This Leading Gaelic Games in the Primary School Teacher Summer Course is a blended course using the Association's new Learning and Development Community Portal (TOBAR). The face-to-face element runs over two days face-to-face and approximately twelve hours on online modules to be completed thereafter.

This course was borne from the long-established partnership between Mary Immaculate College and the Munster Council of the GAA in the provision of professional development to teachers. In 2024, this course will be offered across the entire country.

It will develop teachers’ knowledge and skill in the teaching of Gaelic Games in the primary school, focusing in particular on coaching, coaching skills, managing and planning coaching programmes, including those that involve the participation of visiting coaches.

Modules will include physical literacy and movement skill development, the teacher as coach, the social context of Gaelic Games in schools and whole-school planning, and effective use of teaching and other resources.  Participants will be enabled to:

• Understand the Role of Gaelic games Coaching in the Primary School
• Develop Physical Education within the School Plan
• Develop a detailed program of Gaelic games coaching at all levels in the school
• Develop movement skills of children and apply the skills to games
• Design an inclusive Gaelic games policy for their school
• Use the resources of the Gaelic Games organisations to assist in the physical and mental development of their pupils

The course will also address particular issues such as inclusion, curriculum integration and linkage within PE, and games as part of a healthy school environment. Being largely practical-based, it aims to introduce teachers to Gaelic games - hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, ladies Gaelic football, handball and rounders.

Courses are organised by Local Education Centre's under the remit of the Department of Education and Skills. The courses are delivered by GAA Games Development staff and coach developers (tutors).

Venue: McHale Park Stadium, Castlebar for the face to face element of the course

Dates: 12 hours Face to Face - Tuesday 2nd, Wednesday 3rd July 2024

Times: 9.30am - 2.00pm for the face to face element of the course, 8 hours online