From Player to Coach: Jackie Kinch

February 29, 2024

Meet Jackie Kinch, a dedicated Games Promotion Officer (GPO) for the GAA, whose heart beats for both her work with the GAA and Tinahely GAA club. With a wealth of experience in coaching, sports coordination and administration, Jackie has left a lasting mark on the sporting landscape of Wicklow GAA.

Jackie’s passion for sports is matched only by her impressive list of achievements on the field. From All Ireland U14B Championships to Wicklow Senior Championships, Jackie has proven herself to be a formidable competitor.

We spoke to Jackie to talk about all things coaching and the advice she would give young aspiring female athletes!

What motivated you to become a coach, and how did you get started in coaching female athletes?
I wanted to give something back to the club. The Gasice award was made available to us in Transition Year and it was a great way to get my voluntary hours and also give back to the club.

What coaching philosophy or principles do you emphasise to inspire and guide your team/athlete?
Enjoyment, Honesty and willingness to play for the team.

Can you share a particularly rewarding moment or achievement you’ve experienced as a coach of a female team?
Coaching the U10s girl’s team in Tinahely and my first year there was only 8/10 coming to training/blitz. In the second year, there were up to 30 at some trainings which was very rewarding to see them not only coming back but bringing friends with them.

How do you approach building team camaraderie and fostering a positive team culture?
I do this by making sure there are fun/not-so-serious elements to sessions and making sure each player feels they have an important role and it’s okay to make mistakes.

In your opinion, what are the key qualities that make a successful female athlete, both on and off the field?
Attitude and resilience

What challenges have you faced in coaching, and how have you overcome them?
Confidence going into sessions with people who have more knowledge in the game than me and questioning my ability because of that. Preparation has helped me overcome that and not complicate the session.

How do you tailor your coaching style to the individual needs and strengths of your players?
Give players different targets to hit in training/matches depending on their strengths.

What advice do you have for aspiring female coaches looking to make an impact in the sports world?
Go for it!!! Your knowledge and experience will go a long way. Everyone has a different perspective on things and your perspective could be the difference in other people getting involved.

If you could coach any famous female athlete, past or present, who would it be and why?
Katie Taylor because her attitude and resilience are second to none. She also seems very coachable which is so important for any athlete as they are always willing to learn and better themselves.

If you could pick a fictional character to be an honorary member of your team, who would it be and how do you think they would contribute to the team dynamic?
Robyn McCall, has a great sense of humour, good people skills, and also knows hard work when needed