Tag: DDSL

Categories
Irish Grassroots Football

Relative Age Effect In Irish Elite Youth Football – By Laura Finnegan

Laura is Lecturer in Sport Management and Talent Development in Waterford I.T, MA in Sport Psychology and currently undertaking a PhD on organisational structure and practice in Irish football (with Liverpool John Moores University).

Laura has done this study in partnership with Liverpool John Moore University with Dave Richardson, Martin Littlewood and Mark Nesti. All of which have significant experience in youth development and identifying and managing critical transitions within youth football. The study is an intensive project that will take approx 5/6 years to complete (there are periodical reports and publications throughout). Laura is immensely passionate about the potentially positive impact that producing objective insights could have on talent development in Ireland. The study consisted of 3 main studies, mainly centred on the wider talent development process in Ireland.
  1. The study involved interviews with the main stakeholders as regards development (e.g. FAI, SFAI, ETP, club personnel etc). It sought to assess philosophies/aims of these groups, what indicates a ‘successful outcome’ for elite development, views on each other/roles etc. The info will be related to organisational culture literature etc. Issues/unique characteristics of the Irish system will be identified.
  2. Study Two put some grassroots perspectives on the practices of these various bodies and personnel involved in the process. Interviews with coaches involved at different levels of Irish youth football, parents of kids involved and also with kids that have gone through the system, RDO’s etc.
  3. Study three sought to provide a real-time, real-life perspective of the various stages of talent development, all related to talent development literature. She followed a cohort of kids entering the ETP at the beginning and kept track of them as they face various transitions etc along the way, for 4 years. By keeping track of them allowed her to follow up reguarly with interviews which highlighted the various paths that they’ve taken and the different challenges/supports they’ve faced (i.e. transitions to UK, being forced to choose between county minor and LOI u17).
 This is the first publication to come from the study: Laura’s research starts here: 

rae visual

What is it?

The relative age effect (RAE) refers to a preference for selecting footballers born earlier in the year, often due to enhanced maturational factors (being bigger, faster, stronger physically but also are often more cognitively and emotionally mature) over their teammates born later in the year. As the graph above demonstrates, there is potentially the difference of a year growth between youth players!

For research purposes nosiness on my part, I broke the most commonly represented clubs on the ETP down individually. The clubs with the most quarter one births were Cherry Orchard (51.6%), St. Kevins (43.8%), Belvedere (44%) and Malahide Utd (43.5%).

Why is it a problem?

This can lead to a biased view of ‘potential’, which leads to these players being exposed to more game-time, getting selected for representational squads, receiving higher standards of coaching and leading to greater training opportunities. It’s often these physical factors that make players (especially in their early teens) stand out, stamina means it’s the fittest player still being seen to make challenges late on in games, a tall player will often stand out from the rest. It’s the same reason that there was an issue with one particular scout from a big English club always coming back recommending blond players… scanning a field of players, the blond heads tended to stand out!

RAE pic

The impact of this is that less mature, talented players can often be overlooked. How many times have you seen a coach ‘picking all the big fellas to head to the Kennedy Cup’ or chatted about whether Messi would’ve come through the Irish system?

 

 

 

 

We are delighted to the first blog to review her research and be able to share it with the world: You can read the rest of Laura’s article by going directly to her website:  https://talentdevelopmentinirishfootball.wordpress.com/

-End

I always like to hear your opinions and views. If you feel you have something to say, please comment below or email me info@thecoachdiary.com If, you don’t have anything to add then please forward this on to a friend. As always, thanks for reading.

I’m also on twitter @Coachdiary and @LetTheKidPlay

 

Categories
Irish Grassroots Football

New Season, New Level…Rejection or Selection??

So the season has only just ended for most and now it’s time to switch off from football before another season begins. Wait now….. it’s starting again!!

As just as another season ends along come July 1st (open season). Which for people reading this outside of Ireland this is when players can trial for other clubs and potentially sign for whoever they like. As we know it’s not that simple.

The team I coach has just moved up another level….the top level of schoolboy football on this Island (Others may think not) some might say. I spent 4 seasons with this team and we have come up four divisions year on year and finally we are at the summit. What makes this even more special is that we have only lost 3/4 players along the way…..Some had reached their level, some moved abroad and others to a different sport (GAA). Of the squad of 16, all are from the local area within 1-2 miles of the club and 12 have been with the club since academy or u9s.

Previously, what I like the most about coaching outside the top level is, you don’t have to worry about coming back on July 1st with the players playing at a lower level it was less likely they would be snapped up by the so called top clubs.  I’m happy to say that we did come back July 1st because we had so many players looking to join us for a change. Success brings these problems.

We have just completed a week of sessions looking at players with the final one this Wednesday (July 8th). We wanted to the give all the players the best opportunity to showcase their ability. So we scheduled the sessions around the players availability. In the sessions we included lots of ball control, possession games, rondos, 3v1, 4v2’s, 5v5 games as well as Cognitive exercises and finishing with 11-aside games.

After Wednesday we will offer some players the chance to train with us and if they like still go and try-out for other teams. I want to be able to give these young kids the best opportunity to succeed. Unfortunately some of our own players will be dropping down for commitment reasons mainly. As for the rest of the squad, they have been planning for this for sometime now and the players are now both technically and tactically ready for the next level.

“Young players have certain rights and specific needs that must be met by the coach, whilst learning the game”.

New Players

For the first time in 4 seasons, the phone hasn’t stopped ringing. Parent calling on behave of their sons and young confident players taking it upon themselves to call.  After some consultation, talking about our philosophy and training methods we invite the players to train for the week at first and longer if required.

“My responsibility is getting all my players playing for the name on the front of the jersey, not the one on the back.”

Of course a lot of parents thinks their child has the edge, however there are a lot of things that make up the type of player I like to work with. First and foremost they must be willing to learn, show 100% commitment and be respectful.

“If you aren’t playing well, the game isn’t as much fun. When that happens I tell myself just to go out and play as I did when I was a kid”

Switching Clubs

The decision parents make for their child or in fact (as I found out this week) the child makes for himself, must have the child best interest at heart.  The child may be one of the best player at his current team and enjoys having that responsibility.  Moving to a another team, he/she may not be the number one player or have as much responsibility as before. He/she may find it hard not to be the center of attention anymore and this could have an impact on his confidence. Moving clubs is a big decision and not only for the player. The entire family can be affected in many cases.

I have put together a list of things, parents might want to consider when moving clubs: 

  • Be as honest as possible with your current club, good coaches want to see their players progress even if it means to the club up the road. A coach/club should always leave the door open for any player who wants to see if they can move up a level by trying a new team. If players feels they are always welcome back, then it makes things easier for everyone concerned.
  • You must remember to be respectful to your current club and communicating will always make things better. People like to speculate, so best to get in there early and let the manager know.
  • Most elite teams have 3-4 players who stand out more than the rest, your child may have been one of these players at his last club and now finds himself down the pecking order. This sometimes can be hard to deal with and can hugely affect someone’s confidence but it’s something to be aware of. 
  • He/she may have to work his way into the starting line up, again this may not have been the case previously. Again this could have an affect on his/her confidence or desire to play.
  • A whole set of new players and coaches to become familiar with and sometimes at the younger ages this can be difficult to adapt too.
  • You may have to travel more. This means more commitment, more pressure to get to training, and will certainly cost you financially.
  • The coaching will most likely be different and may NOT be as enjoyable as before or may be even MORE enjoyable. Again another thing to think about.
  • Are the coaches experienced or just good talkers and poachers?
  • If you really want to know whether you’ve made the right choice for your child, you need to attend training. This is where you will see the coach in action. How the players are coached and how the players are being treated. Don’t be dependent on your kid to relay accurate information.
  • Do the the sessions looked planned, are they organised, fun, age and skill level appropriate.
  • Ask about the ratio of kids to coaches. Eight to ten kids per coach would be ideal. You definitely wouldn’t want it to be higher than 14 kids per coach. It’s virtually impossible to coach and impact a team on your own for a long periods of time.
  • What time will the team be training. I found over the years that some teams can train at the strangest times. Make sure you find out the training times as this may impact on other areas in your life. Summer and winter training times will likely be different and at different locations.
  • Most clubs have good facilities however not all teams at the club get to use them, so no harm in   checking to see where the team will be training.
  • Speak to other parents and ask them about the club and the coaches. You are putting your child in the hands of these people, you have a right to know.
  • If you aren’t satisfied, take a look at the what neighboring teams do. It may be worth a little extra drive time to get your kids in a better set-up.
  • Check to see what the managers plans are? Is he a win at all costs type manager or does he develop the kids properly and try to coach in the correct manner…. allowing the players to take risks and be expressive?  Make sure he is not just picking the bigger stronger guys over the smaller more ones. Proper coaching and encouraging kids to get on the ball, play and have fun….this will always win out in the long run.
  • If its the case that they have been asked to move from the B team to the A Team again consider all of the above.
  • Make sure he/she is really wanted and its not just a ploy to get his/her best friend to the club and using your child as a screen.
  • The child must want to move and not be forced or pressurised in any way. Change is good but it must be his/her decision not yours.
  • Once training with the new team, ask your child how he/she feels and then ask the question again after a few weeks training with the team.
  • Do not sign straight way, make sure your child is happy and you have examined all the logistics. Speak to the rest of the family. Again this might mean less time with your other kids. 
  • Before you commit, maybe sure you are 100% committed.
  • The number one priority is to make sure your child is happy and enjoying his/her football each every week.

Playing

Slide1 copyRemember if you child is not having fun and playing with a smile then they might be playing with fear  and this will prevent them from performing at their best and this will most likely lead to more mistakes and lack of confidence.  The most important thing for any child playing sport is that they are enjoying themselves and playing regularly and this includes getting time on the pitch. So make sure they are playing that is inline with their ability and allows them to perform at their best. For sure, they won’t always play well, (the kids have off days too) just like us but once they are having FUN, learning & playing with a smile, that’s all that really counts.

Soccer in Ireland is a recreational sport, we don’t have professional academies or professional teams and a huge percentage of kids that play each and every week see it as a game they can play with their friends and nothing else.  They play because it’s FUN, they want to improve at it but are realistic about their ability.

Being a sports parents is not easy and driving your child/children to and from training/games every week for 9 months of the year, is a huge commitment. The worst thing you can do is start missing work because of your child’s sport…. because you want that career more than they do. It has to be the perfect fit for you, the family and your child……..

After all you have to consider he/she may not even get selected and let’s be honest about this, it’s virtually impossible to make a selection based on a few training session or games. Unfortunately that’s the the process and most coaches are taking a gamble whether they say YES or No… it’s mostly down to luck, nature and opinions. Rejecting new players can be just as hard as releasing old ones.

So, remember to consider your life also (you have one), as well as your child’s.

Good luck for the season ahead!

-End

I always like to hear your opinions and views. If you feel you have something to say, please comment below or email me info@thecoachdiary.com If, you don’t have anything to add then please forward this on to a friend. As always, thanks for reading.

I’m also on twitter @Coachdiary

Categories
Irish Grassroots Football

SFAI Finals 17th & 18th May, 2014

SFAI finals on this weekend and nothing about it on their website. No information about any of the finalists, the clubs, the history. Nothing about the fixtures, the times, the location, not one thing! How can the Football Association of Ireland allow these people run the schoolboy game. I know there are some great people working within the SFAI but as an organisation they rarely do anything with commitment. Ironically they will be quick enough to get their blazers on and walk around Jackson Park this weekend as if they have achieved something.

Do we really have to continue to accept this abysmal standard of organisation? Really, feel for all the finalist, they aren’t taken serious enough and deserve a lot more respect for the work they do and being finalists in the All-Ireland Cup competitions. Let’s not take away from the fact that this weekend is a very big one for Schoolboy Football in Ireland and congratulations to all the finalists.

Scottish Cup Finals

All week I have been watching highlights from the finals in Scotland. Each final has it’s own build up, with player and coaching staff interviews, they took in the history of the clubs and how much it means to each team to be in a final. All the finals were played in Stadiums. A full football final experience for all the kids involved. For some of these kids this might be the first and last final they ever play, so why not make it a memorable experience for all, why not give them the best possible experience?? We could be and should be doing a lot more for these finals and it wouldn’t take very much to make them feel special.

I also don’t want to take away from the great job Wayside Celtic do organising the entire finals by themselves. They have never let the kids down and in no way is this post disrespecting them, I just feel the kids deserve better. I’d like to thank (Wayside) them for clarifying fixtures for this coming weekend:

SFAI Cups 2014

SATURDAY

u12s – Corduff FC (NDSL) v St Josephs boys FC (DDSL) : Time: 11am

u13s – St Kevins Boys (DDSL) v Crumlin United (DDSL) : Time 1pm

u15s – Belvedere FC (DDSL) v St.Kevins (DDSL) : Time 3pm

SUNDAY

u14s – Mervue United A.F.C (GalwayDL) v St. Francis (DDSL) : Time 2pm

u16s – St. Kevins Boys (DDSL) v St Brendans Park FC (KerryDL) : Time 4pm

Some Key Things To Remember For Every Game

Make sure your child/players enjoy the finals, playing with a smile is one way of making sure of that! This could be the first and last time, so make it a good experience. Last week at the league cup finals many adults were encroaching (even with linesmen) on the pitches thus preventing the ball going down that side on many occasions. Refs should be more in control of the game and prevent this from happening. These coaches were also continually giving instruction on what to do, which was confusing for the players. We know this prevents the child from leaning the game their way and also stops them from thinking in the moment. By doing this you also take control of their decisions and their game. Encourage and Praise. Don’t pass on what you think they should do, because what they see and what you see is a completely different picture.

“Youth Sports build characters and traits like Self confidence, Resilience, Teamwork, Mental Toughness, SelfControl and Respect for others. Playing sports provides an incredible infrastructure for teaching character to the nations kids but only if coaches and parents recognise and seize these teachable moments. Coaches should focus on the process whilst teaching life’s lesson through sport. Parents should focus on teaching life skills and leave the competing to the players & coaches, this in turn would create a much more positive environment for everyone involved”

Try this sometime: The six-second rule is so called because 6 seconds is the time it takes to capture the flight or fight response (ie: avoid the emotional hijacking). When someone has said or done something that triggers your hot button (gets you angry), take a deep breath and count 1..2..3..4..5..6 seconds before you respond. You will find that what you were about to say no longer has any meaning. It works!!!

Best of luck to all involved!

-End

I always like to hear your views. Please comment below or email me info@thecoachdiary.com If, you don’t have anything to add then please forward this on to a friend. Thanks for reading. I’m also on twitter @Coachdiary

Categories
Irish Grassroots Football

DDSL SSG Changes are very Positive..

After several weeks of much discussion, meetings of various clubs around Dublin, the SSG working Group along with the DDSL have come with the following changes starting this summer with immediate effect.

They stressed that the main focus remained to introduce a more soccer friendly and non-competition environment. The focus is ensuring that players get to play more football; more focus on coaching and to educate parents to remain behind the rope, not coach the kids and support the coaches/managers. They also want clubs to work together and make sure that soccer in Dublin is much more player focused and less about adult egos.

“SSG Group to remains in place for a minimum of 12 months to monitor and improve any changes accepted. This would also allow for improving in coaching and assisting DDSL clubs, coaches and players”.

This is what is going happen:

Under 7 to remain within their club academies for further development and coaching.

Under 8s (2006) & under 9 (2005)

Focus on the following: 

  • Children should play in relevant age group.
  • Aim is to bring these age groups into a more soccer friendly and non-competition environment.
  • Focus is on ensuring players get to PLAY more and encourage managers to become more skilful.
  • We need to educate parents on how to their behaviour affects children’s playing/learning “Don’t cross the line” roping of all pitches is to encouraged in all clubs. 

How the game is played:  

  • Team of 10 to make of two games
  • Play in regionalised events
  • DDSL to set fixtures every week
  • Teams to play across the current small-sided pitch, enabling 2 games to take place at the same time i.e. if a team arrives with 10 players and the opposition also have ten, then 2 x 5v5 games can be played. If a team arrives with 9 players, then a 5v5 and 4v4 should be played.
  • 7v7 Goals should be turned on their back to make a smaller goal or use a 5 aside goals.
  • Each game to be 3×10 mins with a 2 minuted interval between each quarter.
  • No ref/Non-Competition (It doesn’t count for anything, just FUN)
  • No Match cards
  • No Results
  • No league Tables
  • Play for fun and learn foot-skill
  • Pitch Roped Off (Standard is 5 feet away from the line)
  • Size 3 ball must be used
  • All players must play
  • All groups will be renamed to colours rather then grading of A, A1, B etc
  • Each Group will be made up of 10/12 teams so no moving at Christmas
  • No playing on Bank Holidays weekends
  • If teams missing players they can still travel with 8/9 players (play 2 x 4 aside)
  • Pitch dimensions: play across current SSG pitch then the two matches can take place at the same time.

Under 10:

  • No change with current playing system
  • Play 7 aside
  • DDSL to set fixture every week
  • For the coming session this will be competition football as they are coming out from playing u9s which was competitive.
  • Official refs to be appointed by League €15.00 (Unless FAI alter fee)
  • Play 20 mins each way.
  • All players must play.
  • Size 4 ball to be used.
  • Play in 6 team divisions up to Christmas and re-grade after Christmas for League.
  • Pitch Dimension: 70 yards Long and 50 yards wide.

Under 11:

  • Play 7-a- side.
  • DDSL to set fixtures every week.
  • Official referees to be appointed by League – €15.00 per match.
  • Play 20 mins each way.
  • All players must play.
  • Size 4 ball to be used.
  • Play in 6 team divisions up to Christmas and re-grade after Christmas for League.
  • Pitch Dimension: 70 yards Long and 50 yards wide.

 Under 12:

  • Play 9- a- side on Saturday ONLY (for this year as teams played for top 5 Sat & top 5 Sun from u11s).
  • Play on 11 a side pitch from 18 yard line to 18 yard line (different colour paint can be used to mark out the pitch lines).
  • Use same 11 aside sidelines.
  • Play 30 mins each way.
  • All players must play.
  • Official referees to be appointed by League – €24.00.
  • Small Sided Goals to be used. (Would be great to bring in the European style 6x2m goal)
  • No Offside.
  • Play in 10 team divisions to streamline the transition into u13 next season.

Next Season (2014/2015) both Sat and Sun top 5 teams from each A division get 13 Premier.

Other Suggestion by the SSG group:

  • Bringing the u10’s into non- competition football from the season 2014/2015
  • u11’s into non-competition football from the season 2015/2016.
  • This would mean that no leagues, no cups until u12s.
  • SSG Group to remains in place for a minimum of 12 months to monitor and improve any changes accepted.
  • This would also allow for improving in coaching and assisting DDSL clubs, coaches and players.

All in all I think this is a very positive move by the DDSL, it may not be what everyone wants but it’s certainly a step in the right direction and the SSG working group is going to be in place for another year which is fantastic news.

I would also like to see the following eventually brought in:

  • A retreat line from to u9s
  • 9v9 played at u13
  • 9v9 up to u14s for certain levels
  • Move to 11v11 at u14s
  • Size 4 ball for u13s
  • Roll on and roll off up to u16s (Minimum)

Let me know what other leagues are doing the coming season and of course I’m always interested in hearing your views.

Another great post from Blueprint for football Great Coaches=Better Players

Categories
Development Irish Grassroots Football

Non Competition is the way to Success

Just got back from pilot exercise put on by Jason Carey, Director of Coaching at Peamount United FC on behalf of the DDSL. It seems that after all these years of getting it so wrong, the DDSL have now turned to the Grassroots Coaches of some of Dublins biggest community clubs, to come up with a pathway that will enhance the development of kids across Dublin.

The plan is that all young people playing recreational football will now follow the new DDSL player pathway which starts with small-sided (to be confirmed) 3v3 at u8s and into 4v4s & 5v5s for u9s;  7v7 for u9s & u10s and 9v9 for u11s & u12s.

The focus is on player development and getting away from the winning at all costs attitude from coaches and parents.  Over the next few years we will see the above rolled out all across Dublin and finally we can say that the DDSL are on the right path when it comes to assisting with the development of young footballers across Dublin.

I have researched best practice in Scotland, England, Wales and across the world (Brazil, Portugal, Spain, Holland and Germany amongst others) and this player pathway will fit into an Irish context and help young players to reach their potential.

SSG

Last Saturday Malahide United along with St. Malachys FC put on a pilot were the kids played various 4v4 and 5v5 games and tonight Jason showed the true potential of Irish kids, who were allowed to play with the freedom in age appropriate games and pitch dimensions. Tonight 3v3 demo with four goals, 4v4 demo with gk, 4v4 without gk and 5v5s with two goals proved that this is the way Ireland needs to go for part of the SSG pathway.

Peamount decided not to enter their u8s into the league last season and you could notice the difference between the kids who have had a full year developing in their academy versus the kids who played competition football. Peamount players were Technically better and certainly had developed game intelligence.

Research has shown the undoubted advantages of small sided games (more goals, more 1 v 1s, more successful passes, more touches) and the benefits of moving through small-sided games formats to the adult version of the game, step by step through age appropriate games, which is the only way to develop the full potential of kids.

“Nature decrees that children should be children before they become adults…If we try to alter this natural order, they will reach adulthood prematurely but with neither substance nor strength.” Jean-Jacques Rousseau

The Problems in development of young players

  • Too much pressure on young players
  • A severe lack of age-appropriate coaching
  • No obvious system to accommodate for late developing players
  • Too much emphasis on results in all age groups
  • A lack of ability to develop talent early and placing them in the correct environment

(Allen 2008)

Why Small Sided Games

  • More touches of the ball.
  • Simpler decisions to make.
  • Better game-related fitness, short duration of high-intensity vs laps of a pitch.
  • More time with coach per player.
  • More opportunities to solve game problems.
  • More attacking opportunities (dribbling, shooting, passing )
  • More defending opportunities.
  • More shooting and more goals = more fun!
  • No hiding place, players don’t get lost in these games, improves competitiveness & healthy agression.
  • More opportunities for the full range of skills.
  • Encourages better shape and awareness of team-mates.
  • Encourages faster play, fast transition from defence to attack.
  • ITS FUN!!

Player Development

We have to develop a football culture in Ireland where young players are developed positively, learn to win through effort and develop skills for life through football. This should be our number one focus.  Are aim as Coaches and the Cubs providing football is to create a more enjoyable football experience for all involved, football is also about the teaching of life lessons and character development, is it not just about teaching the game. Taught in the right manner football can develop vital character-building life skills a child, skills that will help them in every walk of life.

These changes, (which I state, have yet to be passed) will keep young people in football longer and enhance the development of KIDS all across Ireland.

Let’s hope it happens…soon!

“The amount of space in 11-a-side is not good for young kids. You spend too much time running around without the ball…I think the best way to improve your skills is to play football on a smaller pitch. I didn’t play 11-a-side football until I was 13. In Brazil, most kids play futebol de salao, which is similar to five-a-side. In futebol de salao, you are always involved.” Juninho, World Cup Winner 2002 with Brazil

 

 

Categories
Football Associations Irish Grassroots Football

Can we expect a new ERA or will it be much of the same?

Less then a week after I attended the DDSL’new beginning for a New Era’ and not even a thank on the DDSL website. I was expecting a message from the powers at the DDSL, maybe some feedback from the night, but nothing. They haven’t even added Alistair Grays email from Renaissance, the Company doing the audit on their site or least I can’t see it. They mentioned that 70 people should last week, I think that number is generous and I suppose it reflects how people really think or is it that they just don’t care!!!

Now I’m wondering what they did with all our ideas and will they do as one of the big powers usually does…..bring someone in, take the ideas and run with them, without using the source being involved, I just hope that they listen to the people on the ground, the coaches, managers and the kids themselves.

Grassroots football is not about the amount of trophies you win. It is about the difference you make to young people”. – Nick Levett.

We need to change together…

I still firmly believe that we need to introduce changes across Ireland. SFAI need to do what they were set-up to do and govern the grassroots game. At present all they do is run a few cups competitions. They have absolutely no involvement with how the game is developed in Ireland and it’s about time they started changing with the times. Kids these days have grown up with being able to access things instantly, football is no different; the kids game is changing. They, the SFAI, who supposedly run the kids games are in fact the ones preventing it from growing. You can blame this old farts, for thousand of kids leaving the game every year. The SFAI do not support children playing the game in this country, their sole goal is to provide cup competition, which actually go against the development grain because of how competitive these cups actually are and I’m not talking about the kids. So in essence they are preventing your child from enjoying the game and developing in an age related structure.

The SFAI, don’t even have a mission statement……are you surprised, I’m not! Kids playing football know much more about the game then the people administrating it and by the looks of what I saw at last years AGM, the average age of this committee is well over 50, the game as changed ten fold since they were kids and that is were the disconnect lies. Whatever changes are made they need to be sanctioned right across Ireland. I’ve said it before, there is no point in Dublin doing one thing and Cork doing another. Think about this, a 26 year old international plays on the same size pitch as a 11 year old boy/girl….there is something not right with that.

Have the SFAI and/or FAI ever done any research on child development, have they ever asked kids playing the game, what they need and want?

A guide to the changes in the UK from 2014

From season 2014/2015, the FA will introduce a new pathway for development across the UK.

u7 will be 5v5 – No leagues published, no single eight month long season. Three trophy events allowed per season.

u8 will be 5v5 – No leagues published, no single eight month long season. Three trophy events allowed per season.

Ball size 3, goal size 12×6 and pitch size 40×30

u9 will be 7v7 – No leagues published, no single eight month long season. Three trophy events allowed per season.

Ball size 3, goal size 12×6 and pitch size 60×40

u10 will be 7v7 – No leagues published, no single eight month long season. Three trophy events allowed per season.

Ball Size 4, goal size 12×6 and pitch size 60×40.

u11 will be 9v9 – League table allowed but will change to: No leagues published, no single eight month long season. Three trophy events allowed per season from 2015/16.

u12 will be 9v9 – League tables allowed.

Ball size 4, goal size 16×7 and pitch size 80×50.

u13 & u14s – remains 11v11 – Leagues table allowed.

Ball size 4. Goal size 21×7 and pitch size 90×55.

u15s & u16s – remains 11v11.

Ball size 5, goal size 24×8 and pitch size 100×60

u17 & u18s remains 11v11

Ball size 5, goal size 24×8 and pitch size 110×70

Currently in Scotland they play 7v7 until u12s and move to competitive 11v11  football  at u13s. In Wales they play 5v5, 6v6 and 8v8 at u10s & u11s. England, NI, Scotland and Wales have sanctioned changes right across the country, we need to do the same and do it now, not in ten years.

“38% of players in premier leagues are available to play for England”

Organised or not

Many great players of the past did not play organised football until u12s, these players were allowed enjoy the game with not having the added pressure to win leagues or cups. We need to introduce change across the Ireland, not just in Dublin. No cups, no elite football, no leagues until 12s and gradually introduce a grading and league system. More emphasis should be put on school football, they have a 5v5 game up to 6th class but not enough is done to get all schools participating.  After primary school and only when they get to secondary should they be concentrating on developing in a single sport. Being involved in a variety of sports, this will help with kids coordination and balance. More kids should be encouraged to get involved with the community games and certainly the government should be supporting and funding these more. We need to bring back the FUN in to the game, it’s all but gone from Grassroots football in this country. We need to take the kids out of the adult environment and keep them in child related environments for much longer. When you look at the stats of kids making in the game, we are providing for the 1%, when we should be providing for the 99%.

“700,000 kids playing football in the uk  and the chances of making it to the premier league at 21 are 0.015%” – Nick Levett

Conclusion

This year the UK will invest 150million into schools sports, which probably isn’t all that much considering how big the UK is. However, they have recognised how important being in sports is. Sports not only reduces the chances of obesity, a child is also less likely to suffer from any psychological illnesses. Two areas, which are of of huge concern in relation to Irish kids.

I probably need to be more positive about the SFAI and FAI but it’s  hard to be at times, I’ll continue to look at ahead with hope that change is just around the corner.

You might be wondring what can prevent change from happening?  Well, a concern would be the bigs clubs in Dublin, not having competitive and/or elite leagues and this would certainly rock their boat. We know they relie on the small amounts of transfer funds they receive from the few kids that go to England but really these changes should not impact, as kids cannot sign until they are much older. The time is right, we are all ready for change!

I’ll concluded by thanking the vast number of volunteers who tirelessly give hundreds of hours of their time to keep kids in sports. To those, I salute you and ask you to stay involved.

‘Do not confine your children to your own learning, for they were born in another time’

Categories
Irish Grassroots Football

New Beginning for a New Era

Finally the DDSL are making moves towards change. 

Taken from their website….

You may be aware that the DDSL has commissioned a stretegic plan which will be named “New Beginning for a New Era”.    It is intended that the strategy will look at all aspects of the League.

In order for this to work, it has been decided that a process for consultation will take place in The Red Cow Inn on Tuesday next (12th March) commencing at 7.00pm. Clubs are requested to attend and bring along a parent, coach and manager from their club so that all aspects of the game can be represented. The more input we get from all areas of the game will help to make the process be successful.

 We are asking that as many clubs as possible come along to give their views as it is hoped that what comes from these consultations will eventually form the blueprint of Irish grassroots soccer.

The Red Cow INN, Tuesday 12th March 2013 – 7.00pm – 9.00pm

This should be interesting to see how this is chaired…See you there tomorrow!