Our TY GAA Future Leaders students had the opportunity to put their skills into practice on Friday. They spent the day in Douglas GAA club with our local Games Promotion Officer, Mr. Gary Sexton. 
 
The morning session was an introduction to the coaching of Gaelic games, teaching the girls some of the basics of coaching and fundamental movement skills. They learned about games and drills that help to develop skill acquisition and fundamental movements, central to the coaching of games with children. They also came up with their own drills for practice.
 
The next part of the day was a practical session, where students used their learning from the morning lessons to plan and conduct a coaching session with 5th and 6th class students from St. Luke’s N.S in Douglas. Actively engaging in a coaching scenario was new to most of our girls, and a little daunting, but they did a great job and learned a lot about how to put theory into practice. 
 
Students engaged in a group discussion after the practical session, reviewing their experience. They were then asked to discuss the top reasons for girls of their age to take up sport, and to also consider the top reasons they give up sport. 
 
During our last session in the afternoon, students learned about the running of, and rationale behind the Go Games, before focusing on training for more real game play situations. Students were shown drills that simulated game scenarios, for example, running into space, winning possession, defending against dispossession etc. They were then asked to create, demonstrate & coach their own drills for these scenarios.
 
A very enjoyable day was had by all involved!