‘Valuing our Players in the Present, To retain them for the

Future’

Ulster GAA Coaching Conference Feb 6th 2016

Mary O ConnorDirector of Camogie Development

“You know the Cost of everything, But the Value of

nothing”

Successful Player Retention: Don’t wait until the player is

walking away.

Be more that just a Camogie/Hurling Club

First and foremost Clubs must remember that in the beginning a Player is a customer.

Your club; is what she/he is buying in to• What is your brand?• What you offering?• What do you have to do to retain Lifelong

Involvement i.e a happy satisfied customer.

Why did they play in the first place?

To have fun

To make friends

To learn new skills

To build self-confidenceTo be part of a Team

Identity where I’m from

What influences a player staying involved in their club

Culture is a complex, multi-faceted and multi-layered phenomenon that is socially learned and transmitted between people. It is about;

• Behaviours• Beliefs• Symbols• Norms • Expectations

All coaches to have completed a club coach induction programme

All coaches have a coach education qualification

Player support mechanism in place for all teams

Agreed Transition steps for minors to adult team training/environment

Agreed min no. Games per age group

Match reports who gets mentioned

PlayerFun

Friendship

Learning

Self Confidence

Social aspect

CoachFacilitator

Motivator

Empathiser

Conduit

The ClubCulture

Supports

Resources

Fixtures

Positive experiences

CASE STUDIES

Case study 1 SEAN

• 16 years

• Starts and finishes every training session, 100% attendance

• Starts some games, but never finishes any!

• Players who have 1 more year u16 are starting ahead of him

• Recently he was brought on, in a championship game and taken off again after 10minutes..

• That makes Sean Sad!• And his Mam and Dad angry and

disappointed!

Case study 2 - Sinead

• 18 years old

• 1st year College – 2hr drive from home

• County senior player• County u18 player• Colleges Ashbourne team• Demand on her time esp.

Jan to April• Managers of each team

expect 100% commitment• Tired, demotivated and

withdrawn

I don’t want to let anyone down

Best possible solution

Case study 3 Tom

Coaches u14 Camogie Team. 20 girls

Passionate, prepared, motivated.

Winning is success.

12 of the team are just coming out of Go-Games (13 years old)

• Warm ups are rigid and all running• Drills keep breaking down• Girls are not allowed talk at training• Players not coming to training• Afraid of making mistakes

Case study 4 Luke 18 years• Dual county Minor (first in the clubs history)• Leaving cert year

• Rural Parish

• He trains county minor between both codes 4 times a week (including Saturday and Sunday)

• Clubs coaches won’t play any league games without Luke.

• County managers do not want Luke playing league games.

• There are 20 of Luke’s club players not playing anything, so now they are attending soccer training and get a game every Sunday!

What is valued gets done

1. Situations will arise2. Identify an immediate

solution with due process3. Agree a club policy for the

long term 4. At all time Communication is

key

Factors to consider and develop in your clubs attempt to establish a ‘Positive’ Club Culture:

• Clearly defined objectives of the club, i.e. is the club focused on maximising

participation, maximising sporting performances or both .

• A safe, non-threatening environment for all.

• A strong sense of inclusion and belonging Welcoming of new players,

members and supporters.

• A strong communication strategy so club stakeholders are continually

informed and empowered with the information.

• Strategies for the club to develop and recognise its individuals as sports

people and also as individuals who contribute to their club and the broader

community.

• Ensuring all members understand why the club culture is so important and

their role upholding the club values and behaviours

Club Culture influences players involvement in their club : FACT

Consistency

Recognition

InclusionSupport

Communication

A role for everyone

A belief in a system

The development of people

It must be easily understood It must be articulated in a consistent, clear and compelling statement

All Players

A successful club has ordinary people doing the right things at the right times.

• Vibrant, through the activities & events the club creates.

• Visible through its communication with players, members and supporters

• Viable to sustain how it operates

C

Thank you

• Questions