GAA Games Development Conference 2010

Launch of GAA Games Development Conference 2010

Conference Theme: Coaching Children: Building a Platform for Lifelong Involvement in Gaelic games

Some of the top names in Gaelic Games coaching will be involved in the GAA’s annual National Games Development Conference – “Coaching Children: Building a Platform for Lifelong Involvement in Gaelic games” – which will take place on Saturday January 15th, in Croke Park. This is the 8th annual Conference, and aims to address issues related to the underage player that are of most concern and interest to members of the GAA community. Run as a partnership between all of the Gaelic games Associations, and sponsored by Lucozade Sport, the conference will offer the 450 delegates attending an opportunity to access talks relating to key coaching issues in hurling/camogie, Gaelic football/Ladies Gaelic football, Handball and Rounders.

Mickey Whelan of Dublin, who will be joined by Professor Niall Moyna, Dublin City university,, DJ Carey and Paudie Butler (National Hurling Development Coordinator) will be among the speakers during the event, while Des Ryan (IRFU Fitness Education Manager), and Jim White (Author and Journalist) will provide a unique perspective on coaching issues currently affecting Gaelic games. Head of Physical Education at Marino Institute of Education, Caitríona Cosgrave, will address issues relating to the development of Gaelic games through the Primary School Physical Education curriculum, Bruce Wadrop (Waterford Institute of Technology) will present on ‘Fuelling Our Play’ and a host of diverse topics will be addressed by an impressive range of speakers including Liam O’Neill (Chairman of the National Games Development Committee), Edward Coughlan (Liverpool John Moores University) and Cavan footballer Nicholas Walsh.

Launching the Conference, Árd Stiurthóir, Páraic Ó Dufaigh siad ‘”The central theme of this year’s Conference will emphasise the importance of the child player within the family of Gaelic games. Ensuring that all players in our Clubs and Primary Schools, 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. We are committed to developing this area in conjunction with our sister Associations, Camogie, Handball, Ladies Gaelic football and Rounders, each of which contributes to the overall development of our players”

Supporting the Conference for the third successive year, Siobhán Glennon, Lucozade Sport 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”. Reflecting the partnership approach in the organisation of this years Conference, Sinéad Ó Connor (Árd Stiurthóir, Camogie), Tony Hannon (President, GAA Handball0, Pat Quill (President, Ladies Gaelic Football Association), Joe O’Donoghue (President, Rounders Association) and Margaret Cunningham (Chair, Cumann na mBunscol Náisiúnta) were also in attendance.

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 practical demonstrations of each of the Gaelic games delivered by expert coaches including Damien Coleman (Connacht Hurling Development Manger), Caroline Murray (Galway Senior Camogie team), William Harmon (Ladies Gaelic Football Regional Development Officer), John Dillon (Kerry Junior Football Manager), Owen Mooney and Teresa McGirr (both Fermanagh). This will form part of an extensive purpose built demonstration area within the Davin Stand.

This conference is sold out