Go Games

Meath Coaching and Games along with Coiste Go Games are responsible for the roll out of the Go Games Programme. GAA Go Games are Camogie, Hurling and Gaelic Football for children up to and including 11 years of age, where every child gets to play (a Go) in every game, for the full game.

Children participate in Gaelic games for a number of reasons – to have fun, to play with friends, parental encouragement, etc. Lack of fun, lack of perceived competence and an over-emphasis on competitive outcomes (which usually come from coaches and parents) are major reasons for dropout.

Go Games is developed around the 6 core principles of:

• Everyone has a GO
• Small Sided & Modified Games
• Caters from U7 to U11 Players, U6 not permitted to have a
separate Go Games age grade.
• Games are Progressive and Inclusive (fair play & fun)
• Players derive maximum fun from involvement
• Respect Initiative

Players can generally learn the basic skills of Camogie, Hurling and Gaelic Football with relative ease. The better players who practise more often, come on faster than those who only participate in collective coaching sessions. However, players find it more difficult to develop the ability to make the right decisions – when to pass, whom to pass to, where to run, etc. – in full-sided games. Through small-sided games the aim is to optimise their decision making and at the same time enhance their technical development.

For too long the practice in sport has been to identify and cultivate talented players and elite teams at younger and younger ages. There is a tendency to nurture the perceived best and neglect the rest.

This has contributed to adult training and playing conditions being imposed on young players. Training and competition are geared for outcome and not for the process of development. For children’s games, coaches must reassess the balance between the need to win games and cups versus the need to develop players and recognise the importance of fair play; i.e., provide full participation within an environment where participants are encouraged to achieve their full potential.

Go Games are National Policy

Codes (11.7) Under 13 and Younger Age Grades – Games in the Under 11 and younger age grades shall be organised on the ‘Go Games’ model, as approved by Central Council. Games in the Under 12 and Under 13 age grades shall be organised on a league basis, as approved by Central Council.