Cork clubs facing stricter guidelines regarding running of Cúl Camps in 2026

Cork County Board has encouraged clubs to undertake unified efforts to ensure the successful delivery of Kellogg’s Cúl Camps, in the wake of confirmation of stricter regulations for the coming year.

For 2026, any non-voluntary coaches for the programme will effectively be treated as employees in the eyes of Revenue, with statutory deductions taken from gross pay, while each coach must have a Revenue myAccount created.

Minimum hourly pay-rates will apply – €9.91 for under-18s, €11.32 for 18-year-olds, €12.74 for 19-year-olds and €14.15 for those 20 and over – with payment covered by clubs and reconciliation payments then made by the GAA in September/October. Volunteers giving their time freely will not be subject to such registration requirements.

While clubs can run independent camps, these must be in addition to Cúl Camps, with the stipulation that Cúl Camps must taken place on the first week of any multi-week camps.

In a communication to clubs, Cork County Board has highlighted the positive role played by Cúl Camps while also accepting that their operation in 2026 will require greater administration that before.

“Cúl Camps have been a tremendous success in our parishes and communities for over two decades,” the statement said, “with Cork clubs consistently leading the way nationally in terms of participation.

“Each year, individual clubs have taken responsibility for organising and delivering high‑quality camps and providing a positive environment for the young players in their areas.”

Going on to highlight how, in 2025, there were 125 camps run in Cork, catering for 18,206 children with 1,825 coaches and 125 co-ordinators – figures not including volunteers – the statement acknowledged increased challenges for 2026.

“This year will see significant changes in how coaches are paid for their contribution, due to necessary Revenue compliance,” it said.

“We hope that our wonderful club co-ordinators can have patience with us on this issue and ensure that it will have no negative effect on the tremendous collective spirit developed at Cúl Camps across many years.

“As we look ahead to our 2026 camps, there will be a greater responsibility on the administration and governance of these camps. Our under-age officers and Cúl Camp co-ordinators will require increased support and guidance from our adult clubs to ensure the camps can not only proceed but also continue to be delivered to the high standard we have enjoyed in previous years.

“Cork County Board now encourages all units to adopt a 'whole-of-club' collaborative approach between their adult and under-age sections in order to ensure that the Cúl Camp programme continues to be successfully delivered in every club for 2026.

“The promotion of Gaelic Games within our parishes and communities remains vital, and strong collaboration within clubs will be essential to keeping these programmes thriving.”