We first met with Kieran, Ryan and Tony from the Gaelic Athletic Association. They presented on the structure and training models of the GAA, and it is clear that the organization is highly advanced in coaching training and volunteer management.
The culture of the GAA is clearly discernable in its staff, and it is inspiring. One of their mottos is that “you don’t join a team, you inherit it,” and this reflects the strong localized commitment of participants at every level – village, town, county. Participants stay with their club for life, there is no trading or free agency. Most impressive about their model is that community galvanization and inclusion are embedded as core tenets along with sport. This holistic approach to sport as a resource for communities makes GAA activities a one-stop shop for physical health and life skills development.
The GAA is a purely amateur organization, with 6 core values – community identity, amateur status, inclusiveness, respect, player welfare, and teamwork. Everything they invest seems to be on behalf of these values and their mission, and the imparting of each to every new generation. The GAA creates highly competitive and strenuous sporting events. They can serve as an excellent example for other leagues and teams because they do not sacrifice the holistic development of individuals, communities, and the nation for winning at all cost.
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Very interesting. What sports do they coach? Is the assumption everything revolves around soccer...errr...football :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat's the GAA? Could you tell us what it stands for, where they're based, etc.?
ReplyDeleteHi Brylee,
ReplyDeleteGreat question. The GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) doesn't actually include soccer (aka football) at all. The GAA represents Irish sports — primarily hurling, Gaelic football, and handball. Soccer is not included in their jurisdiction because the mission of the GAA is to revive and nurture traditional Irish pastimes and culture...and soccer is not native to the island.
Soccer is governed in the Republic of Ireland by the FAI (Football Association of Ireland).
Meghan,
I think the explanation above should answer your first question. The GAA is based at the historic Croke Park. The facility holds 80,000, making it the fourth largest stadium in Europe...not to mention it was built for sports that don't operate at the professional level! (The GAA is purely amateur to ensure a community basis - by eliminating a market for trading or free agency)