On Saturday, March 1st, the National Games Development Centre in Abbottstown hosted the 3rd annual Camogie Development Forum. With nearly 30 development coaches from across the country in attendance, the event provided an invaluable opportunity for learning, collaboration, and growth.
The day featured two expert-led workshops, each focusing on key aspects of player development and coaching strategies.
Workshop 1: Pathway to Performance – A Strategic Approach to Implementing an Athletic Development Model
Delivered by Declan Browne, Lecturer and Programme Director for the MSc in Strength & Conditioning at Southeast Technological University, as well as Director of Athletic Performance for Wexford GAA, this session provided deep insights into optimizing player development.
Key areas covered included:
- Understanding the key components of an effective athletic development model.
- Strategies for maximizing player contact time with minimal disruption.
- Identifying challenges in resource-limited environments and exploring practical solutions.
- A practical demonstration of an athletic development pathway in action.
Workshop 2: Integrating Game Analysis to Enhance Coaching & Training Design
Presented by Tomas Mount, Assistant Lecturer at TU Dublin and a specialist in Sports Performance Analysis, this session explored the role of game analysis in coaching effectiveness.
Key topics included:
- Developing a clear understanding of the coaching process and its key components.
- Creating structured templates for gathering actionable insights from game analysis.
- Utilizing collected data effectively to inform coaching decisions and training priorities.
- Exploring various feedback methods to enhance player understanding and development.
- Designing and implementing technical skill sessions based on performance data and analysis.
This year’s Camogie Development Forum was an outstanding learning and networking opportunity for all attendees, building on the success of the four-week online series that concluded in December 2024. We look forward to seeing these coaches apply their knowledge in the coming months, helping to elevate the standard of camogie development nationwide.
