2016 / 2017 Down GAA Winter Coach Education Programme

Wednesday 29th March 2017

2016 / 2017 Down GAA Winter Coach Education Programme:

As the competitive playing season draws ever closer, many of the 48 clubs across the County have been utilising the traditionally quieter winter months as an opportunity to up-skill and develop their coaches, managers and team mentors.

It has been a very busy period for the Coaching and Games Department with a large number of coaching courses, educational workshops and CPD opportunities having been facilitated between the months of October and March.

During this period Down GAA have run the following:

• GAA Child Protection & Safeguarding Courses x 26
• GAA Foundation Level Football Awards x 10
• GAA Foundation Level Hurling Awards x 2
• GAA Level 1 Football Awards x 5
• GAA Level 1 Hurling Awards x 1
• GAA Level 2 Football Awards x 1
• Coach Education CPD Workshops x 15
• GAA Club Coaching Officers Training Workshop x 1

2017 Down GAA Club Coaching Structures Programme:

In addition to the above Coach Education courses and workshops, the Coaching Department has also delivered a new “Developing Sustainable Club Coaching Structures” programme within 25 clubs across the County.

This programme involved all members of the coaching department staff and County Coaching Officer, Tom Potter visiting clubs on a one to one basis and delivering a 4 session up-skilling programme for club coaches and members of the club coaching committees. This programme has been very well received by our clubs.

The main aim of this programme was to develop a Coaching Development Plan in each club that was visited. This plan would include club specific short, medium and long term goals which would allow the clubs to move forward with purpose and direction in the coming 6-18 months.

The Coaching and Games Department would like to thank all the clubs who have hosted / facilitated courses over the winter, or who simply encouraged coaches from their club to attend.