Issue link: http://digitaleditions.uberflip.com/i/1473445
ZuCar GAELIC4TEENS Maggie Farrelly is well known in LGFA as one of our top referees. But Maggie also works as Education and Training Coordinator with the Donegal Local Sports Partnership. We recently partnered with Donegal LSP to roll out ZuCar Gaelic4Teens across the county. We spoke to her about the impact of this collaboration. HOW DID DONEGAL LSP JOIN FORCES WITH LGFA FOR THE GAELIC4TEENS PROGRAMME WITH ZUCAR? Previously, the LGFA conducted the Gaelic4Teens programme in collaboration with Wicklow and Cavan Local Sports Partnerships. Following each programme, an independent review was conducted and presented to LSPs. The information shared demonstrated the effectiveness of the collaboration and this prompted us to get in contact with Lyn Savage, LGFA National Development Manager, to investigate the possibility of working with Donegal Sports Partnership (DSP). As a result, a joint application for funding through Sport Ireland Dormant Accounts for the Gaelic4Teens programme was made and successful. HOW DOES THE GAELIC4TEENS PROGRAMME FIT INTO THE DONEGAL LSP PROGRAMME SCHEDULE? The Gaelic4Teens Programme is a club-based coach education programme, aimed at increasing the retention rate of teenage girls aged between 13-17 years. These objectives align with DSP's two key objectives: • To increase participation in sport and physical activity for the identified target groups. • To provide quality education and training opportunities in areas such as; coach and volunteer education, leadership and capacity building within clubs, communities and sporting organisations etc. The Donegal Sports Partnership's main objectives of 'Increasing Participation' and 'Promoting Quality Education and Training' are implemented through numerous programmes and events across its four pillars: Active Sports, Active Schools, Active Communities and Active Partnerships. The Gaelic4Teens programme is aligned to three of these pillars, namely Active Sports, Active Communities and Active Partnerships. ACTIVE SPORTS: The active sports pillar has seven goals, one of which is coach education. The Gaelic4Teens Programme supports clubs to develop and strengthen their coaching structures at local level. The growing demand for quality coach education and training is evident across all sports and at all levels throughout the county. This has a positive influence on our continued participation in our respective sports and encourages learning, thereby improving our coaching skills and knowledge base. The Gaelic4Teens programme provides opportunities for coaches to upskill through the provision of a series of online coach education workshops; coaching approach & behaviour, teaching games for understanding, lifestyle balance, good nutritional habits, physical considerations and coaching within the rules. All of these workshops are delivered by the Gaelic4Teens ambassadors, which provides a different voice and perspective for each topic. A VIEW FROM DONEGAL LOCAL SPORTS PARTNERSHIP www.ladiesgaelic.ie | SUMMER 2022 | 49