Through this interaction it is expected that each player will further increase their:
1. Tactical Prowess – Knowing what to do and when to do it.
2. Technical Proficiency – The ability to perform the skills of the game accurately, consistently and at match tempo.
3. Team Play and Game Sense – The ability to anticipate the actions of the other players on the field and develop your own play with those actions into cohesive team play.
4. Physical Fitness and Functional Movement – Developing qualities of physical fitness including strength & endurance while also improving how we move as athletes.
5. Nutrition, Hydration and Wellbeing.
Most importantly we in Carlow GAA strive to help each player develop and grow as a person and we place great emphasis on the values of Respect, Fair Play, Discipline, Hard Work and of course, enjoyment of our games.
Our Objective:
‘To help produce quality players & people who can represent Carlow GAA & their Club’s at adult level to the very best of their ability’.
Our Values:
• Attitude: The starting point for all that follows.
• Honesty: Give yourself the best opportunity.
• Spirit: Create a bond.
• Accountability: Take responsibility of your own actions.
• Respect: No one person is bigger than the jersey.
Carlow Colts Gear
U14 players will receive playing shorts, socks and the red CENTAL training jersey.
U15 players will receive black leisure shorts, black CENTAL training jersey and a black ½ zip.
U16 players will receive playing shorts, socks.
Coaches will receive a choice of tracksuit or leisure shorts, black t-shirt and a windcheater.
All gear will be given out when squads are finalised.
Travel
To alleviate ever increasing costs and to minimise travel times, buses will be provided for travelling to away games where necessary and appropriate. For games near Carlow, carpooling will be requested and more appropriate. Co-operation with parents in this regard is vital and will dictate that budgets are better deployed and prioritised on more appropriate spending for the squad.
A guide will be that anything within 90 minutes will be a carpool. This will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Food
Food will be provided for all away matches throughout the season. This may come in the form of a hot meal or a lunch bag (sandwich, bar and drink).
For competitive matches, jellies and milk will also be provided for each panel also.
Releasing Players
If a player is being released back to their Club the Colts release letter must be sent to their parent/guardian via email. This should include some brief feedback and the option of a follow up phone call from the management team to explain their decision.
Carlow Colts players cannot move between age groups apart from a player being called into a Minor panel.
U14 Carlow Colts
At this level the focus will be on introducing interested youths to the Academy system. To introduce a broad number of players on an open-ended basis to high quality coaching with peers from different clubs. This programme will educate and provide the player with the experience of quality training to support their development in a progressive manner. The programme will support Club and School programmes and not overload the participant. Introduction to Athletic Development.
Focus
• Technical Proficiency – Left & Right.
• Introduction to Athletic Development.
• Introductions to Principles of Play and Game Plan.
• Importance of individual practice.
Picking of Squad
• Completed by Coaching & Games Staff (in conjunction with management team if in place) via several Trial’s and attendance at Club matches by staff.
• An U14 Carlow Colts Panel will have a maximum of 40 players.
• Squad’s will be picked based on players ability, attitude, coachability and application to the Colts programme (considerations must also look players commitment to the Colts moving forward while also potentially being involved with other sporting codes and how it may affect their attendance).
Bringing In/Releasing Players
• No players will be brought in during the U14 season (unless there is an exceptional circumstance, this will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis).
• If a player is being released back to their Club the Colts release letter must be sent to their parent/guardian. This should include some brief feedback and the option of a follow up phone call from the management team to explain the decision.
Dual Players
• An U14 Carlow Colts Panel will have a maximum of 5 dual players (this will be reviewed on a year-by-year basis).
• Dual players will alternate between Hurling and Football on a weekly basis (schedule planned to ensure they train with Hurling the week before a Hurling match where possible and vice versa).
• Dual players will attend Athletic Development/Gym sessions at their most convenient venue and time.
No of Teams/Panel Split
• Two U14 Teams will be entered where possible.
• ALL matches at U14 will go with an evenly split team. NO A and B.
• Where only one team is submitted all players must get adequate playing time.
Training Schedule
• November/January – 1 x Athletic Development Sessions each Friday evening.
• February/March – 1 x Athletic Development Session each Friday evening.
1 x Pitch Session each Saturday.
• June /September – 1 x Gym Session minimum per week (Summer Months).
1 x Pitch Session/Match each Saturday.
Schedules will be circulated to all parents.
Parents/Guardians
• All players and parents will be brought in for an introduction night at the start of the season.
• Coaching & Games Staff and Management Team will meet Parents/Guardians in November to go through plans for the year, expectations, rules etc.
• All training/gym/match details to be circulated to parents through WhatsApp in adequate time.
• NO direct contact with players through phone or social media.
• Parents have a duty to contact coaches in adequate time if a player is unavailable for a session.
• If a player has two unexcused absences parents will receive a phone call from management team, if this happens a third time the player will be released back to their Club.
• If a player misses multiple sessions with excuses parents will receive a phone call from management team. If this continues the player will be released back to their Club.
U15 Carlow Colts
To develop a more exclusive number of players to standards suitable for selection on Inter-County Minor and Adult Club Teams. Dedication and lifestyle parameters towards transfer to elite performance should be emphasised. At this stage, the squads will operate based on selecting a smaller group of players to further develop on the pathway to elite performance.
Focus
• Develop decision making.
• Evolve our principles of play.
• Further develop a gameplan.
Picking of Squad
• Completed by management team (in conjunction with C&G Staff) based on U14 County/Club season.
• An U15 Carlow Colts Panel will have a maximum of 30 players.
• Squad’s will be picked based on players ability, attitude, coachability and application to the Colts programme (considerations must also look players commitment to the Colts moving forward while also potentially being involved with other sporting codes and how it may affect their attendance).
Bringing In/Releasing Players
• U15 Management team can bring players in on trial from January 01st-March 15th.
• After March 15th a final panel must be submitted to Carlow GAA.
• If a player is brought into the panel a player must be released back to their Club to keep numbers at 30 (liaise with GDC).
• If a player is being released back to their Club the Colts release letter must be sent to their parent/guardian. This should include some brief feedback and the option of a follow up phone call from the management team to explain the decision.
Dual Players
• An U15 Carlow Colts Panel will have a maximum of 3 dual players (this will be reviewed on a year-by-year basis).
• Dual players will alternate between Hurling and Football on a weekly basis (schedule planned to ensure they train with Hurling the week before a Hurling match where possible and vice-versa).
• Dual players will attend Athletic Development/Gym sessions at their most convenient venue and time.
No of Teams/Panel Split
• One U15 team will be entered.
• U15 Management can play their strongest panel (picked on performance, ability, attitude, coachability, attendance).
• Challenge for Management to ensure throughout the year everyone gets a chance in a game scenario by either rotating squad players for each match or organising challenge matches.
Training Schedule
• November/January – 1 x Athletic Development Sessions each Friday evening.
• February/March – 1 x Athletic Development Session each Friday evening.
1 x Pitch Session in each Saturday.
• June/September – 2 x Athletic Development Sessions each week (Summer Months).
1 x Pitch Session/Match each Saturday.
Schedules will be circulated to all parents.
Parents/Guardians
• All players and parents will be brought in for an introduction night at the start of the season.
• Coaching & Games Staff and Management Team will meet Parents/Guardians in November to go through plans for the year, expectations, rules etc.
• All training/gym/match details to be circulated to parents through WhatsApp in adequate time.
• NO direct contact with players through phone or social media.
• Parents have a duty to contact coaches in adequate time if a player is unavailable for a session.
• If a player has two unexcused absences parents will receive a phone call from management team, if this happens a third time the player will be released back to their Club.
• If a player misses multiple sessions with excuses parents will receive a phone call from management team. If this continues the player will be released back to their Club.
U16 Carlow Colts
To develop a more exclusive number of players to standards suitable for selection on Inter-County Minor and Adult Club Teams. Dedication and lifestyle parameters towards transfer to elite performance should be emphasised. At this stage, the squads will operate based on selecting a smaller group of players to further develop on the pathway to elite performance.
Focus
• Reinforce, mature and develop our skills, principles of play, decision making and gameplan in preparation for minor football and hurling.
Picking of Squad
• Completed by management (in conjunction with C&G Staff) based on U15 County/Club season.
• An U16 Carlow Colts Panel will have a maximum of 35 players (including County Minors).
• U16 panel will be finalised at the end of the inter-county minor season. No additional players will join the panel after this point.
• Squad’s will be picked based on players ability, attitude, coachability and application to the Colts programme (considerations must also look at players commitment to the Colts moving forward while also potentially being involved with other sporting codes and how it may affect their attendance).
Bringing In/Releasing Players
• Management can bring players in on a trial period who may be showing well at Club/School level, but the panel must be reduced to a maximum of 30 players once the County Minor players return to the fold.
• If a player is being released back to their Club the Colts release letter must be sent to their parent/guardian. This should include some brief feedback and the option of a follow up phone call from the management team to explain the decision.
• It is expected that all Minor panellists return to the U16’s after their Minor season finishes.
Dual Players
• An U16 Carlow Colts Panel will have a maximum of 3 dual players (this will be reviewed on a year-by-year basis).
• Dual players will alternate between Hurling and Football on a weekly basis (schedule planned to ensure they train with Hurling the week before a Hurling match where possible and vice versa).
• Dual players will attend Athletic Development/Gym sessions at their most convenient venue and time.
No of Teams/Panel Split
• One U16 team will be entered.
• U16 Management can play their strongest panel (picked on performance, ability, attitude, coachability, attendance).
• Challenge for Management to ensure throughout the year everyone gets a chance in a game scenario by either rotating squad players for each match or organising challenge matches.
Training Schedule
• November/January – 1 x Athletic Development Sessions each Friday evening.
• February/March – 1 x Athletic Development Session each Friday evening.
1 x Pitch Session each Saturday.
• June/September – 2 x Athletic Development Sessions each week.
1 x Pitch Session each Saturday.
Schedules will be circulated to all parents.
Parents/Guardians
• All players and parents will be brought in for an introduction night at the start of the season.
• Coaching & Games Staff and Management Team will meet Parents/Guardians in November to go through plans for the year, expectations, rules etc.
• All training/gym/match details to be circulated to parents through WhatsApp in adequate time.
• NO direct contact with players through phone or social media.
• Parents have a duty to contact coaches in adequate time if a player is unavailable for a session.
• If a player has two unexcused absences parents will receive a phone call from management team, if this happens a third time the player will be released back to their Club.
• If a player misses multiple sessions with excuses parents will receive a phone call from management team. If this continues the player will be released back to their Club.
Code of Conduct
YOUNG PLAYERS SHOULD ALWAYS:
• Play fairly, do their best and enjoy themselves.
• Respect fellow team members regardless of ability, cultural or ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation or religion beliefs.
• Support fellow team members regardless of whether they do well or not.
• Represent their team, their Club and their family with pride and dignity.
• Respect all Coaches, Officials and their opponents.
• Be gracious in defeat and modest in victory.
• Shake hands before and after a game as part of the Give Respect Get Respect initiative, irrespective of the result.
• Inform their Coach/Mentor/Manager in advance if they are unavailable for training and games.
• Take due care of County equipment.
• Know that it is acceptable to talk to the County Children’s Officer with any concerns or questions they may have.
• Adhere to acceptable standards of behaviour and their Club’s Code of Discipline.
• Tell somebody else if they or others have been harmed in any way.
YOUNG PLAYERS SHOULD ENGAGE IN GOOD PRACTICE:
• Never cheat – always play by the rules.
• Never shout at or argue with a game’s official, with their Coach, their teammates or opponents and should never use violence.
• Accept the decisions of referees and other officials.
• Never use unfair or Bullying tactics to gain advantage or isolate other players.
• Never spread rumours.
• Never tell lies about adults or other young people.
• Never play or train if they feel unwell or are injured.
• Never use unacceptable language or racial and/or sectarian references to an opponent, a fellow player or official by words, deeds or gesture.
• Never consume non-prescribed drugs or performance enhancing supplements.
• Never use social media to discuss teammates, opponents, coaches, match officials or other individuals.
PARENTS/GUARDIANS SHOULD ENCOURAGE THEIR CHILD TO:
• Always play by the rules.
• Improve their skills levels.
• Appreciate everybody on their team, regardless of ability.
• Maintain a balanced and healthy lifestyle with regard to exercise, food, rest and play. Advice may be sought if necessary, from County Coaching & Games on this issue.
PARENTS/GUARDIANS SHOULD LEAD BY EXAMPLE:
• Adopt a positive attitude to their children’s participation in our games.
• Respect officials’ decisions and encourage children to do likewise.
• Do not exert undue pressure on your child.
• Never admonish your own child or any other child for their standard of play.
• Be realistic in their expectations.
• Show approval for effort, not just results.
• Avoid asking a child or young person, ‘How much did you score today’ or ‘What did you win by’ or ‘What did you lose by.’ Ask them ‘Did they enjoy themselves.’
• Never embarrass a child or use sarcastic remarks towards a player.
• Applaud good play from all teams.
• Do not criticise playing performances. Identify how improvements may be made.
• Do not seek to unfairly affect a game or player.
• Do not enter the field of play unless specifically invited to do so by an official in charge.
PARENTS/GUARDIANS SHOULD:
• Inform the Coaches, and any other relevant Club personnel, of any changes in their child’s medical or dietary requirements prior to coaching sessions, games or other activities.
• Ensure that their child punctually attends coaching sessions/games or other activities.
• Provide their child with adequate clothing and equipment as may be required for the playing of our games including for example helmets, shin guards, gum shields etc.
• Ensure that the nutrition/hydration and hygiene needs of their child are met.
• Never encourage your child(ren) to consume non-prescribed drugs or take performance enhancing supplements.
• Listen to what their child may have to say.
• Show approval whether the team wins, loses or draws a game.
• Never attempt to meet their own needs and aspirations for success and achievement through their child.
• Parents/Guardians should refrain from commenting/posting on social media in a way that negatively impacts the Carlow Colts Academy.