THE ROLE OF THE GDA
Munster Coaching & Games Development Committee GDA Roles and Responsibilities
The Role of the GDA. A GDA (Games Development Administrator) is many things to many people, it all depends on the requirements of the club/school/group that the GDA works with. A GDA has many roles, listed here are roles and responsibilities of a GDA.
GDA’s Main Area of Work
The following are the areas of responsibility to be covered by the GDA during the year
- Club Development (Admin & Planning)
- Primary Schools
- Post Primary Schools
- Academies
- Camp Programme
- Go Games Blitzes/Leagues
- Super Touch Blitzes/Leagues
- Skills Tests
- Adult Club Development
- Coach and Referee Education
- Planning and Reporting (MIS & TMS)
- Promotion & Publicity
The Role of the GDA – Club Development:
Club Development will continue to be the most important element of the GDAs work with the emphasis on recruitment along with developing proper coaching and administrative structures. It is vital that the GDA establishes a strong and trusting relationship with all clubs in the division. The GDA has a major role in ensuring all clubs receive the necessary support to develop. Delivery of The Munster Club Child Development Programme, internal and external blitzes, coaching inputs, courses! workshops are all important parts of the GDA’s work in this area. In order to ensure the proper delivery of all of these projects we would see the GDA playing a major role in identifying and training club personnel.
Club Visits:
In order to establish and develop proper working relationships the GDA must visit at least three clubs per week. These visits will be about developing a better club coaching structure as well as helping the club to identify areas to improve the overall club structure. Working with the County Development Officer and local club facilitators will help.
Produce a needs analysis for all Clubs:
Each GDA should visit all their clubs within the first 2 months of the year. Conducting a SWOT analysis for all clubs at the beginning of each year is necessary and vital. This will allow the GDA to be more specific in relation to individual club development. The outcome of this analysis should be relayed to the local club, County Games Manager and County Development Officer.
Wall Ball Challenges:
To develop the skills of Hurling and Football coaches need to be educated to understand the value of Wall Ball and how it can be developed in each club.
Divisional Club Meetings/workshops:
The GDA will organise Divisional age appropriate Meetings/Workshops to educate coaches and mentors on best practice in relation to player development.
Munster Club Visitation Programme:
The Club Visitation Programme is a vital part of the overall club plan. It will be coordinated by the GDA.
Munster Club Child Development Programme:
Developing a strong nursery section in each club is vital. The role of the GDA is to assist the club in developing this programme.
Provide Coaching Courses for new and existing coaches:
All coaches need to be qualified. The GDA needsto organise coaching courses at all levels and strands. Roll out and deliver the “Coach 10 “model.
Organise Internal Blitzes:
The GDA will help clubs organise blitzes at Go Games level, u/13.uf14,u/15.uX16 etc
Organise Cluster Blitzes:
The GDA will help clubs organise “cluster” blitzes at Go Games level, u/13,u/‘l4,u/15,u/16 etc
Organise Skill Star Challenge for Club players:
To encourage players to practice on their own GDAs will organise “Skill Tests” to assess the skill development of the players.
Design a Coaching/training Session Booklet for Coaches:
GDAs will design an age appropriate coaching session booklet for all club coaches. The GDA will also organise training on the GAA ELearning Portal for club coaches.
Organise Camps:
The GDA will help the club organise National Cul in addition to other club camps.
Indoor Hurling and Football :
The GDA will assist clubs to organise and run Indoor Football and Hurling sessions. *
After Schools Programme:
The GDA may organise after school programmes for clubs.
Club Coaching Officer:
The GDA must ensure that all clubs appoint an active Coaching Officer
——————————————————————————–
The Role of the GDA – Primary Schools:
The emphasis here should be on developing the Club/School Link, Coaching lnputs, ABC Nursery Programmes, Go Games, U Can Skill Awards, Organising Internal and External Blitzes. In order to deliver these programmes the GDA must involve teachers, club school coaches and other volunteers.
Produce a needs analysis tor all Schools:
Conducting a SWOT analysis for all schools at the beginning of each year is necessary and vital. This will allow the GDA to be more specific in relation to individual school development. The outcome of this analysis should be relayed to the local club and County Games Manager.
Produce a Primary Schools Coaching Programme:
The GDA will meet with all schools in the division/area and agree regular GAA coaching slots for over the course of the year. These slots may be delivered by teachers, club/school coaches or other volunteers in conjunction with the GDA
Deliver Coaching Inputs:
In conjunction with or in the absence of teachers, club/school coaches or other volunteers the GDA will deliver practical coaching inputs in all schools.
Develop a Club/School Link Programme:
The GDA will meet with the club with the view to establishing a Club/School Link. He/she will identify and agree with the school suitable potential candidates. The GDA will design the coaching programme and train the coaches appropriately to deliver this programme. Continuous monitoring of the programme and upskilling of the coaches is an important part of the GDA’s work in this area. Developing a strong link between the Primary School and the local club continues to be a priority.
Run Internal Go Games Leagues:
To complement the Coaching programme the GDA needs to ensure that all schools organise and run internal Go Games leagues andfor blitzes for all classes 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th & 6th)
Run External Go Games Cluster Blitzes at Divisional level:
The GDA needs to coordinate and organise (in conjunction with Cumann na mBunscol external Go Games leagues and or blitzes for all classes at divisional level {2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th & 6th)
Run the ABC/Nursery Programme:
The GDA must organise and develop a sport specific ABC/Nursery programme in all schools (Junior infants, Senior Infants and 15‘ Class)
Deliver U Can Skill Awards Programme:
To assess the skill development of all pupils { 2nd, 3rd, 4th ,5th & 6th) the GDA will organise and run the U Can skill tests. These skill tests should be delivered twice a year.
Organise a yearly Primary Teachers Coaching Course/workshop:
To complement the work of the GDA and the Club/School link the GDA needs to organise at the beginning of each year a coaching course/workshop for all interested teachers. This will allow teachers to develop the players during the school week when the GDA and/or the Club/School link are not present.
Develop a Coaching Booklet for Teachers/Coaches:
The GDA’s along with the Games Manager in each county will develop a best practice, age appropriate coaching booklet for all teachers/coaches. The ‘Fun Do’ learning resource pack should be used.
Design a Wet Day Programme:
The GDA will design an appropriate coaching programme for wet and/or cold days. Regardless of weather conditions GAA inputs should always take place.
Organise a School GAA Project Competition:
To help promote the GAA both locally and nationally the GDA will assist the local club and school in organising a school GAA Project Competition each year. All projects to be displayed in the local club for at least one week.
Organise Indoor Hurling & Football Competitions:
The GDA will organise and assist in running Indoor competitions for both codes (in conjunction with Cumann na mBunscol).
——————————————————————————–
The Role of the GDA – Post Primary School
The emphasis at Post Primary Level should be on tst and 2nd year internal and extemal blitzes (Super 7’s, 9’s, 11’s). developing Super Games Centres, coaching inputs for both elite and non-elite players, developing school support groups, coach and referee education and life skills courses Flegular teacher upskilling is also crucial
Produce a needs analysis for all Schools:
Conducting a SWOT analysis for all schools at the beginning of each year is necessary and vital. This will allow the GDA to be more specific in relation to individual school development. The outcome of this analysis should be relayed to the local clubs, County Games Manager and Post Primary Schools Development Officer.
Deliver Coaching inputs:
In conjunction with or in the absence of teachers and a school support structure involvement the GDA delivers practical coaching inputs in all schools
Organise Internal Super 7’s/9’s/11’s:
To complement the Coaching programme the GDA will ensure that all schools organise and run internal leagues and/or blitzes for all classes (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th)
Organise External Super 7’s/9’s/11’s:
The GDA needs to coordinate and organise (in conjunction with the Post Primary Schools Body) external leagues and/or blitzes for all classes at county level (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th).
Organise Wall Ball Challenge:
To develop technical skills in both Hurling and Football the GDA should organise Wall Ball Challenge in all schools
Organise and run Skills Star Challenge:
To assess the skill development of pupils in ‘lst and 2nd year the GDA will organise and run the Skills Star Challenge. These skill tests should be delivered by teachers and TY Students.
Organise a Coaching Courses for Teachers:
The GDA will organise at the beginning of each year a coaching course/workshop for all interested teachers. Training on the GAA ELearning Portal should be a vital part of these courses.
Deliver Transition/Life Skills Courses:
The GDA will organise and run Transition Year/Life Skills Course tor all interested students The students who complete the course will deliver a set number of coaching inputs in the local club or school when the course is complete.
Organise Go Games/Young Referee Courses:
The GDA will organise and run Go Games/Young referees courses in all Post Primary Schools at the beginning of each year. The qualified referees should then be used in internal and external leagues/blitzes as well as primary and club competition where required.
Establish a School Support Structure in each school:
The GDA will organise meetings at the beginning of the year with all clubs in the catchment area of the local Post Primary school with a view to setting up a School Support Structure. Clubs in the locality should assist the school with facilities, funding, resources and coaches where required.
Establish Club within the School:
The GDA with the assistance of teachers will set up a GAA Club in each Post Primary School. The purpose of the club is to get pupils and teachers WOrkil’1g together to promote and develop the GAA in the school.
Develop a Coaching Booklet for Teachers! Coaches:
The GDA’s along with the Games Manager in each county will develop a best practice, age appropriate coaching booklet for all teachers/coaches.
Meet with the principal at least twice a year:
The GDA should meet yearly with school principal with a view to planning and reviewing the schools coaching programme.
Develop a Coaching Team Within the School:
The GDA should attempt to develop a coaching team within each school. He/she should meet with the teachers and outside coaches to develop a plan. This plan should involve identifying and training coaches who will train all school teams to the highest possible standards.
——————————————————————————–
The Role of the GDA – Coaching Academies
The GDA will coordinate and facilitate the organisation and delivery of Academy Squads, Divisional Squads, Cross Provincial Blitzes and Cg lomaint/Peil. The GDA also has a role to play if required in the identification and training of personnel for all these squads.
Academy Squads:
The GDA if required should coordinate and facilitate the organisation and delivery of Academy squads at all ages as per the county structural plan.
Divisional Academy Squads:
The GDA should coordinate and facilitate the organisation and delivery of divisional squads where required.
Cross Provincial Blitzes:
The GDA needs to coordinate and facilitate the organisation of Cross Provincial Blitzes/Challenge Games for divisional squads where necessary.
0g lomaint:
The GDA needs to be available to coach, coordinate and organise Og lomaint.
0g Peil:
The GDA needs to be available to coach, coordinate and organise Og Peil.
——————————————————————————–
The Role of the GDA – Camp Programme:
The GDA has a major role to play in the promoting, coordinating and delivery of the National Cul Camp Programme. Liaising with clubs and schools, promoting the camps all year round is necessary. The GDA should also help clubs organise and run Easter and Halloween camps if necessary.
Ensure all Clubs run a National Cul Camp:
The GDA needs to ensure that all clubs in the division/area run a National Cul Camp.
Promoting the National Cul Camps in Primary Schools and Clubs:
The G-DA should promote the Cul Camps all year round in local Primary schools and clubs to ensure as many boys and girls attend.
Cul Camp Coordinators:
The GDA should assist the County Cul Camp Coordinator in identifying and training individual camp coordiriators.
Cul Camp Coaches:
The GDA will assist where required with the identifying and training of Cul Camp Coaches
Easter and Halloween Camps:
The GDA should assist clubs in organising Easter and/or Halloween camps where necessary.
——————————————————————————–
The Role of the GDA – Go Games Blitzes/Leagues:
The GDA needs to help organise and run Club and School Go Games Blitzes where necessary for all ages from 6 to 12 years. He/she must also promote and help organise and run the Munster Go Games Blitzes.
Internal Club Go Games Blitzes/Leagues:
The GDA should help all clubs in the division to organise and run Internal Go Games Blitzes/Leagues at u8, u9, ul0, u11 and u12 ages
Divisional Club Go Games Blitzes/Leagues:
The GDA needs to organise and run Divisional Club Go Games Blitzes/Leagues at u8, u9, ul0, u11 and u12 ages
County Club Go Games Blitzes/Leagues:
The GDA needs to help organise and run County Club Go Games Blitzes/Leagues at u8, u9, ul0, u11 and u12 ages
Munster Club Go Games Blitzes/Leagues:
The GDA should help promote, organise and run Munster Club Go Games Blitzes as requested.
Internal Primary Go Games Blitzes/Leagues:
The GDA needs to organise and run Internal Primary Go Games Blitzes in all schools in the division for the following classes (2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th)
Divisional Primary Go Games Blitzes/Leagues:
The GDA needs to organise and run Divisional Primary Go Games Blitzes for the following classes (2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th)
County Primary Go Games Blitzes/Leagues:
The GDA needs to help organise and run County Primary Go Games Blitzes for the following classes (2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th)
——————————————————————————–
The Role of the GDA – Super Touch Blitzes/Leagues:
The GDA needs to help organise and run Club and School Super Touch Blitzes where necessary for all ages from l3 to 17 years. He/she must also help organise and run the Munster Super Touch Blitzes at both club and school levels.
Divisional Club Super Touch Blitzes/Leagues:
The GDA needs to organise and run Divisional Club Super Touch Blitzes for all ages from 13 to 17 years where necessary.
County Club Super Touch Blitzes/Leagues:
The GDA needs to help organise and run County Club Super Touch Blitzes for all ages from 13 to 17 years where required
Munster Club Super Touch Blitzes/Leagues:
The GDA needs to help organise and run Munster Club Super Touch Blitzes for all ages from 13 to l7 years where required.
Internal Post Primary Super Touch Blitzes/Leagues:
The GDA needs to organise and run Internal Post Primary SuperTouch Blitzes in all schools in the division for the following years (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th)
Divisional and County Post Primary Super Touch Blitzes/Leagues:
The GDA needs to organise and run Internal Post Primary Super Touch Blitzes in all schools in the division and county for the following years (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th)
Super Games Centres (SGC‘s):
To address the lack of games opportunities for youth players the GDA will ensure that Super Games Centres are promoted, organised and delivered where necessary. The SGC will take place outside of school hours at a central venue and ideally should provide games for all youth players.
——————————————————————————–
The Role of the GDA – Skills Tests:
The GDA needs to oversee specific age appropriate skill tests at Primary School, Post Primary School, Club and Academy level. He/she will help in the designing of tests and the recording of all necessary information.
Primary School:
The GDA should conduct a skills assessment/test for all classes (2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th) on a regular basis.
Divisional Primary Skills Competition:
The GDA should organise and conduct a skills competition at divisional level each year.
County Primary Schools Skills Competition:
The GDA should if required assist in organising and conducting a county skills competition each year.
Munster Primary Schools Skills Competition:
The GDA should if required assist in organising and conducting the Munster Primary Schools skills competition each year
Post Primary Schools Skills Assessment:
The GDA needs to devise and conduct a skills assessment/test for all players in Post Primary Schools.
Club Skills Assessment:
The GDA should encourage and assist clubs to conduct a skills assessment/test for all players at U8, U10, Ul2, Ul4, Ul6 every 6 weeks.
Academy Skills Assessment:
The GDA should help design and conduct where required a skills assessment/test for all players on Academy Squads.
——————————————————————————–
The Role of the GDA – Adult Involvement:
While initially the GDA’s main area of work was at Juvenile Level there is now a growing demand for involvement with adult clubs. More adult clubs are now looking for help and it is important that our full time personnel provide whatever assistance is required.
Linking Juvenile to Adult Section in each club:
The GDA needs to show clubs how they can link their juvenile to their adult section. He/she needs to ensure that all juvenile players are incorporated into adult teams.
Rural Depopulation:
The GDA needs to provide help and assistance to clubs who are experiencing difficulties as a result of rural depopulation.
Urbanisation:
The GDA needs to provide help and assistance to clubs in Urban areas who are growing at a fast rate and struggling to deal with the increase in population.
Addressing Burn out and Drop Out:
The GDA needs to provide divisional and club workshops and to address all issues around player burn out and drop out.
Recruiting and Training Volunteers, Officers and Mentors:
The GDA must help clubs in recruiting and training volunteers, officers and mentors. Clubs need guidance on the various methods of recruiting and retaining volunteers.
Meet the whole Club:
The GDA must arrange a full club meeting at the beginning and end of each year with the whole club (Officers, Coaches, Mentors & Volunteers)
——————————————————————————–
The Role of the GDA – Coach and Referee Education:
The delivery of a fully comprehensive coach education programme is a vital part of the GDA’s work. This will involve the delivery oi coaching courses at all levels. The GDA is also responsible for providing workshops and running the Munster Club Child Development Programme in his/her division.
Coaching Courses:
All coaches need to be qualified. The GDA needs to organise Foundation, Award 1,2,3 4 etc coaching courses at all levels and strands.
Coach 10/MVA Courses:
All coaches need to be qualified. The GDA should organise coaching courses at all levels and strands. Roll out and deliver the “Coach 10 model.
Gaelic 15:
The GDA needs to roll out the Gaelic 15 Warm Up to all clubs and coaches.
Coaching WorkshopslClinics:
The GDA should organise and deliver Workshops in divisions on specific age related topics
Coaching Conferences:
A County Coaching Conference should be run every second year. The GDA should if required help organise and run the event.
Child Protection Courses:
The GDA needs to ensure that all clubs have access to Child Protection/welfare courses
Referee Development:
The GDA needs to ensure that there are sufficient trained referees available to deliver all the games programmes. He/she should organise Go Games Referee Courses.
——————————————————————————–
The Role of the GDA – Planning and Reporting;
Planning and Reporting is a major part of the GDA’s work. He/she is required to report on all activities either through the TMS or MIS.
MIS Reporting:
Report all data on Games Development Activity on MIS.
TMS Reporting:
The GDA is required to record his daily work on the Time Management System {TMS).
Reporting To County Games Manager:
The GDA needs to report on all activities to the County Games Manager
Reporting to Coaching & Games Committee:
The GDA must report to the County Games Development Committee during the year when requested to outline areas of progress and concern in specific areas
Reporting to Divisional Board:
The GDA must report to the Divisional Board during the year. He/she should also report to the County Board when requested.
Yearly Plan:
The GDA needs to produce and agree an outline yearly plan with the County Games Manager
Monthly Plan:
The GDA needsto produce and agree a monthly plan with the County Games Manager
Weekly Plan:
Every GDA needs to produce and agree a detailed weekly plan with the County Games Manager.
——————————————————————————–
The Role of the GDA – Promotion and Public Relations:
The GDA needs to constantly promote all the activities that are organised and delivered.
Social Media (Face-book, Twitter etc]:
Promoting through social media is vital for the GDA to inform and interact with the wider GAA community
Divisional Meetings:
Divisional meetings where all clubs within the GDAs area are present are very important so as to update clubs of activities covered and inform clubs on activities planned.
Newsletter:
The GDA should help produce a Divisional/County Newsletter quarterly. This should outline all activities covered and planned including photographs.
——————————————————————————–
PROVINCIAL GAMES MANAGERS Munster
Joe Carton
O87-9215541
joe.carton.rnunster@gaa.ie
Pat O’Shea
087-6157317
pat.oshea.munster@gaa.ie
COUNTY GAMES MANAGERS
WATERFORD
Eoin Breathnach
087-9219345
eoin.breathnach.gda.waterford@gaa.ie
CORK
Kevin O’Callaghan
086-8532375
kevin.ocaliaghan.gm.cork@gaa.ie
KERRY
Donal Daly
087-2260621
donal.daly.gda.kerry@gaa.ie
CLARE
Sean Chaplin
083-1014430
sean.chaplin.gpo.clare@gaa.ie
LIMERICK
Noel Hartigan
087-9581568
noel.hartigan.gda.limerick@gaa.ie
TIPPERARY
Denis Maher
086-3551830
denis.maher.gda.tipperary@gaa.ie
