Games Development within the GAA

A Guide to the Overarching Principles and the Underpinning Philosophy

GAA Grassroots to National Programme (GNP)

The GAA Grassroots to National Programme (GNP) is a multidimensional framework which serves to ensure that people Play & Stay with the GAA. This involves the implementation of a series of action points which provide a basis for delivering on the following:

- maximise participation, social representation & penetration (quantitative)

- optimise organisation, regulation & education (qualitative)

- harmonise relations, operations & administration (facilitative)

The practical inputs involved - known as the Key 1 2 3 of the GNP – can be summarised as follows:

Ambition

Mission

Vision

Key 1 2 3 of the GNP

1. Players are provided with a pre-planned programme of games appropriate to their needs and level of ability

2. Coaches nurture the culture of skill + will on the back of a games-based approach to training and development

3. Volunteers work with elected officers and full time personnel to achieve agreed targets on the basis of specific projects

County Games Development PlanDelivering on the GNP - Projects

1. County Games Programme at Child, Youth and Adult Level2. Camp Programme – Summer (Cul), Easter & Midterm3. 8/10 week Autumn and Spring Primary School Inputs and

measure of Skill Proficiency for Pupils in final year4. Academy Programme (Schools of Excellence U.14/U.15 and

Development Squads U.16/U.17)5. Coach Education Programme – at Child, Youth and Adult Level –

where practical inputs are based on the above6. Referee Education Programme – Young Whistlers (Primary

School) and Young Referee (Post Primary School) – where practical inputs are based on the above

County Games Development Manager Inputs

Plan Coordinate Implement Certify Report

GO GAMES PROGRAMME: KIDS

• Players (representing a club, school or community based team) are deemed to participate in the Go Games Programme when they take part in a total of 5 Blitzes a year

• Blitzes are organised on a small-sided pitches and on a recreational basis

• The playing rules may be modified to meet varying needs

• No provision is made for league tables or finals etc and no deviation can be made from the one golden rule: everyone gets to play for the entire game

First Touch Quick Touch Smart Touch Age 7/8 Age 9/10 Age 11/12

HURLING FOOTBALL

GAA Go Games Programme• Go Games ensure enjoyment because they are

structured to maximise the level of participation, achievement, friendship and fair play derived by children who play Hurling and Football

• Go Games promote a child-centred approach and the following motivational ethos “fun do, can do we do” on the back of the unconditional support provided to players by team mentors

• Go Games are an ideal vehicle for delivering on the values set out in the GAA Respect Initiative and, by so doing, provide a quality introduction for boys and girls who play Gaelic games

Super Touch Programme: Teenagers

Age 13/14 Age 15/16 Age 17/18

HURLING FOOTBALL

• Players (representing a club, school or community based team) are deemed to participate in the Super Touch Programme when they take part in a total of 5 Blitzes a year

• Blitzes are organised on a small-sided, competitive basis

• The playing rules may be modified to meet varying needs

• Team qualification for play offs, finals etc., is determined on the back of finishing position in earlier games

• Interchange system is used to maximise the level of player involvement

Year: 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th

GAA Super Touch Programme

• The Super Touch programme builds on the Go Games concept and is geared to maximise competitive outlets – in Hurling & Football – for those between age 13 and 18

• Increased competence apart, involvement also provides for a range of other learning opportunities and benefits:

• Optimises health & well being and provides space for teenagers to take on increased responsibility

• Enhances their level of self-reliance/resilience and contributes to their growing sense of independence

• Inspires them to excel and to value the importance of discipline, goal setting, collaboration & team work

• Promotes a lifelong commitment to the GAA

Club Based Centre Community Based Centre

Numbers Participating Male Female

GAA CÚL CAMP PROGRAMME: KIDS

Age Profile (Female) 7/8 9/10 11/12/13

Name of Organising Unit:

Start Date:

Finish Date:

Camp Coordinator:

Assistant Coordinator:

Age Profile (Male) 7/8 9/10 11/12/13

GAA CÚL CAMP PROGRAMME• Provides participants – between the ages of 7

and 13 – with an action-packed and fun-filled week of activity during the summer holidays which revolves around maximising enjoyment and sustaining participant involvement in Gaelic Games

• Activities are game-based – a strong emphasis is placed on skill acquisition - and are organised in an age appropriate manner with a view to: - optimising learning - enhancing friendships- improving physical & psychological well being- promoting school and club links

PRIMARY SCHOOLS – AUTUMN & SPRING PROGRAMMES

School Name:

Total No. of Pupils_______ Male Female

Autumn Programme: Start date_______ Finish Date________

Hurling Football Both

Total No. of Coaching Sessions_______

Average No. of Participants per Session______

Spring Programme: Start date_______ Finish Date________

Hurling Football Both

Total No. of Coaching Sessions_______

Average No. of Participants per Session______

PRIMARY SCHOOLS – AUTUMN & SPRING PROGRAMMES

• Provide a basis for ensuring that pupils are provided with regular opportunities to play Gaelic games

• Serve to encourage pupils to become proficient in the skills of hurling & football

• Dovetails with PE requirements as set out in the primary school curriculum

• Enables teachers to ensure best practice inputs in an educational context and to enhance their coaching ability

Unit Name Club Based Centre Community Based Centre

School Based Centre

Number of Participants Hurling Female Male

Number of Participants Football Female Male

Number of Participants (in the final year of Primary School)

Female Male

Number of Participants who have achieved 5 Star Gold Award

Female Male

U-Can (Skill) Awards Programme: Kids

U-Can (Skill) Awards Programme

• Provide a basis for encouraging and motivating children to commit to mastering the basic skills of Hurling & Football

• Skill challenges are set out on a sequential and developmental basis i.e. become more difficult as children grow and mature

• The 5 Award levels (1 Star to 5 Star) – there is gold, silver & bronze status at each level – serve to reflect the extent to which players achieve bilateral coordination i.e. are able to perform the underlying playing techniques (skills) on the left and right hand side of the body

School of Excellence (U.14/U.15)

Hurling Football

Under 14 Under 15

Basis on which School is organised:

County Divisional Regional Other

Total number of Participants?

Total number of Clubs represented?

Total number of Sessions organised?

Total number of Games played?

Total number of Coaches involved?

Schools of Excellence (U.14/U.15)

• System used to provide talented players with 8 quality coaching sessions and the opportunity to represent their county in blitz competitions on 4 occasions a year as part of the GAA Academy

• Players are selected on an inclusive basis e.g. on the basis of interest and/or a specific number of players from each club

• May be organised on a regional/divisional or county basis depending on the size of the unit concerned and the relative strength of the game

Development Squad (U.16/U.17)Hurling Football

Under 16 Under 17Basis on which School is organised:

County Divisional Regional Other

Total number of Participants?Total number of Clubs represented?Total number of Sessions organised?Total number of Games played?Total number of Coaches involved?

Development Squads (U.16/U.17)

• System used to provide talented players with 8 quality coaching sessions and the opportunity to represent their County in 4 games a year as part of the GAA Academy

• Players are selected on a more exclusive basis i.e. ability, commitment and/or improvement (late developers) etc

• May be organised on a regional/divisional, county or cross-county basis depending on the size of the unit concerned and the relative strength of the game

Child Hurling Football

Foundation Award 1 Award 2 Award 3

Total No. of Participants:______

Youth Hurling Football

Foundation Award 1 Award 2 Award 3

Total No. of Participants:______

Adult Hurling Football

Foundation Award 1 Award 2 Award 3

Total No. of Participants:______

COACH EDUCATION COURSES

Person who builds competency by assisting/ challenging players to deliver on their potential

Coach (What)

Coach (When)

Nurture the culture of “skill & will” as this = power to excel

Coach (How)

Implement a games based approach to training & development and use as a basis to give practical expression to the following motivational ethos: “fun do, can do, we do”

Coach (Why)

It cultivates the playing and performance competencies which underpin “skill + will” and the by-products of this: confidence, commitment, competitiveness & cohesion

Competencies – What are these?

3T’s & 3P’s

Coaching Capacity - CC (When)

nowledge

xperience

es to Skill & Will

Underlying Process

pplied

ifelong

earning

K

E

Y

A

L

L

REFEREE EDUCATION COURSES

Young Whistler: No. of Courses No. of Participants

(Primary) Male Female

Young Referee: No. of Courses No. of Participants

(Post Primary) Male Female

Adult Club Referee: No. of Courses No. of Participants

GAA Respect Initiativeespect is the core value in terms ofecruiting andetaining personnel. It ensures that theirights – to games, fairness, inclusion etc - areecognised and that they, in turn, have egard for theiresponsibilities in relation toeferees and theules of the Association thereby ensuring that it isegulated on an effective basis. This fosters elationships and engenders the ongoing sense ofappore and renewal which eplenishes and promotesegeneration throughout the Association

RRRRRRRRRRRRRR

Putting Respect into Practice

• All Clubs to sign up to and undertake to implement the GAA Respect initiative

• Designated Spectator Area: Spectators to remain within a dedicated area – not permitted to encroach on the playing area – and to refrain from shouting criticism

• Role of the Captain: The team captain to have responsibility for communicating with the referee and for relaying messages to team mates

• Role of the Referee: The referee to implement the playing rules on a consistent basis and in an impartial manner

• Rewarding Fair Play and Skill: Player to be selected in each game – and provide with a merit award - on the back of giving tangible expression to the GAA Respect Initiative