Kilkenny Na Cait Ga And Performance Lead

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 Working Relationships: County, Provincial and National Staff County Officers County Coaching Officer and Club Club Coaching Officers Primary and Post-Primary Schools and 3rd level Institutions Club and Inter-County Coaches as directed by Chair of Coaching and Games Committee Sports Science Providers (including athletic development) 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 countys player development strategy to improve the quality, coherence and consistency for player and coach development and sports science supports to enhance player welfare to include; 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 i.e. coaches, coach developers and sports science support team with the skills and experience necessary to ensure that the goals of the county talent development strategy are achieved in addition to providing advice and guidance to the County Committee as they require on appointment of people in high-performance/elite stage of the pathway; Oversee and work with relevant key stakeholders in the provision and monitoring of performance support for elite talent and high-performance teams in the county as per national guidelines.
Coordinate, supervise and manage where necessary other county personnel as required to include the formulation of weekly/monthly work programmes with the County Head of Games.
To liaise regularly with team coaches and mentors at talent academy level to ensure they receive the required support and guidance; Lead and support a team of Coach Developers in the County as required 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, ensure adherence and contribute to the continued development of existing and future national policies, standards and practices to include; the Gaelic Games Player Pathway, the Sports Science Framework for Gaelic Games.
Responsibility for evaluating the outcomes, effectiveness and efficiency of the Talent and Performance strands of County Games Development Plan through the use of the Activity Management System, Learning Management System, Player Monitoring System and qualitative reviews, and propose change as necessary; Support clubs to become self sufficient and sustainable in the appropriate and relevant areas of sports science through, but not limited to 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; With the County Head of Games contribute to the allocation of resources in line with national funding framework; Player Development Oversee the healthy and holistic player development by supporting parents/guardians, coaches and players to consistently and appropriately apply best practice coaching principles in an integrated manner consistent with the values of Gaelic games to help players transition through the pathway; Responsible for monitoring players game and training load and player injury data; Support County Officers and other personnel in developing, communicating, and ensuring the effective implementation of an appropriate talent identification and development programme.
Lead county (club, school) in the management, coordination, and implementation of profiling of their players, including (but not limited to) technical and athletic qualities ensuring long term development is consistently advocated and players of potential are provided with opportunities to participate.
Through engagement with schools, clubs, 3rd level colleges and talent phase managers/coaches, maintain a player monitoring system to ensure that players have appropriate development and participation opportunities to support a lifetime participation in Gaelic Games; Coaching and Coach Development Recruit and support a team of Coaches and Coach Developers to execute the delivery of the coach pathway within the county for the Talent and Elite Pathways and support their transition through the pathway; Support, assist and advise on the education and mentoring of the Club Coaching Officers as they lead the support of coaches in their clubs; Lead the provision of appropriate Coach Development and CPD programmes for the Talent and Performance stages of the player pathway in addition to providing club coaches with sports science learning opportunities to club coaches; Stakeholder Management Work closely with the County Coaching and Games Committee; be a member of that Committee and provide regular reports and inputs to such meetings as necessary; Work effectively with all key stakeholders (National GAA, Province, County, Clubs, Schools, Third Level, etc); Develop, build, and maintain effective partnerships with key local internal and external stakeholders, partners; Other The Jobholder is required to work and attending evening and weekend meetings/activities in line with business needs and undertake any other such projects or duties as deemed appropriate by their manager.
Success Measures On an annual basis key performance indicators are set in conjunction with the County Head of Games and the County Coaching and Games Committee; key metrics will include (and can be modified on an annual basis): Operational Metrics Develop an annual Talent Development Plan aligned to national objectives identifying funding/resource requirements by end of November each year and in line with budget.
Report to the County Head of Games and the County Coaching and Games Committee on the implementation of the plan along with ensuring there is adherence with games development policy and national reporting requirements to release funding.
Set goals and objectives for all personnel and oversee the performance management system within the county ensuring all staff have mid and end of year reviews.
Monitor training load of players across all levels and submit report quarterly to the County Coaching and Games Committee Ensure all players in the talent development pathway have their profile uploaded on the player tracking system Design and deliver an annual sports science curriculum for the pathway Arrange quarterly review meetings with Club Coaching Officers and submit report to the County Coaching and Games Committee Grow the number of qualified coaches progressing through the stages of the talent development pathway 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 an understanding of the structures and culture of the GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) High level of self-awareness and a strong self-starter with a demonstrable ability to act on own initiative Desirable Criteria Demonstrated leadership experience in sport, as well as managerial, organisational, communication and administrative skills that facilitate a supportive environment of both growth and improvement.
Knowledge of the technical, physical, psychological, and tactical (style of play) demands associated with Gaelic Games.
Excellent knowledge around player profiling and screening of athletic qualities.
HowtoApply If you are interested in this exciting 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.