Buffers Alley was the scene for the GAA Feile workshop with National Hurling Development Manager Martin Fogarty & Mary O Connor (Director of Technical Development & Participation). Over eighty coaches were in attendance from clubs right throughout the county.
In a unique twist both Camoige & Hurling coaches came together to run a joint workshop aimed at covering the key areas in preparing a U14 team. Games Development Manager Eoin Morrissey was delighted with the outcome of the evening “Turnout was very good and everyone who attended got something out of the evening. Both codes are the very same and the skills are all transferable. Most coaches in Wexford will jump from camoige to hurling or visa – versa. The help of the Joe Roche (Camoige Development Officer Wexford) & Bobby Goff (Wexford Coaching Officer) in bringing the idea of joint coaching workshops was a real help. It is something we are going to work on over the coming months”
Martin as part of his roles highlight the importance of Feile. “Coaches are so important to the running of Feile” Sometimes we overlook the importance of coaches in the lead up. Ensuring coaches have a developmental mind-set and ensure players are getting games based activities is so important. The challenge for the GAA is to keep children playing all the way to adulthood. If the coaching is good it will go a long way.
Mary O Connor who worked on defence play on the evening emphasised the role of the fundamental skills. “We often as coaches try activities that are not age appropriate. I remember as a player practicing hooking & blocking at every Cork training session. This sometimes is forgotten. It’s good to see the GAA and Camoige starting some of these joint workshops”
For more information on coaching workshops and courses in Wexford contact: [email protected]
