Rules arent made to be brokenthe way it is with anthony moyles

There has been a lot of commentary and attention on GAA teams’ code of conduct recently. We have seen a number of players dropped from panels for supposed breaches of conduct. Now without knowing the specific details of each incident I think there is a very worrying trend developing here amongst teams.
So for people who do not know, this is generally how these charters come about. The panel of players meet the management team at the start of their season and one of two things happen. Either they lay down the law or the players themselves set the rules and agenda. No matter who instigates it the format will generally set out the rules governing the season ahead. So aside from all the normal things of who to contact if you are going to miss training, punctuality rules, diet and nutrition requirements, a growing phenomenon has been the control of a players conduct away from the team.
A player is now seen as an inter-county player not only when he arrives for training sessions or matches, but in every facet of his life 24/7. So is this a bad thing?
I for one believe it is. Some teams have gone way too far trying to control a player’s individual personality. Whether a guy wears white, yellow, blue or black boots or has a particular hair colour or tattoo work should not make any difference as to how he plays and his commitment level.
Whether a guy has a few drinks at certain times of the season should also not make a difference. These team charters have gone way too far and are essentially setting themselves up to be broken. There is an easier way and in doing so teaches rather than controls. I have spoken many times as to how inter-county teams are becoming more and more like organisations. There is a hierarchy within companies and the successful companies have managers who not only lead their employees, but who also understand every individual below them and what makes them motivated to perform.
This idea of behavioural science has become a massive part of successful organisations make up these days. Coupled with this is also the realisation that if you are an employee of a company you are not just an employee from 8am-6pm.
You represent the company and if you do something that tarnishes yourself you are tarnishing the company. You must act responsibly. There is an understanding of the morals that the company represents and if you do not embody these well then you will not be employed for very long.
So if teams are adopting much more organisational type behaviours then why should players (employees) think they should be treated differently. Should players be allowed do whatever they like outside of arranged team gatherings? Should they be allowed act in a way that they like regardless of the outcome? No they should not.
When you are a member of a panel you represent what the team symbolises. No matter what your background or up-bringing, a team environment should teach you certain moral and human traits.
The greatest managers take young men and women and not only teach them the skills of the game, but also life skills. I firmly believe that you cannot be committed to a team without being first of all self-less and realise that it is no longer all about you (which may have been the case for plenty of guys in their own club), but it is now all about the team.
You must realise that there is a certain way to behave and this comes from the top and the group as a whole. You learn the attributes of the team. Good morals, behaviour within the group will also mean right individual behaviour.
This realisation though can take some time.
I remember getting a lesson in this in 2002 after we played Louth in Navan. I had been on the periphery of the team all year and had felt that I should have been on the team. I basically sulked and instead of being available for the next qualifier game against Laois I went away on a work trip. We beat Laois and I arrived into training on the Tuesday evening prior to our next game versus Donegal.
Two things happened that evening. Sean Boylan and his management team never brought up the fact that I went away. To my surprise they were as normal as any other night. I was expecting at the very least a talking to and was very surprised not to be dropped completely.
The next thing that happened is something that marked that particular Meath team out and something I would never ever forget.
We were warming up and jogging around the hospital end of the pitch when I received a massive shoulder completely out of the blue. Cormac (Spud) Murphy caught me completely unaware and nailed me with a hit.
I took it, just, and thought for a split second about going after him. He glared at me and let me know exactly what he thought of me. I quickly realised that this was not only him hitting and abusing me, but the whole panel of players.
I also realised that Sean and the management team giving out to me was the least of my worries. Getting through that session with my head still attached to my shoulders was more of a worry.
There was only one thing to do and that was suck it up and try and survive. I left that training session very annoyed. I felt wronged and that I was still in the right for making my decision. Truth was I felt very ashamed. I had never felt more outside a group of players in my life and I had to face facts fast.
I was wrong and big time wrong. I decided to bite the bullet and called Spud. I asked him to meet me so I could explain my actions.
We met a few days later and I began by trying to justify my decision, but very soon realised that I was completely in the wrong. Spud pointed out to me that it did not matter whether I was the first name on the team sheet or the lad who got number the number 30 jersey, the fact was that I was a part of the Meath team.
I had trained with these lads all through the winter. I had stood beside them, battled with them and when it came to one of our main times to stand up and fight I chose to let them down.
I thought that Spud, Graham Geraghty, Hank Traynor, Trevor Giles, Nigel Crawford, Darren Fay, Mark Reilly and the rest of that legendary team would not care less what this peripheral player did, but how wrong was I! It did not matter if I played 10 seconds, I was a link in the chain and I had chosen to break it.
This for me was one of the greatest lessons I learned throughout my inter-county career. It has stood to me not only in my football life, but work and personal life also.
We can all fall off the wagon at times, but realising this and knowing that you may be part of something bigger than just yourself is very important.
Realising this is the best and only way to administer behaviour amongst a team.
You make each player feel responsible. You make them feel that it is their team.
The management are there to help, assist and guide, but they do not kick a ball.
You say to them that if they want to go drinking, go to nightclubs, go out and act ridiculously then go ahead, but be aware that you are letting down the rest of the group and there will be consequences. There does not have to be rules or contracts.
For the record I think it is massively healthy to have a balance (in so far as you can) in your life outside of any team. Look at the way companies are currently moving. They put massive effort into organising social events for staff to make them not only feel appreciated, but also so they get to know people within the company away from work. The same can happen in a sporting sense.
You as an individual should be allowed have a drink or two. Enjoy a beer or glass of wine if out for dinner with your girlfriend, wife or family.
The panel and indeed all individuals involved should be encouraged to socialise together at certain times of the season. It is healthy as not only does it help players to bond and do things outside of the normal football stuff, but empowers players to decide whether they want to drink and if so how much.
You tell a child no, don’t touch and what’s the first thing they will do? I wish it was different as we enter adulthood, but for a lot of us it’s not.
Human nature is what it is. Don’t try and control it with rules and charters, but like the company, give players the responsibility to decide their path. If you decide to go against the ethos, the company will always remain and can always hire a new employee.
Choose wisely or you just might end up meeting another Spud Murphy!