The Gaelic Athletic Association since it's foundation has not been just another sporting organisation but also a significant institution in the social, cultural and educational fabric of the nation. The Gaelic Athletic Association's expansion, development and its value to society will and has come not only from the existing committed members but also from the many excellent people who may not at present be actively involved. Such people will in the future be attracted to the Gaelic Athletic Association because they will see it as an organisation with much to offer through a broad range of soundly based cultural and social activity catering in a competitive way for the leisure time of people. Any understanding of the leisure role of the Gaelic Athletic Association must have regard to its origin and objectives and to the central part which our national games occupy in the organisation. Historian, Fr. Mark Tierney at Glenstal Abbey, in his biography of Dr. Croke Archbishop of Cashel, devotes a chapter to the Gaelic Athletic Association. He says "Organised sport played a very small role in the lives of Irish people in the mid nineteenth century… people spoke of their idle hours, when everything was lonely and stagnant in the land" he continued "One can observe a cultural or social revolution in rural Ireland in the years 1875-1900" The founding and consolidation of the Gaelic Athletic Association was part of this social revolution perhaps its most vital and dynamic expression. Popular sports, it was said should be open to all and should be organised by the people, not by the ruling class. The social revolution went deeper that this. It meant a crashing through the class barrier which excluded working people form most sporting activities… thus a completely new start had to be made. That start was made by Michael Cusack and others including Maurice Davin, a well known international athlete who, at the founding of the Gaelic Athletic Association on November 1st 1884, outlined the immediate plans and objectives of the new Association. 1. To bring about the organisation of Irish sport by Irishmen. 2. To draft new rules to aid the revival of native pastimes 3. To devise schemes of recreation for the bulk of the people. So it could be said therefore that as far back as 1884 the Gaelic Athletic Association adopted a basic philosophy which our neighbours across Europe have discovered only in recent times under the title of sport for all. Ever since the Gaelic Athletic Association has provided sporting activity for successive generations of Irish people both at home and overseas. For almost 120 years the Gaelic Athletic Association has organised competitions in Hurling, Camogie, Handball and Gaelic Football at various levels; thus providing satisfaction for the many thousands who have played the games and thousands more who have played a role as spectators or administrators. The association has succeeded in creating through the provision of attractive games, a distinct, competitive spirit, which engenders pride in ones locality. Now more than ever it is incumbent on the Gaelic Athletic Association to provide Club personnel with the necessary education and training in coaching and games development. This will ensure that the next generation are given the proper coaching, to develop as players and moreso to continue playing the game. The strides that have been made in this area have to be maintained, for a number of reasons. Schools of Excellence U13/U14 These coaching sessions were centrally located in Pairc Tailteann. There were ten coaching sessions, which also included Mini and Conditioned games. The coaching was delivered on a station by station basis with two level one coaches at each; culminating in conditioned games at the end of each session. The reward for the players was to play in the Mini-games on Senior Final Day in Pairc Tailteann. This took the form of six 10 a side teams symbolically representing the six county finalists (in their colours) playing three conditioned games simultaneously. On the day three young referees officiated, two of whom took the young referees course a few years ago. Each player was presented with a T- shirt and refreshments. U-14 County Team Following a series of scheduled trials at localised venues a panel of 50 players were selected for ongoing coaching and games. This panel had a number of games and were exposed to a more intensive coaching regime. The panel played two competitive games most weekends throughout the Summer and Autumn, participating in and winning the Louth and Offaly tournaments Fr. Bannon Cup and .Leinster Blitz. This squad had remarkable success, having blended together and developed as a solid unit. The team played twenty one games. Development Squad U-15/ U-16 Coaching sessions were organised over a nine month period (Feb-Oct) at the following venues. 1.Dunsany 2 Walterstown 3 Simonstown 4 Navan O'Mahonys 5 Kells 6 Curraha 7 Pairc Tailteann 8 Drumree The format of the coaching, was station based with 2 Level one Coaches at each. The U 15 development squad consisted of one hundred and twenty (120) players of whom thirty players were selected for the team. Initially these 120 players received coaching and games over an eight week period. The U 16 development squad of one hundred and forty (140) players received the same coaching over a similar period. Again a squad of thirty (30) players were selected. Under 15 and Under 16 teams The panels of 30 players for each team received further and more technical training and coaching in the lead up to competitive games. The U-15 team competed in 21 games winning 20. This team won the Leinster Blitz and the Leinster Summer League and were defeated in the final of the Louth Tournament by Down. The U-16 team enjoyed much success, winning 28 of the 30 games they played. The team won the: 1. Drumbaragh Tournament 2. Oldcastle Tournament (Gerry Reilly) 3. Louth Tournament and were beaten in the finals of the Ballinabracky Tournament and Leinster Blitz by Down and Dublin respectively. Catch and Kick This is a coaching programme developed by the Gaelic Athletic Association in partnership with Mc Donalds Restaurants and with Cumann na mBunscol. It is aimed at helping School children, fifth and sixth class ,boys and girls improve their Gaelic football skills and to have more fun on our playing fields. The focus will be on coaching to improve the child's catching and kicking skills, a skills challenge and fun blitzes over eight sessions. At the centre of the Catch and Kick programme are the coaching sessions, where experienced Coaches teach the children how to catch, pass and kick a ball. Ninety primary school participated in this programme, with each receiving kit bags, coaching cones, bibs and coaching manuals. The schools took part in the coaching sessions and the blitzes culminating in the skills challenge. The best pair from each school took part in the skills challenge. - Catch & Kick & Run - Catch & Kick on the Run - Catch & Kick for Scores The local winners then competed at regional level with a final held centrally. The overall winners were Bellewstown National School who participated in a skills demonstration in Croke Park during a Senior football game during the Summer. Foundation Level Courses The following Clubs / Partnerships hosted a Foundation Level Course 1. Bective 2. Ballivor 3. St. Ultans 4. Seneschalstown 5. Oldcastle 6. Dunsaney 7. Summerhill 8. Donagh-more/Ashbourne 9. Meath Sports Partnership (50 teachers) 10. School teachers (Second level plan) These courses attracted personnel both form inside and outside the local club, thus introducing potential new mentors to the club. The coaches felt they were well equipped to deal with coaching and games development afterwards. Level 1 Coaching Course The County Level 1 coaching course was presented in Simonstown and Navan O'Mahony's over a ten week period. Twenty five experienced coaches completed the course. Following a review and evaluation of their work and the presentation of their completed logbooks in September '03. They all qualified for certification as a result. The presentation takes place in Croke Park in the new year. Level 2 Coaching Course This course which is being piloted in Leinster, commenced last February, with twenty four (24) coaches, four from Meath and the rest from the remaining counties in Leinster. The course entails much field work as well as coaching presentations. Young Referees Course This course was held in Simonstown and was facilitated by the Referees Tutor Group (An Mhí). Six participants completed the course and will be presented with the referees tool kit. Underage Strategic Plan for Primary Schools This initiative services the national coaching strategies. It clearly sets out to maximise the participation of our young players while at the same time optimising playing standards. Primary Schools Initiative This initiative, which was piloted last year, is aimed at delivering quality coaching for primary schools in the country. As the local primary school in the parish would be regarded as the 'feeder unit' for the club, it was important for the club to recognise and secure this 'nursery'. The next important stage was the creation of a link with the school and the local club by identifying qualified coaches to deliver coaching and games in these schools. Having piloted it in four clubs last year it was extended to four more this year. The four clubs targeted this year were Carnaross, Skryne, Moynalty and Seneschalstown with a confirmed total of eight primary schools. This scheme has been very well received and the feedback form school principles is very encouraging. Equipment and coaching gear was presented to teachers and coaches for the new participating schools this year and to the clubs of last year. This scheme will be extended next year to include more clubs. This initiative is funded with a grant of Ri10,000 from Leinster Council and has very stringent guidelines through which it has to be processed. Primary Schools Coaching This scheme primarily targets schools in areas requiring more coaching support and attention, and in particular, parishes that have no Juvenile structure at Club level. Over forty schools were identified and visited, for coaching and games over the year. Primary schools are very well serviced by Cumman na mBunscoil who organise various competitions throughout the year. Underage Strategic Plan Second Level Schools The aim in this plan is to increase playing numbers in all post primary schools in the country, by providing the opportunity for more First and Second year students to participate in Gaelic Games. Its important that playing standards are improved and this can be achieved through internal leagues and proper coaching structures. It's important to have a seamless transition from the Primary school initiative into the Second level one. This initiative was very well received and covered a broad scope of coaching. Certain areas of our detailed plan were quite unique and received much support from Leinster Council. This second level initiative was funded by a grant of E11,000 from Leinster Council. It also required careful monitoring and submission of details and relevant invoices to comply with the prescribed guidelines. Under-10 All County Mini games Throughout the county there were a total of six U-10 football tournaments played over the year. These were run very successfully under the watchful eye of the Juvenile Committee. Certificates and refreshments were part and parcel of the rewards at most venues. Summer camps The summer camps in the county seem to be going from strength to strength each year, with the numbers again up on last year. The games promotion officers organise and promote the camps, through, the local press, local radio advertising, promotion packs and the primary schools and clubs. Again most camps were oversubscribed and additional coaches had to be employed, sometimes at short notice. The promotion packs were of an excellent standard though there were qualified reservations about the cover of the county schedules. The quality and experience of the coaches and supervisors ensures a professional standard of coaching, which emits positive vibes for participants and their families thus sowing the seeds for the future of our players and our games. The following is a breakdown of the attendance at the camps this year, Boys 2065 Girls 1057 Combined 147 ____ Total 3,269 This is broken down again as follows Hurling 575 Football 2,547 Combined 147 ______ Total 3,269 Total Number of Camps 25 Total Number of Coaches 31 Total Number of Supervisors 2 The camps were visited by such Intercounty Stars as, Ollie Murphy, Trevor Giles, Nigel Nestor, Daithi Regan, Graham Geraghty, Mark O'Reilly, Cormac Sullivan, Kieran Mc Geeney(Armagh) and Gary Kavanagh (Laois), Mike Cole, Nicky Horan and Rory Mc Carthy (Wexford) Second Level Coaching Course Education Programme The Transition Year is an area which has been targeted to encourage and develop coaching skills for young students at Foundation Level, in the hope that they will maintain this at Club level. The programme was run very successfully in, St. Peters Dunboyne (2), Gormanston College (2) Colaiste Phobail Rathcairn, Ssoil Mhuire Trim, St. Josephs Navan, and O' Carolan College Nobber. A total of one hundred and two (102) students were presented with their certificates at a function in the Old Darnley Lodge Athboy last November by the Coaching and Games Promotion Officers. At this time of year it can be a reflective period for all of us involved in our National games. As can be gleaned from this amble through the years activities on the coaching front, it is indeed encouraging to see the diversity of the coaching schedules and the marked increase in the number of participants by the year. This emits positive signals that signify that somehow the job is being carried out in a professional way. This is a true reflection of the excellent work our Games Promotion Officers, Christine O'Brien, Dudley Farrell and until last June, Gillian Bennett have been involved with, throughout the county. As always the County Committee and the Coaching and Games Development Committee have been to the fore in implementing and supporting both Sceims. The hurling committees have to be commended for the huge success of Sceim Iomana, and this with limited resources. All Minor and Juvenile, football and hurling committees who have contributed to the Sceims. We acknowledge Coaching Director Noel Delaney and Jimmy Dunne, chairman of Leinster Coaching and Games Development committee for their help and advise. The following Coaches were involved with the success of Sceim Peil in 2003; Brian Carberry Co-ordinator, Pat Flynn (U-14 Manager), Gerry Morgan, Colm Hillard, Jim Coyne, Peter Mc Donagh, Paul Halligan, Francis Flynn, Dudley Farrell, Christine O' Brien, Gillian Bennett, Jimmy Burke, J. P. Kelly, George Plunkett, Stan Kennelly, Pat Mulhall, Declan Carthy, Liam O'Farrell, David Farrelly (U15/16 Manager) Leonard Farrell, Macartan Mc Groder, Michael Moore, Gerry Murphy, Peter Higgins Meath Hurling Development Committee had the following projects during 2003 Under 12 School Excellence Mentors: John Andrews, Conor Ferguson, Tommy O'Loughlin and Brendan Fitzsimons. 40 players were brought together from every club and received coaching and games among themselves before playing a home and away game against Offaly. The panel travelled to Offaly and two games were played and the squad was divided into two panels and a week later similar games took place in Trim. This squad played at the interval in the county hurling final. Thank you to Martin Donnelly who sponsored two sets of jerseies for these teams. Under 14 DJ Carey School Hurling This was set up by the Leinster Hurling Development Committee under Chairman Paddy Kelly. Meath sent a panel of 17 to St. Kierans College Kilkenny for a weeks coaching with DJ Carey, Henry Shefflin, Damien Fitzhenry, Rory McCarthy, Peter Barry, Brian Whelahan, Liam Griffin and Brian Cody. Six counties stayed in the college for the week and were provided with accommodation, food and gear and there was no cost to the players. Leinster Council funded this venture which was a huge success. Players got top class coaching and instruction in the use of weights, physical training, stretching and diet. Under 15 squad Mentors: Michael Bailey, Bernard Smith and Noel Quirke A panel of 30 players were assembled in March and trained Warrenstown College and took part in the Leinster League and were defeated by Wexford but had victories over Carlow and Westmeath. The squad took part in the Leinster U15 Blitz in August and were defeated by Kildare in the final. Great credit to Michael Bailey and his mentors for the work he put into this team. Under 16 squad Mentors: Michael Wallace, Fergus Fagan and Gerry Martin This squad won the Leinster U16 Blitz defeating Carlow in the final in May. The squad took part in the Leinster U16 Championship and they won this Champ-ionship defeated Carlow in the final in Tullamore. The squad were beaten in the All-Ireland U16 final by a very good Antrim team. Tweet

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