Attendees at Saturday's GAA Games Development Conference will be reminded of what is important in their respective roles, particularly when it comes to the basic needs of a young player.
Liam Moggan, one of Ireland's foremost coaching experts, will stress a new way for sporting organisations to help their coaches by removing as many distractions as possible.
Moggan has worked with a range of high-profile managers, including the likes of Billy Walsh and Brian Kerr, and is one of the keynote speakers at the event.
The conference takes place in the NUI Galway Connacht GAA Air Dome on Saturday and features a host of other well-known names and speakers.
These include former Clare star Jamesie O’Connor, former Dublin footballer Cliodhna O’Connor and Dr Áine McNamara, Associate Professor in Elite Performance at Dublin City University.
The theme of this year’s event is the youth player, with a specific focus on children still in school and playing with their clubs.
"There will be presentations and practical demonstrations for coaches as to how best coach a youth player, but the conference is also about us coming together as coaches and helping each other with the challenges," Moggan says.
"Those challenges are the same for most coaches. At any time, people are evolving and constantly changing and for a coach at this level there is more at stake, and they have more responsibilities.
"Coaches should be kind and friendly, they should love what they are doing, and those traits are very much in our nature and that’s the way it has always been.
"But everything seems to have upped a notch. There are distractions for the coach at that level, they must plan well, observe and analyse.
"Maybe there is too much of a distraction from the person who is simply there in front of them - the child.
"Maybe the child doesn’t care about their coaching qualifications or their knowledge of sports science. Maybe the child just wants to feel well and see the coach as another part of a happy childhood.
"We put so many obstacles in front of coaches and sometimes, at this level, it’s as simple as having someone who contributes to a happy childhood," Moggan states
The 2022 conference schedule is a novel one, combining keynote speakers with practical coaching demonstrations that make the most of the unique surroundings of the Air Dome.
"Throughout the day we have gaps where coaches can gather and dissect what they have heard and where they can network," added the GAA's national coach and player development manager, Martin Kennedy.
"There will be slots for review and questions, and we really hope that they will take away even more by sharing information.
"The coach has to work with a lot of different stakeholders, parents, teachers, guardians. This conference will look at those who help club and school players.
"Coaches have really good intentions, and they want to do the right things so the conference will give us all a chance to get away from zoom calls, meet up and remind everyone what is truly important for this age group.
"There is a phrase that is used in sport for youths: 'As many as possible for as long as possible’ and that is something that could be at the back of all coaches' minds at this stage.
"At the back of a coach’s minds, they are wondering how they will be on the field, and how they can support enjoyment of games. A lot of research has been compiled on what a good and simple and human connection through coaching should look like and we hope that from Saturday’s practical sessions that even more will be learned and shared in this regard.
"We want to be visibly there to help our volunteer coaches on the ground. There is great work ongoing in GAA units across the country and indeed across the worldwide units. Saturday is a learning opportunity to see what, in particular, is needed at this level? These are youth players. It’s a defining period in their development."
As a busy day unfolds, Moggan’s keynote address will be followed by the first two practical coaching demonstrations – from Ulster GAA hurling manager Kevin Kelly and Dublin manager Mick Bohan (above).
Other sessions will be given by Dublin GAA Games manager, Ger O'Connor and Connacht hurling manager Damien Coleman.
"For a coach, striving to win is good but winning-at-all-costs can have consequences and it can stretch the limits of good behaviour," Moggan added.
"We need to spend more time acknowledging the roles coaches play. A huge amount is expected of them in voluntary capacities. They are very dedicated people with a passion to learn. They are learning so they can go back and filter that knowledge out in a more effective way. Saturday will give us an opportunity to meet each other again. A lot of us will share the same challenges, I think.
"If we can help them make all the other stuff disappear right down to the person in front of them, if we can help make happy childhoods for the next generation of players, then the feelings we give these kids goes way beyond the nuances of whether they can catch or kick a ball."
