Coaching Conference Report
The 5th Ulster GAA Coaching and Games Development Conference took place in the Glenavon House Hotel in Cookstown last Saturday 24th January with over 430 delegates in attendance. The Conference was again sponsored by O’Neills who sponsored a new kit that was won by Cargin GAC, Co Antrim. O’Neills also kindly supplied a conference pack for all delegates that was distributed at the end of the conference.
The Conference theme was on “Common Goals, Different Roles” and it focused on the key stakeholders who deliver Gaelic Games to children and youth. The keynote speakers and workshop facilitators delivered their sessions to challenge current thinking and practice in coaching and games. A clear message emerged that there is a need to focus on developing good physical literacy skills with young children.
Walter Bleakley, Senior Lecturer in Education at the University of Ulster stressed the need to work closely with educationalists in achieving good fundamental movement skills, something that is embedded in the new curriculum. Greater emphasis on coaching through games and developing better decision makers from an earlier age was evidenced. For the older age groups Dr Eugene Young stressed the need for the key stakeholders in the GAA, the schools, the clubs and the counties to work much closer together in a range of issues such as fixtures planning and player management to ensure that young players are nurtured and developed to their full potential.
Kieran Kennedy, O’Neills International Sportswear stated:
“This year’s Coaching Conference turned out to be a massive success, with over 400 delegates in attendance. O’Neills International Sportswear are delighted to be associated with this event and we hope that all the delegates enjoy their conference pack. I would also like to congratulate Cargin GAC, who won the set of jerseys sponsored by O’Neills”
Conference delegates are encouraged to pick up the sessions on the Ulster GAA website www.ulster.gaa.ie and to review the video footage on www.irishnews.com/gaaconference
Related:
– Coaching Conference Photo Gallery
– Coaching Conference Presentations
