The St. Brigid's GNS team huddle during the match between The Harold School, Glasthule, Dublin, and St. Brigid's GNS, Palmerstown, Dublin, on day two of the 2024 Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Finals at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Since the launch of the Gaelic Games Sport Science Framework, coaches are being increasingly encouraged to integrate psychological principles into their sessions and coaching practices.
There is now growing interest within Gaelic games in psychology, both in research and in practice: over 25% of 10,000 coaches surveyed showed an interest in learning more about psychology.
Based on research and policy in Gaelic games, a series of principles and practical strategies were recently proposed to help coaches of young players in Gaelic games to create playing environment that enhance the long-term participation, personal development, and wellbeing of players they work with.
The principles were captured with the phrase, SÍOL na nÓige. The word "síol" translates to "seed" in the Irish language. Just as a seed needs the right conditions to thrive and grow into a strong and healthy plant, the proposed principles can serve as conditions that facilitate the growth of young Gaelic games players.
The six key principles of Síol na nÓige are:
- Promote holistic development
- Create a learning environment to facilitate human development
- Develop coach-player relationships
- Optimise the motivational climate
- Build togetherness and belonging
- Put the emphasis on fun and enjoyment
You can read a brief summary of the principles and strategies on RTÉ Brainstorm here.
You can read a comprehensive overview of the proposed principles for psychologically-informed coaching of young players in Gaelic games in the Journal of Sport Psychology in Action here.
You can read a GAA.ie interview with one of the authors of the journal article, Dr. Trish Jackman, here.