Women’s Student Coaching Academy Workshop
During the 2021-22 academic year Student Sport Ireland , Athletics Ireland with the support of Sport Ireland, 25 Higher Education Campuses and 9 other National Governing Bodies across the country, have established the first ever Women’s Student Coaching Academy. This programme is an opportunity for female students in 3rd level study various supports to excel and strengthen their coaching during their studies.
On April 20th, all the students across the various sports gathered at the GAA National Games Development Centre, on the Sport Ireland Campus for a coaching workshop day. Grace Casey (DCU), Orlaith O Brien (Carlow IT), Ciara Reilly (Dundalk IT), Chloe Wasson (MTU), Rachel Keane (UL) and Alannah O’Flaharty (MTU) have been representing athletics throughout the programme and have been exemplary leaders of coaching in their respective of events.
Liam Moggan hosted the first in person workshop with all the students, he comes with a wealth of information, knowledge and experience from his involvement in high performance and grassroot coaching. He encouraged participants to execute their coaching in a holistic manner and was a major advocate for collaboration and networking amongst the group. He emphasized that you are always coaching one individual and encouraged the participants to engage with their athletes on a deeper level as being one of the crucial components of being a good coach.
Participants also had the opportunity to have the chance to listen and ask questions in a panel discussion with Jessie Barr (Olympian and Sports Psychologist in the Sport Ireland Institute), Niamh Briggs (Former Ireland and Munster Rugby International, and now assistant coach with the Irish Women’s Rugby team), Liam Moggan (Former PE Teacher, Multi-sport coach and former coaching co-ordinator with Coaching Ireland, and Niall Williams (Coaching Officer with the Camogie Association). The panellists spoke of the backgrounds in sport and the journey from playing sport to working and coaching in sport. A key message from the four panellists was for the students in the academy to say “Yes” to all opportunities to coach with a club or a team and to always be ready to learn and sign up to courses such as the Women’s Student Coaching Academy to hear other people’s experiences and thoughts.
Speaking afterwards, Grace Casey from DCU noted “The WSCA workshop was a great day for meeting other girls in the course with similar interests and sharing our ideas. Liam Moggan facilitated an excellent day and gave great insight to the coaching world. There were lots of interactive opportunities which were a great way to learn from each other. The panel discussion allowed us to voice any questions or concerns we had relating to coaching experiences.”
Orlaith O Brien from Carlow IT highlighted the benefits of participating in the programme due to the additional mentorship support all participants receive, “I have benefited greatly from a mentor who has highlighted my goals and provided me with an action plan I can undertake to better myself as a coach. During the get together in Dublin, I personally enjoyed learning about the debrief method. This reminded me how important our personal skills are, not just our knowledge on the sport. I am very grateful to have had this opportunity to learn and grow with the WSCA.”
"Overall I thought the WSCA programme was a positive experience and there was lots to be gained. By dipping my toes in the coaching aspect of athletics with the guidance of my mentor Dave Sweeny I got to appreciate and get a greater understanding of coaching athletes. I would definitely recommend any girl in third level education with an interest in coaching to get involved next year in the academy."
For more information on the upcoming WSCA Programme for 2022/2023 , please contact Lillyannohora@athleticsireland.ie
