Ulster GAA Conference on Coaching the Coaches

For 200 local coaches eager to learn, Cookstown was the place to be in November as the 15th O’Neill’s Ulster GAA Coaching and Games Development Conference took place in the Glenavon Hotel.

 

The theme of the 2018 conference will focus on the Player Development Pathway. The latest event from the Ulster GAA coaching team highlighted once again the need for continuing coaching to keep our amateur club coaches up to speed on the latest thinking and ideas in preparing players to be the best they can be. Ulster GAA’s coaching director Dr Eugene Young said:

 

“We were delighted with the attendance of 230 coaches at the conference. It shows there is still an appetite for learning and it bodes well for the future development of our young players and the next generation of GAA players. Coaches want to learn so that they know how to do the right work with players at the right age group.

 

“I want to thank all the Ulster GAA staff, all the coaches and players that took part and the coaches from club across Ulster that attended. Thomas Niblock did a great job for us in chairing proceedings. Also I want to thank O’Neills for the continued support of the conference and for the gift of the gear for attendees.”

 

The morning’s proceedings began with a fascinating insight to life as a player at the elite level. Current All Star Conor McManus explained that he had never made it to a Monaghan County minor team. Marty Clarke of Collingwood, An Riocht and An Dún highlighted the importance of balls skills, and explained how the intense environment of professional sport in AFL is the difference between games here and down under. Sean Cavanagh reflected on his own stellar career and the contrasting enjoyment between winning and playing with Tyrone and playing and winning with his club, The Moy. The panel was also joined by Malachy O’Rourke, who gave an insight to some of his secret sauce, just enough to whet the appetite!

 

The early part of the day featured a riveting account of a struggle with mental health and wellbeing by IFA referee Lee Tavinder. Lee explained to a riveted audience how 2015 he tried to take my own life. “I was refereeing in the Premier League and working at the IFA but no one knew I had any issues, not even my wife or close family. When I tried to take my own life I was just at the stage where I didn't know how to stop the cycle.” He emphasised the importance of mental well being and explained that sport does not make young men and women immune to mental health issues.

 

Among the other speakers in attendance were Brian Cuthbert, Mattie McGleenan, Marty Loughran Terence McWilliams on hand to offer their knowledge to the coaches present. Also present, ahead of his Club Championship heroics with Scotstown was All Star keeper Rory Beggan as well as Tyrone netminder Niall Morgan. Camogie was represented by Siobhan McKaigue who gave an insight into the all-conquering machine that is Slaughtneil camogie.

 

Themes covered in workshops and discussions included goalkeeping, managing injury risk, coaching through games and football skills, breakdown and development

 

The afternoon sessions focused on keynote addresses by a number of coaches, outlined their experiences of developing players and individuals to perform at the highest levels.

 

The conference confirmed that the interest in Coaching is as strong in Ulster and the future of our children is in good hands with many good men and women keen to learn and encourage!