Coaching and Games Development 2010
November 27, 2010
The underlying philosophy where Go Games is concerned is one of full participation and fair play where each player gets to play the entire game (no subs where practical) and play in a number of different playing positions during the course of each game. The games are small sided and the emphasis is on participation rather than the result. Go Games are not only about Fair Play in the sense that all participants should get the opportunity to participate fully in the games. They also revolve around the core values enshrined in the GAA Respect Initiative.
Clubs have embraced the games and referees who were trained in our CARE programme as Young Referees ensure the smooth running of the games. The referees have all been trained to a practical standard and ensure the "No Score Keeping" policy is adhered to. Go Games are a key element in all Meath Coaching and Games underage initiatives in clubs and schools. They featured heavily in the Part-time Coaching initiative as well as the Club Go Games Summer Blitzes, Spring hurling Go Games and 'Play and Stay' in May in both hurling and football.
Five dates were planned altogether for the Club Go Games Summer Blitzes for both football and hurling with ten clubs hosting on each date for football and four for hurling, catering for both under 8's and under 10's.
Altogether 49 football clubs took part with approximately 2,000 children participating.
Altogether 20 clubs took part with approximately 750 children participating. We have seen the numbers again increase since last year and we hope to see the numbers rise again in 2011. We compliment and congratulate all host clubs on their efforts in making each day a success, and their hospitality to travelling teams. Meath Coaching and Games aim to host an appreciation day in the New Year for all the clubs that took part in the Summer Blitzes. It will give them an opportunity to play against other teams and also with a view to preparing teams for the upcoming season.
U 12 "Go Games"
Congress 2010 saw the passing of a motion relating to this policy. Under-12 and Younger Age Groups
"Games in Under 12 and Younger Age Groups shall be organized on the "Go Games" model with teams being a maximum of 11-a-side and structured to ensure that all participants get to play in the full game".
"At Under-12 level, Competitions may also be organized on a mini-league format on the basis that the teams are a maximum of 11-a-side and that provision is made for all members of the team panel to participate in the game".
Essentially the motion means games for all age groups up to and including under-11 must be organised exclusively on the Go Games model.
At Under-12 level Mini-League Competitions are organised to proide and support a gradual exposure to the challenges of competitively organised games programmes.
These mini-league competitions can be introduced in parallel to Go Games. The mini-league system is a competitive games programme built on the philosophy of Go Games, that is, a) it is small-sided, and b) provision must be made for all players to get meaningful playing time.
We are in the process of planning the implementation of this approach after it was endorsed by Central Council in 2009. The policy will become rule in 2011 whereby all Under 12 games must follow this format.
Play and Stay in May
This initiative continues to give our U-8's, games in a fun filled environment. This year each club got an opportunity to host a blitz day. Thirteen venues across the county were thronged with eager eight year olds for four consecutive weeks in May. 49 clubs participated as host venues and this provided games for approximately 1,000 children on four occasions. The host clubs again must be congratulated on their efforts in making this initiative a huge success. Our 'Respect Initiative was also introduced during these blitz days with mentors and referees promoting fair play and respect to all players and officials. All clubs were monitored throughout this Play and Stay in May initiative. The clubs that were proactive throughout were chosen to represent Meath in a special "Day Out in Croke Park" in which they got to play a match, had photos taken in the Presentation area of the Hogan Stand and experience the pleasure involved in performing in Croke Park.
Proactive clubs used their own initiative by building on the success of "Go Games" in engaging with Meath Coaching and Games and Bord Peil Na nOg. We would like to take this opportunity to thank them for doing this and fulfilling the Go Games criteria. We wish them every success in the future and we look forward to working with them in 2011.
Primary Schools
Nine part-time coaches were deployed in a number of primary schools to organise coaching and Blitz's over a nine week period. Their function was to implement agreed coaching and games targets in those schools. This key initiative which was set up in 2008 has proved so successful that it continues to deliver on our targets and was again a success in 2010.
This year coaching and games was the main priority for schools in large urban areas as well as rural areas. The nine 9 coaches operated in 77 schools throughout the county for nine weeks coaching hurling and football, four days a week. This year there was an extra emphasis placed on playing Blitz's where each school took part in four blitz days as well as receiving coaching. Approximately 8,000 children in total received coaching from second to sixth class. The coaches were selected through an interview process and undertook training prior to appointment. Their role included establishing a club-school link through communication with the relevant clubs.
This initiative is a vital component of our programme for the development and promotion of our games overarching from the Club into the School.
Coaching Staff
The Coaching and Games staff are currently concluding four weeks of coaching in primary schools, which included fundamentals, football and hurling coaching. This brings to over eighty schools in the county that have received coaching in the past year through Meath Coaching and Games, staff. Cooperation between Cumann ná mbunscol and Coaching and games has been the main conduit for identifying schools for this project.
The schools winter indoor hurling programme is currently taking place for selected schools around the county. This programme is a way of introducing many children to hurling whilst developing their hurling skills in a fun, non-competitive environment.
U Can Awards
The U Can awards is a new initiative for sixth class students in primary schools introduced in Autumn 2009. The U Can Awards is a skills test which has been developed with a view to recognising different levels of ability and ensuring that all participants strive to master the basic technical skills of the game and is a new initiative set up by Croke Park that will be run yearly. Participants can achieve bronze, silver then eventually gold stars for challenges completed for each skill of the game. Those achieving most gold stars were invited to a special finals day in Pairc Tailteann where participants had the opportunity to test their skills against others players in the county. This proved a very enjoyable day for all involved.
Post Primary Projects
Co-operation between the Second level committee and Meath Coaching and Games ensures that there's a detailed games plan catering for all age groups in second level schools in the county.
The following competitions are included: Super Sevens Competition, Oliver Coogan Memorial Shield, Boys and Girls Football Blitz Day, Junior and Senior Camogie Blitz, U-16 and U-18 Hurling Blitz Day, Transition Year Courses
The Super Sevens competition has gone from strength to strength and is the envy of other counties. It again has been a super success this year and is eagerly contested within schools. Again, this year over 2,000 first year students took part from all of our second level schools. Our finals day in Dunganny held on the 5th of May was again a major success and saw 380 boys and girls compete for the overall honours.
Ladies Football Winners - St. Michaels Loreto; Boys Footballs Winners - St. Patricks Classical School; Hurling Winners - Boyne Community School; Camogie Winners - Scoil Mhuire Trim.
For the third successive year, the Oliver Coogan Memorial Shield was again a major success showing with increased of players participating. An "A" and a "B" Blitz, was organised to cater for all standards within the second level community schools in the county, ensuring greater participation and providing competitive football. The day was a great accomplishment and over 500 U-16 boys competed for both the "A" and "B" titles.
The ladies Blitz day went ahead on the 5th October. Overall, about 300 girls participated in this non-competitive blitz for a warm up to Leinster and Meath Competitions.
We also held an u14 boys blitz day on the 6th October with over 450 players participating.
This year, all counties in Leinster were asked to run the North Leinster Hurling (Senior C and Junior D) Competitions internally. This is due to the fact that fixtures were not being fulfilled and schools weren't getting games. Overall, two schools were represented in the Junior D Competition with Dunshaughlin Community College going on now to represent Meath in the North Leinster semi-final. Six teams were represented in the Senior C competition with Boyne Community School coming out on top and will now represent Meath in the North Leinster final.
The Trim Initiative
A new initiative for this year is the setting up of club/school link within our second level schools. This initiative involves the placing of volunteer coaches in second level schools to assist with the coaching of school teams and supporting and accompanying teachers when travelling to games.
A number of meetings and workshops were organised before these volunteers, mostly from surrounding clubs, started coaching in the schools. It is hoped that the placing of volunteer coaches into second level schools will assist in the coaching of school teams, and accompany teachers travelling to games during and after school, when required.
This coaching initiative is currently being monitored by the coaching and games staff on a regular basis. The participating schools are canvassed for feedback and possible recommendations on the merits or otherwise of the initiative.
Transition Year Foundation Courses
There were four TY courses held in second level schools in the county. This course is hugely popular in the schools and is an excellent means of engaging young people to coach and invest in coach training for the future. 24 students from each school have completed the certificate in foundation level coaching. This involves coaching in local schools and in their own clubs, under the watchful eye of Meath Coaching and Games staff and their own club coaching officer. The schools that took part in this year's course were, O'Carolon College, Nobber, Pobalscoil Rathcairn, St. Patricks Classical School and St. Peter's, Dunboyne.
The success of this course depends on the selection of pupils and their motivation/ interest in coaching and games development, as distinct from making up the numbers on the course.
Blitz's
Meath Coaching and Games in conjunction with second level schools committee are satisfied with the success of all Blitz Days to date and look forward to upcoming dates in the New Year in hurling, camogie, football and ladies football.
Meath GAA Cul Camps
Maintaining our numbers in Meath VHI Cul Camps in 2010 was essential, especially in the current economical climate. An extra effort was made in promoting camps this year and the host clubs also should be congratulated as Cul Camp numbers were not only reached but exceeded the 3,000 we had last year. Improved weather conditions and a visit from the Delaney Cup also contributed to the great success of the camps this year and it proved an enjoyable experience for all involved. 26 clubs were identified as host venues for these camps run over eight weeks of the summer months. With over 200 applicants for our summer camp coaching positions, the final 32 successful coaches were employed to work with our well fulltime/part time coaching staff on the Cul Camps.
Intercultural Cul Camp
This intercultural camp was held again in Mosney. It was first held last year, but the numbers are down this year with 80 children taking part in this three day camp. 20 children from two local clubs, St. Patricks and St. Colmcilles, were also invited to attend and coaching was modified to cater for the needs of almost 15 different nationalities. Children from as far away as Nigeria, the Congo, Palestine, Sudan and Iraq were exposed to the skills of Gaelic football through this camp, which was provided free of charge by Meath Coaching and Games.
GAA Respect Initiative
This was a new initiative for 2010 that was developed in order to ensure that Gaelic games are promoted in a positive manner and allows all participants to reach their full potential. This consolidates the three core principles which underpin the values of the GAA which is player centred, family orientated and community based. The launch of this initiative coincided with our award one coaching course in Trim where information was provided to coaches. Implementing the GAA Go Games policy is a major part of this initiative and during the summer Go Games blitzes mentors were asked to wear special bibs promoting respect in the games. Special posters and signs are seen dotted around the county addressing the GAA code of behaviour and reminding all involved in the GAA that if you 'Give respect, you get respect'.
U15 Football Super Camp
This was an additional camp held in Gormanston College for three days during the summer. It was aimed at players not involved in development squads who wanted to develop their skills in a fun environment. 44 players attended the camp and all had a worthwhile and enjoyable experience over the three days. As well as coaching from some of the most accomplished coaches in Meath and county stars Trevor Giles and Brendan Murphy, players learned the importance of nutrition, conditioning and flexibility and team building exercises. The camp finished up with an opportunity for each boy to wear the county colour and represent Meath in a challenge game against the Louth U-15 Development Squad. This is a project which will be pencilled into the 2011 calendar.
Fair Play Leagues
Coiste Peil na nOg in association with Meath Coaching and Games committee, organised "Super Touch" Fair Play Leagues for U-12 and U-15 teams throughout the county. The U-15's was well supported with seven divisions catering for 44 teams with a minimum of eight games throughout the summer months. The U-12's Fair Play League catered for 50 clubs throughout the summer, resulting in over 1,000 players participating, each having a minimum of five games.
This fair play league encouraged clubs to engage with their development of all players within the clubs. In excess of 2,000 players were participating in our games and learning the skills over the summer months with these leagues.
Pre Schools of Excellence; Under-12 & 13
There were eight coaching sessions organised in Dunganny from June to August, This year we had the advantage of fine weather bar one evening, it again proved successful with over 180 players registering. The idea of this School is to introduce children firstly, to the basic skills of our games whilst being exposed to various coaching styles and secondly meeting possible future inter-county colleagues in a safe non competitive environment. Most clubs were represented with the players interacting and making friends from other clubs. Each player received a t-shirt and certificate of participation. The certificates were, again, sponsored by Meath Local Sports Partnership.
School of Excellence and Development Squads U - 14 Football
Meath U-14 Trials were held over three consecutive Sundays in March. From this two squads were chosen where 70 players were coached over eight sessions. These teams played four games with two balanced squads being used throughout and the same team was not used twice, this proved very successful.
Manager: Tom Lynch, Eoin Carroll, Tony Wall, Dean McLoughlin and John Moran.
U- 14 Hurling
Over 60 players attended the first trial of the year in Dunganny. Over a six week period the panel was reduced to 30 players and the first outing in Portlaoise was a successful day, with wins over both Kildare and Wicklow. Next was the DJ Carey school of excellence, where the panel of 20 players showed great commitment in wins over Carlow, Kildare and an All star team during that week and also running one of the Kilkenny development teams to the pin of their collar on the way back home after a very rewarding three days of hurling.
The final goal for the year was the Tony Forristal Cup at the end of August. Things didn't go to plan in the preparations but two close games with both Kerry and Westmeath, losing the latter by a point, put Meath in the shield beating Mayo then losing to Wicklow. There was a noticeable improvement for all panel members and all players did show a level of commitment in representing their county and there is significant potential for this group of players.
Manager: Joe Clancy, Seamus Lonergan, Maurice Dunne, John McCloskey
U-15 Football
This year the Meath U.15 teams competed in the Leinster Blitz. There were two panels made up of over fifty (50) players representing over twenty (20) clubs across the county.
They had good victories over Louth, Westmeath, and in the All- Ireland blitz over Offaly, Antrim, Longford and Leitrim in Cloughan. They found the going a bit tougher in games against the Tyrone and Kildare developments squads but overall it was good year for the under 15's where good effort and commitment was shown by all.
Manager: Michael Garland, Finian Murtagh, Eamonn Sheridan, Paul Mooney, Phil Fay and Donal O' Neill.
Development Squads
U16 Hurling
The Meath U16 hurling Squad partook in four blitzes in 2010, held in Carlow, Laois, Meath and the All Ireland B hurling blitz in Mullingar.
The initial blitz in Carlow was an eye opener for the new management team and saw a narrow defeat against Wexford followed by a comfortable victory against Carlow.
The Laois blitz saw two memorable and hard fought victories against Offaly and Kildare and showed that the team had progressed significantly. The home blitz in Meath gave the management the opportunity to try out more members of the squad and along with injuries the Meath team went down to a very strong North Kilkenny side and also suffered a narrow defeat to a Westmeath side. It was a good learning experience ahead of the final All Ireland Blitz.
In that All Ireland blitz the Meath Hurling Squad lost out in a hard fought game against a strong Kildare side in the semi-final at the end of August. The Meath team had come through their opening group winning three matches comfortably versus Wexford, Wicklow and Derry but the fourth match just seemed to take more of a toll on our lads with respect to fitness than it did Kildare and the lads were just not able to peg back an early lead however they fought tooth and nail in an effort to do so.
Manager: Ken McKenna, Vinny Guy and Karl Brennan.
U16 Football
This squad had a selection programme over eight coaching sessions. As this panel was made up of over 50 players from across the county, they operated as two teams of equal ability.
Leinster Council Blitz - 26 June - Templeogue/Synge Street, Dublin, Dublin 4.27 Meath 1.07
Gerry Reilly Tournament - 4 July - Oldcastle, Meath 2.12 Westmeath 3.14
Gerry Reilly Tournament - 10 July - Oldcastle, Meath 1.05 Louth 0.09
Gerry Reilly Tournament - 18 July - Oldcastle, Meath 2.10 Dublin 2.10
National Blitz Day - 24 July - Drumalee, Cavan, Mayo 2.08 Meath 0.02; Tyrone 1.09 Meath 2.11; Longford 1.04 Meath 1.10
Manager: Brendan Dardis, David Beggy and Paul Clarke
U17 Football
Games Played
Challenge Match - 27th. June - Dunganny; Meath 2.13 Cavan 1.10
National Blitz Day - 24 July - Darver, Louth; Armagh 0.06 Meath 1.14: Cavan 2.06 Meath 2.08: Kildare 0.05 Meath 2.06
Challenge Match - 28th. August - Dunganny; Meath 1.11 Armagh 1.11
Manager, Stan Gibney, PJ Cudden, Paul Everard, Frank Farrelly, Brendan O'Connor
Coach Education
Meath Coaching and Games Development Committee has planned and outlined a full programme of Coach education over the coming months, catering for coaches from clubs and development squads throughout the county.
Of particular importance is the upskilling of our staff to Tutor level for Award 1 Adult and Child, Football and Hurling. Meath Coaching and Games strive to provide quality coaching through our foundation award and award one courses. As well as eight Foundation Award courses, we have held an Award One course for football and hurling in 2010. Along with these courses, regular refresher courses, workshops and in-service training are facilitated for all coaches.
Also the following;
- Nursery Fundamentals, for 4 - 8 year olds.
- Code of Ethics and Good Practice for Children's Sport
- Foundation Award Courses,
- Award 1, incorporating Child, Youth and Adult
- Club/School link for Primary and Second Level Schools
- First Aid, Strapping, AED,
- Young Whistlers/Young Referees
- Our CARE education programme has certified approximately 1,050 participants in the last year.
An Mhí Coaching and Games again had a very busy and successful year. The number of children participating in our Games, Blitz's, Go Games, Cúl Camps and organised courses has increased again this year.
The Coaching staff have been actively communicating and liaising with the Clubs and Schools at all levels in promoting our projects and initiatives, thus the favourable outcomes.
We thank the County Committee for the continued support and also the inputs from Leinster Council, especially Shane Flanagan and John Horan.
We are also grateful to the subsidiary committees within the county for their continued cooperation and support.
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