Gaelic Games Europe

Every club can send between two and four delegates to the Annual Convention which is the main decision making body for Gaelic games in Europe. Five official regions are also entitled to appoint one delegate each. Delegates discuss issues, decide on motions and elect Officers to serve on the Management and European (County) Committees. Motions to change GAA playing (or other governance) rules, if approved, are then submitted to the Annual Congress of the Gaelic Athletic Association, the Ladies' Gaelic Football Association or the Camogie Association which take place every year in Ireland.

Meets at least four times per year in person and/or by video conference. The EC has responsibility for decision-making, approving regulations and overseeing policy implementation between Annual Conventions. All sub-committees and work groups report to the EC. There are 26 members, 21 are GGE officers (17 elected at Annual Convention; 4 appointed by EC) who have responsibility for specific areas of work and 5 others who represent the clubs in their region.

This is a sub-committee of the EC and is responsible for managing activities, dealing with correspondence and making decisions between EC meetings or where urgent action is required. MC pays close attention to financial issues, prepares agenda items for EC meetings and may also have additional tasks delegated to it by the EC. It meets at least once a month - mainly by video conference - and has seven members (Chair; Vice-Chair; Secretary; Treasurer; PRO; Development Officer and Coaching Officer) who are elected at Annual Convention and have specific roles and responsibilities.

The Competitions Control Committee (CCC) is responsible for all aspects of running our competitions and games, including planning dates and venues for fixtures, appointing referees, dealing with disciplinary issues and transfers. The CCC is chaired by the Vice-Chair of the MC, the Secretary of the CCC is the Asst. Secretary of the MC. Other members are the 'code' officers (handball, football, hurling, camogie and ladies football) and the Referee's Administrator (only votes on referee appointments).

This committee deals with discipline issues when a party does not accept a penalty proposed by the CCC. They request a 'hearing', where the CCC presents their case, the defending party responds, witnesses are heard and then the Hearings Committee makes a decision. The committee has five members who cannot be members of the MC or CCC.

If a defending party is not satisfied with a decision of the Hearings Committee, they can submit an appeal to this committee. The Appeals Committee hears from all parties and witnesses as well as considering any other evidence before making a decision which is final. The committee has five members who cannot be members of the MC, CCC or Hearings Committees.

There are also other sub-committees and work groups which include:

• Coaching & Games Development Committee
• Youth Development Committee
• Public Relations & Marketing Committee
• Health & Well-being Committee
• Culture Committee
• Referees Administration Committee
• 'code' committees for men's football, ladies football, camogie, hurling and handball.

Members are appointed by the EC and include a Chairperson (GGE Chair's nominee); relevant GGE Officer (who acts as Secretary) and sometimes other GGE officers if their role is relevant to a committee's work. One representative is also appointed by each of the five GGE regions. (GGE Chair, Secretary and Treasurer are 'ex-officio' members of all sub-committees and work groups)

Development Plan - Committees/Groups

The GGE Development Plan 2019-2021 which was endorsed at 2018 Annual Convention requires the establishment of the following;-

• Steering Committee (Joan O'Flynn- former CEO of the Camogie Association and 5 x Chairpersons of GGE regions)
• Devolved Governance Transition Group (GGE Chairperson + representatives of regions)
• Coach Education Workgroup (Coaching Officer + TBC)
• Referee Education Workgroup (Referee Tutors + TBC)
• Communications Workgroup (PRO + TBC)
• Social Media Network (PRO + TBC)
• Youth Development Network (Childrens/Youth Officers + TBC)
• Mgt. Ctte. ‘Club Development’ Sub-Group (Club Development Officer + TBC)
• Mgt. Ctte. ‘Human Resources’ Sub-Group (Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer + GAA HQ official)