ULSTER GAA is advising all our units to organise their Go Games with Silent Sidelines.

This means mentors and supporters must not talk to, or shout at players, referees or other mentors, during play.

The aim is to let the children play the game free from pressure from the sidelines. This will encourage better decision making by the children, without having adults shouting five or six different instructions at them.

With Silent Sidelines, one mentor should be designated as the Bainisteoir and may coach and instruct their players positively during breaks in the game. He or she should wear a bib for identification purposes. Mentors, parents and spectators are asked to minimise talking on the sidelines. Positive cheering and clapping is permitted from all supporters.

To demonstrate the value of silence on the sidelines in practice, Ulster GAA has arranged two days of cross-county blitzes at u-9.5/u-10.5 grades, one for football and one for hurling. Games Managers within each county will coordinate the venues and clubs involved.

– Football blitz day – Saturday 27 April

– Hurling blitz day – Saturday 11 May

Referees will be asked to pause games if the Silent Sidelines policy is not being adhered to. We ask for respect towards our referees at all times during the games.

Ulster GAA President, Ciaran McLaughlin said:

“Ulster GAA is delighted to announce our silent sidelines initiative, encouraging all our countries to ensure that young players participating in our games have the opportunity to play without any interference from the sidelines.

“We look forward to running this initiative with both Football and Hurling Go Games blitzes taking place in the coming weeks and months across the province.”

For further information, please contact the County Head of Games in your county.

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