The 2022-23 Women’s Student Coaching Academy kicked off on Thursday 13 October with an introduction workshop at the GAA National Games Development Centre in Dublin.

In its second year, the WSCA will provide 35 female student coaches from across the island of Ireland with a support system to enable them to develop and reach their coaching potential. The academy also aims to increase the number and visibility of female coaches in third level institutions, while creating female role models for other female students to progress into coaching.

The students were treated to a great session by Liam Moggan, commonly known as ‘The Coaches Coach’ in Irish Sport. In August, Liam was recognised with an honorary doctorate by the University of Limerick for his contribution to sport nationally. Liam introduced the students to facilitation as a coach and being able to communicate effectively as a coach. This very interactive session gave the students a chance to meet their fellow coaches and representatives from national governing bodies who were present at the workshop.

In the afternoon, Nora Stapleton (Women in Sport Lead, Sport Ireland) spoke to the female student coaches to wish them well in their coaching role in their colleges for the year ahead. Prior to the workshop, Nora said: “The creation of the WSCA has the potential to be a game changer in the coaching landscape. For the first time ever, female coaches are being supported properly at third level to pursue a career in coaching and by providing them with additional opportunities to upskill, learn and receive dedicated mentoring on their coaching journey, we hope to continue to progress females on the coaching pathway.”

Liam facilitated a group exercise on Planning and Sharing for Coaches. Liam introduced the students to the IDEA principle in coaching, and the coaches were given a chance to work in groups to Identify, Demonstrate, Explain and Attend some simple skills.

Guest speaker to close the workshop was coach Lizzy Kent (Wexford Ladies Football, Wexford Youths Women FC, and Ireland Under-19 Women’s Assistant Manager) who shared her coaching journey before answering questions and giving advice to the female student coaches.

The Women’s Student Coaching Academy is a collaborative programme between SSI, Sport Ireland, third-level institutions and eleven sporting National Governing Bodies (NGBs).

Thank you to Athletics Ireland, Badminton Ireland, Basketball Ireland, the Camogie Association, the Football Association of Ireland, Hockey Ireland, the Irish Rugby Football Union, the Ladies Gaelic Football Association, Rowing Ireland, Volleyball Ireland, and Weightlifting Ireland for their support to develop our female student coaches.