Launch of GAA Games Development Conference 2009

Conference Theme: Optimising Playing Performance – Nurturing a culture of Skill and Will

Some of the top names in Gaelic Games management and coaching will be involved in the GAA’s annual National Games Development Conference – “Optimising Playing Performance – Nurturing a culture of Skill and Will” – which will take place on Friday November 20th and Saturday November 21st, in Croke Park. This is the 7th annual Conference, and aims to address issues that are of most concern and interest to members of the GAA community.

Run in conjunction with the GAA Coach Education Programme and sponsored by Lucozade Sport, the two day conference will offer the 800 delegates attending an opportunity to access talks relating to key coaching issues in both football and hurling.

Liam Sheedy of Tipperary, who will be joined by Performance Coach, Caroline Currid, Gary Keegan of the Irish Institute of Sport (formerly of the Irish Amateur Boxing Association), DJ Carey and Tony Healy (currently part of the Irish Handball team at the World Championships in Portland, Oregon) will be among the speakers during the two day event, while Rod Thorpe (Loughborough University), and Paul Potrac (University of Hull) will provide a unique international perspective on coaching issues currently affecting Gaelic games.

Cork football trainer Aidan O’Connell and Tipperary hurling trainer Cian O’Neill will speak at the Conference on the physical fitness demands on the modern player, and how these might be best developed and a host of diverse topics will be addressed by an impressive range of speakers including Pat Daly (GAA Director of Games), Liam O’Neill (Chairman of the National Games Development Committee) and former Armagh footballer and Sport Psychologist Enda McNulty.

Launching the Conference, Uachtarán Críostóir Ó Cuana siad ‘”The central theme of this year’s Conference will emphasise the importance of the coach creating a platform for our players to optimize their playing performance. Ensuring that all players, regardless of their level of ability are provided with the opportunities to develop is a key component of what the GAA is all about and I’m looking forward to hearing from a number of the expert speakers on how this can be achieved.”

Supporting the Conference for the second successive year, Ronan McClafferty, Senior Brand Manger at GlaxoSmithCline, said: “We are delighted to be involved in this important event once again. As with all such Lucozade Sport sponsorships, the initiative underlines our commitment to the promotion of healthy, balanced lifestyles throughout Ireland and it celebrates our passion for Gaelic sport. The GAA has brought together an impressive line up of experts for this Conference and I am confident that together, we can make a real difference”.

The list of speakers represents the most impressive gathering of individuals involved with coaching and games development ever assembled for an event of this nature and there is already massive interest in the conference.

In addition to a comprehensive conference speaker programme, delegates will also be given the opportunity to view some the key products and services within the GAA marketplace. This will form part of an extensive purpose built exhibition showcase involving 20 companies which is designed to meet the needs of GAA conference delegates. Services and products include coaching equipment supplies, synthetic pitches, GAA analysis products, floodlighting systems, injury management advice, hospitality services, sport nutrition advice and cardiac defibrillator systems.

The cost of attending is €75 and further information on registering to attend the conference can be obtained by phone at 01-8658625, by emailing gamesdevelopment@gaa.ie or at www.gaa.ie.