Club Compás - Leading Your Club to the Next Level 

The Gaelic Games Associations are pleased to announce the next phase of Club Compás, the governance support programme available to all Clubs via Foireann. With over 650 Clubs already using the self-assessment tool to reflect on their structures and plan for the future, the programme has now been expanded to include a formal accreditation pathway.

This new development offers Clubs the opportunity to be recognised for their commitment to good governance and continuous improvement—without adding unnecessary complexity or workload.

What Is Club Compás?

Club Compás is a practical, user-friendly tool designed to help Clubs:

• Plan more effectively
• Improve governance standards
• Simplify volunteer workload
• Make evidence-based decisions
• Access tailored supports and recognition

What’s New?

The introduction of accreditation means Clubs can now apply to be formally recognised at Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum level. Accreditation is based on meeting a set of over 100 criteria, prioritised as Must Do, Should Do, and Could Do, and tailored to different Club types.

Many Clubs will already meet a significant number of these criteria through their existing good practices. Club Compás simply helps ensure nothing essential is missed—and highlights areas where small improvements can make a big difference.

Clubs seeking accreditation can submit their completed Club Compás for independent assessment during one of three annual windows. The first window opens in November 2025, with a submission deadline of November 20th. The next window will be in March 2026.

As well as gaining the stature of being able to say they are an accredited Club, Clubs gaining Compás Clubs will also receive:

- A framed plaque

- A Bosca Fáilte welcome box

- Online profiles and promotional resources

- Access to additional support from County Games Development staff

Clubs not seeking formal accreditation can still use the self-assessment tool to generate a Club Compás Report, which provides a clear snapshot of current governance practices and signposts useful resources.

Commenting on the programmes development, Jarlath Burns (Uachtarán CLG) said: “The GAA firmly believes that good governance is the cornerstone of thriving Clubs, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure continuous improvement is happening within all Clubs in this regard. The Club Compás serves as an excellent tool to help Clubs to raise their governance standards and maintain a culture of doing things as well as possible. By taking part, Clubs will gain valuable insights to identify areas for growth and access user-friendly resources to enhance how they do things both on and off the field. We encourage all Clubs to embrace this opportunity and reap the rewards of their commitment to continuous reflection and renewal.”

Brian Molloy, Uachtarán of the Camogie Association, added: "Today marks an exciting milestone for the Camogie Association with the launch of the next stage of Club Compás. This initiative reflects our deep commitment to supporting our clubs, volunteers, and communities by providing practical tools that strengthen every aspect of club life. Club Compás is about empowering our clubs to thrive, ensuring that the future of camogie remains vibrant and sustainable. I encourage all our clubs to embrace this next phase with the same energy, passion, and pride that have always been at the heart of our Association."

On behalf of LGFA Uachtarán Trina Murray said: “We are delighted to be associated with the launch of Club Compás, which is another outstanding piece of collaborative work between the Gaelic Games Associations. The key objectives as outlined are the keys to ensuring that clubs continue to grow and evolve, while also ensuring the elevation of club governance standards. Volunteers are the bedrock of our respective Associations and easing their workloads is another key objective. I look forward to the rollout of this extremely important initiative and I wish to acknowledge the people involved in its implementation for their excellent work.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this just more paperwork for volunteers?

No. Club Compás is designed to simplify—not increase—your workload. It helps you organise what you’re already doing and identify what’s missing, using clear criteria and easy-to-use tools.

Do we need to apply for accreditation?

Not at all. The self-assessment tool is available to all Clubs and can be used without submitting for accreditation. It’s a great way to get a snapshot of your Club’s current position and plan improvements.

What if our Club doesn’t meet all the criteria?

That’s perfectly normal. Club Compás is about progress, not perfection. You’ll receive guidance and resources to help improve over time, and you can update your responses as things change.

Will this help us with funding or development?

Yes. Accredited Clubs can use their Club Compás report to access additional support from County Games Development staff and may be better positioned for funding opportunities.

How long does it take to complete?

The self-assessment typically takes around 10–15 minutes. While accreditation will take a little longer, it can be done gradually and shared among Club officers.

Has our Club to do this again after the first time?

Accreditation lasts three years before a Club needs to resubmit, amending any criteria that needs amended. If circumstances change beforehand, accreditation can be renewed simply by amending the relevant criteria and resubmitting at any time.

Get Started

To begin, Clubs should visit the Club Compás page on Tobar, download and review the Club Guide, and start their journey of leading their Club to the next level.

For support, email clubcompas@gaa.ie

Learn more at https://learning.gaa.ie/clubcompas