Wexford Coaching & Games Development Monthly Report Month: November Camps & Participation Events - “Providing children a fun & safe environment to participate in Gaelic Games Participation in November has mainly been with the schools and further developing initiatives such as Hurling 365 & schools coaching. GDA’s have visited numerous primary schools throughout the county promoting and coaching Gaelic Football. Club school link launched Kilanerin/Ballyfad. This link allows club coaches & volunteers to coach football in the school on two days per week. Currently GDA’s are linking with the Rackard league with the view to introducing a couple of new initiatives. Anthony Masterson has also been working closely with Gorey Community School on improving structures and coaching. He has recently set up 1st year football coaching on Tuesday morning from 8– 8.50am & in its first week saw 24 participants. Work is on-going to organise upcoming participation initiatives for players for the coming season. Hurling 365 has continued to grow & be successful. Willie Cleary has overseen the introduction of Hurling 365 in numerous schools including Faythe Harriers; Wexford CBS primary are doing Hurling 365 on Tuesdays & Thursdays at 8.15am with support of club. The uptake has been successful with over 70 children participating weekly in the school. Further schools such as St. Patricks Camolin: Ballycanew school have commenced Hurling 365 & are currently in the early stages. Willie has also had meetings with many more clubs & schools including Educate Together Wexford and hopes to have lots more new Hurling 365 schools announced in future. Willie has also overseen the development of Hurling 365 skills booklet which each school will hand out to participants. As the children master each skill the coach/teacher can sign off on that skill. This is a great incentive for children to continue their development outside of structured training. 20,000 18,519 18,000 16,000 14,000 12,456 12,000 10,000 8,000 6,000 4,000 2,000 0 Primary School Children Children receiving GAA Coaching Series1 18,519 12,456 Figure 1Children Receiving GAA Coaching *Average 2017 Martin Storey Cup & Shield Tournament 2017 Wexford GAA & Oulart The-Ballagh GAA are delighted that the inaugural Martin Storey U15 Competition has been a success with 18 clubs have entered the competition with an average squad of 20 players. This tournament provides opportunity of over 300 players and to play competitive games during winter months. There are three different groups with four from each qualifying for semi-finals. The semi-finals are now fixed Sunday 26th November for and the finals will be held in Oulart GAA grounds on Sunday 3rd December in what will be a “festival of hurling”. The aim of this tournament is focused on development, fairness and participation. Wexford GAA & Oulart the Ballagh GAA believe the aims & objectives have been met & exceeded. Model Academy Our u13 squads finished up their blitz’ in October, which brought their year to an end. Preparations are already underway for 2018 with the coaching staff currently reviewing the structures in place and looking for ways to improve their programme, including closer links to the schools and Rackard league teams. Wexford GAA model academy players had a very successful fitness testing week during the mid-term break, with two days of testing held in Bannow and Buffers Alley. Stemming from this, the u15’s have begun their functional movement programmes on Wednesday nights which is designed to prepare them for the physical demands of sport in later years and reduce injuries. The u16’s and u17’s are also working on their athletic development in the gym on Saturday mornings, with the u17’s progressing to phase 3 of the programme, where they will each receive an individual programme to suit their needs and abilities. All management teams for the academy squads have also been appointed for 2018. 60 50 40 30 AXIS AXIS TITLE Clubs 20 Clubs Represented 10 0 U13 U14 U15 U16 U17 Clubs 48 48 48 48 48 Clubs Represented 46 33 33 28 32 AXIS TITLE Wexford Coaching & Games Development Monthly Report Coach Education - “Educating the next generation of club coaches” Education & Club Development Wexford GAA aim to deliver several foundation and award one coaching courses between October and March (ongoing). The courses aim to improve overall coaching standards within clubs as well as ensure coaches in charge of underage teams have the appropriate qualifications. Coaches who are interested in the Award 2 course must apply directly to the Wexford GAA coaching department. Our programme is designed to support all coaches working at child youth and adult level through specifically planned courses and workshops’ incorporating all that is good in terms of coaching best practice. We have an array of brilliant tutors to create some great workshops in Football & Hurling. Foundation courses can be arranged on request for clubs by contacting the Wexford GAA Coaching office directly. If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact a member of the coaching team. Some upcoming courses/workshops are as follows: Castletown All Kicking Coach Education 19th January Oisin McConville GAA Book Online Shelmaliers All High Ball Coach Education 16th February Michael Rice & Richie Power GAA Book Online Glynn – 28th Oct, 11th Nov, Barntown, All Wexford GAA & Leinster GAA Award 1 Coach Education 18th Nov, 2nd , 9th Castletown, Book Online Tutors Dec New Ross & Buffers Alley Adamstown GAA Ballygarett GAA Foundation November – January All Wexford GAA & Leinster GAA Coach Education Ballyhogue GAA Awards (various dates) Tutors St. Jospeh’s GAA Book Online Cushinstown GAA Primary & Secondary Schools – “Creating opportunities for learning and coaching GAA for all Wexford students” Wexford Coaching and Games are continuing the TY coaching and leadership courses in 14 secondary schools across the county. Many of the schools have continued the link with the TY coaches and first years, using the TY’s as coaches and assistant coaches to give first year students additional opportunities, a number of schools have gone a step further inviting local primary schools to be coached by their TY’s as part of the course with great success. Another addition to the course is the inclusion of the GAA learning website which allows students to use the GAA website to plan sessions and further their knowledge of coaching and leadership. As part of the Urban Development programme between Leinster GAA, Wexford GAA and urban clubs, new club-school links have been set up in New Ross, Wexford town, Enniscorthy and Gorey, with Games Promotion Officers going into primary schools within the town to promote Gaelic Games and attempting to increase participation both within the school and the urban clubs also. The GPO’s work closely with the urban clubs and encourage involvement from club members within the school to help bridge the gap between the club and school. Wexford Coaching & Games Development Monthly Report Through the CE coaching scheme, 98 Primary schools in Wexford receive a minimum of 8 weeks GAA coaching during the school year. The Primary school coaching began again in September with 54 schools receiving coaching in September and October. After the midterm break another 50 schools will receive coaching until December. This has been very successful so far, with huge interest shown by both the schools and children involved. New GPO Staff Updates: Aoife Murphy In the last month, Aoife has finished working with Rapparees/Starlight’s and now is concentrating her effort with Geraldine O’ Hanrahan’s & recently started working with Clonard GAA in Wexford town. Aoife carries out several coaching sessions with primary schools in Wexford and New Ross. Over the last few weeks she has met with the clubs to see if she can further assist them with club development. She will be carrying out various workshops with both Clonard and Geraldine O’ Hanrahan’s GAA in the coming months. Already we can see a positive relationship building with the club and GPO. Ray Harris Ray recently started his role as Games Promoion Officer in urban areas and will be working directly with Faythe Harriers & Rapperees/Starlight’s GAA Clubs. Ray will be splitting his week evenly with 20 hours per club per week. Ray has assisted with Hurling 365 in St. Aidan’s Primary School on Wednesday morning which has seen numbers growing each week & with the help of Rapperees/Starlight’s volunteers it is hoped to develop an after chool link in the new term. Ray also assists with the Hurling 365 in Wexford CBS & is currently in the process of arranging Hurling 365 in the Faythe NS and Gaolscoil Enniscorthy. He carries out several coaching sessions with primary schools in Enniscorthy and in the process of developing schools coaching in Wexford town. Since commencing his role on Nov 13th Ray has met with the clubs to see if he can further assist them with club development. Ray will be carrying out various workshops with both Rapparees/Starlight’s and Faythe Harriers in the coming months including coaching workshops, player pathway & youth resistance training with functional movements. Frank Devereux Frank recently started his role as Games Promotion Officer in urban areas and is currently working directly with Tara Rocks GAA Club. Since commencing his role Frank has held meetings with club officials & is currently setting up schools coaching in Loretto & Educate Together in Gorey. Frank has helped deliver several coaching sessions with primary schools in Gorey area. Since commencing his role on Nov 13th Frank has met with the clubs with the view to help with club development. Frank will be carrying out various workshops within the club in the coming months which will aim to develop coach education, player pathway & youth resistance training.