Games Development

GAMES DEVELOPMENT.

The USGAA partners with Munster Games, the GAA Central Council, and the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs to Maximize participation levels, Optimize performance standards, and Enhance organizational structures and inputs around training and personal development throughout USGAA.

Games Development Personnel

Games Development Committee (GDC)

The USGAA GDC is responsible for the overall delivery of the USGAA Games Development Program. The committee consists of:

USGAA Chairperson: Gareth Fitzsimmons
USGAA Vice Chairperson: Bernie Connaughton
USGAA Youth Officer: Liam Hegarty
Games Development Officer: Robert Tierney

Games Development Administrators (GDA)

The role of the GDA is that of organizer, coordinator, educator as well as a coach. Flexibility and mobility are very important as the GDA continues to support the large volunteer sector working on the ground. While GDA’s work primarily within their respective divisions at times they assist with event/activities in other divisions and on behalf of the USGAA Development Committee.

GDA’s work can be categorized under one or more of the following Key Areas

Area 1 – Games Opportunities (Child)
Area 2 – Games Opportunities (Youth)
Area 3 – School Initiatives

Area 4 – Camps
Area 5 – Talent Academies
Area 6 – Learning & Development

Based in four of USGAA’s ten divisions, GDA’s are responsible for:

Club Development (Admin & Planning)
Schools Initiatives
Academies – Elite Players
Camp Programme
Go Games Blitzes/Leagues
Super Touch Blitzes/Leagues

Skills Tests
Adult Club Development
Linking Youth Clubs with Adult Clubs
Coach and Referee Education
Planning and Reporting (MIS & TMS)
Promotion & Publicity

The 2017-18 GDA’s are:

Aisling Kerr – Northeastern Division: gda.northeast.usa@gaa.ie
Colm Egan – Central Division: gda.central.usa@gaa.ie
Nicola McAnenly – Philadelphia Division: gda.philadelphia.usa@gaa.ie
Rory McKillion – Western Division: gda.western.usa@gaa.ie

Games Development Officer (GDO)

The USGAA Games Development Officer is responsible for coordinating games development within the country. Among their duties are:

Managing the GDA program
Managing the Global Games Development Fund
Managing development finances and budgets
Liaising with the Coach tutor leader
Liaising with the USGAA Referee Administrator
Facilitating development throughout the country

For further details contact Robert Tierney
Gdo.usa@gaa.ie | 412-478-2799

Coach Tutor Leader

Liaising between our divisional development committees, national coach tutors and games development, the coach tutor is responsible for directing Coach Tutor strategy throughout the country along with Games Development Committee.

For more information, contact: the USGAA GDO at gdo.usa@gaa.ie

Project Support

Global Games Development Fund

Since 2013, through the Global Games Development Fund, the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade and the GAA have provided financial support for developmental projects and initiatives in GAA clubs across Asia, Australasia, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and South America.

The Global Games Development Fund is co-funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade’s Emigrant Support Programme and the GAA. The Fund provides financial support specifically for projects and initiatives that increase or improve opportunities for the Irish Diaspora and other communities abroad to play Gaelic Games. Through the provision of financial assistance, it is the aim of the Fund to support the Irish Diaspora and strengthen Irish networks and Irish identity internationally.

Over the past three years, more than 80 projects have received funding through the Global Games Development Fund. The projects are varied and reflect the needs of the Irish Diaspora and GAA in a particular area or region.

Applications are now closed for the most recent round of funding. USGAA development will send information to all clubs should the Fund be available for application in late 2018.

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Project Support

Pilot USGAA Project Fund
Global Games Development Fund 2017

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Development News

Seattle High Schools – Presidential Cup Tournament

Jun 5, 2018

Skyline High School and Eastlake High School in Seattle continue their Gaelic football excellence. Their inter-school challenge tournament, known as the Presidential Cup after the trophy presented to the schools by Irish President Michael D. Higgins in...

Gaelic Games gets the Olympic treatment in San Diego

May 30, 2018

This Memorial weekend the West Coast 7’s took place at the Olympic Training Facility in Chula Vista, just south of San Diego, California. The 7’s tournament featured Gaelic Football, Hurling, Ladies Football and Camogie with G.A.A clubs travelling from all...

USGAA and Guinness Announce New Partnership

Apr 28, 2018

USGAA is pleased to announce a partnership with Guinness beginning in 2018. It is the start of an association that both USGAA and Guinness feel fits well into the mission and goals of each organization. Founded in 1759, the Guinness is a brand synonymous with...

Music City Invitational – Nashville GAC

Mar 26, 2018

Nashville Gaelic Athletic Club hosted the Music City Invitational Saturday March 24. There was a day of hurling and camogie, and although it rained the spirits of the participants were not dampened. On the Hurling side teams traveled from St. Louis,...