Updated best practice guidelines for GAA Gyms at clubs including Ballymacelligott GAA Club.
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- All Users must be registered members of the GAA club (this can include social membership but the club must have social membership noted as a category of membership in the club constitution )
- All Users must a receive an induction by a suitably qualified person with their own valid insurance before a User is permitted use of the facility.
- All Users must be advised to consult their GP before embarking on a fitness program (this can be included in the induction form)
- Access to the gym must be controlled so that persons and in particular juveniles cannot gain unauthorised access
- Lone use should not be permitted where possible and many clubs utilise a buddy system amongst players to reduce this risk
- 12 to 18 year olds can use gym and exercise equipment, in club and/or county facilities, only under supervision AND in accordance with the guidelines* outlined in the Sports Science Framework for Gaelic Games (click here to access) (also attached here) further information The Gaelic Games Player Pathway | Tobar (gaa.ie)
- Machinery & equipment must be supplied and installed by a competent person(s) with their own relevant insurance
- Equipment must be maintained as per the manufacturer’s warranties and guidelines and records of maintenance held by the club
- An incident log book should be maintained by the club in line with your Club Health & Safety Statement
- Appropriate signage should be in place i.e.: outlining report any maintenance / damage issues / highlighting the requirement to rack as you go (not leave weights out on the floor when not in use.)
- Club safety statement updated to include the gym facility with full risk assessments completed see link to GAA SafeClub templates GAA Safe Club | Tobar
*see Guidelines here and all are recommended reading for anyone using our gym and parents of any players using our gym.
Guidelines outlined in the Sports Science Framework for Gaelic Games
Gaelic Games Player Pathway & Sports Science
Security Risk Management for GAA Clubs
Please be advised that Liability Insurance does not cover individuals. The insured is the club and insurance provides cover if a personal injury claim is taken against the club by a gym user following an incident at the club gym. All members following induction will use the gym at their own risk and an alleged injured party must prove negligence against the club in order to successfully obtain compensation.
Only registered GAA playing members are covered by the GAA Injury Benefit Fund and in line with the terms and conditions of the GAA Injury Benefit Fund, cover is only in place in respect of supervised collective training sessions. LGFA and Camógie members should check their respective Fund \ Insurance cover to confirm if cover is available while using a gym facility as part of their training.
As advised access to the gym must be controlled and the club is required to monitor access so that persons and in particular juveniles cannot gain unauthorised access. Some clubs have encountered issues with respect to unauthorised access to the Gym and utilised CCTV to address this. If you put CCTV in the Gym you need to have signage in place to advise of this. Access records should be documented and safely stored to rely upon in the event of a claim
Once cover is extended property insurance will also extend to the gym equipment. The club should consider reviewing your security protections in place at the club and a Guide on Security Risk management is also attached.
Almost all personal injury claims which have been taken against clubs by gyms users have involved allegations of defective or incorrectly installed/maintained equipment. As advised all machinery & equipment must be supplied and installed by a competent person(s) / third party company with their own relevant insurance. Equipment must be maintained as per the manufacturers warranties and guidelines and a documented log of maintenance. Inspections need to take place on the equipment on a weekly basis, and this should be documented, with a supporting process of contacting the maintenance contractor for attendance outside of the annual inspection.
If Clubs rent the space gym out to third party personal trainers to hold their own classes with people who may not be members. This should only occur if the Personal Trainer has insurance and completes a documented inspection of the equipment at the start of each class , that is shared with the club and kept on record to refer to should a claim materialise.”