GPA and WGPA to benefit from further two year extension to the Jim Madden Leadership Programme

 

The Gaelic Players Association (GPA) and the Madden family announced a further two-year extension to the internationally acclaimed Jim Madden Leadership Programme.

The Jim Madden Programme is a bespoke  leadership and development programme for county players from hurling, football, camogie and ladies football to help them develop the skills and experience to become leaders in the community and in their professional lives.

 

Founded in 2014 in memory of Portroe man Jim Madden, this two year extension will see the programme run until 2021. To date, over 140 male and female inter-county players have successfully undertaken the programme to help them to build on their experience as elite players in a highly competitive environment to develop exceptional leadership qualities to use on and off the field of play.

 

The programme also includes a school programme, where players have already reached out to over 3,500 primary school children through the “Realta Progarmme” a schools community programme developed by the particpants on the Jim Madden Leadership program.   

 

Some of the participants in the programme have included Galway Camogie’s Lorraine Ryan, Dublin Footballer Ciaran Kilkenny, Cork Camogie’s Anna Geary, Derry Footballer Chrissy Mc Kaigue, Antrim Hurler Neil McManus, Leitrim Footballer Aine Tighe and Dublin Footballer Ciaran Kilkenny and Wexford Hurler Matthew O’Hanlon, both of whom are nominated for PwC All-Star Awards for 2019.. 

 

Currently taking part in the programme are two All-Ireland Winners - Seamie Callanan and Paul Mannion. Both have also been nominated for PwC All-Star Awards for 2019, along with Paul Geaney, who is also taking part in the programme. James Glancy is also taking part in the programme and has been nominated for a Champion 15 Award.

 

EU Athletes, the leading European multi-sport federation of player associations, are benchmarking the Jim Madden Programme, for a new European wide version for athletes and their programme is underway.

  

Speaking of the renewed relationship, programme sponsor Michael Madden commented: “We are delighted and honoured with the success of the Jim Madden Leadership Programme over the last five years. We are proud that the programme was inclusive from launch involving both the GPA and the WGPA, the impact and outreach to thousands of primary school children and the participant’s dedication and commitment to the programme each year. The professionalism and dedication of the GPA and WPGA made it an easy decision for the Madden family to extend the support for an additional two years.”    

 

Maria Kinsella, Chair of the WGPA said: “We are delighted with the extension of the Jim Madden Leadership Programme and the positive impact it will continue to have on the young leaders in our communities and our games. Nearing the end of the programme myself, I’ve seen first-hand the growth of confidence and capability among the participants and I want to sincerely thank Michael and the Madden family for their continued support, and bringing players from all four codes together to share in this experience.”

 

Paul Flynn, Chief Executive of the Gaelic Players Association said: “The GPA is thrilled that the Madden family are extending their support of the Jim Madden Leadership Programme for a further two years. As someone who participated in the programme, I found it to be invaluable in my growth as a person and a Leader. Members who have participated also found the programme to have a transformational effect on their lives and careers. They have commented that the programme equipped them with leadership and interpersonal skills which had a very positive impact on their lives and the lives of people around them. On behalf of the players I would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Michael and the Madden family for their continued support of this programme.”