Organising a Go-Games Blitz

Organising a go games blitz:

Gaa go games are organised on a blitz basis by a club. A blitz is a games event that involves 2 or more teams and can run on an internal (single unit) or external unit (multiple unit) basis, usually played at one venue.

Coordinating a Go Games Blitz involves running and planning of all the people, teams and features that come together to create this event. The steps involved can be:

Develop a blitz overview
Select blitz event management team
Designate key roles, responsibilities & tasks
Develop a blitz event checklist and management related document
Develop reporting & communication process
Develop and conduct a post-event review process

Considerations:

Programme of activities: Issued to helpers, team coaches

Weather: will it be suitable

Games: pitch sizes, referees, pitch coordinators, equipment (goals, cones, footballs, poles)

Facilities: Drinking water, toilets, dressing rooms

Briefings: plan for day, emergency protocol

Medical: first aid equipment & personnel

Safety: Ground safety & other

Contact List: ensuring everyone involved knows who to contact.

A particular challenge for Blitz Coordinators is to facilitate full participation; i.e., to work with Coaches to ensure that every child gets an opportunity to play (a Go) in every game, for the full game. As playing rules can be modified, here are some potential challenges and solutions:
Challenge	Solution
Clubs show up with uneven numbers of players	Mix the players from different clubs
When teams are divided up, the number of players is uneven	• Play with a ‘fly-goalie’ • The team with the extra player swaps to the other team for the second half
Some Coaches and Parents want to play finals and/or present winners with trophies/cups	Remind them that it is GAA national policy not to have finals or present trophies. Every child participating in the blitz can receive the same medal, certificate, etc.

Official Website of Connacht GAA

Organising a Go-Games Blitz

Organising a go games blitz:

Organising a Go-Games Blitz Section

Connacht Counties