Clubs selected for 2026/2027 LGFA Club Coaching Community of Practice Initiative

The Gaelic Games Player Pathway aims to provide coaches with the knowledge, skill, and capacities to develop players across the Gaelic Games Player Pathway – ‘just in time, just for me’.

To reach this goal, the Coach Pathway offers a ‘Learning Space’ for coaches. This space provides various coaching opportunities tailored to the needs of Gaelic Games coaches and offers a wide range of learning experiences. One the learning opportunities within the ‘Learning Space’ is the Club Coaching Community of Practice (CCCoP), a peer facilitated approach.

This non-formal coach opportunity promotes clubs taking ownership of their own coach learning where groups of coaches are proactive in sharing knowledge, experiences, good practice, and resources. The CCCoP is a great way for coaches to learn from each other and improve their coaching skills. In essence, it is like an internal supportive network within the club where coaches exchange ideas and support each other.

A participant from previous a iteration of the programme, spoke about the many benefits of the initiative for their club.

“The Gaelic Games CCoP benefited the club in many ways; it brought people together on topics of mutual interest. We got to know other people in the club that we did not know before. We got to opportunity to share ideas of strategies for managing underage players in a player centered way. In addition, it provided an opportunity to discuss club strategy on club numbers and player retention; a forum for developing an understanding of other people and age groups in the club”.

Another participant spoke about how the CCCoP “secured a space to discuss our cub coaching structure, giving a ‘voice’ to more coaches”.

The Gaelic Games Club Coach CoP Programme will provide research informed support network and guidance to clubs on how to set up, structure and implement a peer-facilitated CCCoP approach within their clubs.

The 15 clubs who will participate in the LGFA 2026/2027 CCCoP Programme are:

Connacht (3): Carnacon (Mayo) Monivea Abbey (Galway), Coolera Strandhill (Sligo)

Munster (4): Knockainey and Monaleen (both Limerick), Bride Rovers and Ballinhassig (both Cork)

Leinster (4): Ballinakill (Laois), Na Fianna (Offaly), Thomas Davis (Dublin), Goldsmiths (Westmeath)

Ulster (4): Emyvale (Monaghan), St. Mary’s Maguiresbridge (Fermanagh), Crossmaglen Rangers (Armagh), Na Cealla Beaga (Donegal)

For further information contact;           Emily Martin                         Emily.martin@lgfa.ie