First ever national Go Games programme for Rounders off to a flier
Participants at a recent Go Games Rounders taster session for children in Cavan.
The first ever national Go Games programme for GAA Rounders has made an impressive start, with hundreds of children already taking part across Ireland as the sport invests in its future.
Following successful pilot events in 2025, the programme officially got underway on May 9 in County Cavan and has since expanded across multiple counties, introducing young boys and girls aged 6 to 12, to Rounders in a fun, welcoming and inclusive environment.
What began as a vision to create a clear juvenile pathway for the sport is rapidly becoming a reality, with children, volunteers, clubs and counties embracing the opportunity to bring GAA Rounders to a new generation.
The programme was officially launched at Mullahoran GAA in County Cavan by GAA Rounders Uachtarán Paula Doherty, who delivered the ceremonial first pitch of the season and presented the county's Go Games equipment pack.
Since then, Go Games blitzes have taken place across Cavan, Dublin, Wexford, Galway, Roscommon and Laois, each providing children with the opportunity to learn the game, develop new skills and experience the enjoyment of Rounders.
While every venue was different, the outcome was remarkably similar. Across the country, children picked up a bat for the first time, learned the fundamentals of the game and discovered just how quickly they could become involved.
For many participants, a Go Games blitz was their first experience of GAA Rounders. Judging by the smiles, enthusiasm, and excitement on display, it is unlikely to be their last.
While the children are at the heart of the programme, the real story behind Go Games Rounders is the volunteer network making it all possible.
Across Ireland, more than 80 volunteers are now actively involved in delivering the programme. County Go Games Champions and their teams of Go Games volunteers have come together to create opportunities for children to experience Rounders in a fun, welcoming and inclusive environment.
For a sport built on community spirit, the scale of volunteer engagement has been remarkable. From organising venues and distributing equipment to promoting events, coaching sessions and welcoming new participants, every Go Games blitz is the result of countless hours of volunteer effort.
Every child who has stepped onto a Go Games Rounders pitch this year has done so because a County Go Games Champion and their volunteer team chose to invest their time and energy into creating that opportunity.
The growth of the programme is a testament not only to the popularity of Rounders, but also to the dedication of the volunteers who believe in its future and are working together to build it.
GAA Rounders Uachtarán Paula Doherty believes the success of the programme vindicates the work that has gone into both developing Go Games and building a nationwide team of volunteers to deliver it.
“Every thriving sport is built on strong foundations, and those foundations are laid at juvenile level," said Doherty.
"Programmes such as Go Games are not simply an investment in participation today; they are an investment in the future players, coaches, volunteers and leaders of tomorrow”.
“The approval of our Go Games policies by the National Go Games Committee earlier this year was a landmark moment for GAA Rounders. It recognised the work that had gone into developing an age-appropriate pathway for young players and provided us with the opportunity to begin building towards full integration into the Go Games family in 2027.
"However, policies alone do not create opportunities for children. The success of Go Games has been built by our County Go Games Champions and their teams of volunteers. More than 80 people are now giving their time and energy to help introduce young people to Rounders, and their commitment has been nothing short of extraordinary.
"The excitement and enjoyment we've witnessed at these events demonstrates exactly why supporting children and families must remain at the heart of our development plans. The future of GAA Rounders has never looked brighter."
This year GAA Rounders held Go Games Rounders taster sessions for children in ten pilot counties.
While introducing children to the skills of Rounders remains the immediate objective, the programme is also helping to build the long-term future of the sport.
Go Games provides a welcoming entry point into the wider GAA family, allowing children to develop fundamental movement skills, build confidence, make new friends and enjoy sport in a positive environment.
The initiative is creating stronger links between GAA Rounders clubs and local communities while helping raise awareness of a sport that continues to experience significant growth throughout Ireland.
The smiles, laughter and enthusiasm seen at venues around the country have demonstrated the enormous potential that exists for juvenile Rounders.
GAA Rounders Children's Officer Craig Davis believes the programme has the potential to transform the sport over the coming years.
"One of the great strengths of Rounders is how quickly children can get involved and enjoy success," said Davis.
"Within minutes they're batting, fielding, running bases and working together as a team. You can see the confidence growing with every game they play. That's exactly what Go Games is about – creating positive experiences that make children want to come back and play again."
Davis also highlighted the importance of creating a pathway for young players to remain involved in the sport for years to come.
"Success won't be measured by how many blitzes we hold this year. Success will be measured by how many children are still playing Rounders in ten or fifteen years' time because they attended a Go Games event in 2026. If we can create that pathway from a child's first experience of Rounders right through to adult club participation, then we've achieved something really significant."
If the opening weeks of the programme are anything to go by, June promises to be even bigger.
Go Games for Rounders continues its nationwide rollout with blitzes planned across Dublin, Cavan, Wexford, Galway, Roscommon, Monaghan and Carlow, bringing the game to hundreds more children over the coming weeks.
Upcoming June Go Games Blitzes:
- 13 June – Dublin, Monaghan
- 20 June – Dublin, Wexford
- 27 June – Galway, Roscommon, Carlow, Laois.
Each event represents another opportunity for children to pick up a bat, learn new skills, make friends and discover everything that makes Rounders such a fantastic game.
The excitement doesn't end in June. With an even busier programme planned for July and August, Go Games Rounders will continue to bring the sport to new communities across Ireland. With more events than ever taking place, you're certain to find a Go Games blitz happening near you this summer.
While 2026 marks the first full year of Go Games Rounders, the long-term goal is already clear.
The ambition is for GAA Rounders to achieve full integration into the GAA Go Games family in 2027, standing alongside the other Gaelic games as part of one of the most successful juvenile participation programmes in Irish sport.
"This is only the beginning," said Craig Davis. "We've seen incredible enthusiasm from counties, clubs, volunteers and, most importantly, the children themselves. Every blitz builds confidence, creates new opportunities and helps strengthen the future of our sport.
"The target is full integration into the Go Games family in 2027. The success we've seen so far shows that Rounders belongs in that space and that children across Ireland are ready to embrace it."
The long-term vision remains simple: every child in Ireland should have the opportunity to experience GAA Rounders close to home.
The enthusiasm shown by children, parents, clubs and volunteers throughout the opening months of the programme suggests that vision is closer than ever to becoming a reality.
For a sport that has experienced remarkable growth in recent years, Go Games represents the next major step on that journey.
Counties, clubs and volunteers interested in becoming involved in Go Games Rounders are encouraged to get in touch. Whether you're looking to host a blitz, become a County Go Games Champion, join a local volunteer team or simply learn more about the programme, support and guidance are available.
For more information, email childrensofficer.rounders@gaa.ie.
Or contact your local Go Games Champion
Gogames.carlow.rounders@gaa.ie
Gogames.dublin.rounders@gaa.ie
Gogames.galway.rounders@gaa.ie
Gogames.limerick.rounders@gaa.ie
Gogames.monaghan.rounders@gaa.ie
