The 2019 St Pats AGM directed that the club establish and implement a Juvenile Playing Policy within the Club that would address the issue of players not playing in their correct age groups either on a temporary or permanent basis and to eliminate inconsistency in how this has been applied across different juvenile teams.

This policy reflects what the Club - through its Executive Committee - believes is best for the welfare, well-being and development of each individual player, which is generally to play and train with one’s natural age group.

It is important to note that it is not the role of Lead Mentors to make any determination as to what age group a child should play in (this is determined by the policy itself) so parents should not attempt to lobby or influence coaches in that regard. 

It is the Lead Mentor’s responsibility to ensure this policy is applied consistently for the players under their care and to communicate the application of this policy to parents within their age group.

If a parent of a player has a concern with the age group a player is participating in, they can contact the Juvenile Chairperson in the first instance to highlight any specific concerns they may have with regard to how the policy is being applied.

Where necessary, the matter may be raised by the Juvenile Chairperson to the Executive Committee to consider how the policy is being applied. At all times, the Executive Committee will consider what is best for the welfare, well-being and development of its player and any decision by the Executive Committee shall be final.