THE Ladies Gaelic Football Association is launched the ‘Learn to Lead’ Programme in February 2019– a unique Female Leadership programme. The LGFA Leadership Programme was devised to develop the next generation of female leaders within Ladies Gaelic Football. The course is delivered over 12 months by experts in the fields of coaching, officiating, administration and PR/Media. 20 participants have been chosen to participate in ‘Learn to Lead’, and the response to the LGFA’s recruitment phase was phenomenal. Over four days, and six evenings, the LGFA will examine diverse leadership skills and focus on the skill-sets and techniques required to master each of the four strands – coaching, officiating, administration and PR/Media. Five candidates have been chosen to participate in each strand – and the final list of 20 includes leading coaches, officials, administrators and players, representing the four provinces. The Programme commenced on Saturday, March 23, and will conclude on Saturday, February 15, 2020. Last year, the LGFA launched its Strategic Roadmap 2017-2022 and a key area is to ‘define a model to promote Female Leadership across the Association.’ In attendance at the Launch of the LGFA ‘Learn to Lead’ Female Leadership Programme are, back row, from left, Michelle Ryan, Ailbhe Quinn, Jennifer Higgins, Bríd Stack, Gráinne Sands, Trina Murray, Kelley Cunningham, Nadine Doherty, Lyn Savage, LGFA National Development manager, front row, from left, Eimear O’Connor, Donna Hagan, Aisling Carey, Helen O’Rourke, LGFA CEO, Marie Hickey, LGFA President, Andrea Turbitt, Niamh Dunne and Diane O’Hora at the Marker Hotel in Dublin. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile. The first step was to put a Female Leadership Workgroup in place and, there, the need for a Female Leadership Programme was identified, as part of the overall Female Leadership strategy. Ladies Gaelic Football Association President Marie Hickey commented: “We are proud to launch our ‘Learn to Lead’ programme today. “This is another significant development for our Association, and there are superb candidates in each of the four strands. “This 12-month programme fulfils a key aspect of our Strategic Plan, with direct emphasis on the skill-sets and qualities required to become leaders within our Association. “The content of the Programme is of an extremely high quality – and will be delivered by leaders within the fields of coaching, officiating, administration and PR/Media.” The LGFA is now ready to roll out an exciting ‘Learn to Lead’ programme, and the full list of confirmed participants, and their various strands, is as follows: Name Club County Strand Sinead Reel Silverbridge Harps Armagh Administration Eileen jones Aodh Ruadh, Dungannon Tyrone Administration Trina Murray Moate Westmeath Administration Liz Ahern Carrigtwohill Cork Administration Eimear O’Connor Mountrath Laois Administration Diane O’Hora Clanna Gael Fontenoy Dublin/Mayo Coaching Jennifer Higgins Western Gaels Roscommon Coaching Ailbhe Quinn Latton Ladies GFC Co. Monaghan Coaching Olivia Butler St Pat’s Waterford Coaching Donna Hagan Kildress Wolfe Tones Tyrone Coaching Kelley Cunningham Tullamore Offaly Officiating Gráinne Sands Glenn John Martins Down Officiating Aisling Carey Shandonagh Mullingar Westmeath Officiating Mairead Dullea Bantry Blues Cork Officiating Sinead McHugh Kilmacud Crokes Donegal Officiating Nadine Doherty NaFianna (retired) Dublin PR/Media Michelle Ryan Ballymacarbry Waterford PR/Media Niamh Dunne Park Ratheniksa Laois PR/Media Denise Masterson Ballymun Kickhams Dublin PR/Media Bríd Stack Rockchapel Cork PR/Media For further information, please contact the LGFA National Development Manager Lyn Savage: lyn.savage@lgfa.ie or phone 01-8363156 Learn to Lead Meet the Participants