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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Luke Jennings

The GAA makes game changing decision for players under the age of 12

The GAA is prepared to crack down and impose penalties on anyone who hosts a competitive game for players under the age of 12.

Croke Park have reminded counties that there “is no facility, under association rule, for any competitive aspect within these games."

It was also stated that any or all competitions, blitzes, or events with knockout rounds; as well as the awarding of winners' or runner-up's medals, trophies, awards or prizes.

READ MORE: Tipperary manager Liam Cahill hit with proposed four-week ban

All clubs that are hosting or participating in blitzes are reportedly required to submit an online application for approval to their county's games development manager.

Right now, all matches played at the U12 level and below fall under the category of Go Games, which are meant to be non-competitive.

The rules apply to all matches hosted by counties, clubs and schools.

However, it hasn't been unusual to still come across blitzes for kids under 12 that include elements of competition.

Given the proposed crackdown, these practices are now likely to end completely, which means that any blitzes or events featuring under 12 players will no longer be permitted to include any type of score-keeping or competitive, knockout element, with no finals, winners or losers.

The GAA introduced Go Games a number of years ago to stop what it perceived to be a trend where teams were favouring their best players while neglecting the rest.

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