EXTRA TIME DOWN GAA NEWSLETTER

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1 EXTRA TIME DOWN GAA NEWSLETTER INSIDE THIS ISSUE COUNTY SENIOR FOOT- BALLERS OPEN NIGHT DOWN GAA CLUBS DRAW APRIL 2013 CÚRSA CUIMHNEACHÁIN GAELTACHT SCHOLARSHIPS COACHING 4 SANCTIONS, AUTHORI- ZATIONS AND TRANS- FERS - U.S/CANADA 2013 UPDATE FROM 5 UPDATE FROM 5 SOME FUNDING 6 YOUTH CAPITAL 8 CUL CAMPS 8 FRANK O HARE CUP 8 NATIONAL FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE APPLICATION GUIDE- LINES & FORMS 2013/14 CROKE PARK 100 YEARS - SHARE YOUR MEMORIES SMALL GRANTS FOR VOLUNTEERING FUNDING CONTACT WITH PRIMARY SCHOOLS DOWN GAA GOLF CLASSIC - HOLE IN ONE DOWN GAA STRATEGY WHAT GETS MEASURED GETS DONE GAA LAUNCH LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT BURREN AND DRUMGATH TO REPRESENT DOWN AT NATIONAL FÉILE PEIL NA NOG IN DERRY MOUTHGUARD RULES APPLY TO U6 S ASAP TRAINING EVENT 12 GRANTS FOR SOLAR ELECTRICITY 12 Volume II Issue IV MCNAMEE AWARD FOR DOWN The Down County Committee prides itself on Good Communications and once again the merits of the Down Public Relations and Information Technology Committee have been recognised on the national stage with a McNamee Award. The 2012 Senior / Intermediate Football County Final Programme was this week judged as a clear winner in the best County Final programme Category. EXTRA TIME DOWN GAA NEWSLETTER APRIL 2013 A delighted County PRO Paul Rooney says its a great Honour to have won this award and the many hours and late nights putting the booklet together has all been worthwhile. This was a real team effort and I want to thank my fellow committee members for their efforts and their work throughout the year. A special word of thanks goes to Apex Design, Newry for their Design and Print and overall professionalism and I have no doubt it played a significant part in our success. Paul, Brian and Fiona travelled to Croke Park on Saturday 13th April to pick up the award. CLUB MEMBERSHIP REGISTRATION Reminder: Clubs are reminded that all their members should be registered on the Servasport system. Where the membership 2013 versus 2012 in a club/county is different, the difference will need to be analysed and explained. So far for 2013 session, a total of members have been registered. However 8013 members who were registered for 2012 have not been registered for the 2013 session. The break down for membership for 2013 is: Full Members 7807 Youth Members 6662 Honorary Members 162 Social Members 781 Adult Player 2585 U21 Player 822 Minor Player 5414 Juvenile Player 801 A COACHING THOUGHT FOR TODAY! How many of us are sending out Teams not to lose rather than sending out teams to Win? Think About It. OfficialDownGAA OfficialDownGAA

2 Page 2 EXTRA TIME DOWN GAA NEWSLETTER PIT YOUR SKILLS AGAINST THE COUNTY PLAYERS FRIDAY MAY 10TH 7.30PM PM PAIRC ESLER, NEWRY GAA Promotional material available on the night for all participants and special Down GAA Prizes to be won. Put the date in your Diary Show your support for the boys in Red and Black CAN YOU OUTFIELD KALUM KING OR DAN GORDAN????? ARE YOU UP TO THE CHALLENGE? CAN YOU BLOCK THE BALL BETTER THAN AIDAN CARR????? CAN YOU SOLO THE BALL AS GOOD AS MARK POLAND????? CAN YOU KICK OFF YOUR LEFT AND RIGHT FOOT LIKE DONAL O HARE????? CAN YOU BEAT BRENDAN MCVEIGH OR MICHAEL CUNNINGHAM FROM THE PENALTY SPOT????? CAN YOU TAKE A PENALTY LIKE KEVIN MCKERNAN????? CAN YOU GET PAST BENNY MCARDLE OR DAN MCCARTAN AS THEY DEFEND THEIR GOALS????? CAN YOU DISPOSSESS BENNY COULTER AS HE HEADS FOR GOAL?????

3 Volume I1 Issue IV - APRIL 2013 Page 3 DOWN GAA CLUBS DRAW WINNERS - APRIL /04/ Main Street Castlewellan, Co Down SEAMUS DOYLE (FROM ANNACLONE) Two thousand Pounds Only B MacGiolla Phadraig Breandan Mac Giolla Phadraig Cisteoir Chontae An Dúin Congratulations to the April Draw winners the Draw was conducted on Friday last at the 125 day in Mayobridge and the winning tickets were drawn by GAA President Liam O Neill and our own Central Council Delegate Sean Rooney. PRIZE WINNERS 2,000 AE 144 Annaclone Seamus Doyle 10 Lake View Rd Closkelt Ballyward 1,000 SL 117 Saul Michael Vint 30 St Patricks Rd Saul 1,000 AL 241 Atticall Tommy, Pat Joe & Hugh Trainor 106 Tullyfrome Rd Atticall 1,000 TT 200 Teconnaught Teconnaught GFC MONTHLY CLUB WINNERS 200 ME 187 Mayobridge Michael Magee 19 St Ann's Park, Mayobridge DA 001 Dromara Michael O'Donnell 99 Castlewellan Rd Dromara DS 124 Drumaness Arlene Campbell 52 Cumber Park Drumaness PY 040 Portaferry Jerome Trainor 30 Windmill Hill, Portaferry DOWN GAA OPEN NIGHT Friday May 10th is the night when Down GAA fans can gather to meet the players ahead of the upcoming Ulster Championship. This year the event will take place in Pairc Esler from 7.30pm to 9.00pm. Down supporters Young and Old will have the opportunity to meet with players; there will be plenty of photo opportunities in what we hope will be a very informal gathering of the Down GAA family. We are encouraging Clubs to bring along their underage players as on the night we will have various activities for young aspiring Down players to participate in. This is a great opportunity for an Under 10 or Under 12 team to participate in an on field session with many of the Down players, to pit their skills against the County players. There will be Coaching stations in place around the pitch in Pairc Esler where the County players will be demonstrating the finest skills of the game. Are you up to the Challenge? Can you outfield Kalum King or Dan Gordan????? Can you block the ball better than Aidan Carr?????? Can you solo the ball as good as Mark Poland?????? Can you kick off your left and right foot like Donal O Hare????? Can you beat Brendan McVeigh or Michael Cunningham from the Penalty Spot???? Can you take a penalty like Kevin McKernan?????? Can you get past Benny McArdle or Dan McCartan as they defend their goals????? Can you dispossess Benny Coulter as he heads for Goal????? These are just some of the opportunities you will have if you come along to Pairc Esler on Friday 10th May- gates open at 7.15pm. There will be GAA Promotional material available on the night for all participants and special Down GAA Prizes to be won. PUT THE DATE IN YOUR DIARY Friday 10th May Pairc Esler be there and show your support for the boys in Red and Black

4 Page 4 EXTRA TIME DOWN GAA NEWSLETTER CÚRSA CUIMHNEACHÁIN SHÉAMUIS DE FAOITE As this is the 25th Anniversary of Cúrsa Cuimhneacháin Shéamuis de Faoite, which is designed to give GAA members and officers an opportunity to improve their Irish language skills, a special effort is asked from clubs throughout the county to increase the numbers attending. Cúrsa Cuimhneacháin Shéamuis de Faoite which is run by Comhairle Uladh CLG and is celebrating the 25th Anniversary this year The 2013 week long course commences on Monday 22nd July (The day after the Ulster football final) and runs until Saturday 27th July The course is open to members of the GAA from the nine counties of Ulster The course consists of three levels - Bun rang for beginners, Meán Rang for those who have some knowledge of the Irish language and Ard rang for those who are proficient in the language The main purpose of the course is to facilitate officers and members at club, county and provincial level PUBLIC LIABILITY with an opportunity to improve their Irish language skills The language classes take place between 10.00am and 1.00pm each day (Monday to Friday) and singing and dancing classes are held each afternoon Entertainment is provided each evening including Céilí s, concerts, drama s and lectures/seminars The course is free of charge and only thing you pay for is your board and lodgings The final clár of events for this year s course will be available within the next 4-5 weeks and this will be sent on to you for distribution amongst the clubs in your county at that time. If you require any further information in the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact Feargal Mac Aoidh, Rúnaí an Chúrsa on (0) or by at fermcgee@gmail.com Ádh mór agus tá súil agam go mbeidh tú i dteangmhal liom gan mhoill. Clubs are once again reminded that it is essential to have your Public Liability paid on time, your premises and grounds are at risk if the Insurance is not paid, the final deadline for payment is May Tuesday May 7th. If the Premium is not paid by May 7th then we cannot allocate fixtures to your ground. CCC and Divisional Boards have been notified accordingly. COUNTY UNDER 21 HURLING MANAGER Stephen McAree has been appointed as County Under 21 Hurling Manager and will be assisted by Paul Flynn and Michael McCullough with Gerard Monan and Martin McCusker also lending their support. MINOR HURLING MANAGEMENT Paddy Monan has joined the Minor Hurling Management team of Gerard McGrattan, Paul O Neill and Ronan Sheehan as the Minors prepare to defend their Ulster Title. ULSTER CHAMPIONSHIP: DOWN V DERRY Down V Derry on June 2nd is not an all ticket game, there will only be tickets available for the Covered Stand and details of Prices and arrangements for purchase will be circulated to the Clubs mid May. Details will also be circulated in advance of the proposed traffic management details on that day as the Derry City Marathon is also taking place on June 2nd, it will be essential that travelling supporters are aware of the traffic details for that day. KILCOO NOVELTY ACT Congratulations to Kilcoo Novelty Act who were very narrowly piped in the All Ireland Final on Saturday in Derry. GAELTACHT SCHOLARSHIPS Gaeltacht Scholarship Interview Times: Saturday 11th May am am Aghaderg, Aughlisnafin, Atticall, Ballyholland & Saval 10.30am 11.00am Bredagh, Bryansford, St John Bosco & Teconnaught 11.00am 11.30am Bright & Burren 11.30am 12noon Castlewellan, Carryduff, Clonduff & Saul 12noon 12.30pm Cumman Pheadair Naofa, Dromara, Drumgath, Dundrum, Glenn & Shamrocks 12.30pm 1.00pm Kilcoo, Liatroim, Kilclief, Longstone & Loughinisland 1.00pm 1.30 Rostrevor, Mayobridge & St Pauls INTERVIEWS WILL BE HELD IN CASTLEWEL- LAN CLUB ROOMS ON THE CIRCULAR ROAD NOT THE DOWN COUNTY OFFICE. Anyone who is attending Camogie or Hurling Feile are asked to give their name to their club secretary who should then notify the Down County Cultural Officer Paula Magee. AMHRÁN NA BHFIANN WORKSHOP All those attending the singing Workshop for Amhrán na bhfiann in Paric Esler on Saturday 4th May at 11.00am 1.00pm are reminded they should have taken part in Scór and have given their names to their club secretary to notify myself no later Than 5pm Thursday. COACHING WITHIN SCHOOLS Schools are currently been circulated as to their coaching needs for in the Club Down GAA Schools Coaching Programme, so make sure that you are talking to the School Principal to ensure that they take up the offer for the year ahead. Details of all Schools will be circulated in the June edition of Extra Time.

5 Volume I1 Issue IV - APRIL 2013 Page 5 SANCTIONS, AUTHORIZATIONS AND TRANSFERS - U.S/CANADA 2013 As we approach the summer season, below are some important issues to be aware of with regard to Sanctions, Authorizations and Transfers in relation to New York, the NACB area and Canada: 1. You should note that a full time student CANNOT receive a transfer to any club in the U.S or Canada as by definition they would not meet the requirement for permanent residence; students must receive a Sanction or weekend authorisation as appropriate. Any student who plays for a club in the U.S or Canada on a transfer will be playing illegally and will be subject to suspension. 2. I would also like to take this opportunity to remind you that any player who has been included on an Inter County Senior Championship panel in 2013 (i,e. whose name is on the list submitted to the Referee for a Championship game) is not eligible for a Sanction to the North American County Board Area, unless he holds a valid J1 visa in accordance with rule or meets the requirements to obtain same. 3. Finally as in 2012, all players who seek to receive a sanction to the North American, New York or Canadian County Board areas must obtain insurance cover from the GAA before a sanction can be granted. This insurance cover will cost 40 and sanctions will not be processed going forward unless this insurance has been purchased, and receipt of purchase is submitted with a sanction application. Players should purchase their sanction insurance at where the 40 fee can be paid by Laser, AUTHORIZATIONS AND TRANSFERS Visa or Mastercard (click on "buy tickets"). After completion the player will receive a receipt by . If the Sanction request is submitted by post, this receipt must be printed out and attached to the request; alternatively if the sanction is submitted by this receipt must accompany the sanction form. If you have any further queries on any of these matters, please feel free to contact Ruairi Harvey (ruairi.harvey@gaa.ie or on ). UPDATE FROM DOWN CCC LEAGUES All Leagues are up and running and although we lost a Round of ACPRL Fixtures due to the snow, the weather does continue to cause problems with our Fixtures but hopefully this will be less and less as the season goes on. Another factor in the postponement of games is Parish events such as Confirmation, etc if Clubs could notify CCC well in advance so as we can make alternative arrangements for the refixing of these games with in all cases contact being made by the Club Secretary or Fixtures Secretaries. CHAMPIONSHIPS The Draws for the various Adult Championships in Hurling and Football will take place in the Canal Court Hotel later this month details will be forward to club secretaries in due course and will also appear on the county website Draws for Minor and U16 Football will be done at a future CCC Meeting closer to the summer. The Format for the Senior & Intermediate Football Championships will be 4x4 Round Robin Championships with the seeding done on the finishing League positions from the 2012 ACFL s. Seed 1 s in the four groups of SFC will be filled by Burren, Mayobridge, Kilcoo and Clonduff with the bottom four seeds being Annaclone, An Riocht, Cumann Pheadair Naofa and Loughinisland. Seed 1 s in the IFC will be filled by Shamrocks, Clann na Banna, Carryduff and Kilclief with the bottom 4 seeds being Atticall, St Johns, Dundrum and Bredagh. The JFC will be a 3x4 Round Robin the same as 2012 with the Top 3 seeds in this being Ardglass, Drumaness and Mitchels and the bottom 3 seeds will be St Pauls, Ballykinlar and Killyleagh. The dates for these Championships will be the weekends of August 9th, 16th and 30th. EAST DOWN MINOR FEIS 7S The East Down Minor Feis 7s takes place in Ballykinlar on Sunday 12th May. Entries by return (latest acceptance date is Friday 3rd of May This is to enable us to make the draw) UPDATE FROM EAST DOWN DEVELOPMENT SQUAD Details are up and running for the East Down U-14 Development Squad 2013, Clubs will be notified of these in the incoming weeks. First throw-in will be at 11.00am. All teams must arrive and be registered to play by am or be disqualified from the competition. EAST DOWN BOARD MEETING Next East Down Board Meeting will be held on Monday 6th May at 8pm in Christain Brother Home, Irish Street, Downpatrick. Remember if your club does not enter the competition or does not participate on the day (i.e. a no show) your club will attract a fine of !

6 Page 6 EXTRA TIME DOWN GAA NEWSLETTER SOME FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES At present their is No funding from NI Sports Council however the following may have grants available: If you require more information please contact Down GAA Development Officer Maureen O'Higgins developmentof-

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8 Page 8 YOUTH CAPITAL FUNDING Voluntary Sector The Department of Education (DE) pays capital grants towards facilities for Youth Voluntary Organisations. To be eligible your organisation must be registered with the local education and library board or receive funding from the Youth Council for Northern Ireland and be able to demonstrate the operation of a Youth Service Programme for at least 9 hours per week for a minimum of 30 weeks per annum. Grant aid can assist with the costs of refurbishing premises, improving facilities or access for people with disabilities, bringing the property up to current health, safety and fire authority standards, towards child protection measures or meeting needs of young people within Section 75/those at greater risk of social exclusion/ marginalisation. New Call For Applications to Youth Capital Funding Scheme for Voluntary Organisations 2013/2014. DOWN ASSISTANT SECRETARY NAMED "THE BIGGEST LOSER" Down Assistant Secretary Paul Blaney has been crowned the Bredagh Slimathon 2013 Biggest Loser after losing a massive 1st 12lbs. Available for download: guidelines_and_application_form_ for_2013_2014.pdf NB: Completed applications must be returned to the Department, at the address below, no later than 28th June Late applications will not be accepted. If you require further information about the Scheme please contact: Estate Operations Team, Department of Education, Rathgael House, 43 Balloo Road, Rathgill, BANGOR. BT19 7PR Telephone: mail@deni.gov.uk More info visit: support-and-development-2/ youth-service/19_youth- youth_capital_funding_pg- 2.htm FRANK O HARE CUP The original Frank O Hare Cup has been located, previously in Extra Time we had sought information on its whereabouts and thanks to the good offices of Donal McAnallen it was located. The Cup made its return to Down recently when it was present at the Mayobridge 125 dinner, which was only fitting as Frank O Hare was a native of Mayobridge. This only sought to highlight how poor we are in Down in terms of keeping and locating archive material, we in the County Office are keen to establish our own library of material for research purposes. I would appeal to anyone who has any items of historical significance to this great County of Down to consider donating/lending them to the County Office to ensure the safe keeping of our history and proud tradition. EXTRA TIME DOWN GAA NEWSLETTER 2013 DOWN GAA KELLOGG'S CUL CAMP ALLOCATIONS Week One: 1-5th July 2013 FULLY BOOKED!!!!!!!! Saul GAC Sonia Kinsella Ballycran GAC Mary O'Flynn Aghaderg / Ballyvarley Donal Moran Downpatrick RGU John Murphy Tullylish GAC Brian Campbell Week Two: 8-12th July 2013 FULLY BOOKED!!!!!!!! Dromara GAC Gerry Burns Ardglass GAC Paul O'Shea Rostrevor GAC Conor Daly Ballykinlar Darren Killen Killyleagh Tom Beston Clann Na Banna Ruairi Gillen Week Three: 15-19th July 2013 FULLY BOOKED!!!!!!! Ballygalget GAC Kieran Taggart Saval GAC Anthony Crozier Mayobridge GAC Patrick Coulter Loughinisland GAC Lorraine Colgan Liatroim GAC Dan Morgan Week 4: 22-26th July 2013 FULLY BOOKED!!!!!!!! Dundrum GAC Paddy Doran Kilcoo GAC Seamus O'Hanlon Castlewellan GAC Terry Connolly Killyleagh GAC Tom Beston Burren GAC Declan McAteer Week 5: 29-2nd August 2013 FULLY BOOKED!!!!!!!! Atticall GAC Brian Cunningham Kilclief GAC Mary Clarke Glenn GAC Ollie Conlon Annaclone GAC Marie Devlin Drumgath GAC Martin McCaul Teconnaught GAC Gillian Murnin Week 6: 5-9th August 2013 FULLY BOOKED!!!!!!!! Clonduff GAC Teresa Carr Bredagh GAC Bernie Deighan St Michael's GAC Patrick McKeown Bright GAC Ollie Burke Darragh Cross GAC Cathy McMahon Longstone GAC Ambrose Rogers Bryansford GAC Catriona Rice Week 7: 12-16th August 2013 FULLY BOOKED!!!!!!! Ballyholland GAC Paddy Savage Newry Shamrocks GAC Brian Gorman Drumaness GAC Kevin Brennan St John's GAC Ciaran Cahill St John Bosco GAC Maria Fox Warrenpoint GAC Anne McCormack Week 8: 19-23rd August 2013 St Paul's GAC John Monaghan Portaferry GAC Karol Keating Carryduff Ger Connery out of the 8 possible weeks are now fully booked with the only vacancies now in the final week off camps, the 19th - 23rd August. IF YOUR CLUB HAS NOT YET REGISTERED BUT WISHES TO HOLD A CAMP, PLEASE CONTACT developmentmanager.down@gaa.ie Thank You to all those clubs who have signed up at this point, 43 in total!!!. Lets leave no stone unturned as we try to entice as many children as possible to attend your local camp!!

9 Volume I1 Issue IV - APRIL 2013 National Financial Management Committee Application Guidelines & Forms 2013/14* Please be advised that the National Financial Management Committee (NFMC) schedule of meetings for 2013/14 is as follows: April 27th, 2013 May 11th, 2013 June 29th, 2013 July 13th, 2013 August 31st, 2013 October 12th, 2013 November 9th, 2013 December 7th, 2013 January 11th, 2014 February 21st, 2014 Going forward, please be advised that all applications, in respect of property related transactions, must be submitted at least 10 days prior to the meeting date. This means that the application must have been sanctioned at County and Provincial levels prior to its submission to Croke Park, at least 10 days prior to the NFMC meeting. This will ensure that each application is given the necessary attention it deserves and dealt with immediately by the NFMC at their scheduled meeting. It will also ensure that we have time to follow up with the respective club/county/province on any queries that may arise prior to the meeting and that any outstanding documentation can be requested and checked prior to the meeting also. Up to date guidelines and application forms are available from the Down GAA Website: - Click on Resources - Click on Property. These forms are for Clubs wishing to either: 1. Dispose of property 2. Purchase of property 3. Granting of a lease/licence 4. Undertake borrowings from a financial institution 5. Undertake borrowings from CLG Deposit & Loan Scheme 6. Create a legal charge of any kind over real property **All applications made by a club/county must include the appropriate GAA Application Form** If you have any queries on this or related issues please contact: Tracey McGrath, GAA Finance & Legal Officer, National Finance Department. Tel 1 : +353 (0) or tracey.mcgrath@gaa.ie SMALL GRANTS FOR VOLUNTEERING FUNDING The Department for Social Development has confirmed that Small Grants for Volunteering funding will be available for the period May to September The funding will be available to support community activity during the summer period that involves volunteers. Groups may apply for up to 1,000 to support volunteer expenses, running costs and equipment. 40% of funding will be allocated to groups working in disadvantaged areas. Complete an online application on Page 9 CONTACT WITH PRIMARY SCHOOLS The Games Development Manager has been in contacted with the various Primary Schools in the County about the "Club Down Schools Coaching Programme" due to commence in September 2013 and also in relation to the Upcoming "Club Down Schools Draw", which will be held in October Letters were posted out on 30/4/2013. The letters request that the schools complete an application form, which must be returned to the County Office no later than Friday 17th May Any schools who does not return the form will risk not being included in the Programme for next year. All Clubs are advised to encourage their feeder schools in their area to return the form by the set deadline of May 17th. CROKE PARK 100 YEARS - SHARE YOUR MEMORIES Throughout 2013 Croke Park is celebrating 100 Years as Home of the GAA. We want you to share your Croke Park memories on our Memory Mosaic page. It s simple, if you have a photograph or a story that you want to share just log on to and follow the simple steps. You can also us at 100years@crokepark.ie. If you are unable to complete an online application contact the Finance Team on Applications will be accepted from volunteer involving organisations based in the 15 Council areas of Antrim, Ards, Armagh, Ballymena, Belfast, Carrickfergus, Castlereagh, Down, Dungannon & South Tyrone, Fermanagh, Larne, Lisburn, Newry & Mourne, Newtownabbey and North Down. The closing date for applications is 12 noon on Monday 20 May 2013.

10 Page 10 EXTRA TIME DOWN GAA NEWSLETTER As an added bonus for Golfers at the Granco Down GAA Classic Autoline Insurance are sponsoring the Prize of a New Car for a Hole in One at the 15th Hole at Kilkeel Golf Club. Can you afford to miss out on the Chance to win a Car! There are only 8 Time slots left so book your space today by contacting Mary McGrath You could Drive away from Kilkeel Golf Club in a New Car!! DOWN GAA STRATEGY "WHAT GETS MEASURED GETS DONE" Recommendation 3.18 :: Refereeing "Continue to implement a Referees' Strategy which: Ensures the numbers of Referees required for Club fixtures; Provides a new and innovative approach to Referee recruitment, including the recruitment of young people and women Referees; Recruits, retains and trains Referees, Linesmen and Umpires; Includes a module which updates Club personnel on the Playing Rules Acknowledges Referees for the pivotal role they play in the GAA and provides a career pathway for Referees Referees of proven potential to be nominated to the Provincial Panel; Promotes Young Whistlers and encourages youth players to "peer" referee Go Games and promotes the Respect Initiative. Outcome Sought An increase in the number of Match Officials and an improved standard of refereeing, umpiring and officiating as linesmen. The Referees' Strategy to provide training in leadership for the members of the County Referees' Administration Committee." Lead Committee County Referees' Administration Committee (County Management Committee) Lead Officer County Referees' Administrator who is Chair of the County Referees' Administration Committee (An Coiste Bainisti) Recommendation 3.19 :: Referee Appointments "A single County Referees' Appointments Committee to be given respons ibility for the appointment of all Referees in the County. Outcome Sought A uniform and consistent policy on appointments." Lead Committee and Lead Officer as for Recommendation 3.18 above. Comment Recruitment and Training Programmes are currently in progress in the County. Career Pathway is operational.

11 Volume I1 Issue IV - APRIL 2013 Page 11 GAA LAUNCH LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY PORTAL Digital Online Education System (DOES) at learning.gaa.ie aims to support role of active members The GAA at the start of April launched a Learning & Development Community Portal to support the roles of those actively promoting Gaelic games both within the Association and across the educational sector. GAA volunteers make up 42% of all sports volunteers in Ireland while the Association employs over 300 full-time officers to supplement organisation and development. The portal will provide an additional means of providing key resources and information to support members and nonmembers in their various capacities. The website, found at learning.gaa.ie, will be used to publish e-learning content and resources from the Association s Coach, Referee, Player and Administrator Development Programmes, as well as providing an opportunity for registered users to share and learn from one another. The portal, built with Enovation Solutions, a leading Irish integrator of Open Source software, uses the popular Moodle elearning product, and will also be used to publicise local events and information relevant to the various development programmes by presenting calendars and news to members based on their Club registration. Uachtarán CLG, Liam Ó Néill, launching the portal said: Our mission statement clearly identifies us as a community based volunteer organisation promoting Gaelic games, culture and lifelong participation, and in this regard it is essential that we support our members to participate to the best of their ability in whatever role they aspire to. Central to this is increasing access to key resources for our active members. This development, using cutting edge information technology, will allow individuals to learn at their own pace, from home or school, and in tandem with the great work of our Coach, Referee and Comhairle (Administrator) Programme Tutors on the ground we aim to provide a blended learning solution in tune with best practice in education in the 21st Century. Enovation Project Manager for the portal, Paul Bachy said, Enovation were delighted to be awarded the contract to develop this key resource which provides learning opportunities for the GAA membership as well as the public at large. It was a pleasure working with the GAA to deliver this innovative community portal. Leveraging our deep elearning expertise and IT delivery capability, we provided an integrated solution comprising proven open source technology which meets the needs of the GAA. We look forward to our continued partnership to support the development of this resource into the future. Content on the portal will be provided in a range of multi-media formats, including video, audio and text, and provide the Association with the facility to track and support individual progress through interactive content and questionnaires. Knowledge sharing will also be facilitated through forums and sharing of user generated content for registered users while the initiative aims to expand to include mobile accessible content and apps in the near future. The portal is integrated with Coaching Ireland systems to facilitate course approval and formal certification in terms of Coach Education and has the potential to be one of the largest community learning portals in Europe. Key content that will be published in the coming weeks and months includes: Coach 10 / Games Based Approach Coaching Resource Foundation Coach Education Award Programmes in Hurling and Football Cúl Camp Support Programme Gaelic 15 Injury Prevention Progamme Referee Rules References and Tests in Hurling & Football Primary School Teacher Foundation Plus Coaching Programme BURREN AND DRUMGATH TO REPRESENT DOWN AT NATIONAL FÉILE PEIL NA NOG IN DERRY For the second year in a row Burren have claimed the Down GAA Division 1 Feile Peile title defeating Carryduff in the final - a repeat of the 2012 final. Burren now go forward to represent Down in the National All-Ireland Feile Peil Competition which is due to take place in Derry on the weekend of 28th, 29th and 30th of June. Burren will play in Division 2 of the Competition along with the winners from Antrim, Wexford, Donegal, Meath, Limerick, Mayo and Armagh. Down have also been successful in getting a second team into the national competition Drumgath will go forward as Down s Division 2 winners and represent Down in Division 6 of the national competition where they will play teams from Gloustershire, Scotland, Offaly, Yorkshire, Hertfordshire, Kildare, and Wicklow.

12 County Management Committee 2013 Contact Information PRESIDENT: P Mc Flynn CHAIRMAN: Seamus Walsh chairperson.down@gaa.ie VICE CHAIRMAN: William Smith vicechairperson.down@gaa.ie SECRETARY: Sean Og McAteer secretary.down@gaa.ie ASSISTANT SECRETARY: Paul Blaney assistantsecretary.down@gaa.ie TREASURER: Brendan Fitzpatrick treasurer.down@gaa.ie ASSISTANT TREASURER: Seamus Ryan assistanttreasurer.down@gaa.ie COUNTY PRO: Paul Rooney pro.down@gaa.ie CENTRAL COUNCIL REP: Sean Rooney centralcouncildelegate.down@gaa.ie ULSTER COUNCIL REP: Diarmuid Cahill ulstercouncildelegate1.down@gaa.ie ULSTER COUNCIL REP: John Devaney Ulstercouncildelegate2.down@gaa.ie DEVELOPMENT OFFICER: Maureen O Higgins developmentofficer.down@gaa.ie COACHING OFFICER: Seamus Ennis coachingofficer.down@gaa.ie IRISH & CULTURE OFFICER: Paula Magee irishculturalofficer.down@gaa.ie SOUTH DOWN CHAIRMAN: Michael Mc Ardle chairman.southdown. down@gaa.ie EAST DOWN CHAIRMAN: Sean McCashin chairman.eastdown.down@gaa.ie HURLING CHAIRMAN: Gerard Mc Shane Down GAA 2013 Edited and Produced by Diarmuid Cahill Sean Og McAteer Down GAA - Working Together MOUTHGUARDS RULES APPLYS TO U6 S Concerns were raised by CLG Longford at the recent Congress Central Council meeting in March and the GAA also received correspondence from others in relation to Mouthguards. This was brought to the attention of both Professor Peter Mossey (Dundee University) and Cliff Beirne (Maxillofacial Surgeon) and the GAA asked them both for their views on the safety or otherwise of boil and bite mouth guards for children in the very young age groups (i.e U-6). They were also asked them to consider specifically whether we should relax our policy on this in view of Longford's correspondence. Both were of the opinion that the Rule should be implemented as stated in our Rulebook and that all children participating in games or training sessions should require to wear a mouth guard. In other words, they are happy from a medical perspective that this should be the case; arguments relating to cost etc. are for others to consider. They did however both agree that if due to a loose / mobile tooth a child under 6 was unable to wear a mouth guard (because of not being able to bite into the boil and bite type due to a very mobile tooth close to shedding), they could with the express approval of the responsible adult be excused. ASAP TRAINING EVENT The 3rd ASAP Training Event - Alcohol The Facts - will take place on Tuesday 28th 7pm in The Burrendale Hotel Newcastle. Anyone wishing to register for this course should secretary.development.down@gaa.ie stating their Club name and the name(s) of the person(s) wishing to register no later than 21st May. As the event is limited to 30 persons it will be first come first served with regards to attendees. 3,000 GRANT FOR SOLAR ELECTRICITY PLUS Planning permission restrictions lifted Solar Electricity is one the fastest growing renewable technologies in Northern Ireland. There is currently a grant of 20% of the installation cost, up to a maximum of 3,000 for businesses, farms, places of worship and community buildings. In addition, local government has lifted the requirement for planning permission for solar electricity or solar hot water schemes. Green Energy Technology Ltd have systems starting from 4,000 which can generate savings of over 650 per year - and rising. Protect yourself from rising electricity prices Contact us today We supply, install and commission We have installed on businesses, farms, community building and churches - ask us for a reference We use quality panels, inverters, and mounting systems from European companies. More info info@get-renewables.com Green Energy Technology Ltd. are accredited under the UK government microgeneration certification scheme MCS. Further information on the grant schem for PV can be found at: -to-administer-new-sme-pv-grant/ What is involved? Implementing the Code of Behaviour Coach & Referee Education (Young Whistlers) Designated Spectators` Area Go Games Programme Strong Club Leadership Respect Awareness Programme Education Programme Recognition and Merit Awards A Checklist for Behaviour Responsible Encouraging Supportive Positive Enabling Considerate Tolerant