Clubs urged to avail of the services of GDAs

WICKLOW GAA are currently reviewing an audit of the availing of coaching from GDAs by clubs in the county.

‘Sometimes it was poor, sometimes there was mis-communication, we’re not getting the message through to the people,’ said Bryan Doyle at the meeting in Ballinakill where a report on the Wicklow Review was conducted.

‘This is to improve coaching rigth across the board in our clubs, schools and academies.

‘The physical development of players across all of those areas is going to be bullt into the pathway system, into our coaching.

‘We have appointed two new GDAs over the last while. Arklow have lost one and got one back. And there are ongoing discussions with clubs regarding the appointment of GDOs.

‘The review wants a lot of work done in the urban centres. We are top heavy with large towns. It’s not easy with large towns. Bray must have 35,000 (population), Greystones must be nearly 20,000 at this stage, Wicklow, Rathnew, Kilcoole, Newtown, all getting very large, Arklow at 14,000. That’s a lot of children. If you look at the numbers in those schools, if we can get extra resources into those schools it would allow us to make sure that the rest of the county are not suffering. I think, there will be a coaching and games rreport for Convention which will show the quantity of work being done, but it’s also the more work you do with ‘x’ amount of GDAs it’s a dimishing return. I mentioned it earlier, it’s important that the clubs interwact with GDAs becasue it reflects well. But if we’re not doiing it, clubs vare losing out, the county is losing out, and I think it’s resally important that we get the best out of the assets that we have.

‘The lads (GDAs) work extremely hard. Sometimes we need to refocus. There is a draw on them, the work their putting in with the primary schools team, developing the underage set up, the under 17 teams, hurling and football, so there is a draw on their time but we want to emphasise that the clubs is where it’s really at. Coaching

The first steps to implement a long term strategy to improve all aspects of player, coaches and club development are in place.

The Wicklow GAA Player Pathway 2018-2022 has been launched.

Mickey Whelan Workshops completed.

Currently a Talent Academy and Player Development Review Group has been established by Seán hOráin, Uachtarán CLG.

The terms of reference are linked and will influence the Strategic Action in the Review regarding the appointment of a Head of Coaching. This item will be re-examined on completion of the review in early 2019.

Coaching and Games (Games Development Section) will continue to interact with key schools, clubs and development squads to support Gaelic Games activity..

An additional GDA for hurling has been appointed.

A plan for additional resources to be allocated to Urban Centres is being formulated.

To be discussed with Hurling and Football Managers.

Limited activity with regard to Regional Squads on agenda for Coaching and Games considerations in 2019.