As the return to play road map was issued to all juvenile clubs last week. Our Clubs and Players now have a condensed fixtures programme to look forward to. Providing clubs with as many games as possible from Under 7 to Minor in Hurling and Football. That was in the statement issued by newly elected GAA President Larry McCarthy asking every County Board to make plans for. We now have a programme in place that provides more games, more players with more certainty for all involved.

The Gaelic Games Player Pathway – 3 Key Player Development Strands continued…..

THE GAME
The focus of this Game strand is on building player capacities so players become more competent at playing our Games. By doing so, performance within training and games should improve. This should have a positive effect on the player’s intrinsic motivation, thus increasing the probability of the player transitioning through the various phases of the pathway. Building on the early elements of Fundamental Movement Skill at the F1 phase, players will, depending on the phase of the pathway, be exposed to a varying complement of capacity development. This complement is inclusive of the following:
1. Technical
2. Tactical
3. Physical
4. Psychosocial
Games or game-like activity should be an essential focus of each training session, so that the above capacities are acquired in the context of the game. The skill of the coach is to identify the skill-related problem or the area for development and then think creatively about the best way to exaggerate the problem and create nuanced ways for players to find solutions to these problems through games-based activity. When delivering such sessions, the role of the coach is to be a facilitator, who optimises learning in open environments where players feel valued and actively participate in their own learning through ‘selfdiscovery’. The following six principles should be present in all coaching sessions so as to ensure that learning takes place and players are challenged to reach their full potential.
1. Enjoyment
2. Challenge
3. Looks like the Game
4. All Players Involved
5. Player Centred
6. Constant Decision Making

Coiste na nÓg
As coaches we are busy getting our players ready for a return to play on Monday 7th June. But as clubs and administrators we also have to have our house in order. During the week all clubs received the following to be shared with their Coaches and Parents. 1. Official Team list – Clubs to use this for every game from the remainder of the year. 2. Official Hurling & football Rules – This to be share with all coaches so they know the rules of the competition they are playing in. 3. Club Coaches contact list so you can contact the club in advance. 4. Official Coiste na nÓg Player grading forms – this must be submitted to the County Juvenile secretary on or before Friday 28th may for Clubs that have more than one team entered into the same competition. 5. Fixtures Calendar & Group templates with the schedule of fixture taking place for the remainder of the year. 6. As the teams return to play let’s make the occasion better that before, but adhering to the GAA code of behaviour for under age teams. 7. No challenge games are allowed until Monday 7th June.
Finally, all Players want to do is play games, so let’s enjoy the period of return to play and let’s keep all our behaviours in check. Coaches coach from the side-line and let the players play.

Swap GAA Gear – Swap Don’t Shop
Every club right around the country has players who have grown out of their Football Boots, Hurling Helmet, Hurley etc. during the last year of lockdown. Wicklow GAA clubs are no different.
With this in mind WHY NOT hold a SWAP Saturday of this equipment. It’s easy to organise, all clubs have to do is get parents to drop their children’s old boots, helmets & Hurley etc. Into the club that they have out grown and that you can share & swap. Simple as that.
The important thing is they all must be clean and in good condition and tied together. The idea is when they are all laid out and available and if there is another pair of boots or a Helmet or Hurley that you need they are all yours.
Look them up or sort them out and just leave them with the club and they will find a new home for them. This will cut down on any expenses that families don’t really need to make if there are a perfectly suitable ones available and in good condition.
Give Respect Get Respect Coaches Bibs
Clubs have enough time over the next two weeks, as we make a return to playing games to organise Coaching Bibs for all our Club Coaches from ages U7 to Minor. As Part of the GAA Respect programme all our coaches must wear the a GAA Give Respect Get Respect Bib when coaching/managing your teams. The important of this cannot be highlighted enough and the onus is on the club committee to ensure compliance.

Back to Play GIVEAWAY
Win a set of 20 bibs and 40 cones for your club. Just answer the following question correctly and send the Answer together with your name and selected club by Text to 087-2718537 before Sunday 23rd May at 4pm Question? Who are the Sponsors of the Wicklow Senior Football Team?

Quote of the week:
“The absolute bottom line in coaching is organization and preparing for practice.”
– Bill Walsh, American Football

Three Weekly Coaching Tips:
1. Listen to your players.
2. Develop peripheral vision – in your mind and in your players
3. Create a safe, stimulating, interesting training environment where players enjoy coming to train.

You can contact us:
We are here to help get in touch with Coaching Corner by contacting us at hugh.kenny.gamesmanager.wicklow@gaa.ie if you would like any topic or area covered in more detail in our weekly edition.

15 Player Profile Questions

Name: Aaron Garrett
Club: Newtown GAA
School: Newtownmountkennedy Primary School
Age: 12

1. My Favourite GAA Player? My coach, Shane Mooney.
2. My Favourite GAA Grounds? Wicklow GAA Centre of Excellence at Ballinakill.
3. My Favourite Playing Position? Half back.
4. My Favourite Food? Chicken korma.
5. My Favourite Music? I like all music.
6. My Favourite TV Film or Programme? Family Guy.
7. What I think is the most important Skill in the game? Hand-eye coordination.
8. What is your favourite GAA Drill/Activity? Hand passing drills.
9. In 10 years’ time I hope to be? A YouTuber.
10. My favourite team in any Sport? Newtown GAA.
11. If I won, the Lotto I would? Keep half for myself and donate the rest to charity.
12. Do you play any other Sports? Hockey at club and football with friends.
13. What are your hobbies? Playing video games and going on walks.
14. My Pet Hates are? People swearing.
15. My favourite PlayStation Game is? Beat Saber VR and SuperHot VR.

Wicklow Primary school team that competed in the Leinster Indoor Hurling C