McDONALD’S  CATCH  &  KICK  

McDonalds Catch and Kick. GAA Press release 25/3/03        Timetable for Catch and Kick

McDonalds Catch and Kick. Word Document. or Powerpoint Presentation. (Internet Explorer only).

“Putting The Kick (Fun) Back Into Football”

Basic Philosophy

“The greater the sense of achievement, fun and fair play that young people experience when playing Gaelic games, the more they will enjoy participating and maintain a lifelong involvement”

The Mc Donald’s Catch and Kick (C&K) Programme will play a key part in achieving that objective by ensuring that Primary School Children:

Receive 8 Quality Coaching Inputs. (These will be specific to their Age and Ability). 

1. Get the opportunity to Compete in Blitzes – organised in conjunction with the Coaching Inputs – where the main emphasis is on Fun and Involvement for All.  (If Schools so desire, they can combine with other local Schools for a Fun Blitz Day).  

2. Are Challenged to improve their Catching and Kicking Skills – Children in the final two Primary School Classes – will be eligible to participate – in pairs – in the National Catch and Kick Challenge.

3. Because of the existing demands on Teachers, every effort will be made  to recruit Club personnel, Parents, Team Mentors and Students (Transition Year/Third Level) to assist with the delivery of the C&K Programme. 

One of the County Games Promotion Officers – GPO’s – will be appointed County Coordinator (CCO).  He/She will have responsibility for: 

a)      Training of the Club Personnel.

b)     Organisation of the C&K Challenge at County Level.

c)     Providing details for the C&K database.

The County Coordinator will be assisted by members of Cumann na mBunscol and the other GPO’s as appropriate.

What Does The C&K Programme   Involve?

• Coaching Inputs will take place in March and will involve 8 weeks coaching in Football in Primary Schools in 2003 and both sports in 2004 and 2005.
• Over the concluding 2-3 week period of Coaching Inputs a series of Fun Blitzes will be organised. 
• The Skills Challenge may be run in conjunction with the Fun Blitzes.

Fun Blitzes

• Blitzes are based on the Galway Urban Development and DCU Models.

• Amalgamate schools into teams of 7.  Boys and girls on same teams.

• Coaching left on the sideline.  Only positive comments to be offered.

• Emphasis on Fun, not winning.

What Will The Skills Challenge Involve?

Provided their school participated in the C&K Programme, all boys and girls in their final two years of Primary school will be able to take part.

All participants of the Challenge will complete skills tasks with the best pair going on to represent their school.

Pairs will contest Divisional/Regional  & County with the National  C&K Skills Challenge final taking place in conjunction with the All-Ireland Semi-Finals in Croke Park.

How Will The Programme Be Promoted?

• A National Launch will be organised for March 25 and personnel from National Television and Radio will be invited to attend.

• The County Coordinators will maintain a C&K column in local Newspapers.  This will provide details of venues and carry profiles of participants etc.

• The County and Club Co-ordinators will advertise the Programme through the schools they are involved with.

Incentives For Schools:

• 8 Quality Coaching Sessions.

• Equipment e.g., Balls, Cones, Bibs etc.

• Closer School/Club Liaison.

• Representation in Skills Challenge in Croke Park.

• School Identity through Media

Who Will Run The Programme

• The GPO assigned as CCO will work in conjunction with CmB to assign a School Coordinator who, in turn, will oversee the Programme in each School.

• The School Coordinator may come from a Club, may be a Teacher, a Team Mentor, a Parent and/or a Student.  School coordinators will have a Coaching qualification.

Prime Tasks

• Identify County Coordinator.

• Establish C&G, CmB and Mc Donald’s Working Relationship.   

• Identify Roles and Responsibilities regarding organisation of C&K Programme at Divisional, Regional & County Level.

In Time/Down The Road

• All children will have own football, hurley & sliotar.

• All children will be proficient on preferred/non preferred side.

• All counties will have the same Fun Blitz Day which effectively means it becomes a National Fun Blitz Day.