Building a Base for
Young Player
Development
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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
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Background and Research
Traditional Model
• Must Win
•More perceived pressure on children
• Full Rules/ 15 a side
• Best Players Play
•Limited Player Development
•Substitutes get little or No Game
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GAA Grassroots to National Programme (GNP)
Aims
•Maximise Participation
•Optimise Playing Standards
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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)
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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”
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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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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 format
Division 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
Reduce width of pitch
(At each county`s discretion)
11 a side: 90 x 40m - 50m
9 a side: 80 x 40m - 45m
Modification of rules
4 x 12 min quarters
(At each county`s discretion)
Subs introduced only at breaks
except in case of injury
All Players must play 2 quarters
Modification of playing rules
Two Touch Rule
(At each county`s discretion)
Fouled Player Takes free
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Nearest Player takes sideline
GAA Games Programme
Child
Youth
Adult
Champ’ships
Champ’ships
MiniLeagues
Leagues
Leagues
Go Games
Super
Touch
Scilabu
Recreational
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Developmental
Competitive
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Benefits
Benefits of small sided games
49.42
60
1. A greater number of catches,
passes and scoring attempts
occur
3. Levels of enjoyment and
perceived competence are
higher
4. Levels of perceived pressure
are lower
40
Number
2. There are increased
opportunities to improve
decision making skills
50
30
21.13
20
10
0
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
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www.gaa.ie/youth-zone/gaa-go-games/