The document summarizes an audit of county GAA academy squads in Ulster, Northern Ireland. It examines medical support, coaching practices, player development programs, and challenges. Key findings include a lack of consistent approach across counties and the idea that "good enough isn't" when it comes to player development. The goal is developing well-rounded people, not just players, through age-appropriate coaching and support.

1. National Workgroup on Academies
Player Development - Developing the Person not the Player
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2. 2

3. 3
Medical Team U15 U16 U17 Minors
Yes No PT
Ye
s No PT Yes No PT Yes No PT
Doctor 1 8 9 6 3 2 4 3
Physiotherapist 3 5 1 2 5 2 3 3 3 9
Masseurs 9 9 2 7 5 3 1
Functional Movement screening 6 3 5 4 4 5 3 6
Drugs education 3 6 4 3 2 1 6 2 8 1
Cardiac screening 1 8 1 8 1 8 1 8
Rehab Programmes before returning to
coaches 1 8 2 6 1 2 3 4 6 2 1
During the period August-October 2012 Ulster GAA conducted
an audit of county Academy squads, reviewing the following:
1.Coach & Player Protocols
2.Support Team
3.Medical Support
4.Player Lifestyle Programme
5.Sport Science Support
6.Player Conditioning Programme
7.Coaching Practice

4. 4

5. 5

6. 6
Coach Dilemma
“Winning v Developmental
Philosophy”
“COACHES EGO”

7. 7
Building Blocks
“Support from within the
structures.
Facilities to deliver the
service”

8. 8
Stakeholder
Agreement
“Schools, clubs and counties
working together”

9. 9
Relevant Coach
Education
“Content must reflect the
needs of the coaching staff”

10. 1. Amber
2. Amber
3. Amber
4. Amber
5. Green
6. Green
7. Amber
8. Amber
9. Green
10. Amber
11. Amber
12. Red
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12. Supportive
No Fear
Competitive
Ownership
Mistakes
Constructive
Feedback
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14. 14

15. “GAAdoes more than develop
Players it also develops
People”
“We …the coachesat the heart of this”
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19. 19

20.  Vision and values
 The Person and the Player
 Systems to underpin development
 Academy delivery – GDM / Coach ®
 Player Perceptions – through their eyes®
 Club Skills Coaches ®
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24. Conclusion
“Lack of Consistent
Approach”
“Good enough isn’t”
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25. 25
“We are trying to understand young people through adult eyes”

26. 26

27. Conclusion
“Reflects a lack of Consistent
Approach”
“Good enough isn’t”
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30. 30
“Failure is crucial in human development. Whether as a coach,
player, parent or another vocation, embracing failure as part of
a journey towards improvement is crucial in the learning
process.”
Reed Maltbie
Importance of understanding the role of failure in development

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http://ulster.gaa.ie/development-squads/

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Derry Senior 30/10 - 33%
Derry U20 25/22 - 88%
Minor 38/35 - 92%
Cavan – 65 players collect
U21 Ulster medals – 57 came
through Academies

33.  County resources vary
 County Size – key factor in how squads are operating
 Shaping the Coaching Environments – “Challenge”
 Create situations – “develop decision makers”
 Establish Relationships – “understand the person”
 Nurture relationships – “know their environment”
 Be a creative Coach – “take risks”
 Don’t give up on people – “revolving door”
 Determine what is success – “better people”
 Flag conflicts – “sort them out with the coaches”
 Develop joint “Curriculum” – “establish leaders”
 Don’t bubble wrap – “develop mental strength”
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