Minor Player Resources
Why Minor GAAP?
The innovative 'Bridge the GAAP' initiative was inspired by an Action Design Research (ADR) project, completed in April 2024. This project was part of the PGDip in Innovation through Design Thinking programme at University College Cork (UCC). Faced with a unique challenge, the design team, comprising Niamh O'Connor, Fintan Quill, and Joyce Groarke, set out to create a resource tool for minor GAA players in camogie, hurling, and ladies and men's football. The goal? To develop an artefact that not only tracks players' progress during their crucial final year at the minor level but also eases their transition to adult divisions.
The team’s solution—templates for a Player Resource Pack, which includes:
Minor GAAP Yearbook | a 30-page A5 booklet for the player to record their final year at Minor's playing activity.
End-of-season Questionnaire | an online form to gather feedback and insights to provide coaches for handover to new coaching groups.
The insights gained from this artefact are poised to enhance communication between players and coaches, aiming to significantly decrease player dropout rates among 18 to 23-year-olds. Additionally, innovative ideas from the project's design sprints have been preserved in the 'ideas car park' for future exploration.
Minor GAAP Yearbook Template
Specification details:
Format: Template available to download as a PowerPoint (plus PDF file as demo) for player use as A5 paper booklet.
Purpose: Yearbook is the player's personal guide for the season to add valuable information, including space to record 'reasons I play', playing positions, powers and challenges, athletic development, welfare, learnings / reflections and more.
Club Branding: Template, when downloaded and copied as PowerPoint, can be modified with Club logo and style, then saved and uploaded as property of the club on its official website for members to access when needed.
Distribution: Coaches have option to coordinate distribution of the yearbook at the start of the season during player meeting, or player's can download directly from club website
Ownership: The yearbook is the property of the player to be used as a reference throughout the season, forming part of their preparation for end-of-season move to adult.
Minor GAAP Yearbook v2.0.pptxMinor GAAP Yearbook v2.0.pdf End-of-season Questionnaire Template
Specification details:
Format: Online questionnaire accessible through a secure club link.
Purpose: This questionnaire is designed to gather the player's information that will be required for adult level.
Timing: To be completed at the end of the Under-18 season (between October and December)
Process: Responses may be collected by minor coaches and shared with the new adult mentors as part of their discussion on player handover. This feedback contributes to the preparation of move-up to adult and informing future training, match and playing approaches.
Steps to copy online questionnaire form
Open the 'Template Copy GAAP Minor 2 Adult' link or scan code to access form template.
Go to ellipsis “...” in the upper right corner of screen (on desktop)
Select “Make a copy.”
Rename the form and save it to Club Drive.
Copy link to Club Yearbook version
Create QR code from https://www.qrstuff.com/, download and add to Club Yearbook version
Check out ideas for more initiatives that have been identified through the 'Bridge the GAAP' ADR project.