Major conflict over abolition of U-12 championships

THIS week, what would appear to be the very last of the U-12 county hurling championships, as we know them, got underway in Galway. No doubt, Congress’ move to abolish this well-loved competition in both Gaelic football and hurling after the conclusion of this year’s competitions has caused a massive stir at grassroots level, with many continuing to voice their opposition to the decision.

There are plenty of valid arguments for and against the move. The thrust of the Congress motion is to ensure that greater numbers at this level get to play the sport in conditioned ‘Go Games’; too often, it is just the best 15 or so players who sample competitive action at U-12 with their clubs, leaving too many youngsters disillusioned with the sport.

The other side of the proverbial coin, however, is that by abolishing the U-12 championship, youngsters who thrive on competitive action will look to sate their sporting appetites with other codes, such as soccer and rugby. So, while it may ensure the maximum number of youngsters play the game locally, the fear would be that clubs would lose their best young players to other sports.

“I understand all the concerns in the clubs, but this was not something that was dreamt up overnight,” says Connacht Hurling Director Damien Coleman. “A lot of research has gone into this.”

The research the Portumna man refers to has been conducted by Dublin City University (DCU), under the guidance of Professor Niall Moyna and Dublin football coach Mickey Whelan. By tracking the same seven players in a 15-a-side and 7-a-side game (each of 30 minute duration), the data they collected showed there were greater benefits to a small-sided match.

These included players working harder, therefore increasing fitness levels; players had more contact with the ball leading to increased opportunities to score, make decisions and develop skills; and the children also reported a greater level of enjoyment and boasted of a higher level of self esteem afterwards.

In essence, Go Games encourage full participation for all players in a club – not just the elite – with small-sided games organised in a non competitive way. For one, results are not recorded. Secondly, the games are also conditioned, with the playing rules modified to suit the developmental stages of the children. The playing area and playing equipment can also be modified accordingly.

The motion passed at Congress earlier this year embraces the above criteria and, from 2011 on, matches for those U-12 must be organised on the Go Games model. The maximum number for each team is 11 and provision has to be made for all members of the panel to participate in the game.

For more, read this week's Connacht Tribune.