Biography

Phil Kearney is a lecturer in Motor Skill Acquisition, Coaching & Performance at the University of Limerick where he leads the MSc Applied Sports Coaching. Phil completed his PhD at the University of Limerick, exploring the application of skill acquisition principles to children’s learning of fundamental movement skills. He subsequently taught at the University of Chichester, England, where he was programme coordinator for the BSc Sport Science & Coaching, before returning to Ireland in 2017. A Fellow of the Higher Education Authority, Phil is passionate about skill acquisition, and inspiring the next generation of sport scientists and coaches to apply the core principles of skill acquisition in the development of athletes.
 
Phil’s research and teaching focus is on skill acquisition and youth sport, particularly in the context of track and field athletics (ORCID 0000-0003-3425-663X). A co-founder of Movement and Skill Acquisition Ireland (@MSAIreland), Phil also holds the Athletics Coach qualification from UK Athletics, and his coaching is focused on developing sound fundamentals in young adolescents.

Mission Statement

​With many Irish sporting organizations already promoting games-based approaches, my aim is to support teachers and coaches seeking to further evolve their implementation of games-based approaches. I will work towards this aim in part by highlighting success stories from teachers and coaches working across the sporting spectrum. Specific goals include:
 
  • Auditing current practice in relation to games-based approaches in both coach development and physical education, including identifying existing resources and resource gaps
  • Hosting an knowledge exchange event to connect individuals interested in furthering their knowledge and application of games-based approaches

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