A specially designed framework for the development and provision of sports science at club and county level across Gaelic Games has been launched by the GAA, LGFA and Camogie Association.
A working group of experts chaired by Dr Aoife Lane has been working away over a period of two years to hone the development of guidelines in best practice that aim to make sports science accessible to not just elite inter-county teams but of relevance and benefit to players at every stage of the Gaelic Games Player Pathway.
“We’re very conscious of clubs investing a lot of money in specialists when there could and should be a pathway for club coaches to get some accreditation or qualification to be able to deliver content around athletic development, nutrition or performance analysis,” said Lane.
The purpose of this new guide is to provide a framework for the application of sports science across Gaelic Games that is aligned to the Gaelic Games Player Pathway.
Healthy and holistic player development may be led by the Gaelic Games workforce, and also coaches, teachers, parents and guardians, and can be supported by evidence-based education and qualified practitioners from various disciplines of sports science.
This sports science knowledge and experience is most beneficial to coaches and players when consistently and appropriately applied and delivered in practice within the values of Gaelic Games.
“Sports science has an important role to play in the ongoing evolution of our games,” added GAA President Larry McCarthy.
“Anything that aligns to our manifesto of Where We All Belong and enables us to fulfill our goal of having as many as possible play and be involved for as long as possible is an asset. ”
“Ireland continues to produce academics and practitioners, of world-class calibre in the cutting edge of sports science and we are fortunate to benefit from their interest in our games and have the opportunity to embed best practice for the aid of every player at every level.”
“The correct use of sports science, and its application, has helped to elevate our sport to new and exciting levels,” added Micheál Naughton, LGFA President.
“Sports science is now critically important in the preparation of elite level teams and can also help to increase participation levels at all grades. ”
“The Sports Science Framework outlines how sports science can be appropriately and effectively used for every player from club right through to elite level,” said Camogie Association President Hilda Breslin.
The six subgroups are; Athletic Development, Nutrition, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Sports Psychology, Performance Analysis and Skill Acquisition, with different elements being developed and a goal of having a full system in pace across all levels by 2030.
