First aid for coaches working with teams and de-fibulator courses are in the process of being set up over the winter months and its vitally important that anyone who is intending to work in any capacity with club teams next year get these course's done. 

In 2014 Garda vetting is going to be compulsory for all coaching members and club members who are involved with under age teams. This is not a club rule but is the law and it is being implemented by 'Coaching Ireland'  and GAA Clubs are going to have to step into line and implement these rules. We ask anyone who is thinking about helping out next year and existing Coaches to contact the Children's officer Dónal Ó'Séarcáigh to get Garda vetting done and to avail of the courses that will benefit not only coaches but the club and club teams.
Remember GARDA VETTING is law from 2014 and its for everyone's protection that we implement this rule!

First-aid course in the Clubhouse in the Banks this Saturday 6th.
Full day course.Time scale 9.30am to 4.30pm.
Have a few spaces open, anyone interested please contact Donal O' Searcaigh ASAP.
This course will cover most aspects of sports fields injuries and basic first-aid.
First-aid is the immediate treatment given to a patient for any injury,or sudden illness before the arrival of an ambulance,Doctor or other qualified person.
FEW PLACES LEFT IF ANYONE INTERESTED!

We will be hosting a First-Aid match day scenario course in the clubhouse on the 6th of April. This course will be confined to 12 team coaches.

At a later date we will run another course for club members who would like to do one.

A Chairde,

Please note the re-scheduled training sessions for DONEGAL CLUB OFFICERS takes place this Monday (11th February) in Jackson's Hotel, Ballybofey from 7pm - 9:30pm

In association with the Gaelic Life, Ulster GAA's annual Club Officer Development Course will offer clubs an opportunity to explore key issues relating to their role in 2013.  The Plenary Session will explore the importance of good planning with clubs, to include Club Maith, Club Plans and One Club.  The training will then break into five workshops: 

- Alcohol and Substance Abuse, 
- Communications and Marketing, 
- Securing Funds (inc Rates Relief), 
- Culture and Heritage
- Child Protection.  

All Donegal clubs are asked to ensure they have representation at each workshop as this is a requirement of Club Maith.  To register you should email sharon.haughey.ulster@gaa.ie or phoning 028 37517 180

The following clubs had registered for the last session and all these registrations will be carried over, however if there is any change in registration from clubs they should let me know as soon as possible:

Naomh Columba
Bun Cranncha
Carndonagh
Four  Masters Club
MacCumhaills
Naomh Ultan Dunkinneely
Naomh Conaill, Glenties
Naomh Muire, Lower Rosses
Fanad Gaels
Robert Emmetts C.L.C Castlefin
Aodh Ruadh
Kilcar
Killybegs
Red Hughs
St Nauls
Letterkenny Gaels
Milford CLG
Naomh Columba
Glenswilly

-- 
Is mise le meas,

Sharon Haughey-Grimley
Volunteer Development and Research Officer 

Sharon Nic Eochaidh-Uí Gharmaile
Oifigeach taighde is forbartha deonach  

Please note this training has once again been cancelled (Thursday 24th) due to the bad weather.

A Chairde,
Please note the Gaelic Life Ulster GAA Club Officer Training Programme (which was scheduled to take place in Holy Trinity School in Cookstown tomorrow - Saturday 19th Jan) has now been postponed because of adverse weather conditions and a very poor overnight forecast.

 We apology for this inconvenience but our patrons safety is our priority. We will post details of a rescheduled training early next week.

Please let your club officers know this as we don't want people making dangerous journeys.

Thanks for you co-operation and understanding

Is mise le meas,

Sharon Haughey-Grimley
Volunteer Development and Research Officer 

Sharon Nic Eochaidh-Uí Gharmaile
Oifigeach taighde is forbartha deonach  

Coaches within Ulster look forward every year to the annual Ulster GAA Coaching Conference. This year’s event will take place in the Glenavon Hotel, Cookstown, on Saturday 26th January.

The event over the last number of years which has seen Conference themes of ‘Coaching Children’ (2009), ‘Coaching the Youth’ (2010), ‘Coaching Adults’ (2011), ‘Coaching in the Education Sector’ (2012) and this year’s theme is ‘Thinking Coaches Produce Thinking Players’.

Key note speakers include former Ireland Compromise Rules and Meath All Ireland winning manager, Sean Boylan, who will bring to the conference his vast experience of working with elite players over a prolonged period and how his interaction helped the players to perform at the highest levels.

Dr Aidan Hamill, from the O’Donovan Rossa Club in Belfast, will address conference on ‘coaching and managing talented young people’. Aidan has coached at club and county level and has also been Principal of De La Salle Secondary School in the heart of West Belfast, which has produced many exceptional players over the past number of years.

Another key area to be explored will be finding the balance between rest and recovery. Tyrone Physiotherapist Louis O’Connor will advise on how to identify early warning signs of impending injuries and how to ensure that your players are protected against over training.

Delegates will have the opportunity to attend a series of workshops on critical development themes including the ‘Management of Players within Academies’, ‘Intensity of Hurling in Ulster’, a view of ‘Coaching Children’ from another sport’s perspective, ‘Getting your Club Hurling to the Next Stage’, ‘Developing Thinking Players’, ‘Technical Development in Hurling’ and ‘Coaching Female Athletes’.

Ulster GAA expect to host 350 delegates at the Conference and places are being booked out fast.

Delegate Costs are £15/€18 and include lunch and a delegate pack.
To book your place, contact Ashelene Groogan on (028) 3752 1900 / conference.ulster@gaa.ie

The club would like to put together a database of courses attended by club members over the last number of years. Have you attended a coaching course or maybe a child protection course? If you could please fill in the form (use the link below) and submit it, it would be a great help.

We as a club think it is important for the public to be aware of how accredited and qualified our members are. This information will give due recognition to those who attended the courses as well as giving peace of mind to parents who have their children playing and training with our club. 

Foundation Award - Football
VENUE:  Ardara.
Friday 07/12/2012
MODULE: Child Ethics
TIME: 19:00 hrs to 22:30 hrs
Saturday 08/12/2012
MODULE: Foundation Practical.
TIME:09:00 hrs to 17:00 hrs
Contact Co/ordinator: James McHugh 087 2222277

VENUE: Gaoth Dobhair
Friday 09/01/2013
MODULE: Child Ethics
TIME: 19:00 hrs to 22:30 hrs
Saturday 10/01/2013
MODULE: Foundation Practical
TIME: 09:00 hrs to 17:00 hrs
Contact Co/ordinator: Timmy Mac Giolla Bhride 086 8401254

Hi, I am starting a Zumba fitness class for teenagers - adults on Tuesday 6th November in the Naomh Mhuire club house 8pm - 9pm for six weeks. Everyone welcome. 
Deirdre Forristal

We ran the 1st of our Child Awareness and Protection courses last Friday evening in the clubhouse. 17 members took part; 12 were new to the course and 5 were refreshers. 
Michael McMenamin, Co.Developement officer, was an excellent tutor. There will be another course run before Christmas and the Children's officer will be in touch with anyone who has signed up to do a course. 
We hope to have a first-Aid and De-Fib course up and running as soon as dates can be finalised.