Sciath na Scol and Rebel Óg Coaching came together in Kinsale on Wednesday 13th September with 40 teachers from 4 Primary schools in Kinsale to offer a P.E. workshop for teachers.

The workshop was delivered by Kevin O Callaghan, Games Manager, along with local GDA Colm Crowley. 

The event was organised by Sciath na Scol PRO Seamus O Connor who noted the workshop was very well received "This is a pilot teacher education programme devised between Sciath na Scol and Rebel Óg Coaching. The reaction of school principals and teachers here today shows that our template is one we can build on in the future".

The workshop was focused on developing Fundamental Movement Skills and some basic gaelic football skills for teachers of infant and first classes. Participants also got some guidance on the use of the learning.gaa.ie website which contains many excellent resources to guide teachers on delivery of quality P.E. sessions.

Teachers are now tasked with delivery of 1 P.E. session per week and they will return for a follow up workshop in November where they will get the chance to discuss their experiences over the 8 weeks and develop their coaching skills further.

Games Manager Kevin O Callaghan, who delivered at the workshop, was very happy with the turn out of teachers noting "There are 40 teachers present here today. If they all have 30 children in their classes, then that equates to 1,200 children who will be receiving 320 quality P.E. sessions in the next 2 months. I think this shows what an exciting initiative this is given the prevalence of sedentary lifestyles and obesity that exists in Ireland. Teachers are leaving this workshop with the confidence to be able to deliver effective and enjoyable P.E. sessions for their class groups when in the past, they may have concentrated on more academic subjects".

Teachers will return to the follow up workshop on the 23rd November and further pilot projects will be rolled out in other areas of the county in the coming months.

This initiative compliments other teacher education programmes such as the Teacher Summer Courses, officially recognised by the Department Of Education where 75 teachers participated at Bandon, Kilshannig and Midleton venues.

The "Jack Lynch" urban schools coaching project has also just commenced in Cork City which sees schools receiving 8 GDA led coaching sessions throughout the year in what demonstrates an ever increasing presence at this level by our Rebel Óg Coaching staff.