Overview
Louth GAA Performance/Talent Development Lead role at GAA
Role/Purpose: The role of the Louth GAA Performance Lead will be to operate within a national approach aligned to both the Gaelic Games Player and Coach Pathways. This person will lead the delivery of a National Strategy to improve the quality, coherence and consistency of player and coach development in the county.
Reports/Accountable to: The County Performance/Talent Development Lead reports to the County Head of Games Development. They will work closely with the County Officers, including the County Chairman, Secretary/CEO and Games Development Committee to implement the games development programmes in the County.
Working Relationships
* County, Provincial and National Staff
* County Coaching Officer, the County Games Development Steering Committee and County Coaching and Games Development Committee
* Club Coaching Officers
* Primary and Post-Primary and 3rd level Schools
* Club and Inter-County Coaches
* Sports Science Providers and Medical Support
Principle Accountabilities
Strategic Management
* With the County Head of Games and County Coaching and Games Committee lead, manage and monitor the delivery of the county's player development strategy to improve the quality, coherence and consistency for player and coach development and sports science supports to enhance player welfare; including recruitment of coaches/specialists, data collection, management and reporting, reviewing and feedback, annual reporting, and budget management; Strategy Development
* Support the County Head of Games and the County Coaching and Games Development Committee in determining the allocation of resources and investment in relation to county participation and retention activities
* In conjunction with the County Head of Games develop an annual plan to support the implementation of the county talent and elite player pathways in line with Association policies
* Work with LGFA (Ladies Gaelic Football Association) and Camogie Associations on the alignment of Sports Science supports
* Contribute as required to the development of GAA national coaching and games strategy and associated policies related to player and coach pathways
People Management
* Identify, recruit, and train a team of coaches, coach developers and sports science support staff to ensure the goals of the county talent development strategy are achieved; provide guidance to the County Committee on appointment of people in high-performance/elite stages
* Oversee and work with stakeholders to provision and monitor performance support for elite talent and high-performance teams in the county as per national guidelines
* Coordinate and supervise other county personnel to formulate weekly/monthly work programmes with the County Head of Games
* Liaise regularly with team coaches and mentors to ensure they receive the required support
* Lead and support a team of Coach Developers in the County to deliver coach development
Leadership and Governance
* Advise and assist the County Head of Games, the County Coaching and Games Committee and County Officers with the development and implementation of a multi-annual games development plan
* Contribute to the development of national policies, standards and practices to include the Gaelic Games Player Pathway, and the Sports Science Framework for Gaelic Games
* Evaluate outcomes and effectiveness of Talent and Performance strands using the Activity Management System, Learning Management System, Player Monitoring System and qualitative reviews; propose changes as necessary
* Support clubs to become self-sufficient in sports science through coaching education, mentoring, communities of practice, and partnerships
Financial Management
* With the County Head of Games and County Treasurer, support the preparation and management of the annual financial budget for the talent development pathway
* Contribute to the allocation of resources in line with national funding framework
Player Development
* Oversee healthy and holistic player development by supporting parents/guardians, coaches and players to apply best practice coaching principles in an integrated manner aligned with Gaelic games values
* Monitor players' game and training load
* Monitor and gather player injury data
* Support County Officers and other personnel in developing, communicating, and implementing an appropriate talent identification and development programme
* Lead county (club, school) in profiling players’ technical and athletic qualities to ensure long-term development and opportunities
* Engage with schools, clubs, 3rd level colleges and talent phase managers/coaches to maintain a player monitoring system for development and participation opportunities
Coaching and Coach Development
* Recruit and support a team of Coaches and Coach Developers to deliver the coach pathway within the county for the Talent and Elite Pathways
* Assist and advise the County Coaching Officer in the education and mentoring of Club Coaching Officers
* Lead the provision of Coach Development and CPD programmes for the Talent and Performance stages of the player pathway and provide sport science learning opportunities to club coaches
Stakeholder Management
* Work with relevant Coaching and Games Development Committees at County level and provide regular reports
* Work with key stakeholders (National GAA, Province, County, Clubs, Schools, Third Level, etc)
* Build and maintain partnerships with local internal and external stakeholders
Other
* Attend evening and weekend meetings/activities as required; undertake other duties as assigned by the manager
Success Measures
Annual KPIs set in conjunction with the County Head of Games and the County CEO/Operations Manager, including operational metrics such as the Talent Development Plan, reporting, staff performance reviews, player load monitoring, and annual sports science curriculum delivery.
Person Specification
* Third level degree in Exercise and Sports Science, Human Movement, Physical Education, or related area (Minimum Level 7 NFQ or pending)
* Minimum Award 1 Coach Development qualification
* Demonstrated leadership experience in sport, with managerial, organizational, communication and administrative skills
* Knowledge of the Gaelic Games technical, physical, psychological, and tactical demands
* Excellent coaching skills and at least 3 years coaching experience in the Gaelic Games pathway
* Knowledge of player profiling and screening of athletic qualities
* Passion for Gaelic Games and understanding of GAA structures and culture
* High self-awareness and initiative
How to Apply
If you are interested in this opportunity, please apply with CV and cover letter. Applications must be submitted before 3pm on 19th September 2025.
The GAA is an equal opportunities employer.
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