#TAKETHENEXTSTEP WITH US
Supported by a foundation named in honour of one of Queen’s, Down’s, and Ulster’s all-time greats, Seán O’Neill, QUEEN’S GAA ACADEMY provides developmental and financial support for our student athletes seeking to compete at the highest level across all codes within the GAA.
The GAA Academy at Queen’s supports students across all five GAA codes, who are driven to improve as a player while they work towards a world-class qualification during their time at the University. In recent years the support programmes around these students and expertise to guide them has continued to grow. At present we field 14 teams across men’s and women’s Gaelic Football, Hurling, Camogie, and Handball. Our men’s, women’s and Fresher Football teams field at National League Division 1 level and in the Sigerson, O’Connor, and Billings Cups respectively. Our Hurlers and Camogs feature in National League Division 2 and the Ryan and Purcell Cups respectively. Handball has seen a revival in recent years with several talented players winning Intervaristy, Ulster, and All-Ireland titles.
The GAA Academy is designed to focus resources and challenge athletes to maintain performance throughout their time on the programme. While the entry levels for performance programmes are based on current achievements, it is important that we ensure all athletes maintain their focus on individual and team performances throughout the season. Queen’s Sport has now adopted a performance review process in line with the university academic calendar in December and May of each year.
All athletes on Academy programmes should be committed to the training and testing protocols as specified by the Head GAA Coach and within the performance pathway of your sport. The Queen’s Sport Pathways have been carefully designed to help recognise your achievements and commitment to your sport but also challenge you as an athlete to reach challenging targets. Queen’s Sport adopts an open and supportive environment to help students achieve their academic and sporting goals. Regular review and mentoring meetings will occur with the Head GAA Coach along with other Queen’s Sport Performance Staff to help you maintain high standards in both programmes and aims to provide personal development on all aspects of your sporting and academic performance.
GAA Academy athletes are considered leaders within their peer environments and ambassadors for Queen’s Sport and the University. You are selected with this in mind and will occasionally be asked to fulfil some duties in this regard – photo shoots, meet and greet, etc. This will also include engagement in community and club coaching programmes which are facilitated at the PEC and the Queen’s Sport Boat House across the academic year. You will be expected to volunteer for coaching in these programmes in each semester as they arise.
STANDARDS FOR ADMITTANCE
-Proven record at School level
-Top 5 U21 Inter-County Ranked player within home county based on references and steering committee assessment
-Top 3 Ranked Inter-County Minor within home county based on references & committee assessment
-Established Inter-County player at Senior Level e.g started 1 game in Senior Championship
-Ulster/Provincial Academy Referees list
-The Academy steering committee may consider exceptional circumstances when ranking applicants
The Sports Development Team at Queen’s Sport will be co-ordinating the support structure for all scholarship recipients and aim to make this achievement as beneficial as possible. This award entitles you to a number of benefits, which are coordinated by the GAA development officer. You will be required to follow the training programme maintain the Academy Water and Land Standards as set out by the GAA development officer.
Academy benefits will be available once students have been confirmed on the programme by Queen’s Sport. It should be noted that students can be awarded a place on the Athlete Pathway by Queen’s Sport at any time throughout the season provided they meet the required standard.
Each full academy member will be supported in the following:
Personal, specific athletic development programmes throughout the season
Academic mentoring and flexibility with course requirements
Lifestyle and time management mentoring
Physiotherapy and sports medicine support on a needs analysis
All-inclusive membership to all indoor and outdoor sports facilities at Queen’s Sport
Bespoke training and leisure clothing
Bespoke, personal Sports nutrition advice and supplements where applicable
Degree Plus accreditation (route A) upon full completion of Academy programme
Scholarship award based on performance within programmes across the academic year
Sub Academy Standard
Queen’s Sport recognises that some athletes on the Performance Pathway may not meet all of the full academy criteria. Those who meet the below will be considered for the GAA Sub Academy:
Established Inter-County player at u21 level e.g started 1 game in provincial Championship
Senior inter county panellist
Player considered through references and steering committee assessment to have the potential to develop towards starting senior intercounty status over the duration of studies
The GAA Academy steering committee may consider affecting circumstances when ranking applicants
Inherent in the Academy structure within Queen’s Sport is the opportunity for Sub Academy athletes to achieve Academy status over the course of the year and to avail of the additional benefits that entails. Each Sub Academy member will benefit as follows:
Complimentary Off-Peak Membership to the PEC sports facilities at Queen’s Sport
Specific athletic development programmes throughout the season constituent of gym and water based components
The potential to move to Academy status dependant on performance within the club
Opportunity to apply for support through individual aspects of Academy programmes, to be considered on merit and performance
Opportunity to avail of Queen’s Sport tutored programmes
