1INTRODUCTION
1.1. The Code of Conduct (“the Code”) sets out the basic
principles that establish standards of behaviour for all who
attend our events or participate in the GAA, including but
not limited to:
1.1.1. Officers
1.1.2. Members
1.1.3. Players
1.1.4. Parents/Guardians
1.1.5. Mentors
1.1.6. Supporters
1.1.7. Match officials
1.1.8. Teams and Units
(Collectively “the GAA Participants”)

of the OG provides:
“The Central Council shall adopt a Code of Conduct for
Officers, Members, Players, Parents/Guardians, Mentors,
Supporters, Match Officials, Teams and Units, defining
appropriate behaviour and practices. The Code shall specify
the disciplinary procedures to be applied for breaches of the
Code. This Rule shall give and constitute authority forthe
carrying out of all functions and actions in accordance with
the Code.”
1.3. The Code is binding on all GAA Participants and
participation and/or attendance at GAA related events is
subject to compliance with the Code.

2 Code of Conduct 3
2 POLICY STATEMENT
2.1. The aim of the Code is to promote and encourage good
behaviour and practice by all GAA Participants. It aims to
promote and encourage a culture of respect and integrity
within the GAA.
2.2. GAA Participants are required to abide by and implement
the Code.
2.3. GAA Participants are required to report any suspected
breaches of the Code to the relevant Executive or
Management Committee for consideration.

3 SCOPE AND INTERPRETATION
3.1. The Code sets out the conduct required of each GAA
Participant:-
3.1.1. In the exercise of his or her GAA duties or activities; or
3.1.2. In his or her participation or attendance at GAA
events.
(each a “GAA Activity”)

Official Guide (“OG”) which provides:
“Rule” shall include, where the context requires, any of
the Association’s Rules, Bye-Laws and Regulations, the
Club Constitution, as well as Central Council Codes,
Regulations, Directives and Guidelines all of which shall
be enforceable in all respects as if their provisions
were embodied in the Official Guide, provided
however that should any conflict arise between such
provisions and the text of the Official Guide, the text of
the Official Guide shall prevail.
3.3. The headings in the Code are included for convenience only
and shall not affect the interpretation or construction of the
Code.
3.4. The use of particular examples of behaviour shall not
restrict the interpretation of the conduct required of GAA
Participants as set out in the Code.

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4 CODE OF CONDUCT
In respect of any GAA Activity, each GAA Participant shall:
4.1. Guiding Principles
4.1.1. Integrity - Maintain, demonstrate and promote the
highest standards of integrity;
4.1.2. Respect -
4.1.2.1. Maintain, demonstrate and promote the
highest standards of respect;
4.1.2.2. Respect the decisions of all referees, match
officials, Committees and Councils;
4.1.2.3. Respect all GAA Participants and
Committees and Councils;
4.1.2.4. Respect all property and equipment ofthe
GAA.

4.1.3. Loyalty - Demonstrate loyalty to his or her unit(s) and
team(s);
4.1.4. Values of GAA – Behave in a mannerthat upholds the
values of the GAA;

4.2. Law and Rules
4.2.1. Comply with the law;
4.2.2. Complywith the Rules in the OG;
4.2.3. Implement, support and promote the Code;
4.2.4. Cooperate with any investigation in respect of an
alleged breach of the Code;
4.2.5. Cooperate with any investigation into alleged
breaches of the law by a GAA Participant arising out
of a GAA Activity;
4.2.6. Report breaches ofthe Rules to the appropriate GAA
person or Committee in accordance with the relevant
Rule;
4.2.7. Submit to the authority of the relevant Committee in
accordance with the relevant Rule.

4.3. Conduct
4.3.1. Promote the highest standards of personal conduct;
4.3.2. Promote and support fair play;
4.3.3. Demonstrate a positive attitude to the games and
activities of the GAA;
4.3.4. Not do any of the following:-
4.3.4.1. use foul or abusive language;

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4.3.4.2. use any other forms of abuse;
4.3.4.3. provide any form of character reference
for an individual as part of legal or Court
Proceedings, in his or her capacity as an
Officer ofthe GAA (if applicable). Forthe
avoidance of doubt, GAA Participants may
not use GAA-related letterhead nor sign any
such character reference in their capacity
as an Officer ofthe GAA. Furthermore, any
character reference, whether provided by an
Officer or a Member should specify that it is
being provided in a personal capacity and
not in anyway on behalf of or as an Officer
or a Member of the GAA;
4.3.4.4. participate in any match-fixing activity.

5 DEALING WITH ALLEGED BREACH OF THE CODE
5.1. Breaches ofthe Code may also be a breach of:-
5.1.1 the Code of Behaviour(Underage) (“Underage
Code”); and /or
5.1.2 Rule(s) in the OG.
5.2. In circumstances where an allegation could constitute a
breach of the Underage Code and the Code of Conduct and/
or the OG, the relevant Management Committee (or the
Executive Committee in the case of a Club, where a Club has
jurisdiction, to the exclusion of other units, to deal with an
alleged breach) may determine, in its absolute discretion,
that an allegation shall be dealt with under the Underage
Code. Any such determination shall not be subject to
review. If no such determination is made, the alleged breach
shall be dealt with, as a breach of the Code of Conduct and/
or the OG, in accordance with the disciplinary procedures
set out in Chapter 7 of the OG and Chapter 16 of the Codes.
5.3. In the event that a prior determination has been made
under the Underage Code, that an alleged breach shall be
dealt with under the Underage Code, the procedures of the
Underage Code shall apply and clause 5.2 will not apply.
5.4. In circumstances where an allegation could constitute a
breach of the Code of Conduct and the OG, a disciplinary
action may be commenced citing the provisions of both the
Code and the OG.

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5.5. Conduct giving rise to an alleged breach of the Code shall
be judged according to the Code in effect at the time
the alleged breach occurred. The applicable disciplinary
procedure shall be that in effect at the time the disciplinary
action is commenced.
5.6. Disciplinary procedures - Club
Alleged breaches of the Code by a GAA Participant arising
from GAA Activity in connection with a Club shall be dealt
with in accordance with the Constitution and Rules ofthe
Club, but this will not apply to alleged breaches within the
respective jurisdictions of the Central Council, Provincial
Councils, County Committees and Overseas Units.
5.7. Disciplinary procedures – County, Province and Central and
Overseas
5.7.1. The procedures set out in Chapter 7 of the OG and
Chapter 16 of the Codes shall apply to alleged
breaches within the respective jurisdictions of the
Central Council, Provincial Councils, County
Committees and Overseas Units.

of the Codes to Disciplinary Jurisdiction and the
power to impose penalties shall be read to include
the power to impose penalties upon all GAA
Participants.
5.7.3. Forthe avoidance of doubt, there are no minimum
penalties applicable for alleged breaches of the
Code. For the purpose of code 16.1(n) , the
Management Committee shall decide on the
appropriate Proposed Penalty referred to in
that Code.

5.8. Penalties
5.8.1. Save as provided for in paragraph 5.8.2, the penalties
set out:-
5.8.1.1. in the Club Constitution and Rules shall
apply to breaches of the Code to which the
jurisdiction of the Club applies;
5.8.1.2. in Chapter 7 of the OG and Chapter 16 of the
Codes shall apply to breaches of the
Code to which the respective
jurisdictions of the Central Council,
Provincial Councils, County
Committees and Overseas Units
apply.

finds that a non-member has breached the Code,
the relevant hearings committee may, by way of
penalty, debar that non-member from attending
and/or participating in GAA activities for as long as
the hearings committee considers appropriate in
the circumstances.
5.8.2. In the event that the relevant hearings committee

10
Code of Conduct Proposed Structures for
Hearing Alleged Breaches and Appeals
with DRA option available if so pursued under rule

Club Executive
(or appointed
subcommittee) screens
alleged breaches of the
Code

Code of Conduct
County Management
Committee screens
alleged breaches at
County Level

Provincial Management
Committee screens
alleged breaches at
Provincial Level

National Management
Committee (or appointed
subcommittee) appoints
group to screen
alleged national
breaches at
National Level

Alleged
national
breaches
heard by
Central
Hearings
Committee

Central
Appeals
Committee
hears
Provincial
and National
appeals
Alleged breach heard by
Club Disciplinary Committee

Alleged County breaches
and also Club appeals
heard by County Hearings
Committee

Alleged Provincial breaches
and also County appeals
heard by Provincial Hearings
Committee