O'Sullivan to speak at GAA National Games Development Conference
December 03, 2014
At the launch of the 2015 Liberty Insurance GAA National Games Development Conference were (L-R) Dublin camogie player Louise O'Hara, Wexford rounders player Sarah McGuinness, Meath footballer Paddy O'Rourke, former World Champion, European Champion and World Cross Country Champion Sonia O'Sullivan, Kilkenny hurler Richie Hogan, Dublin handballer Cian O'Dalaigh and Monaghan ladies footballer Laura McEneaney.
©INPHO/James Crombie.
Irish Olympian Sonia O'Sullivan will be a guest speaker at the 2015 Liberty Insurance GAA National Games Development Conference which was launched today.
The theme for the conference, which will take place in Croke Park on January 9 and 10, is "Putting Youth into Perspective" and aims to address issues related to youth players that are of most concern and interest to members of the GAA community.
O'Sullivan is the Liberty Insurance guest speaker at the conference, and will be presenting on how to motivate and maintain female youth participation in sport.
Speaking at today's launch, she said: "I'm delighted to be involved in this year's Liberty Insurance Games Development Conference in January; coaching to a high standard is key in developing and maintaining participation levels in sport, and especially among youths.
"I'm looking forward to sharing some of my experiences from Ireland and Australia on how to motivate and encourage young people to stay involved in sport, and also meeting some of the other guest speakers and conference delegates in what should be both an informative and enjoyable day."
Run as a partnership between all of the Gaelic Games Associations, the Conference will offer the 700 delegates attending an opportunity to access talks relating to key coaching issues in hurling/camogie, Gaelic football/Ladies Gaelic football, Handball and Rounders which are specifically related to the teenage player.
The impressive line-up of speakers also includes former inter county coaches Anthony Daly and Jim McGuinness.
2012 Donegal All-Ireland winning manager McGuinness will present via a special video link as work commitments mean he is unable to attend in person.
Anthony Daly will reflect on his time as a senior coach, and consider the importance of the youth age group and the impact on coaches further up the line.
In an innovative opening session, former Kerry senior football manager Pat O'Shea and Games Development Manager for Kilkenny, Brian Ryan, will provide some insight into the successes of their counties.
UCC economist and GAA coach John Considine will investigate the relationship between underage and adult success.
A club case study will be provided by the members of the Ballyboden St Enda's GAA Club in Dublin, who will identify how they have attempted to increase their coaching capacity within the club through a unique and innovative youth development programme.
Ger Downes (Games Development Administrator, Limerick City) and Liam Cronin (GAA Coordinator in Árd Scoil Rís, Limerick) will speak about the hurling revolution within the school, and Limerick City generally.
Launching the Conference, GAA President Liam Ó Néill said: "The Liberty Insurance GAA Games Development Conference has developed a very loyal following amongst coaches across the Association.
"It is a must attend event for anyone with an interest in how we promote our activities and the ongoing development of our players. In the Irish sporting sphere this event is unrivalled; the range of speakers attending this year underlines the standard we have to come to expect from it year in, year out.
"Over the last 12 months I have instigated a review of activities for minor and related age groups; the Liberty Insurance GAA Games Development Conference will focus on many of the issues and propose a number of pioneering solutions for players and coaches of this age group."
Reflecting the partnership approach in the organisation of this year's Conference, Aileen Lawlor, President Camogie), Liam de Roiste (President, GAA Handball) Pat Quill (President, Ladies Gaelic Football Association) and Joe O'Donoghue (President, Rounders Association) were also in attendance.
The cost of attending is €50 and further information on registering to attend the Conference can be obtained by phone at 01-8658625, by emailing [email protected] or at www.learning.gaa.ie
Tweet
