GAA Coaches Descend on Cookstown

February 2nd, 2010

coaching-conference-2010(2) The 6th Annual Ulster GAA Coaching and Games Development Conference in association with O’Neills International Sportswear took place on Saturday 30th January 2010 in the Glenavon House Hotel, Cookstown.

The event was a huge success with over 400 coaches from across Ireland in attendance to listen to some very informative and inspirational speakers, who delivered sessions which were all aimed at equipping the coaches with the necessary skills to coach young people from the ages of 13 -18.

GAA National Hurling Director, Paudie Butler set the scene for the conference. He emphasised the need for coaches to treat young people as individuals and to support them through a difficult time in their lives.

Agnes Lunny, Chief Executive Officer for Positive Futures, emphasised how we can include people with learning disabilities in our club activities.

The support for youth was reinforced further by former All Ireland winner, Oisin Mc Conville along with Des Jennings, who touched on the difficulties young players will face with the pressures of success and how best to cope with new found fame.

Overall, the Conference emphasised the challenges for youth coaches, they are not only coaching but will also face lifestyle challenges. As Paudie Butler indicated, coaches need to bend over and allow ourselves to be the stepping stones for young people in our care.

The event concluded with all delegates receiving a conference pack courtesy of O’Neills International Sportswear.

Presentations from the conference are available to download at:
https://ulster.gaa.ie/coaching/articles/coaching-conference-2010/

A number of videos from the conference will be uploaded over the next few days to Ulster GAA’s YouTube channel at www.YouTube.com/UlsterGAA

Video:

Oisin McConville, Tony Scullion, Mickey Harte, Joe McMahon, Paudie Butler and Agnes Lunny were among the guest speakers who contributed to an enthralling day for 400 club coaches at the 6th O’Neills Ulster GAA Coaching & Games Development Conference in Cookstown on Saturday, January 30:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FwNsmihEkY[/youtube]