Waterford Sports Partnership, Waterford GAA Coaching & Games Development, Camogie Association, Ladies Football and WIT worked together in 2018 to set up a Coaching programme for WIT Health and Exercise students. The aim of the programme is to give the WIT students the training they need so that they can then go on and deliver coaching sessions in local clubs.
In 2018 23 WIT students attended a GAA Dual Foundation Award in January and also attended a WSP Safeguarding 1 Course. These students then coached in seven local GAA and Camogie Clubs for eight weeks.
The programme was a huge success, Eoin Breathnach, Development Officer with Waterford GAA Coaching & Games said, ‘The partnership between National Governing Bodies, WSP and WIT has ensured that students not only gain valuable coaching experience, has made them more employable and also ensured their expertise has assisted the next generation of coaches and players in the county’. WIT Student Enya Byrne who coached in Portlaw GAA Club said ’The best part of coaching for me is the experience of working with children as I’ve never coached children before. The mentor is great with the children and has a variety of different drills to do at training. She’s also getting us involved and listening to what we have to say!’
Ferrybank GAA who were one of the clubs involved in the programme stated ‘all the sessions were well planned and structured. The coaches were very active and took control of the sessions. There was plenty of encouragement and coaching inputs from the Coaches. The Ferrybank mentors were very happy with the coaching standard; ‘The concept and the operational aspects of the programme were excellent, and the coaching contribution was also very beneficial.’
All parties have committed to delivering a similar programme in 2018/19. If you or your Club are interested in the programme or want further information, please contact Peter Jones on 0761 10 2191 or email pjones@waterfordsportspartnership.ie.
Article Modified: November 28, 2018 2:17 pm
