Workshops for GAA coaches on developing younger players

THERE is a new nursery resource being made available to GAA clubs which is currently being rolled out in the region.

The idea is to develop coaches’ knowledge when working with young players from four years and above to improve skills.

Over the past number of months, Connacht GAA have worked on and produced new Nursery Programme posters to support and develop coaches knowledge in working with young players from the age of 4- 10yrs.

These posters include ones for Football, Hurling and Physical Literacy.

They have 54 exercises/ small games to develop a number of skills in each area.

The Physical Literacy poster gives nine exercises starting from the very beginning to more complex movements to improve areas such as Agility, Balance, Coordination, Running, Jumping and Throwing.

These are the fundamental movements to playing sport.

The football/ Hurling posters do the same for six basic skills of each sport.

On Wednesday evening last, this resource was shown to coaches from clubs in the North Division and was presented by Liam Óg Gormley, Sligo Games Development Manager.

He explained: “Over the next few weeks workshops will take place in all three of the other divisions and coaches involved with underage teams are invited to attend.

“The dates and times are as follows: West Division - Dromard Community Centre - Tuesday, November 29th at 7pm.

“The presenters are Thomas Kelly and Pat Kilcoyne.

“The South Division is taking place in Murphys Hotel Tubbercurry on Wednesday, 30th of November at 8pm and the presenters on that night are Pat Kilcoyne and Ross Donovan.

Liam Óg added: “The East Division Teeling Centre Collooney is on Thursday 8th of December at 8pm.” Presenters are Ross Donovan and Liam Óg. Hurling coaches workshop is in Scarden on Thursday 1st of December at 7pm with presenters Damien Coleman/ Michael Carroll and guest on the night Martin Fogarty, former Kilkenny Hurling Coach and new National Hurling Director.