Derry Ladies Feile Coaching Day 6th and 7th March

Derry girls were out in force at the weekend in preparation for the up coming Feile Competition.

Over 200 girls, affiliated to various club teams, took part in a coaching day held in three areas around the County.

Ballymaguigan were hosts to Ballinderry, Ardtrea, Castledawson and Moneymore. Owenbeg were the hosts to Dungiven, Craigbane, Banagher and Glen. Faughanvale hosted Ballerin and Steelstown.

The coaching days involved the girls being put through their paces by club coaches and ended with a few matches. All the girls that participated fully enjoyed the day and hopefully took with them a few skills that will help them in their league fixtures.

Many thanks go to the clubs that participated and also to Ballymaguigan, Faughanvale and Owenbeg for the use of their facilities. Each area was very well organised and there has been nothing but good feedback from the coaches involved.

It is hoped that another coaching day will be held before the end of the month and all clubs that are to participate in Feile will be represented on this occasion.

Steelstown Under 12 Footballers Back in Action

Steelstown u12 footballers started back on the 2nd February in St Brigid’s Secondary School Carnhill. Steelstown are running in conjunction with the school and their Year 8's. They train every Tuesday night 6.45pm – 8.15pm. Anyone from the Steelstown Area who'd like to come along are more than welcome to do so.

Swatragh Gaelic Practice Coaching

Diarmuid Scullion Magherafelt Area GPO, was in Swatragh on the 9th February for some Gaelic Practice coaching with Swatragh's U8's and U10's. 37 boys were coached and really enjoyed the session. In addition the 6 Swatragh coaches found the session really useful as it gave them a few new ideas for coaching the boys indoors.

Vhí Cul Camps 2009

As July is fast approaching Brian Smith Derry's Vhí Cul Camp coordinator begins to feel the pressure! Last year we had 2200 children through the Cul camps and we're expecting similiar numbers this year despite the economic downturn.

We are holding camps at the following clubs:

30/06/09 - 03/07/09
Castledawson, Glen, Greenlough, Slaughtneil

07/07/09 - 10/07/09
Kilrea, Lissan, Claudy

14/07/09 - 17/07/09

Ballymaguigan, Steelstown

21/07/09 - 24/07/09
Coleraine

28/07/09 - 31/07/09

Ballerin, Swatragh, Newbridge

04/08/09 - 07/08/09
Lavey, Bellaghy, Glen, Loup

11/08/09 - 14/08/09
Magherafelt, Desertmartin

17/08/09 - 20/08/09

Glenullin

18/08/09 - 21/08/09
Slaughtmanus, Drumsurn

The camps are targeted for boys and girls aged between 7 and 13. The cost to attend a camp are £30 for the first child in family, with reductions of £25 and £20 for the second and third respectively. Each child will get a strip, bag and water bottle to take home as well as some top class coaching from our coaches. If your child would like to attend any camp please contact your club coordinator or the County coordinator: Brian Smith, 79 Iniscarn Road, Magherafelt, BT45 5NQ. Tel 07918 703912.

April Coach Education

Coach Education Courses for April

New Foundation GAA Course @ Slaughtneil – Friday 3rd and Saturday 4th April
Slaughtneil club have organised this Foundation course for their own football, hurling and camogie members. If you have coaches within your club who would like to be a guest on this course send an email to ccollins@derry.gaa.ie The price of the course is £25 per person. If your club has over 10 coaches who would like to achieve this NGB it may be beneficial to organise a Foundation Course within your club.

Lucozade Sport Seminar – “Lifestyle: Getting the balance right” – Wednesday 8th April @ Owenbeg 7.30pm
Michael Toland will deliver this Lucozade Sport Coaching Seminar. This seminar will highlight a number of major lifestyle issues that will influence athletic performance. If the athlete is to ensure that their natural ability is maximised, every aspect of their lifestyle must be balanced.
The guidelines provided throughout this seminar will help in this regard. The three main area’s that will be discussed will be Exercise and Health, Rest and Recovery and Sleep.
This Course is open to everyone free of charge. Whether you’re working with Underage or seniors players there will be plenty of relevant information for you to take from this seminar

Hurling / Camogie Nursery Programme – Thursday 16th April @ Swatragh GAC 7.30pm
Kevin Kelly will deliver this indoor coach participation session and will look at drills, skills and games for players aged 4-8 years. Any queries regarding this course, please contact Kevin Kelly directly on 07920528794. Everyone is welcome to this free course.

New Foundation GAA Course @ Desertmartin – Friday 17th and Saturday 18th April
This will be the final Foundation course of the year. It will cover football, hurling and camogie. If you have coaches within your club who would like to take part on this course send an email to ccollins@derry.gaa.ie or call 07843232208. The price of the course is £25 per person and places are limited. The course will run on Friday night from 7.30pm to 10.00pm and on Saturday from 9am to 4.30pm. Everyone is welcome.

Pure Sport: Practical Sport Psychology Seminar – Thursday 23rd April @ Owenbeg 7.30pm
John Kremer a leading sport psychologist will deliver this coaching seminar. Pure Sport: Practical Sport Psychology explains in everyday language the whys and wherefores of contemporary sport psychology - pinpointing what works and what doesn’t when it comes to performance enhancement. By the end of the seminar coaches should have a number of exercises they will able to take back to the club and deliver with their players to enhance performance. John has co-authored a book with Aidan Moran called Pure Sport. Participants will be able to purchase a copy for the cost price of £10 if they wish to do so.