Galway camogie players Catherine Finnerty, Carrie Dolan, Niamh Hanniffy and hurler Evan Niland were among over 100 Gaelic Players Association (GPA) and Women’s Gaelic Players Association (WGPA) members who descended on the Johnstown Estate in Enfield in County Meath on Saturday, November 9th for the second annual GPA Rookie Camp. The event is aimed at players who have recently made the step up to senior inter-county panels, as a tool to help them balance their playing, study, work and personal lives.
The recent GPA report A Juggling Act: An Insight Into The
Lives of Student Inter-County GAA Players highlighted how players are
struggling to balance their playing and study commitments and recommended the
further development of the GPA Rookie Camp and its promotion to young players
from squads across the country.
The theme of the day was Preparing the Person Behind the Player in recognition of the fact that, while they may be known for their performances on GAA fields the length and breadth of the country, this is not what defines them as people. Induction programmes, such as the GPA Rookie Camp, are recognised worldwide in elite sport as a fundamental aspect of an athlete’s transition from the development squad to elite level.
Speakers on the day included Dublin Senior Footballer and
Sports Psychologist Kevin McManamon who delivered sessions on Building
Resilience; Associate Professor of Sport and Exercise Physiology in the School
of Health and Human Performance at Dublin City University Dr. Brendan Egan who
concentrated on Nutrition Education; Kieran File who is the Assistant Professor
at the University of Warwick and who spoke to Healthy and Harmful Social Media;
and Performance Coach Declan O’Connell who took the attendees through workshops
on Personal Development.
Attendees were also provided with practical education and
information on their responsibilities around anti-doping which was delivered by
Siobhan Leonard from Sport Ireland and Irish Canoeist Jenny Egan.
The day was divided into a mix of group information sessions
and smaller interactive workshops where players could discuss common challenges
that they face in their burgeoning inter-county careers.
Speaking about the event GPA CEO Paul Flynn said; “I know from my own experience that when I have balance in my life, I am better positioned to perform on the field of play. We want to assist all our members to find this balance. The GPA Rookie Camp is a great opportunity to introduce new members to their association, and provide practical tools and information about how best to maximise their time as an inter-county player on and off the field.”
This was the second year of the Rookie Camp with WGPA
members attending for the first time.
Chairperson of the WGPA Maria Kinsella said; “We were
delighted to join with the footballers and hurlers from the GPA at the Rookie
Camp for the first time, in exploring what a modern inter-county lifestyle
looks like for our young players. We
want our players to reach their full potential while staying healthy, mindful
and fulfilled throughout and the Rookie Camp represents a step on that
journey.”
