NLS Coaching mission statement

All NLS coaches aim to promote the following principles....

Promote Full Participation

Go Games provide playing opportunities for all children by ensuring everyone gets to play in the game and that nobody remains a substitute.

Propagate the Principles of Fair Play

Go Games promote Fair Play and sportsmanship by ensuring that all participants endeavour to play by the rules and give due respect to the opposition, the match officials and the game.

Cater for the Developmental needs of ALL young players

Go Games involve the use of modified playing rules and equipment that is appropriate

to the age group and the ability level of participants. Players are also afforded the

opportunity to play in a range of positions, ensuring they are not ‘pigeon-holed’ while

still in the formative stages of their technical, tactical and team-play development.

Ensure that ALL participants derive maximum Benefit and Enjoyment from their involvement

Go Games endeavour to ensure that ALL children have fun, make friends, keep fit

and experience a sense of achievement in an environment that aids affective,

cognitive and psychomotor development.

Implement the GAA’s Code of Best Practice for Youth Sport

Go Games give practical expression to the GAA’s Code of Best Practice for Youth

Sport by invoking the principles of the Code at the basic level of participation.

Promote a culture of Participation and Play

Go Games endeavour to eliminate the likelihood of players succumbing to the

anxieties and fears that arise when they feel they “have to win”. Such fears generally

emanate from a fear of losing. Go Games help players develop an understanding of

the inevitability of success and failure in an environment where playing, not winning,

is the name of the game.

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Promote the Process of Development

Go Games minimise the likelihood of outcomes, such as winning, taking precedence

over the process of development. Players are at all times encouraged to learn from

their mistakes and strive to achieve their full potential.

Provide for the selection of teams in a variety of innovative ways

As Go Games are about play and not winning, teams can be selected based on age,

physical size, school, locality or street, or many other innovative criteria.

Cultivate a culture of Skill Development

The Ú-Can Awards Passport to Success scheme has been developed to dovetail with

Go Games and ensure that all young players develop the prerequisite technical skills

as part of an ongoing process of development. This will serve as a platform for

players to go on and develop the tactical and team-play elements of performance.

Encourage Parental Involvement

Parents/guardians are encouraged to take an active involvement as either mentors or supportive spectators. Positive and supportive involvement are vital elements in creating an environment where participants are encouraged to achieve their full potential.

Assist with the development of Life Skills

As participants grow in maturity they are encouraged to take individual responsibility, learn to deal with adversity and develop an appreciation of the need for discipline, commitment and team cohesion.

Provide a basis for developing social skills and maintaining links with other units of the Association

Go Games blitzes provide the ideal vehicle for developing and fostering links

between GAA clubs on a County and cross-county basis.

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