County Officer Development Conference 2025:
The GAA’s highly anticipated County Officer Development Conference 2025 is set to take place in Croke Park on 17 and 18 January, bringing together over 250 County Officers from across the Association.
This two-day conference is a marquee event designed to equip both newly appointed and experienced Officers with essential knowledge, practical tools, and invaluable networking opportunities.
The conference is structured to achieve the following objectives:
Introduce newly elected and appointed Officers to their roles and responsibilities
Deliver crucial updates on administrative and operational matters
Showcase case studies of best practices across counties
Facilitate collaboration and networking among Officers and GAA staff
This event ensures that attendees leave better prepared to drive their counties forward.
Conference Highlights
Role-Specific Workshops
The 2025 conference will feature role-specific workshops designed for 12 distinct County Officer roles, including:
Chairperson, Secretary, Operations Manager, Treasurer, PRO, Planning and Training Officer, Safety and Facilities Officer, Coaching Officer, Irish Language and Culture Officer, Children’s Officer, IT Officer, and Demographics Officer.
New Officer Induction
On Friday, 17 January, there will be an induction event for Officers newly elected and/or appointed to the specific roles mentioned above, while the second day will be for all Officers. The induction event will showcase a new group mentoring initiative for 2025.
Networking Opportunities
Networking remains a standout feature of the event. The environment is ideal for Officers to exchange ideas, share challenges, and learn from each other. Reflecting on the 2024 conference, attendees praised its impact:
“Excellent content and sharing of ideas made for a super conference.”
“A great balance between getting important information delivered whilst creating a relaxed atmosphere.”
“Content was excellent. I learned valuable new information. Presenters knew their stuff and were very engaging. Great opportunity to learn from other counties.”
Key Themes and Speakers
Leadership in a Changing Association
An Uachtarán CLG, Jarlath Burns, will give a talk on the evolving nature of leadership in a changing Association.
The Value of Gaelic Games to Society and the Economy
Professor Simon Shibli, Director of the Sport Industry Research Centre (SIRC) and Professor of Sport Management at Sheffield Hallam University, will share some of the main findings and insights from the recently published research he co-authored, exploring the economic and social value of Gaelic Games in Ireland.
Telling your County’s Story
PR expert Claire Aiken, Managing Director of AIKEN and Independent Member of An Coiste Bainistíochta CLG, will offer strategic advice on how counties can navigate today’s fast-paced media landscape.
Featured Workshops
Participants can choose from a wide range of expert-led workshops on hot topics, including:
Supporting Clubs and volunteers
Infrastructure planning and development
The social and economic impact of Gaelic Games
Digital communication
AI and data protection
Registration Details
Registration links have been emailed to all County Officers. New Officers without access to their GAA email should contact their County Secretary or email officertraining@gaa.ie for assistance. Alternatively, sign-up via the registration site: https://registration.crowdcomms.com/codc25
Organised by Volunteers for, Volunteers
This Conference is largely organised by volunteers for volunteers. The GAA National Planning and Training Committee 2024-2027 is the principal organising group, while most workshops will be delivered by volunteers in conjunction with GAA staff.
For any queries, please contact officertraining@gaa.ie