Cavan Forum

Future Of Underage GAA

(Oldest Posts First)

Just reading a few articles recently about drop out rates in GAA - 75% of lads between the ages of 20 and 25 quit Gaelic Football and 65% quit hurling, those rates are staggering and yet the GAA have taken no action.

There's also been a few articles recently about underage players and in particular, development squads, the effects they have on players and clubs, and in particular, those players deemed not good enough to be called in. In essence, development squads are making players fall out of love with the game by the time they are 16/17, such is the demand and the pressure they are put under, and the fact many of them feel that they have now made it and no longer want to play for the club. But what happens then they get dropped or when the development squad is finished for the year?

Joe Brolly recently said in the paper that his own club now have to go to other Counties for under 16 challenge games, and only recently had to cancel a challenge game because the County u16 squad decided to have training or a blitz and 6 of his team were on the u16 squad - what does this say to the player that isnt on the County U16 squad?

People may disagree, but you just have to look at your own underage set up to believe it. Yes, some clubs have multiple under 8s, 10s & 12s, but how many clubs can say the same about U15s upwards. How many clubs in Cavan are now amalgamated at underage? how many clubs in Cavan are able to field a 15 aside under 17 side on their own? Big clubs, who in the past had no issue fielding teams are now struggling, Gaels, Killygarry for example, couldn't field teams in some matches this year, Mullahoran, Bultlersbridge, Gowna, all in amalgamations. The love of the game is quickly fading away, players are turning to other sports, soccer, rugby, basketball are now taking over, and unless your on a development squad, there is no future for the rest of the players, and sadly, they will turn away from the GAA.

cavanblueman (Cavan) - Posts: 441 - 23/04/2018 12:30:39    2094470

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You have to ask yourself why are lads not playing the game?
Where's the attraction? The skill level is zero.
The quality of underage coaching throughout the country is appalling.
The no enjoyment for young lads. It's become a chore with mediocre coaches obsessed with winning.

Inaroundehouse (Cavan) - Posts: 975 - 23/04/2018 14:44:30    2094527

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Replying To cavanblueman:  "Just reading a few articles recently about drop out rates in GAA - 75% of lads between the ages of 20 and 25 quit Gaelic Football and 65% quit hurling, those rates are staggering and yet the GAA have taken no action.

There's also been a few articles recently about underage players and in particular, development squads, the effects they have on players and clubs, and in particular, those players deemed not good enough to be called in. In essence, development squads are making players fall out of love with the game by the time they are 16/17, such is the demand and the pressure they are put under, and the fact many of them feel that they have now made it and no longer want to play for the club. But what happens then they get dropped or when the development squad is finished for the year?

Joe Brolly recently said in the paper that his own club now have to go to other Counties for under 16 challenge games, and only recently had to cancel a challenge game because the County u16 squad decided to have training or a blitz and 6 of his team were on the u16 squad - what does this say to the player that isnt on the County U16 squad?

People may disagree, but you just have to look at your own underage set up to believe it. Yes, some clubs have multiple under 8s, 10s & 12s, but how many clubs can say the same about U15s upwards. How many clubs in Cavan are now amalgamated at underage? how many clubs in Cavan are able to field a 15 aside under 17 side on their own? Big clubs, who in the past had no issue fielding teams are now struggling, Gaels, Killygarry for example, couldn't field teams in some matches this year, Mullahoran, Bultlersbridge, Gowna, all in amalgamations. The love of the game is quickly fading away, players are turning to other sports, soccer, rugby, basketball are now taking over, and unless your on a development squad, there is no future for the rest of the players, and sadly, they will turn away from the GAA."
Just reading a few articles recently about drop out rates in GAA - 75% of lads between the ages of 20 and 25 quit Gaelic Football and 65% quit hurling, those rates are staggering and yet the GAA have taken no action.

There's also been a few articles recently about underage players and in particular, development squads, the effects they have on players and clubs, and in particular, those players deemed not good enough to be called in. In essence, development squads are making players fall out of love with the game by the time they are 16/17, such is the demand and the pressure they are put under, and the fact many of them feel that they have now made it and no longer want to play for the club. But what happens then they get dropped or when the development squad is finished for the year?

Joe Brolly recently said in the paper that his own club now have to go to other Counties for under 16 challenge games, and only recently had to cancel a challenge game because the County u16 squad decided to have training or a blitz and 6 of his team were on the u16 squad - what does this say to the player that isnt on the County U16 squad?

People may disagree, but you just have to look at your own underage set up to believe it. Yes, some clubs have multiple under 8s, 10s & 12s, but how many clubs can say the same about U15s upwards. How many clubs in Cavan are now amalgamated at underage? how many clubs in Cavan are able to field a 15 aside under 17 side on their own? Big clubs, who in the past had no issue fielding teams are now struggling, Gaels, Killygarry for example, couldn't field teams in some matches this year, Mullahoran, Bultlersbridge, Gowna, all in amalgamations. The love of the game is quickly fading away, players are turning to other sports, soccer, rugby, basketball are now taking over, and unless your on a development squad, there is no future for the rest of the players, and sadly, they will turn away from the GAA.
cavanblueman (Cavan) - Posts: 257 - 23/04/2018 12:30:39 2094470

Cavanblueman
I have been saying it for years that the development squads are the ruination of the game going forward.
Like you say even Joe Brolly see's the light as well.
You have the situation with the development squads before a player comes in or is even considered many feel they come from the wrong side of the ditch and have no chance of getting onto any squad here sadly lay's the issue.
I have read it and heard it being said sure he/her did not pick it up off the street look who his granddad was his/her father was or who his/her mother is it's bred into him/her. This sadly is why we are loosing quality and quantity at a rate of knots for they know they are not going to make the grade because they come from the wrong side of the street.
Rugby nurture all ages and it shows also soccer they encourage the young lads.
Time someone was brought into the fold that made sure no matter of grade or creed you did your best for them and encouraged them at every level.
You look even at young age games if you are weak you will never get a game there should be a rule at all grades 25% minimum of the weaker children got a chance to play and to develop a character. You don't know what you are losing by locking them out. Can you imagine a team hammering another team and managers bring in even stronger players to build up an even bigger hammering all you are doing is turning young lad's away as a result. Close competitive games encourages the youngsters there is a chance we are not too far behind. This is how you build them up and to try harder.
I watched coaches and trainers play thousands of matches and the win at all cost attitude is disgusting and their manner towards the young is nothing short of disgraceful Verbal abuse foul language seems to be the order of the day (Watch them on the side line if you think I am wrong).
I have mentioned it many times no body should be allowed to keep their coaching badge if they cannot behave them self's the old saying monkey sees monkey do and you see it regular. Now let's make it clear I am not tarnishing everyone with the one brush but time that people were designated to monitor the coaches and their demeanor and if they are not up to the standards required remove their badges for a period of time and get them to understand you lead by example.
It's not hard to be courteous is it.

The Quiet Man (Cavan) - Posts: 4565 - 23/04/2018 15:02:02    2094534

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too much too soon !

Most club players are playing at two age groups ( apart from the few big clubs).

U13, U15 or u15, U17. Then there's school football. Training for club, training for school and if they're on a development squad, training and games there also.

So when it comes to the stage where they should be entering into their club adult team they have had enough of it.

If they are anyway talented at other sports as well such as athletics, soccer, rugby the workload doubles.

Too much too soon.! No enjoyment anymore . It has become a chore and they are walking away from it.

There should be no u15 or U17 development squads. Let the first competitive group be at U20 when they are a bit stronger and a little more mature.

You could assemble an U20 squad in Feb to prepare for the championship in June.

StirringIt (Cavan) - Posts: 374 - 23/04/2018 17:47:35    2094579

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