Future Leaders

The “Future Leaders Transition Year Programme” is a joint initiative from the GAA and the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST). It is a cross-curricular programme comprising of a series of modules designed to encourage maturity, initiative, responsibility and leadership skills in pupils. The Programme gives pupils the knowledge and skills to support all roles required in the effective staging of Gaelic Games. As part of the Programme students are challenged to organise and run both on-field and off-field events for younger students.

The Professional Development Service for Teachers ( PDST) are our partners in this programme and will be providing training and development to the teachers involved in this initiative. The PDST have been involved in the preparation of the Future Leaders programme providing advice on curriculum links, ensuring alignment with the TY programme, embedding the core concept of Physical Literacy, developing educational resources and delivering training to the participating schools. The PDST are Ireland’s largest professional development support service for teachers and the teacher training programme they have designed for the Future Leaders project complement curriculum and assessment practices in the TY classroom relevant to the modules listed below. The modules meaningfully relate to several curriculum areas, promoting the development of Physical Literacy in particular and also encompassing the key skills taught at Junior Cycle.

_“The PDST team are delighted to be part of this wonderfully innovative project which provides rich opportunities for students to develop in the most holistic sense in line with the principles of the TY programme. I believe that this initiative provides a unique and creative learning pathway for young people to acquire skills which are both sports related and transferable not only across the curriculum, but beyond TY itself. It is a privilege to work with the schools involved and our colleagues in the GAA “ . _Ciara O'Donnell, National Director of the PDST

Course Structure:

• The programme consists of a series of Modules.
• Once the Introductory/Overview Module is completed, the other modules are released.
• The modules vary in length, in general they are 6 – 10 hours long.
• Each module is stand alone and individually certifiable.
• A school can choose to deliver one or more modules.
• Completing 5 modules (Overview Module + 4 others)

AND

• Organising GAA Super Games / GoGames / Fun & Run or any event linked to any module.

*The completion of 5 modules and organising GAA Super Games/GoGames/Fun & Run = GAA Future Leaders Award*

GAA Future Leaders Modules

• Event Management & Sports Administration Module
• FMS & Coaching of Hurling/Football Module
• Refereeing Module
• Sports Journalism Module
• Performance Analysis Module
• Nutrition Module
• Wellbeing Module
• Pupils will receive an e-Certificate for each completed module.

Each module is translated to Irish, so a school can choose to complete it in either Irish or English.

Click HERE for more information