Experienced Gaelic games coach, Cliodhna O'Connor, heads up the Female Coach Academy Programme.
The GAA, Ladies Football and Camogie, with the support of Sport Ireland Women in Sport fund, are delighted to open applications for the 2025 Female Coach Academy Programme. The aim of the programme is to increase the retention of female coaches in the Gaelic Games Player Pathway in all four codes. The 2025 will see participants experience a robust coach development programme that will support them to achieve their individual coaching ambitions.
What are the criteria for participation?
Participants must:
- Be actively coaching in 2025 in line with the Gaelic Games Player Pathway
- F3 (Youth/Adult) - U16 Teams or above
- T3/T4 (18+) - Player Development Programme, academies, development squads, underage Inter County
- E1 - Adult Inter County
- Full participation, engagement and interaction with the programme.
- Be over 18 years of age
- Willingness to progress and develop as a Coach
Programme Overview
There are two main strands of the programme.
1: Collective coach development activities
This content will be delivered through in person sessions, online seminars, and individual planning activities. Please see the dates for these collective sessions below. It will culminate in each coach constructing their own personal development plan.
2: Individual coach mentoring.
Each coach will be assigned a mentor. The mentor will assist the coach in identifying strengths and areas for improvement through discussions and session observations. The timing of the mentoring sessions will be organised between the coach and the mentor.
Some further cornerstones of the programme.
Across the year coaches will
- Explore their personal motivation and ambition for their coaching career.
- Reflect on their own strengths and weaknesses with regards to interpersonal relationships and team dynamics.
- Build a relationship with a mentor.
- Include their own coaching sessions being observed to aid with the reflection process.
- Engage in coaching conversations and peer support.
- Have opportunities to present and debate their own coaching ideas.
- Have opportunities to develop their own network.
Key Dates
Application Process Dates
- Application Process Closing: Monday 24th March 2025
- 20-minute Online Information Session: Wed 26th March 2025 @ 8.30pm
- Participants will be notified if successful in their application: 4th April 2025
Compulsory Collective Dates
Online Introductions: Thurs 10th April 2025 @ 8 – 9.30pm
Collective Session 1: Sun 27th April 2025 (central venue, approx. 10 – 4pm)
Online Session: 15th May 2025 @ 8.30 – 9.30pm
Collective Session 2: 15th June 2025 (central Venue, approx. 10 – 4pm)
Online: 4th Sept 2025 @ 8.30 – 9.30pm
Collective Session 3: 28th Sept 2025 (central venue, approx. 10 – 4pm)
Applications will be accepted until Monday 24th March 2025
To apply please fill in this form: https://forms.office.com/e/NCFT2RHPzC
For information contact:
Cliodhna.Oconnor@gaa.ie | William.Harmon@lgfa.ie | Liam.Clancy@camogie.ie