Ladies Gaelic Football

FEATURE Building Your Club Nursery "T he Art of Winning' Author and Renowned Philosopher Matshona Dhliwayo once asserted that "A small tree with deep roots stands better in turbulence than a large one with shallow roots". This perfectly captures the absolute necessity for clubs across the country to implement a Ladies Gaelic Football Nursery programme that will create that stability, sustainability, and facilitation of growth from within. For many clubs across the country the focus has, in the past, been on the adult teams and the excitement that they bring with both winning and indeed also the near misses. A forensic examination of any club reports and accounts across the country this winter will show that most resources and attention are, in the majority of cases, directed towards the adult teams in terms of facilities and provision of training. This mindset and club environment is akin to admiring and trimming the leaves of a tree whilst ignoring and neglecting the roots from where the nutrients are obtained. A club Nursey is the solid foundations of a club. They provide a strong, healthy base from which new children, of school entry age (4-7 years old), will be introduced to, and embedded in, a club and from where new parents, volunteers and coaches will feed the club Juvenile and Adult sections in years to come. It is with this club philosophy and ethos that equal attention and resources should be paid to the Nursery programme and section in any club, relative to others. It is, in essence, one of a club's main pillars of growth and a nursery coordinator and coordination team should enjoy the same esteem as an adult management team. The Club Nursery is in many cases a child's, and possibly parents' first introduction to sports and exercise in a planned and structured environment. A nursery should be a place of inclusion, where all participants along with parents and guardians feel safe and welcomed no matter what their ability or levels of skill. It should reflect its participants and be child-centered with play being the main theme of every activity that is undertaken. In recent years, paediatric research has shown that children will learn by doing and combining doing, with fun will invariably produce play. "The act of playing is an important tool that influences a child's life. The primary goals of childhood are to grow, learn, and play. It is often through play that children learn to make sense of the world around them. It is a child's "job" or "occupation" to play to develop physical coordination, emotional maturity, social skills to interact with other children, and self-confidence to try new experiences and explore new environments" - American Occupational Therapy Association 2020. 46 | WINTER 2020 | www.ladiesgaelic.ie Handy Tips and tricks for establishing a successful Nursery Programme: • Personnel - Have the right coordination team in place who can deliver a fun weekly and well-resourced event. • Logistics - Consider the time, resources, clashing events and environment. • Advertising - Link in with local schools and businesses to promote directly to potential families and create a social media campaign to generate online awareness. • Resources - Ensure that the club has provided the correct resources to enable the coordination team to execute the event in a fun and efficient style. • Atmosphere - Create that weekly fun, carnival event-style, inclusive, atmosphere. Handy Coaching tips to ensure that the maximum amount of play takes place in your Nursery: • Encourage Noise - The more noise the more fun the players are having. • Coaching Aids - Use Coaching aids and equipment to be as imaginative as possible. • Having A Ball!! - Every participant should have a ball or piece of playing equipment in use at all times. • Bring the Fun - Keep everything Fun with Play at the centre of your activities. • Everyone Active Always!! - There should be no waiting in line (unless it's a relay race). • It's Their Session!! - Let the children make up their own stations and games. • Add & Subtract - Progress or adapt your activities so each child has an opportunity to participate.

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