GAA Google Apps and CMS solution

As regards club websites, Baker Security and Networks currently provide a standard GAA club template to clubs that wish to setup sites on the Google Sites platform.

Clubs can use this standard template as a guide to create their own site or can edit the template and make changes to the layout and pages. The template is hosted on the Google Sites architecture and is user friendly in terms of transferring and maintaining a club site. The infrastructure is very easy to use with extensive functionality and it provides users with a high degree of flexibility in terms of site design and customisation.

Clubs and counties can look after moving their sites from the old system to the new, either through members of the club or through local partners.

Some of the sites which have been created on the Google Sites platform using the GAA site template as a starting point include the following:

• www.killeshin.laois.gaa.ie
  
• www.blackwater.gaa.ie
  
• www.caltra.gaa.ie
  
• www.glenroversarmoy.gaa.ie
  
• www.kildangan.kildare.gaa.ie
  

There is also an online guide to setting up a GAA club website on the Google Sites platform located at
https://sites.google.com/a/gaa.ie/gaa-support---updated-site/sites-help-page
to help guide clubs through the website creation process. This guide has been designed to allow those with no prior experience of web creation or design to set up a club website.

There is no charge for setting up a GAA template, the only charge is the annual DNS management charge where Baker put the site live on the internet. For €20 + VAT, Clubs are offered a URL of either clubname.gaa.ie or clubname.county.gaa.ie. If a club already has a domain within .gaa.ie it is advised to keep that but the DNS charge of €20 plus VAT still applies.

For more information on Google Sites, please contact Baker Security and Networks GAA email support team at sites@gaa.ie or by phone on 076-615 4932 (lo-call number) or alternatively +353 1 6384822.

The GAA has teamed up with Google to provide clubs with a comprehensive suite of applications that will greatly facilitate improved communication and administration management in the club. The applications are outlined as follows:

Gmail
This application provides fast, searchable email with less spam and large storage capacity. This new email system incorporates added functionality, greater storage, document sharing and a range of other services. Each club Secretary, Chairperson and PRO is provided with a standard official club email address and this solution is now the main communication tool for clubs with their County Committee, Provincial Committee and Croke Park. The new GAA Club Newsletter is now emailed directly to all Club Secretaries, Chairpersons and PROs and is an example of how this solution is helping to greatly improve communication in the GAA. 100% of clubs are now using this system.

Google Docs
This application facilitates the online sharing of club documents, presentations, and spreadsheets and is a useful tool for generation of meeting minutes and other documents.

Google Calendar
This application helps your club to organize various schedules and share details of all club events with members, including times and venues of games and meetings. Many clubs are now using Google Calendar to manage training and match times for their playing fields.

Google Talk
This application provides for instant messaging with other GAA contacts and facilitates real-time availability; status updates.

Google Sites
Google Sites is an application that enables users to create their own sites and allows them to collaborate and share information.

For further details:
An email helpdesk service is available on mail.support@gaamail.ie.
A telephone helpdesk is available on: (+353) (0) 766154932.
Users can access their new email accounts through the following URL: http://mail.gaa.ie/.
Information, a FAQ website and a user manual are also available at: https://sites.google.com/a/gaa.ie/gaa-support---updated-site/.