The GAA, the Camogie Association, the Ladies Gaelic Football Association, GAA Handball and the GAA Rounders Association have launched a new Nursery Programme.
The GAA, the Camogie Association, the Ladies Gaelic Football Association, GAA Handball and the GAA Rounders Association are delighted to announce the launch of the new Nursery Programme including a workshop to assist coaches in delivering and facilitating an introduction to Gaelic Games in a safe and fun environment for children aged 4-6 years of age.
The Club Nursery is one of the most vibrant areas within our clubs and for most it is a child’s, and possibly parents, first introduction to Gaelic Games and sports and exercise in a planned and structured environment. It allows children develop at their own pace in a fun, inclusive, and social environment.
Nursery Programmes in clubs are aligned to the F1 stage of the Gaelic Games Player Pathway, providing a series of fun-based exercises to develop movement and motor skills for children aged 4 to 6 years old. These skills form the basis for the later development of the specific skills for Gaelic Games. The level of competency with which one can perform these skills is referred to as their Level of Physical Literacy.
We are proud as Associations to say that we are contributing in a meaningful way to the physical literacy of the nation through this programme – which is currently active in over 1,000 clubs, comprising of more than 50,000 children supported by almost 10,000 coaches and volunteers.
To improve and enhance the programme we have developed a coach education element specifically for the volunteer working in this stage of the pathway. The workshop aligns with our coach development framework in that it meets the need of the player, the coach and is accessible i.e. ‘Just in Time-Just for Me’.
The workshop has been informed and influenced by our ongoing research into Coach Education, which identifies a lack of time, work/life balance, family commitments and course availability as some of the main barriers for potential coaches in upskilling. The new workshop has been developed to mitigate these factors and to potentially bring more coaches into the area and transition more into the more formal coaching ranks.
To become a qualified nursery coach, the participant must complete a 90 minute in person workshop and a 15-minute online recap along with their mandatory Safeguarding and Garda Vetting/Access NI requirements. This new workshop has been developed to cater for the needs of coaches that will coach at Nursery level (F1 Phase of the pathway).
Tobar, the eLearning platform, has been updated to include a full series of activities to help all clubs and coaches to plan their nursery sessions using the activity planner. This course will be available to participants following their attendance at the 90 minute workshop in their County. Keep an eye on the GAA, LGFA and Camogie Association websites, local county games development media, TOBAR and @gaalearning on X.
Full details on the Gaelic Games Nursery Programme are available at F1 Nursery Programme
Uachtarán CLG Jarlath Burns said: “The vibrant life of our clubs can be seen firsthand at the Gaelic games nursery sessions that take place in every corner of Ireland on weekend mornings. Today marks another significant milestone for the Gaelic Games community. The club nursery is, for many, the initial entry point into the club. Our goal is to have as many as possible involved in our native games for as long as possible. The important first steps in living up to this vision takes place here. With the launch of these new resources, we are providing both coaches and children with opportunities to learn and develop in a fun and inclusive environment. Mol an Óige agus Tiocfaidh Sí.”
Ladies Gaelic Football Association President, Trina Murray, said:“I am delighted to be associated with the launch of this nursery programme. Once again, members of the Gaelic Games family have come together in a hugely collaborative fashion to assist with the young stars of tomorrow as they take the first formative steps in our sport. I have witnessed at first hand the terrific work that is happening at nursery level and this programme will bring further shape and solidity to the wonderful work being carried out with young children."
Camogie Association President Brian Molloy said: “I am honoured on behalf of the Camogie Association, in collaboration with the GAA and LGFA, to be part of the launch of an innovative Nursery Workshop, complete with supporting activity videos and online coaching resources. This comprehensive suite of materials has been specifically designed to equip coaches with the knowledge and skills necessary to support the youngest participants in Gaelic Games.”