Kilkenny GAA Na Cait ga and Performance Lead
Role overview: The Kilkenny GAA Na Cait ga and Performance Lead operates within the county and national approach aligned to both the Gaelic Games Player and Coach Pathways. This person will lead the delivery of the Kilkenny GAA Strategy to improve the quality, coherence and consistency of player and coach development in the county.
Role/Purpose: The role of the Kilkenny GAA Na Cait ga and Performance Lead will be to operate within the county and national approach aligned to both the Gaelic Games Player and Coach Pathways. This person will lead the delivery of the Kilkenny GAA Strategy to improve the quality, coherence and consistency of player and coach development in the county.
Reports/Accountable to: The Kilkenny GAA Na Cait ga and Performance Lead reports to the County Head of Games Development
Responsibilities
* 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; includes recruitment of coaches/specialists/interns, 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 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.
* Contribute as required to the development of the County coaching and games strategy and associated policies related to player and coach pathways.
* People Management – Lead the identification, recruitment, training of a team of people (coaches, coach developers and sports science support) to ensure goals of the county talent development strategy are achieved and provide advice to the County Committee on appointments for high-performance/elite pathway stages.
* Oversee and work with key stakeholders in the provision and monitoring of performance support for elite talent and high-performance teams in the county per national guidelines.
* Coordinate, supervise and manage other county personnel as required, including weekly/monthly work programmes with the County Head of Games.
* Liaise regularly with team coaches and mentors at talent academy level to ensure they receive required support and guidance.
* Lead and support a team of Coach Developers 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.
* Implement and contribute to national policies, standards and practices including the Gaelic Games Player Pathway and the Sports Science Framework for Gaelic Games.
* Evaluate outcomes, effectiveness and efficiency of the Talent and Performance strands of the County Games Development Plan via the Activity Management System, Learning Management System, Player Monitoring System and qualitative reviews, proposing changes as needed.
* Support clubs to become self-sufficient and sustainable in relevant areas of sports science through coach education, mentoring, communities of practice, partnerships.
* Financial Management – With the County Head of Games, Chair of Coaching and Games Committee and County Treasurer, support the preparation and management of the annual financial budget for the talent development pathway; contribute to resource allocation in line with the national funding framework.
* Player Development – Oversee healthy and holistic player development by supporting parents/guardians, coaches and players to apply best practice coaching principles; monitor players’ game and training load and injury data; support development of a talent identification and development programme; lead profiling of players (club, school) for long-term development and ensure opportunities for those with potential; maintain a player monitoring system with schools, clubs and third-level colleges to support lifetime participation in Gaelic Games.
* Coaching and Coach Development – Recruit and support Coaches and Coach Developers to deliver the coach pathway within the county for Talent and Elite Pathways; advise on education and mentoring of Club Coaching Officers; deliver CPD programmes for Talent and Performance stages and provide sports science learning opportunities to club coaches.
* Stakeholder Management – Work closely with the County Coaching and Games Committee, other national/provincial bodies, clubs, schools, and third-level institutions; build and maintain partnerships with key local stakeholders, internal and external.
* Other – The jobholder is required to work evenings and weekends as needed and undertake other projects or duties as directed by their manager.
Success Measures
On an annual basis, KPIs are set with the County Head of Games and the County Coaching and Games Committee, including operational metrics such as: developing an annual Talent Development Plan, reporting on plan implementation, personnel performance management, monitoring training load, maintaining player profiles on the tracking system, delivering a sports science curriculum, and growing the number of qualified coaches; these may be adjusted annually.
Essential Criteria
* A 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.
* Excellent coaching skills and experience coaching; minimum of 3 years coaching experience in the Gaelic Games pathway.
* A passion for Gaelic Games and understanding of GAA structures and culture.
* High level of self-awareness and a strong self-starter with initiative.
Desirable Criteria
* Demonstrated leadership experience in sport, as well as managerial, organisational, communication and administrative skills to support growth and improvement.
* Knowledge of the technical, physical, psychological, and tactical demands of Gaelic Games.
* Excellent knowledge of player profiling and screening of athletic qualities.
How to Apply
If you are interested in this opportunity, please apply with CV and cover letter. Applications must be submitted before 3pm on Friday 5th September 2025.
The GAA is an equal opportunities employer.
Seniority level: Director
Employment type: Full-time
Job function: Other
Industries: Strategic Management Services
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