The FAI, GAA and IRFU have announced a joint campaign promoting respect for players, officials and volunteers.
The governing bodies for the three most-played team sports in Ireland issued a joint statement today in which they "pledged to work together on this important topic over the coming year".
Over the weekend of 7 and 8 October, Gaelic games, soccer and rugby will highlight initiatives such as fair-play awards at adult matches, silent or positive sidelines at youth games and presentations to the parents and coaches on the positive influence they can bring to the games.
The associations said that over 40% of the adult population are participating in sport, with an additional 12% involved in volunteering and over 30% reported as being a member of a club.
They added that "adults tend to drop out of sport because they feel 'they didn’t belong or didn’t feel welcomed' and that young players say 'it wasn’t fun anymore' but when people have a positive experience, they stay involved for longer.
There were several high profile incidences of attacks on GAA officials in 2022, with a club mentor jailed for an attack on a referee in Wexford that year. A weekend of fixtures was cancelled in Roscommon in September 2022 due to a referees strike in protest at an alleged assault there that is still before the courts.
A player from Cavan soccer club Sporting BJD was banned from all football-related activity by the FAI after his assault on a referee in April this year.
FAI CEO Jonathan Hill said: "Respect for referees is a core principle highlighted in our recent #NoRefNoGame campaign and respect for each other has to be a core principle running across the whole of the Irish football community. We all have a part to play to make sure we act in the right way in all dealings with fellow players, coaches and administrators across the game and accept that as a basic and defining approach to everything we do. We're delighted to partner with the IRFU & GAA in delivering this coordinated message as we all put the focus on respecting individuals across all elements of our sports."
GAA president Larry McCarthy said: "Respect has to be at the heart of our games and activities and this applies not only to Gaelic games but to everyone who organises or who is involved in sport. All sport organisations need to bring to life their declaration and commitment to respect and display it at every game.
"It is a project that will never have a finish line and needs to be a focus beyond one weekend - but our project coordination with the IRFU and the FAI is important because as sporting associations, we have an opportunity, and a responsibility, to set an example and I encourage all our units to step up to this call to action."
IRFU CEO Kevin Potts said: "In rugby we are fortunate that there is a long tradition and culture of respect that is rooted in our game. We do not take for granted the pivotal role of match officials and volunteers in helping our sport to run smoothly and it is imperative that these individuals are treated with the utmost respect. Weekends such as this are essential in keeping these values thriving in our game and I am pleased we are working with the GAA and FAI to deliver this important message."
