At the Model Academy launch in the Halo Tiles Wexford GAA Centre of Excellence were (from left): Martin Doyle (coach), Mylo Perry, Alan Monahan (coach), Max Monahan, James O’Sullivan (Whizzy Internet), Jamie Martin, Micheál Martin (Wexford GAA Chairperson), and Lloyd Colfer (coach). Photo courtesy of John Walsh.
The Model Academy is the platform where emerging players and coaches in Wexford are challenged and tested. The vision is to develop players to play senior hurling and football for Wexford and to develop coaches to prepare teams at the highest level.
Wexford GAA are delighted to announce Whizzy Internet as the new sponsor of the Model Academy. Whizzy Internet is a local, independent broadband provider for County Wexford, County Carlow and South County Wicklow. At the launch of the Model Academy for 2023, James O’Sullivan, Managing Director of Whizzy Internet, said,
“We are happy to support the efforts of the Model Academy in helping to realise the potential of these talented youngsters. The GAA is a fantastic grassroots organisation that works to bring the health and social benefits of sport into the lives of so many people and this Model Academy is an important part of that. We remember the excitement of 1996 and we want this generation to have the chance to experience that wonderful feeling too.”
The Model Academy is designed around the ‘Talent’ phase of the Gaelic Games Player Pathway and is underpinned by our guiding principles:
- Player Centered
- Quality Coaching Experiences (for both player and coach)
- Club is Key
The priorities for 2023 for the Model Academy are to develop both the player and the person with focus on three key areas:
- Tactical and technical development using a game-based approach with an emphasis on tactical and game awareness and advanced technical skills developed at speed and under pressure.
- Athletic development with a focus on speed and agility, pre- game/training activation and post- game/training recovery
- Nutrition, lifestyle and performance analysis
Nationally, there are five dates organised for development squad competitions in each code. In 2023, Wexford will have two teams in hurling at U14, U15 and U16 with a Celtic Challenge (U17) team as well. In football we will have two teams at U14 and U15 with one team at U16.
At the launch of the Model Academy for 2023, Wexford GAA Chairperson, Micheál Martin, said,
“I am delighted to launch the Model Academy for 2023 and delighted to welcome Whizzy Internet on board as our new sponsor. Following the completion of squad activity at the end of 2022, we performed a thorough review with all stakeholders of our goals, policies and processes surrounding the Model Academy. From this review, we identified 33 areas to be addressed to improve our Model Academy and changed the aims of the Model Academy to focus on developing coaches as well as players.”
“One of the key goals of our strategic plan is to improve performance across all age grades and levels of our games. We are already starting to see improvements in players from the Integrated Athletic Development Programme that commenced last Autumn together with the utilisation of the framework developed by our High Performance & Sports Science Steering Group.”
“Finally, I would like to pay tribute to all of those who volunteer their time to coach and develop the young players in our squads each week, capably supported by our own Coaching & Games Development Team.”
About Whizzy Internet
Whizzy Internet is a local, independent broadband provider for County Wexford, County Carlow and South County Wicklow.
Established in 2014 by James O’Sullivan and Janis Dravnieks, Whizzy Internet brings Fast Fibre Broadband to customers to a growing section of the South East of Ireland. A range of broadband packages are available for both residential customers and businesses – delivering reliable, fast internet at affordable prices with great service.
Whizzy Internet prides itself on its excellent customer service record – the company is focused on giving customers the very best broadband connection possible whilst keeping the personal, accessible service standards expected from a local business.
Whizzy Internet strives to connect homes and businesses in hard-to-reach areas, benefitting the communities it serves.
Visit whizzyinternet.ie for more information.
