An impressive list of speakers were assembled for the 2024 Gaelic games Coaching Conference which took place in Croke Park on Saturday, November 23.
The theme of this year’s Coaching Conference was ‘Coaching for the Future: Where we All Belong’, with particular emphasis on best ways develop players and coaches at the F2 Go Games (7-12 year-olds), F3 Youth (13+ year-olds), and T1/T2 stages of the pathway.
The appeal of this Conference was broad because it spoke to the largest cohort of Gaelic games coaches who are also arguably those who need the most support.
Most people start out in Gaelic games coaching by getting involved with their own child’s team in the nursery or F1 or F2 phase, and the initial learning curve can seem daunting.
As adolescents mature into teenagers the coaching skills required to unlock their full potential, both psychologically as well as physically, can change significantly, and this too can prove to be a challenging period for coaches.
This Coaching Conference aims to offer coaches practical advice and signpost resources that will help them through the Coaching pathway.
The Gaelic Games Coach Pathway.
Player retention is arguably the greatest challenge for coaches in the F3 phase, and those who attend the conference should glean a lot from the presentation of Debbie Sayers, who has earned world renown as one of the co-founders of Salisbury Rovers football club which champions child-first coaching, offers a children’s rights-based approach, and creates an environment in which children are prioritised and can develop.
Professor of Sport Coaching at Leeds Beckett University and founder of iCoachKids, Dr. Sergio Lara Bercial, will also give an invaluable insight into how coaching sport in an age-appropriate way is the key to player retention. There are some exciting ‘bite size’ iCoachKids e-learning resources now on Tobar which he will reference.
President of the National Strength and Conditioning Association, Ian Jeffries, and Director of Sport and Physical Wellbeing in University of Galway, Des Ryan, will give their expertise on all things related to Athletic Development. This will include the launch of a new offering for F3 Youth Coaches, an Athletic Development Level 1 course which is due for roll-out in early 2025.
Among other speakers, Dr Phil Kearney will give his thoughts on enhancing skill learning in gaelic games, Dr. Trish Jackman and Dr. Ciaran Kearney will facilitate a session on Psychology Informed Coaching, and Molly Dunne will give her insights into how to transition from the playing to coaching pathway.
Renowned coach Pat Critchley will share his lessons learned over decades of coaching, and Football Review Committee Chairperson, Jim Gavin, will talk through the proposed rule enhancements his committee has come up with to make Gaelic football a more exciting and dynamic playing and spectator experience.
The Gaelic Games Coach Learning Space aims to reflect the variety of coaching needs, and the breadth of learning opportunities that should be provided for coaches.
The GAA’s Head of Coach and Player Development, Martin Kennedy, is enthused by the prospect of all the upcoming Coaching Conference will have to offer.
“There is a huge amount of good positive work being done in coaching, coach development and sports science in clubs, schools and counties across the country,” Kennedy told GAA.ie
“We want this conference to be a celebration of that and to shine a light on good practice both here and internationally.
“Listening to volunteers and staff, there are some challenges around recruiting and retaining players and coaches, understanding players… particularly young players, their growth and maturation, what truly motivates them etc. as well as just the overall the coaching of our games.
“We have themed the conference ‘Coaching for the Future – where we all belong’ to try to reflect on and discuss this with, what we believe to be, helpful evidence informed breakout sessions. Topics will include the evolution of our games, especially with the new football rule enhancements now bring proposed as well as helping coaches to reflect, define and refine their own coaching philosophy.
“For example, we believe we have put together some novel panels with real experience and expertise to discuss the evolution of our games. Player and coach retention ‘as many as possible for as long as possible’, sharing how to build great environments within your squad, group or club to encourage them to stay, making coaches and clubs aware of demographics insights available to them and more!
“Gráinne McElwain will MC the event and we are really looking forward to contributions from FRC chairperson Jim Gavin, Dr. Trish Jackman, Molly Dunne, Pat Critchley, David Sharkey, Debbie Sayers, Dr. Ciaran Kearney, Michael Fennelly, Neil McManus, Niall Corcoran, Dr. Philip Kearney, Dr. Peter Horgan, Des Ryan, Paul Kilgannon, Dr. Sergio Lara-Bercial, Professor Ian Jeffries and many more.”
