GAA club bans cellphone use by parents on the sidelines

Navan O'Mahonys GAA club hopes to see parents actively participating in their children’s learning experience

A GAA club in Co Meath has banned parents from using their cell phones while on the sidelines while their young children are training.

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A sign posted at the Navan O’Mahony’s GAA club pitch in Co Meath reads: “During this 1 hour, please put your phone away, watch your child learn a new skill and play.”

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Jackie Murray of the Navan O’Mahony’s GAA club told the Independent: "The decision was taken after trainers noticed that parents were constantly looking at their phones instead of watching and encouraging their child to develop and share in the whole excitement of improving their skills.”

"The nursery teaches girls and boys from four to six years of age camogie, hurling, and football and sometimes kids just want to look up after catching a ball or using a hurl to see their parents cheering them on.”

"Sometimes parents miss this memory because they are looking at a phone and this can lead to a disappointed child.”

"At this age, it's all about catching a ball, kicking a ball and running with it or holding a hurl and we have to cheer them on.”

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"The club decided that if we get parents used to not using their phones now and encouraging their children to learn new skills then it will progress through the age groups.”

"Navan O'Mahonys want to bring back the mentality that we are a family club and get everyone involved.”

"In today's society, people are constantly on their phones in restaurants, bars and everywhere public, and the sidelines is no different. We want to change this.”

"Navan O'Mahonys was founded long before phones and we want to remind parents of the essence of the community club and get them to live in the moment with their children.”

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