"A Mad Race to Adulthood"

“Teenagers are on a mad race to adulthood and it’s a race that is fraught with dangers. They need GAA coaches to be ready and well equipped to deal with them”.

National Hurling Director Paudie Butler set the scene for the the 400-strong group of club coaches  at the O’Neills Ulster GAA Coaching & Games Development Conference, which focussed on 13-18 year-olds.

Paudie outlined all of the pressures on teenagers and the role of coaches in helping them with their development.

“It’s not all about coaching the skills and drills, you need to be aware of your responsibilities to the person, to encouraging them, to understanding them, and to giving them healthy competition within the GAA”.

The themes of Paudie’s speech were developed at the Conference at the various workshops.

Video:

GAA National Hurling Director Paudie Butler speaking at the O’Neills Ulster GAA Coaching & Games Development Conference in Cookstown:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaL7ZeaCGW0[/youtube]