Fingal County Council set to host iCOACHKIDS Regional Coaching Conference 2024

As part of the European Week of Sport, Fingal County Council Sports Office and Active Cities Dublin in partnership with Sport Ireland and Dublin City Sport & Wellbeing Partnership, have announced the iCOACHKIDS Regional Coaching Conference.

This event is an incredible opportunity for coaches working with children and teenagers to gain valuable insights from renowned experts in the field of youth sports coaching. 

The conference is tailored for coaches who answer YES to any of the following questions: 

– Are you a coach of children under 12 years old? 

– Do you coach teenage girls or boys? 

– Are you interested in adopting a child/teen-centered approach in your coaching? 

– Do you want to improve or develop skills that prioritize the needs of young athletes? 

– Are you committed to creating an inclusive culture and environment in your coaching? 

– Are you concerned about dropout rates in your sport? 

This event will address these critical aspects of youth sports coaching, helping coaches enhance their approach to meet the needs of young athletes effectively. 

Event Details: 

Date: Friday, 27th September 

Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM 

Location: Carlton Hotel Dublin Airport. 

Cost: €10.00 (Coaching pack provided to all coaches on arrival) 

Registration: www.bit.ly/iCoachKids 

Speakers 

The ICOACHKIDS Pledge – From Page to Practice (Sheelagh Quinn) 

In this session, Sheelagh will introduce the ICOACHKIDS Pledge, the 10 Guiding principles to create positive developmental experiences for children in sport. The Pledge provides flexible guidance to create successful youth sport programmes that put children first. Sheelagh will offer practical examples of how to bring the Pledge to life in your day-to-day coaching and provide opportunities for coaches to reflect with their co-coaches on the 10 principles, and their current and future application. 

Youth Sport Compass (Declan O’Leary) 

Coaches are continuously involved in supporting children and young people in their sports involvement and development. The impact of sport on children depends on putting the right pieces in the right place at the right time for each child. 

As a coach: 

• Have you considered the influence of your own behaviour and what you say? 

• Do you know about the needs and wants of the young people you coach? 

• How aware are you of the need for a positive, safe environment? 

To support coaches in answering these and similar questions and in making decisions in their coaching, Declan will present and explore the Youth Sport Compass. The Youth Sport Compass is a useful guiding tool for creating the best learning environment for the children you coach and is a useful tool for implementing the 10 principes of the ICOACHKIDS Pledge. 

Steering by the Compass, Guided by the Pledge: Practical tips (Phil Kearney) 

All around the world, youth sport is evolving/changing. Philip will first place the iCoachKids Pledge and the Youth Sport Compass in the context of these international changes and explain how Ireland is well placed to be a leader in children’s sport. Secondly Philip will further explore how coaches can apply and embed both the Pledge and the Compass into their practice and their clubs. 

Let’s Get Real Q&A 

In this session Sheelagh, Declan and Phil will answer questions posed by coaches of children/teens about the real issues and challenges they face in their day-to-day coaching. This will include responses to queries that attending coaches have submitted before the conference. 

Coaches are encouraged to register early to secure their spot at this exciting event.