Page 22 - Producing a Video to Communicate a New Model of Coaching to GAA Coaches

Photo 1.5 My mother Ella D’Arcy at an U-8 memorial blitz for my father

The things I value in life then have been informed by my environment, my

upbringing and my experiences. Among the most fundamental of these experiences

are those I have had with Gaelic games. Through Gaelic games I found a passion. As
part of those teams I grew to value collaboration and teamwork and through my role

as a leader and facilitator of collective endeavour, I became to belong to my
community, and learned that in valuing all of these it is my responsibility to give

back so that those values can be reinforced and passed on to the next generation.

Ultimately I value relationships and I believe that through working together we
develop personally and collectively.

With this deep sense of passion for Gaelic games formed in my youth, I undertook a
BSc in Sport & Exercise Science in the University Limerick after completing Post-

Primary School, and can recall thinking that my dream job would be in coach
education for the GAA! Gaining that opportunity in 2001, when I was first employed

as Coaching & Referee Coordinator for the GAA, was a proud day for me and my

parents, who had nurtured that seed of passion throughout my childhood.

I feel then a responsibility to bring that passion, along with my own understanding of

the value of the GAA gained through my formative experiences, to my work. In my
current role I have an opportunity to impact on the development of coaching practice

in the GAA and in taking that opportunity I aim to reinforce the aspect of coaching

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