San Diego Youth Gaelic Football


	About Gaelic Football Welcome to the San Diego Youth GAA site. Our organization promotes and organizes Gaelic Football for ages 5 through 15 here in San Diego County. It is a great game to both play and watch. Gaelic Football is a sport native to Ireland and is a fast and exciting field game- a little similar to Rugby and Soccer. There are 2 Adult teams that have played in San Diego for a number of years – the men’s team is Setanta Gaelic Football and Surf Club http://www.setantasandiegogfc.com. There is also a very successful Ladies team called Na Fianna http://www.nafianna.com. We have 3 teams locally here in San Diego- one in Carmel Valley, East County and University City . Additionally we have teams in Orange County and Thousand Oaks We are interested in having kids find out about our game and join our teams.The teams will be Under 6,8,10,12,14 and 16- Boys and Girls play on the same teams in these age groups. All of our coaches are very experienced and all equipment will be provided. It is a very safe game that fosters teamwork, passion and camaraderie. Basic Philosophy ‘The greater the sense of achievement, fun and fair play that young people experience when participating in Gaelic games, the more they will enjoy their involvement and strive to develop their True Potential’ DIGNITY AND RIGHTS OF YOUTH It is important that all young players are valued and always treated with the highest level of respect. Their personal dignity and physical integrity are paramount and participation in sports should enable them to have fun, make friends and become better players. PUTTING “FAIR PLAY” INTO PERSPECTIVE FAIR PLAY-‘fir fer / cothrom na feinne’ has long been associated with the Celts. It is defined as a way of thinking, not just of behaving. YOUNG PEOPLE SHOULD PLAY FOR THE “FUN OF IT” ALL YOUNG PEOPLE SHOULD BE TREATED EQUALLY PARTICIPATION SHOULD BE USED TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE TO DEVELOP: PHYSICALLY-by acquiring basic playing techniques, improving physical fitness and developing lifetime health habits. PSYCHOLOGICALLY-by learning to control emotions and develop a sense of confidence in their own ability-technical, tactical, physical SOCIALLY AND MORALLY-by learning to combine with teammates, play by the rules and respect team mentors and match officials. PLAYERS FIRST-WINNING SECOND Competition should be used as a basis to encourage young people to develop their full potential. Winning or striving to win is essential for enjoyable competition but must not be seen as an end in itself. ROLES OF PARENTS / GUARDIANS Parents/ guardians have an influential role to play in assisting their offspring to adopt positive attitudes and encouraging them to maintain an involvement in sport. ROLE OF YOUNG PEOPLE Young people must be encouraged to realize that they also have responsibilities to treat others with fairness and respect. YOUNG PLAYERS SHOULD UNDERTAKE TO: Play fairly, do their best and enjoy themselves Represent their family and Club with pride and dignity Shake hands before and after the game irrespective of the result Respect officials and accept their decisions gracefully Respect fellow team members giving them support when they do well or not so well Respect their opponents Accept apologies from opponents when they are offered Be modest in victory and gracious in defeat Set high standards of fair play for others to follow Let the Coach know when they are unavailable for training and competition Email us at njohnston@mission-advisors.com for more information about practice schedules, teams or call 805.801.6899