The Leinster GAA Coach Developer community came together recently at the National Games Development Centre, Abbottstown for a day that was as inspiring as it was practical. The event marked the latest in Leinster GAA’s ongoing commitment to support those who, week in and week out, work to develop coaches and strengthen learning across the province.
The day began with Craig Sexton, Coach Development Manager with the FAI, who delivered a fascinating deep dive into the systems, practices and programmes driving coach development across football — from grassroots right up to the senior game. His insights set the tone for what proved to be a series of thought-provoking sessions.
From there, the focus turned to bridging the gap between theory and practice. Dr. Jamie Taylor explored how research can be applied in real coaching environments, challenging the group to think about how evidence can translate into impact. Later, Dr. Dean Clark spoke about the “Craft of Coaching”, offering a timely reminder of the importance of building connections, recognising our own challenges, and being kind to ourselves as coaches and developers. The day concluded with Paul O’Brien, DCU Head of Gaelic Games, who shared valuable perspectives on mentoring — highlighting the role it plays in sustaining both coaches and coach developers.
Reflecting on the event, Leinster GAA Learning and Development Manager, Jamie Queeney, praised both the presenters and the community who engaged so openly:
“Days like this are about more than presentations — they’re about connection. It was fantastic to see our Coach Developer community come together, to learn, share experiences and challenge each other. We want to continue building a culture where our coaches and coach developers feel supported and inspired, and this was a brilliant step forward.”
By johnhaughney Mon 29th Sep
