Dublin GAA Coaching & Games Development Update - October 2026

Award 1 Child Training Days   

Parnell Park recently hosted two Award 1 Child training days for Dublin GAA Games Promotion Officers (GPOs), focusing on the newly developed syllabus by Dublin GAA coaching and Games Department.  

The sessions provided GPOs with an opportunity to familiarise themselves with the updated course content, explore new coaching resources and engage in practical activities and group discussions. A key emphasis was placed on delivering a consistent, child-centred approach to coaching, with a focus on skill development, fundamental movement skills, decision-making and creating positive learning environments for young players. 

These training days mark another important step in the rollout of the new syllabus, ensuring our GPOs are equipped with the knowledge and resources to deliver high-quality coach education across clubs throughout Dublin. 

A big thank you to everyone involved for their engagement and contribution across both days! 

Coach Developer Course Starting  

This past month we saw our Coach Developer Course commence for 2026/27. This course aims at upskilling coaches and equipping them with the knowledge, confidence and practical skills to deliver their own coach education courses. 

The programme provides participants with an opportunity to further develop their coaching expertise, enhance their communication and course delivery skills, and share knowledge with fellow coaches. This initiative is an important step in strengthening our coach education network and ensuring high-quality coaching continues to develop across clubs throughout Dublin. 

Award 2 Child commencing  

Dublin GAA Coaching and Games Department has commenced its Award 2 Child Coaching Course over the past month, providing coaches with an opportunity to further develop their knowledge and skills in coaching young players. 

The course builds on previous coach education qualifications, focusing on creating positive learning environments, developing age-appropriate coaching practices and enhancing player development. This initiative reflects the department's ongoing commitment to supporting coaches and improving the standard of coaching across clubs throughout Dublin. 

Dublin GAA Showcases Physical Literacy Programmes at International Conference in France 

Dublin GAA was represented at the International Physical Literacy Conference (IPLC 2026), held in Toulouse, France, from 1–3 October. The conference, organised by Sport for Life, brought together researchers, practitioners, educators and sporting organisations from across the world to share knowledge and explore how physical literacy can support lifelong participation in physical activity. 

Ger O’Connor, Dublin GAA's Director of Coaching and Club Development, was invited to contribute to an international panel discussion exploring "What Quality Programmes for Children Really Look Like". The presentation showcased Dublin GAA's Ready to Play nursery programmes, highlighting how Gaelic Games can provide children with positive early experiences of movement, play and physical activity. 

A central theme was the importance of supporting volunteer coaches to create child-centred environments where children can develop fundamental movement skills, build confidence, make friends, have fun and, most importantly, develop a lifelong love of being active. The discussion also highlighted Dublin GAA's approach to coach education and development, recognising that the quality of children's experiences depends not only on the programmes we design but also on the knowledge, confidence and support provided to the volunteers who deliver them. 

Reflecting on the conference, Ger commented: 

"For me, quality isn't just about the programme on paper. It's about the experience of the child, how we support our volunteer coaches, how we listen to parents and how we continually reflect on and improve what we do." 

A particularly thought-provoking conclusion to the conference came from Professor Fiona Chambers, whose closing address challenged delegates to consider the future of physical literacy and the importance of creating environments and communities where everyone has the opportunity to move, participate and thrive. 

The conference provided a valuable opportunity to share the work being undertaken across Dublin GAA while also learning from international research and practice. 

The key message was clear: physical literacy is about much more than developing movement skills. It is about creating positive experiences, building confidence and developing the motivation to remain physically active throughout life. 

For Dublin GAA, this reinforces the importance of investing in our nursery programmes, supporting volunteer coaches and ensuring that every child's first experience of Gaelic Games is a positive, enjoyable and meaningful one.