We have changed the format this year – we are running the programme on one day – SATURDAY 27th February 2009.

Again we have attracted 3 top coaches to help deliver a programme that we feel will suit the needs of coaches and potential coaches – Philip Kerr, Diarmuid Marsden and Ronan
McWilliams.
  
Title – “HOW TO COACH CHILDREN”
Time: 10am-11.15am
Venue: Cross & Passion College Assembly Hall
Tutor: Philip Kerr
  
This course is aimed at providing coaches with the skills and knowledge to coach gaelic games to our underage players. It looks at the whole area of meaningful coaching sessions – focusing on areas such as Technical Improvement, Athleticism, Speed of Thought and Teamplay. The course is delivered by Philip Kerr – who is a master tutor in Gaelic games and regularly delivers courses all over Ireland in the area of underage coaching

Title – “Physical Fitness for Developing Players 12-16yrs”
Time: 11.20-12.45pm
Venue: Cross & Passion College Assembley Hall
Tutor: Diarmuid Marsden

This course is aimed at coaches and parents who are involved in developing our underage players. The aims of the
course are to:
1. Identify the components of physical fitness and theirimportance in Gaelic Games
2. Recognise the Train to Train stage (13-16yrs) of the long term player pathway and show how the focus is on player development
3. Implement practical ways to build fitness into games and skill development for U-12, U-14 and U-16
Diarmuid Marsden is an ex Armagh senior footballer winning an All Ireland Senior medal in 2002 and 2 All-Star awards. He currently works for the Ulster Council in a Coaching
capacity

Title – “Conditioned games in Hurling & Camogie”
Time: 1.15pm-2.30pm
Venue: McQuillans Ballycastle
Tutor: Ronan McWilliams

This session will look at games that develop players’ decision-making and composure while on and off the ball.  The session will begin with 1 v 1 activities building up through small-sided and conditioned games to full-sided matches.  Some of the things that will be covered include increasing the intensity in hurling /camogie, maintaining posession, taking the player on and the importance of winning your own ball.
Ronan McWilliams is a full time Hurling Coach employed by the Ulster Council and is building a reputation as one of the most forward thinking coaches in Ulster.

I have attached yhe programme brochure with details on it. I would appeal to you all to encourage as many of your club and school coaches to attend. I can guarentee that you will enjoy and more importantly pick up some great ideas which will enhance your coaching sessions.

The coaching day is free, and on registering you can order tea and sanwiches which will be available for you at 12.45pm – giving you time to eat before heading up to McQuillans for the final session which will be outdoor.

If you have any questions please dont hesitate to contact me – 07500057925

Thanks

Joe Cassidy
Cross & Passion College