Expression of Interest for Club Coaching Community of Practice for LGFA Clubs is now open!

The Gaelic Games coach pathway mirrors the Gaelic Games Player Pathway with the aim 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.

LGFA are delighted to announce the latest coach education offering, a Club Coaching Community of Practice (CoP), 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 Club coaching CoP 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.

One participant from a previous 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 centred 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 a research informed support network and guidance to clubs on how to set up, structure and implement a peer-facilitated CoP approach within their clubs.

How to Apply

The adoption of a peer facilitated approach can be complex; therefore, a criterion will be provided to access the ‘level of readiness’ of clubs. The closing date for clubs to express interest is Friday 14^th August at 5pm. In total 10 LGFA clubs across the Country will be given the opportunity to participate in this exciting programme.

If your club is interested in applying for the programme, then please note the Club Secretary must complete and submit the application form on behalf of the club. Applications will only be accepted from this official LGFA email address.

CLICK HERE to view the expression of interest form.

Note:

A short information webinar will be held with all clubs who have expressed an interest on Thursday 20^th August 2025 at 9pm to go through the process in more detail. Following this information webinar, clubs will confirm if they would like their application to be considered or if they would like to be removed from the section process.

Programme Timeline:

1. Closing date for applications – Friday, 14^th August at 5pm
2. Information Webinar for Clubs who expressed an interest to provide clarity re programme prior to final selection – Thursday 20^th August at 9pm
3. Successful clubs will be notified by Friday 4^th September
4. Programme Duration – September 2026 to February 2027

For further information contact:

William Harmon: william.harmon@lgfa.ie

Emily Martin: emily.martin@lgfa.ie