Michael Hurley MSc @itsagamefirst

Father of 5, husband & and full-time tennis coach trying to implement a nonlinear approach. Its a game first Informed by evidence shaped by experience. Cork, Ireland Joined September 2019

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Michael Hurley MSc @itsagamefirst

2 days ago

What an asset to have on the coaching ticket 👏🏽

EchoLive.ie @echolivecork

2 days ago

Kevin Murray's influence grows in first season on Cork football management ticket echolive.ie/corksport/arid…

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Michael Hurley MSc @itsagamefirst

2 days ago

@CoachDanGo Having children.

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Michael Hurley MSc @itsagamefirst

3 days ago

Video game designers have created environments people want to engage in. Players can explore, fail, adapt, and scale challenge without judgement. There is a lot we can learn from how they design environments that keep people wanting to play.

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Michael Hurley MSc @itsagamefirst

a week ago

"He may beat me, but I'm not going to lose. I'm not." — Rafael Nadal Redefining what it means to "lose." This single phrase reveals profound character values,humbleness, connectedness, and raw tenacity. A masterclass in personal accountability for anyone in any domain.

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Michael Hurley MSc @itsagamefirst

a week ago

@murraykevin13 Kev, without your guidance id never have started. Thank you 🙏🏼

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Michael Hurley MSc @itsagamefirst

a week ago

Delighted to announce I have passed my MSc in Skill Acquisition in Sport with a 2:1. A demanding journey balancing full-time coaching and family but one that has fundamentally sharpened my understanding of learning and human performance. #SkillAcquisition #CoachEducation

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Michael Hurley MSc @itsagamefirst

a week ago

@markstkhlm Mark your influence over the past few years has been a catalyst to even attempting this journey. Thank you 🙏🏼

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Michael Hurley MSc @itsagamefirst

2 weeks ago

@KyleUnitas @kestrelpsych Mainly "how" to teach but also useful elements like biomechanics, tactics, some psychology, nutrition etc.

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Michael Hurley MSc @itsagamefirst

2 weeks ago

In almost 20 years of coaching, less than 10% of the 🎾 coach education I’ve encountered focuses on how humans actually learn. We spend all our time on how to teach in a vacuum. It’s a systemic design flaw. How we learn should be the bedrock not an add on .

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Michael Hurley MSc @itsagamefirst

3 weeks ago

Informed by: Fun Integration Theory (FIT): Visek, A. J., et al. (2018). Personal Assets Framework (PAF): Côté, J., et al. youtu.be/rF4XGWO8Jro?si…).

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Michael Hurley MSc @itsagamefirst

3 weeks ago

Fun is a serious business. Don't let old-school mentalities tell you that "fun" means a soft, undisciplined practice. The sports science is done, the data is freely available, and the verdict is absolute Fun is the raw fuel that powers athletic execution lifelong retention.

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Michael Hurley MSc @itsagamefirst

3 weeks ago

@kestrelpsych Thanks Tom 🙏🏼 im just sharing my interpretation of the brilliant work of others 👍🏽

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Michael Hurley MSc @itsagamefirst

3 weeks ago

@drseanmullen Unfortunately her inability to adapt to the conditions & make any tactical changes cost her again today .

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Michael Hurley MSc @itsagamefirst

3 weeks ago

Some still think FUN is a waste of time “My child is here to learn, not just play games.” But FUN is not the opposite of learning. It can include effort, challenge, improvement, connection, and competence. Graphic informed by Visek et al.’s Fun Integration Theory.

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Michael Hurley MSc @itsagamefirst

4 weeks ago

Using principles allows players to explore without being dictated to on exactly how the movement should look. It gives them a direction, not a script. That creates space for creativity, while still helping them make informed choices during play.

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Michael Hurley MSc @itsagamefirst

4 weeks ago

For years, I thought coaching meant players conforming to my instructions. How wrong I was. Players bring history, need agency, and learn through environments designed around real problems. Learning does not emerge from compliance. It emerges from interaction.

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Michael Hurley MSc @itsagamefirst

a month ago

Talent decisions based on a snapshot in time risk two mistakes Overlooking late developers too early. Overburdening early developers by mistaking temporary physical advantage for talent. Current performance ≠ long-term potential.

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Michael Hurley MSc @itsagamefirst

a month ago

@kestrelpsych @movementcoachkm Sent you a pm Tom

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Michael Hurley MSc @itsagamefirst

a month ago

Talent ID must look past the talent that shouts. Often, the ones who whisper are overlooked. Traditional pathways reward immediate performance, creating structural blind spots that bleed long-term potential. Ref: Cobley et al. (RAE) & Malina et al. (Maturation Bias).

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Michael Hurley MSc @itsagamefirst

a month ago

Managing expectations as a parent is a crucial factor in shaping both the relationship with your child and their experience in sport. Being aware that our role as parents shifts over time can help alleviate potential issues along the way.