New gpa madden leadership programme for players kicks off

Twenty-six county players commenced their studies on the new GPA Jim Madden Leadership Programme in Dublin today.

The annual Programme will develop the group of county players from hurling, camogie, Gaelic football – men’s and ladies – with the necessary skills, motivation and experience to become successful leaders in the community.

This Programme, the first of its kind in Ireland, is made possible thanks to the support of Michael Madden and his family who are dedicating the new curriculum to the memory of their late father Jim who was a tireless grassroots GAA and community activist in Tipperary.

The first module on the course will provide the players with a valuable insight into leadership with guest lecturers including Web Summit founder Paddy Cosgrave and Colm Foster from the UCD Smurfit School.

Speaking about the commencement of the new programme, GPA Chief Executive Dessie Farrell said: “We’re absolutely thrilled that we have now started this exciting development which we believe will support players to harness the many transferable skills they develop at the top level of their sport. Today’s master classes mark a new departure for the GPA Education Programme, a reflection of the foresight and generosity of Mike Madden and his family who are now helping to develop a new cohort of leaders from within the county playing body.”

The bespoke one-year course, conducted by the GPA and independent leadership experts, will run initially for three years and is supported by a dedicated on-line learning platform. Participants will complete three main modules in the syllabus: leadership workshops, personal development and coaching and culminating with a community project. Today saw the start of the first module which includes leadership master class, personal effectiveness, interpersonal skills and group skills.

The following county players will take part in the 2015 Programme:

Stephen McDonnell (Cork hurling), Jonny Cooper (Dublin Football), Alan Dillon (Mayo football), Cáit Devane (Tipperary camogie), Aoife Lane (Galway WGPA), Matthew O'Hanlon (Wexford hurling), Eoin Cadogan (Cork football), Gary Reynolds (Leitrim football), Anna Conlon (Leitrim ladies football), Helen McMahon (Clare camogie), Stacey Cannon (Kildare ladies football), Gemma Begly (Tyrone ladies football), Aidan Ryan (Galway hurling), Paul Flynn (Dublin football), Diarmuid McMahon (former Clare hurler), Kevin Conlan (Leitrim football), Ger Cafferkey (Mayo football), Luke Kelly (Offaly football), Darragh Egan (Tipperary hurling), Noel Connors (Waterford hurling), Chrissy McKaigue (Derry football), Enda Williams (Longford football), Jason Doherty (Mayo football), Liam Óg McGovern (Wexford hurling), Patricia Jackman (Waterford camogie), Shannon Quinn (Tyrone ladies football).