Gaelic4Teens

What is Gaelic4Teens, sponsored by ZuCar?

The Gaelic4Teens Programme, sponsored by ZuCar, is a COACH EDUCATION BASED INITIATIVE, incorporating fun coaching sessions, coach education webinars, in-person coaching events, club coaching observations visits and a Festival Day, aimed at improving the retention rate of teenage girls aged 13-17 years in clubs which is usually subject to an increased level of dropout.

 

What are the aims of the Gaelic4Teens Programme?

• Educate club coaches in relation to the needs and interests of teenage girls in sport
• Provide a unique programme of Ladies Gaelic Football activities to retain girls aged 13-17 years
• Develop athletic and social skills for girls in a safe and nurturing environment

 

What are the benefits of running Gaelic4Teens in your Club?

• Training will be provided to the Coaches and Co-ordinator in your Club
• Resources will be provided to your Club to market and advertise the Programme
• Coaching structures across the teams of this age group in your club will be improved
• Meet and learn from our Gaelic4Teens Ambassadors/Inter County Players via club coaching observation visits and in-person regional coaching events
• Club will be invited to participate in Gaelic4Teens Festival Day
• Unique Gaelic4Teens gear will be available to purchase for players and coaches

 

What clubs may apply for the programme?

Any club interested in putting emphasis on this age group, 13-17 years, and enthusiastic about ensuring the correct structures are in place in their club to retain these players.

 

The general structure of the Gaelic4Teens Programme?

• Attend relevant online induction, coach education webinars, in-person regional coaching events, club coaching observation visits and G4T Festival Day
• Marketing materials i.e., social media banners will be provided to clubs to promote the Programme
• The programme involves an online induction evening, numerous coach education webinars and regional in-person coaching events, a club coaching observation visit for coordinator and coaches focusing on various topics and coaching styles that are required to retain teenage girls aged 13-17 years age
• The coaches will try out the specific Gaelic4Teens sessions, which will be provided, between training days
• Your club will be invited to attend a G4T Festival Day

 

Minimum requirements for the Gaelic4Teens Programme?

 

Prior to commencing the Gaelic4Teens (G4T) Programme all clubs must sign up to the G4T Pledge. This is to confirm that your club are committing to completing the ZuCar Gaelic4Teens Programme in full and agree to meet the minimum requirements.

NOTE:
Lack of engagement or representation during the programme could affect your participation in activities such as the Gaelic4Teens Festival Day or club coach observation visits. Please note, if the club dis-engages during the programme, this will result in removal from the programme.

• Appoint a co-ordinator to oversee implementation of the Programme in the club
• Club representatives attend an online Induction evening prior to commencement of the programme

• Ensure a minimum of 3 coaches from the club attend
– Online coach education webinar (7)
– Regional In-person coaching event

• Ensure a minimum of 5 coaches from the club to attend the club coaching observation visit conducting in the club

• Attend Gaelic4Teens Festival Day

• Be open to improving their club coaching structures, altering their coaching behaviour and approach (if applicable)

 

Who are the Gaelic4Teens Ambassadors?

We are delighted to have some of our top LGFA stars as ambassadors to share expertise from their area. These are…

• Skill Development/Coaching – Fiona McHale (Mayo), Jackie Kinch (Wicklow), Samantha Lambert (Tipperary) & Laura Fleming (Roscommon)
• Athletic Development – Bernie Finlay (Dublin), Bronagh McGrane (Louth), Cathy Carey (Antrim) & Cassandra Buckley (Kerry)
• Lifestyle Planning/Team Culture– Orlagh Farmer (Cork), Emily Martin (Down) & Maire O Shaughnessy (Meath)
• Nutrition & Hydration – Sharon Courtney (Monaghan), Sinead Delahunty (Tipperary)

 

IMPORTANT TO KNOW…

• Gaelic4Teens is a CLUB RUN programme
• Training, support and advice will be provided to all clubs regarding roll out of the programme but the responsibility is ultimately with the club to ensure a quality and successful programme is implemented
• Important everyone that will be associated with and will be involved in the implementation of the programme are consulted prior to applying. Everyone must be aware of the aims of the programme, what it involves etc. prior to committing
• Important everyone involved are aware of commitment involved i.e., induction, coach education webinars, in-person coaching events, club observation visit, and festival dates associated, as attendance by the relevant club personnel at these days are mandatory
• Engagement and consultation with key stakeholders in the club I.E., club executive is critical to the successful implementation of the programme. Just participating to have your club’s name in and then being selected with no prior consultation with personnel internally DOES NOT WORK!
• Promote attendance of all coaches involved with coaching teenage girls in your club. It is important that there is representation of coaches involved in all teenage age groups in your club i.e., U14, U16 and U18 at all the G4T events.

 

 

The next steps:

Step 1:

• Have clear understanding of what the programme entails from club perspective prior to applying.
• Applications are now open and the application form is available HERE

Step 2:

• Club must meet the minimum requirements outlined in the G4T Pledge. All dates are available to view on the application form.