Presentation title in footer1 Building a Base for Young Player Development

Presentation title in footer 1

Building a Base for Young Player Development

2 Presentation title in footer © GAA

Strategic Vision

“Go Games will be adopted as best practice up to and including 12 years of age…all children will get meaningful playing time to develop the skills of our games in a challenging and fun environment.”

“We will introduce a detailed initiative to promote respect and discipline towards match officials and each other”

The GAA Strategic Vision and Action Plan 2009-2015

Background and Research


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• Must Win

•More perceived pressure on children

Traditional Model

• Full Rules/ 15 a side

• Best Players Play

•Limited Player Development

•Substitutes get little or No Game


•Maximise Participation

•Optimise Playing Standards

GAA Grassroots to National Programme (GNP)

Aims


Why children play sport?

In order of importance…

1. To have fun

2. To improve their skills

3. To learn new skills

4. To be with their friends

5. To make new friends

6. To succeed or win

7. To get fit

Lack of fun and lack of perceived competence are the major reasons cited for drop-out at the age of 12

Taggart and Sharp (1997) Adolescents and Sport: Determents of Current and Future participation

(Perth University)


Primary School PE Curriculum Statement

In the competitive situation…..children are grouped with little regard for discrepancies of size and strength, the size of the playing area, the length of the game or the equipment used. Unless competition is de-emphasised, those who compare less favourably will always be at risk of withdrawal and are likely to become inactive adults.

“ gifted or physically stronger children who survive on a menu of competitive sports may have no substitute when, in later years, success in sports is harder to achieve and therefore the desire to participate may diminish”

Implementing a Games Policy

for Children


Implementation of Go Games policy

A Go Games programme should be organised for Under 8,9,10 and 11 grades

A mini league system can be organised at Under 12 level-parallel to the Go Games Programme

A standardised approach to Go Games rules within a county should be adopted

All games programmes should be approved by County CCC & GDC

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Presentation title in footer © GAA

What are Go Games?

There is full participation for all players

Games are not result orientated and are age appropriate

Games are small sided

Playing rules are modified to suit the developmental stages of the children

Playing area is modified

Playing equipment is modified

Modifications and playing rules are at the discretion of each county

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Competitions at Under 12 level

Mini leagues based on the Go Games philosophy

Games are small sided

Clubs strive to provide maximum participation for all players (Multiple teams should be fielded where applicable)

A rotational system to ensure all players receive equal playing time

Modifications and playing rules are at the discretion of each county

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Sample Mini League formatDivision 1 11 a side

Division 2 11 a side

Division 3 9/10 a side

Division 4 7/9 a side (or matching teams up to 11)

Modification of Playing Area

(At each county`s discretion)

Reduce width of pitch

11 a side: 90 x 40m - 50m

9 a side: 80 x 40m - 45m

Modification of rules


4 x 12 min quarters

Subs introduced only at breaks except in case of injury

All Players must play 2 quarters

Modification of playing rules


Two Touch Rule

Fouled Player Takes free

Nearest Player takes sideline

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GAA Games Programme

Child Youth Adult

Go Games

Mini-Leagues

Super Touch

Leagues

Scilabu

Leagues

Champ’ships

Recreational Developmental Competitive

Champ’ships

Benefits

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Benefits of small sided games

1. A greater number of catches, passes and scoring attempts occur

2. There are increased opportunities to improve decision making skills

3. Levels of enjoyment and perceived competence are higher

4. Levels of perceived pressure are lower

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7 a-side

15 a-side

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Summary of Benefits

1.The players work harder therefore increasing levels of fitness

2.Games can be played while incorporating the GAA Respect Initiative

3.We will recruit more children to our games

4.We will ensure that more children are participating from U 14 level

Research by M.Whelan and N.Moyna, DCU

www.gaa.ie/youth-zone/gaa-go-games/

http://www.gaa.ie/youth-zone/gaa-go-games/

Documents

Presentation title in footer1 Building a Base for Young Player Development