Craig McCourtney

Education Development Officer @sportireland | MSc Sports Science @ucddublin | U17/U19 National Coach for @irishbadminton | Sponsor @Victor_sport | Views my own

[Craig McCourtney @Craig_Mcc1]

AI won’t replace coaches.

But it might expose the habits we don’t realise we have.

1,200+ interactions in one badminton session among other interesting data

Enjoyed using the @coachlogic platform

Thanks to @irishbadminton for invitation to take part in this project

[ICOACHKIDS @ICOACHKIDSWORLD]

Sport Ireland officially launched ICOACHGIRLS+ (ICG+), a 3 year Erasmus+ Sport project running from January 2026 to December 2028, aimed at increasing adolescent girls’ participation in sport and strengthening pathways for women in coaching across Europe

https://t.co/ZLcyrClxZL

[Craig McCourtney @Craig_Mcc1]

Proud to coach Ireland 🇮🇪 at the U17 European Championships in Spain. 6 of 8 disciplines into last 32 and strong team event results 💪

Thanks to fellow coach @aisl_ryan and @irishbadminton for the support 🙏

Well done to @BadmintonESP and @EuropeBEC on the event 👏

[Sport Ireland @sportireland]

📢 Sport Ireland launches Ireland’s first national plan for sports officiating!

The new Technical Officials Development Plan 2025–2027 sets out to transform and elevate the role of officials across all levels of sport — tackling challenges such as declining numbers, abuse, and the need for clear development pathways.

🗣️ “Technical officials are the guardians of fair play, safety, and integrity in sport,” said Sport Ireland CEO Dr Úna May. “Our plan lays the foundation for a future where they are respected and supported as a vital part of sport.”

[Craig McCourtney @Craig_Mcc1]

I’m delighted to be awarded a distinction in the Professional Diploma in Digital Learning Design with the @DLInstitute_ !

Thanks to @sportireland for enabling me to take this course and to the lecturing team at DLI for their support throughout the programme

[Craig McCourtney @Craig_Mcc1]

Delighted to have officially been awarded the BWF Level 3 Coach Education Certificate — the highest level currently available in world badminton!
Great to complete my project work and reach this standard.

Thanks @irishbadminton and the team for supporting 🙏

[Craig McCourtney @Craig_Mcc1]

Great 2 weeks coaching & managing the U19 Irish team at the BWF Junior Worlds in India! The individual event didn’t go as planned, but we finished strong — 23rd in the world after wins vs Portugal & Romania 💪🇮🇪
Thanks to my fellow coaches, @irishbadminton & local volunteers!

[Craig McCourtney @Craig_Mcc1]

We wrapped up the team event with a great win over Romania — finishing 23rd in the world

Now it’s all about recovery and practice for the players before the individual event starts Monday 💪🇮🇪
@irishbadminton

[Craig McCourtney @Craig_Mcc1]

Great win for us here at the Word Junior Championships this morning against Portugal 💪🇮🇪

[Badminton Ireland @irishbadminton]

🚨Ireland beat Portugal at Worlds🚨

Ireland 🇮🇪 have beaten Portugal 🇵🇹 2-1 in a thrilling match this morning at the 2026 World Junior championships team event.

Ireland finish third in the group and will go into a new sub group to decide their final placing 👏💪☘️

[Department of Culture, Communications and Sport @DeptCultureIRL]

#Budget2026 includes €10.8m in extra current funding for @sportireland

Tá ardú €10.8m sa mhaoiniú Reatha do Spórt Éireann fógartha i #Buiséad2026

https://t.co/z7Euh8XI3u

@McConalogue @podonovan

[Craig McCourtney @Craig_Mcc1]

A real privilege to be representing Ireland once again coaching the Junior National badminton teams for my 10th consecutive year 🇮🇪

We’re in Assam, India for the BWF World Juniors — the team event kicks off tomorrow vs Thailand 💪

#TeamIreland

[Sport Ireland @sportireland]

From 23-30 September 2025, Ireland joins millions across Europe to mark a decade of movement, motivation, and momentum. Whether you’re a weekend walker, a regular athlete, or looking for a fresh start, this is your invitation to embrace an active lifestyle and discover the physical, mental, and social benefits of sport. 🙌

This year, the campaign encourages everyone to “Move More, Scroll Less”, swapping screen time for strolls, games, dances, or team sports. Across communities nationwide, schools, clubs, and Local Sports Partnerships are hosting inclusive activities for all ages and abilities - celebrating sport as a force for connection, equality, and inclusion.

Join us, get moving, and inspire the next generation to #BeActive then, now, and always! 🎉

#BeActive #EuropeanWeekOfSport #MoveMoreScrollLess #BogLinn @EuSport

[Craig McCourtney @Craig_Mcc1]

Great to attend the @irishbadminton Coach Development Conference on the weekend.
Informative and key sessions featured on Clean Sport, Physical Literacy & Disability Sport, along with great on-court demos from Olympic coach Peter Jeffrey.

👏 Well done to the organisers

[Craig McCourtney @Craig_Mcc1]

Great to see a highly informative Clean Sport session delivered by Maxine, this a key piece of education for all coaches in the sports sector to take part in

#CleanSport #PlayTrue

[Craig McCourtney @Craig_Mcc1]

Great to be back for the first time as a participant at the @irishbadminton Annual Coach Development Conference.
Always one of the NGB’s highlight events for the year

[Sport Ireland @sportireland]

🚨Explore Career Opportunities in Irish Sport!

There are exciting new roles now live on the Sport Ireland website - from coaching and community development to leadership, event management, and women in sport.

Whether you're starting out or stepping up, now's your chance to help shape the future of sport in Ireland. 🌟

🔗 https://t.co/b0uQCiTfQ1

#IrishSport #CareersInSport #SportIreland

[Craig McCourtney @Craig_Mcc1]

Interesting 80/20 principle I saw today, interesting to apply the learning and improving concepts to sports education

[Craig McCourtney @Craig_Mcc1]

Coaching continues to be the foundation of Irish sport 🇮🇪

268,000 volunteer 👏
1M+ hours each week ⏰
380,000 would consider returning 📈

Sport Ireland is delivering programmes & supporting NGBs to boost coaching quality & numbers 💪

[Sport Ireland @sportireland]

💡Spotlight on Coaching!

The Irish Sports Monitor 2024 reveals the significant role coaches play in sport across Ireland.

🔗 https://t.co/9gWvLSOzfc

#SportIrelandCoaching #WomenInCoaching #SportIreland #VolunteerCoaches #IrishSport #ISM2024

[Craig McCourtney @Craig_Mcc1]

Congrats for getting this brilliant programme over the line, look forward to seeing it take shape 👏

[Squash Ireland @Squash_Ireland]

"We're trying to get people interested in a bit of coaching, the basics like hopping, skipping, jumping, hand/eye coordination..." #stepintosquash #squashireland #squash #ireland

Tap below for more ⬇️ https://t.co/38dbEEXJs1

[Craig McCourtney @Craig_Mcc1]

A great initiative for continued learning, best of luck with it

[Squash Ireland @Squash_Ireland]

🚨 Coaching Opportunity: Trip to Amsterdam – Erasmus+ Mobility

We’re selecting 8 squash coaches to take part in a 7-day Erasmus+ coaching mobility in Amsterdam, Oct 5–11.

Full details & expression of interest form on our website - https://t.co/ZF0kIWDr4H