VISION
The vision of Na Cait Óga is to generate a healthy and broad cohort of players who have an opportunity to advance on all aspects of the game of hurling and Gaelic Football.
Kilkenny’s GAA academy is a vital component to the future success of Kilkenny hurling and Gaelic football. The academy provides a pathway for emerging young talent within our county, starting at U14 grade in hurling and U15 in Gaelic Football. Our academies are a fundamental component of our development structures to provide an opportunity for our young cats to flourish within Kilkenny’s high performing environment. The Kilkenny academy structure will consist of an ecosystem where players, parents/guardians, and coaches are all supported through an educational pathway with resources and tools. Indirectly, schools and in particular clubs will benefit from their players being involved in our academy development programme which will expose them to various elements of performance.
MISSION
The mission of Kilkenny academy is to create an environment to support and develop our emerging talent from not only the technical and tactical element but from a psychosocial (social, physical, psychological) position which results in a setting where players can thrive both on and off the field.
4 PILLARS OF NA CAIT ÓGA ACADEMY
To achieve our vision and to execute our mission, the following pillars have been built to suit Kilkenny GAA future players.
- Technical & Tactical
- Physical & Nutritional
- Psychological & Emotional
- Lifestyle
The four pillars have been built based on both evidence-based practice and Kilkenny GAA blueprint for Hurling and Gaelic Football. The pillars focus on optimising both on-field and off-field performance through a strategic and structured approach.
- Challenge players through a constraints led approach on the field.
- Building players to be robust from a strength, endurance, and recovery perspective which are tailored and suitable to each grade.
- Educate players on nutritional needs for sport and how to incorporate a healthy nutritional plan.
- Embed psychological tools to support players.
- Playing in pressurised situations, dealing with anxiety and setting goals to improve focus.
- Assist players in effectively managing the demands of sport and school.
