Leading the line
December 30, 2010As they say around these parts, the coaching and games development people are 'well got' among their peers in the world of Gaelic games.
Games Development Manager Paul O'Connor says whatever has been achieved in 2010, in the spheres of coaching and games development, in Monaghan has been much more to do with the collective than any contribution from any one individual.
In that respect, he is fulsome in his praise of his supportive team of coaches. Colin Malone, Paul Turley, Ann McKenna, Con O'Hanlon, John J Conlon and Martin Corey all get a healthy mention.
"All the various initiatives we embarked on in the past year, in the primary and secondary schools, would not have been achieved without the expertise and commitment of our coaches," O'Connor explains.
The notion that Monaghan is 'well got' when it comes to gaels who are willing and able to put their shoulder to the wheel in the promotion of coaching and games development brooks no debate.
Coaching Officer Eamon O'Hara expertly leads the line along with the other members of the coaching committee, namely, John McArdle (Secretary), Frank McEnaney, Raymond Leonard, Cathal Hand, James Kierans, Darren Doyle and Pauric McKenna (Hurling).
During the past year, the Coaching and Games Development committee, in conjunction with Youth Officer Cathal Hand, held a number of fora during the year at which key decisions were made.
He is fulsome in his praise of his supportive team of coaches. Colin Malone, Paul Turley, Ann McKenna, Con O'Hanlon, John J Conlon and Martin Corey all get a healthy mention.
"All the various initiatives we embarked on in the past year, in the primary and secondary schools, would not have been achieved without the expertise and commitment of our coaches," O'Connor explains.
"One of the major projects our coaches were involved in during the past year was the modification of the Go-Games and the floodlight blitzes.
"In the same way, it was decided to modify the Primary Schools coaching programme and an examination of the development squad programme was examined too.
"The idea is to give players as much help as possible to improve their skills in an enjoyable and fun environment."
During the past year a Strength and Conditioning programme was developed and it will be rolled out to development squads and will be also applied in second level school team and player development.
It is intended to roll out the programme to clubs - on a pilot basis at least - during 2011.
This will be for discussion at a Club Coaching Officers meeting in the New Year, we are informed.
"In 2010 we invited James Conlon to come on board, specifically to help us out on the whole question of strength and conditioning.
"We felt it was appropriate to bring in a specialist in that area, a local man, an ex-senior county player who would have the respect of everyone.
"Strength and conditioning is an area that a lot of people in the GAA have tended to shy away from getting involved with or exploring.
"It's a key part to play though in the development of a player, in the formation of a holistic player - the type we are hoping to bring through each year.
"We hope, through time, that our strength and conditioning advice and help will give the club mentors around the county the knowledge and confidence to roll out their own strength and conditioning programmes each year going forward.
"A wee bit of education can go a long way towards making it less difficult for clubs to bed in a strength and conditioning programme for their players."
One wonders at what age should such strength and conditioning work be encouraged by club mentors?
"It should be introduced at primary school level in a fun-based, totally enjoyable way with the likes of press-ups and other simple exercises.
"Then at secondary school level, other forms of core strength and conditioning work could be pursued.
"Obviously we don't want to see cases of people encouraging secondary pupils to embark on programmes more suited to body builders.
"The (strength and conditioning) programmes for all youngsters should be about helping them to become more agile, more athletic players."
Even the unitiated among the rank and file membership of the GAA cannot but be aware of the huge work that has gone on in coaching and games development in the county over recent years.
Last year, for instance, thirteen Child Protection and Foundation Level courses were rolled out in 2010 and, in addition, three Level 1 courses.
In 2011 the plan is to deliver approximately five Child Protection and Foundation Level courses.
Those at the coalface like O'Connor, O'Hara, Hand and co. are all too well aware that it will become a rule rather than a recommendation that people working with teams at all levels will not be allowed to coach or manage teams unless they have the appropriate qualification.
O'Connor is confident that there are enough hands-on men and women involved in coaching throughout the county willing and able to acquire the necessary 'badges' they need to upskill youngsters under their watch in a professional and safe manner.
"There's no excuses any more for anyone working with children not to have gotten their coaching badges and child protection courses completed.
"Doing the necessary courses is no longer desirable but a necessity but anyone with their eyes open can see it's a win-win situation.
"Not only are the coaches doing the right thing in doing the courses but they're also upskilling themselves with regard to identifying the needs of the youngsters in their care, both as people and players.
"The hope is that coaches, once they buy into the need to upskill themselves, will continue to attend further courses, seminars or conferences where they can gain further knowledge and exchange their experience with fellow coaches."
Of course, Monaghan Coaching and Games Development people refuse to let the grass grow under their feet or rest on their laurels.
In that respect, O'Connor tells us that the county coaching team will be hosting a number of workshops in early 2011 which will be beneficial to all coaches in Monaghan working with underage players.
O'Connor is rightly proud of the workrate and earnest endeavour of all concerned with coaching and games development, full-time and voluntary.
He is pleased that the Coaching and Games Development Committee enjoyed significant involvement with Monaghan Sports Partnership along with disability groups, Special Olympics and Monaghan Integrated Development and Monaghan VEC.
Similarily, he says the fact that a hurling representative on the Coaching committee has been tasked with establishing a sub committee to address hurling at underage level demonstrates the sincerity of the bid to cement the growth of the ancient game at juvenile level in the county.
"Working with Cathal Hand (Youth Officer), we're hoping to deliver a more effective programme of games and coaching, as regards hurling, in 2011."
Praise for the ongoing work and foresight of Monaghan's coaching and games development set is widespread and freely-given.
At the December 2010 County Convention, outgoing Secretary Sean McKenna enlightened the club delegates present with a tit-bit which fairly reflected the work of those based in Cloghan.
"It would be remiss of me if I didn't mention the Special Needs game that was played prior to the Junior Football Championship final," McKenna told the gathering at Convention.
"I received a letter from the parent of a child afterwards that was involved in that game.
"It reminded me of just how lucky we are but also made me aware of the work that all the coaching staff do in making our games inclusive for everybody."
And the last word(s) goes to County Coaching Officer Eamon O'Hara - another man wont to cast the bouquets far and wide - whose annual report went down a treat at the 2010 County Convention:
"None of the past years challenges would have been possible without the trojan work of the Games Development Manager - Paul O'Connor - and his very supportive staff.
"I would like to thank the clubs, their club delegates, the club coaching and youth officers and all who have supported the programme of games, coaching, etc that the coaching committee and Games Development Manager have rolled out throughout 2010."
All those mentioned above, take a bow. Tweet
