decisions at national level. In the meantime we are grateful to all members for their compliance with both government and GAA guidelines.

The next meeting of the executive will take place on April 14th.

Advice for GAA Club and Counties on COVID-19

The GAA notes the most recent advice issued by the Government yesterday evening that there is no requirement at this stage to cancel planned mass gatherings.

The GAA has been asked by the HSE to follow all of their guidelines and recommendations in respect of the COVID-19 outbreak.

As part of this policy we have been instructed to tell all of our clubs and counties that anyone with queries regarding COVID-19 should be directed to the HSE.

A detailed HSE website with recommendations can be found at: https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/coronavirus.html

The purpose of this approach is to ensure that there is one version of official communication rather than multiple statements and possible conflicting advice for members of the public.

Please see attached the latest version of advice regarding mass gatherings as issued by the HSE.

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