GAA Foundation Coaching Award

The Foundation Award is the introductory award for coaches of Gaelic Games (see image below). The course is aimed at beginner coaches and will enable participants to assist a coach in the organisation of activities to develop hurling or football.

The course is seven and a half hours in duration and covers four key modules, as well as introductory and conclusion modules. These four modules are:

• Introduction to Games

• Skill Development

• Movement Skills

• Coaching Children, Youths and Adults

Coaching Competencies to be developed

• Assist a coach in organising a programme of games and skill development activities appropriate to each participant's needs and abilities

• Identify the skills of hurling

• Assist a coach in organising progressive activities (drills and fun games) to develop five key skills

• Assist a coach in organising progressive activities to develop movement skills appropriate to Gaelic Games

• Assist a coach in organising and managing players for an effective practice session

• Build Rapport, Observe, Analyse, Explain, Provide Demonstration and Provide Positive Feedback to Players

Course Philosophy

The GAA is committed to implementing an integrated Coach Education Programme with a view to maximising participation, optimising playing standards and ensuring that players’ needs are catered for in a balanced way.

The course is designed to promote the development of the How to Coach skills through modelling of best practice, as demonstrated by the tutor, experimential learning and through the guided reflection on previous experiences – as a coach, player, official or parent – facilitated by the tutor.

Further Information can be found on the GAA's website here