Dublin Development Proposal
Dublin Development Proposal
Lyn Savage Dublin Regional Games Development Officer
Tel: 087 1316944 Email: [email protected]
Introduction Ladies Gaelic Football has been thriving in the Dublin over the last number of years and new clubs and players are joining the Association on an ongoing basis. It is essential that the county has the proper structures in place to deal with the surge of numbers involved and more importantly that we remember the most important people involved – the players.
Recently Ladies Gaelic Football has gained a more competitive nature in Dublin and this can be detrimental to the development of the young girls involved in the sport. All involved must remember that every child must develop at their own pace and by adding extra pressure they lose vital elements which can be detrimental to their overall development.
The following proposal offers solutions to getting Ladies Gaelic Football back to the way it should be and allow the girls to have FUN and have a more positive experience while playing the sport. Sport offers kids an arena where they can earn attention and respect by exerting their natural abilities. The proposal outlines ways to make the sport less competitive in the county and allow the girls to develop naturally and increase all standards in the future. There are two options for clubs to discuss and it is hoped that the proposal will then be brought to the Annual General Meeting and voted upon. Clubs may be gaining new players every year as mentioned but there are also many players being lost and we need to make changes to hold on to these girls. (See Appendix I)
The second part of the proposal deals with the current development squad and academy structures and changes that can be made to improve these and again make a more player centred approach to the development of these girls. I feel that the county is not maximising the talent of girls from all clubs by ensuring the proper structures are in place, increasing standards at all levels.
I look forward to your views and opinions on the following and I hope that your club will see the benefits of these changes for juveniles (Under 10-Under 13) and offer your support with a positive vote at the AGM. If you have any questions you can contact me at any time.
Why do Kids Play Sport? 1. To have fun 2. To improve their skills and learn new skills 3. To be with their friends and make new friends 4. To do something they are good at 5. To be part of a team 6. To get fit 7. To succeed or win The number one reason why children play sport is because they enjoy playing games and having fun. Mentors and parents need to be aware of this at all times. Sparky Anderson, a former major league baseball manager, wrote, “We’re asking kids to compete to win. Why not ask them to compete to have fun?” The primary goal of juvenile football should not be to form a winning team. The goal should be to create an atmosphere that is fun, childcentred and develops the skills of all the participants. If a child experiences a positive performance and receives constructive feedback she is more likely to continue participation in the sport. Everyone enjoys winning but most children focus more on performing the activity instead of who won or lost. Success should be measured in terms of personal growth and development and not by who won the league or championship. The majority of children would rather play on a bad team than sit on the bench for a good one. Winning and receiving awards are of secondary importance to children and should not be heavily emphasised. Children love to play and have fun and that is what Dublin Ladies Gaelic Football should focus on. ‘A Coaches Letter to Parents’ by Darrell Burnett demonstrates the philosophy all mentors should be working with. (Appendix II).
Why Kids Quit Sport? 1. Overemphasis on winning 2. Lost interest 3. Not having fun 4. Time consuming 5. Coach was a poor teacher 6. Too much pressure 7. Tired of playing 8. Coaches play favourites 9. The sport was boring Over 35% of children who play youth sports quit after the first year of competition. 85% of the children who continue to play drop out of sports all together between the ages of 10 and 17. Why are children quitting sport? The primary reason is that children are not having FUN. There are additional causes like overemphasis on winning and being given out to for making mistakes. Coaches and parents compound these problems by singling out players for excellent play with extrinsic rewards: best player, player of the match etc. This degrades the average and below average players and also adds competitive stress to the player who received the reward. Children quit sports because winning is not everything to them, having fun is, and when the game is not fun, they lose interest. Getting children interested again after they quit can be very difficult. With this in mind it is extremely important that Dublin Ladies Gaelic Football provides the correct structures to ensure that when we do get young girls into our sport and that we do everything to keep them and ensure that EVERY player gets an equal opportunity to have fun and develop at their own rate. From the above take a look at the current structures and the proposed new structures to see the way forward for holding on to girls in our sport.
Current Structures In Dublin there are leagues and championships organised at juvenile level from under 10 to under 13 and these are divided into divisions as follows:
•
•
Championships –
Under 10: Division 1,2,3
–
Under 11: Division 1,2
–
Under 12: Division 1,2,3
–
Under 13: Division 1,2,3
League –
Under 10: Division 1,2N,2S,3
–
Under 11: Division 1,2,3
–
Under 12: Division 1,2
–
Under 13: Division 1,2,3N, 3S
The current structures automatically lead to teams becoming competitive as there are extrinsic rewards for them at the end through cups, trophies and medals. Mentors and parents also take the matches more seriously and the FUN element is forgotten about. Teams are playing their strongest players while the average players are left on the sidelines to watch match after match. There is also evidence in the county of teams refusing to play with fewer players to match a team who can only field less players as they need the points or they need to win through to the next round. If these were non-competitive this would not be a problem because mentors would use all their players and would play with any number available to them. Is it fair to an under 13 team to have to field eleven players against fifteen players from another team? Where is the FUN in that? It has happened on numerous occasions in the county this year. Below is a comment I received which summed up the current structures: “I am watching an U10 B girls game. 15 a side and 8 subs. My daughter is here and they have no space. They are crowding around the ball which is not their fault and not all girls are getting to play. Can you do anything to change this?”
Club Case Study Throughout 2008 I have visited a large number of clubs and heard the views and opinions of all involved. Most of the problems which arose were similar in all clubs and it was interesting to hear that many of the clubs disagreed with the current structures and would rather have non competitive structures to allow their players have fun and develop skills at their own rate. The following is a case study taken from a club in Dublin and some of the problems they are encountering with current competitions.
The club operated on the principle that football should involve a high component of skill teaching and enjoyment with games that are played in a non competitive environment. They have suffered many defeats as they try to integrate less experienced players and it does appear that other teams have raced ahead when looking at results. The overall perception is that success is measured by position in the league or championship and how much the team has defeated other teams rather than how players are developing. A mentor in the club recently watched an under 12 game where one team destroyed another but the mentors refused to ease up as was Division 1 and that is what was expected. They also refused to take off their stronger players and instead played with their full team. The mentor involved wondered if they had the wrong policy in playing average teams but allowing all girls equal opportunities.
IS THIS CLUB WRONG?
Results from various studies have shown that a high level of competitiveness (U10-U13) is detrimental to development of players. Prof Niall Moyna and Sean Boylan are of opinion that a high percentage of players peak at an early age and do not maintain their rate of development and by minor are not standing out. This will be seen with girls in the next few years. Players who achieve success too early or are advanced too quickly by mentors often give up the game as they lose interest or become difficult to coach as feel have little to learn. This club is correct in allowing girls develop at their own pace but the teams against them are making it unfair to their girls and forgetting the FUN element.
Proposal 1: Changes to Structures With this in mind the following are the proposals for changes to the current juvenile fixtures. These would allow clubs to give girls time to develop and also ensure that all girls are given equal opportunities to play. There are two different options:
• Option 1: Abolishment of leagues and championships to be replaced by Fun blitzes hosted by different club every 3-4 weeks - small sided games in parallel on main pitch, varied rules - even teams - points given for skills - no winners or losers
• Option 2: Keep non competitive league and have fun blitzes in place of championship
- league to continue with organised fixtures but non competitive with no winners or losers - fun blitzes replace championship guaranteeing all teams more matches
–
Important to keep blitzes running through summer as this is when drop off occurs (clubs have option to enter)
–
Blitzes should be maximum 10 a side with no subs
Competitive V Non Competitive Games There are many benefits for juveniles of having non competitive structures and studies have been completed all over the world to prove this. You, as clubs, need to decide if these new proposed structures would benefit not you, but your young girls. The following is a synopsis of a study completed on the effect of competition on self esteem in girls.
“Girls’ Self-Esteem Comparison in Competitive and Recreational Gymnastics” (Zeynal Amac, Nicole Anastasio, Amy Morwick, Jialin Yi)
•
Girls have lower self-esteem than boys (Marcotte, Fortin, Potvin & Papillon, 2002)
•
Girls who participate in sports in general have higher self esteem than girls who do not (Trew, Scully, Kremer & Ogle, 1999)
•
Healthy self-esteem has been associated with happiness, success and high achievement, whereas low self-esteem has been associated with depression, anxiety and underachievement (Addeo, 1994)
•
Results show that girls aged 10-13 involved in competitive sports have lower self esteem than girls involved in recreational sport
•
Girls in non competitive sport had more FUN
•
Major factor was amount of pressure created by act of competition
You as a club might like winning competitions and bringing home cups and trophies but if they were not there are the girls in your club going to leave. No they are not. The extrinsic rewards have become the most important element for many clubs in Dublin and this has to change for the future development of Ladies Gaelic Football in the county. Girls will continue to play as long as they are having fun and enjoying the sport. Fun blitzes can assure this and allow all girls equal opportunities to play the games. These blitzes would consist of small sided games in a fun, learning environment. Small sided games are about learning, self-experiencing, having a lot of touches on the ball and above all, children having fun every time they step on the pitch.
Benefits of Small Sided Games •
More touches of the ball by all players throughout all areas of the pitch
•
More shots on goal
•
More efficient use of facilities (multiple games on pitch)
•
Repeated decision making experience
•
The ball is in play more often
•
Emphasis on player development rather than winning and losing
•
Better success rate leads to improved quality of play, self-esteem and player retention
•
The game is easier to understand
•
Freedom of expression – no positions in early stages
•
Less perceived stress on players
•
Less perceived pressure from parents and coaches
•
Parents are more likely to volunteer for small sided games
The emphasis of Small Sided Games is on participation and enjoyment, and an associated removal of the current emphasis on the importance of winning
Studies have shown the following differences between 7-a-side and 15-a-side games:
Heart Rate
15- a- si d e
7- a- si d e
•
Physiological responses are higher during a 7 a-side than a 15 a-side game so health benefits are higher in 7-a-side
Match Analysis: Catching
Total Number
60
55
50 40
31
30
21 37
20 10 0
3
21 11 Total
Chest
5
Low
7-a-side 15-a-side
High
Match Analysis: Passing
Total Number
50 41
40 30 20
21 17 31
10 0
3 17
Total
Hand Pass
13
Foot Pass
1
Punt Pass
7-a-side 15-a-side
Match Analysis: Scoring Attempts
24 Total Number
20
19
16 12 8
8
5
4
3 3
0
Total
3
1
0
2
0
0
3
1
2
4
0
0
0
5
6
7-a-side 15-a-side
Player •
There was a greater number of catches, passes, pick-ups and scoring attempts in the 7 a-side than a 15 a-side games so more player-ball touches which increases the window of skill development
Match Analysis
Enjoyment 20
15 a-side 7 a-side
N u m b er
19
Match Analysis
Perceived Competence
18
17 17
7 a-side 16 N u m b er
16 15
15
14
•
Levels of enjoyment and perceived competence are greater during a 7 a-side than 15 a-side game so many players are enjoying the small sided game as they feel the ability to participate
15 a-side
13
Mentor and Club Philosophy It is important that your club can think about the philosophy of your mentors and also your club’s own philosophy. The following are examples of contrasting philosophies using the current and proposed structures and how they affect the players in your club. Scenario 1 After Chloe watched the Ladies All Ireland Final on TV she was very keen to join a club and play football so she went to her local club and joined in training. Training was ok but they did lots of running and physical work and Chloe only saw the ball for a ten minute game at the end. She only got to touch the ball twice as there was so many playing. Chloe was then a sub for the first three games as they were in the championship but she did play in one of the league matches. Chloe did not know where she should be or what she should do and the manager kept shouting instructions but she couldn’t understand what he was saying. After fifteen minutes Chloe was substituted and told she needs to learn what to do but they need to get points. Chloe misses the next match and goes with her friend to dancing. She loves dancing as it was so much fun and no parents or mentors where telling her what to do as she did not need to win anything. Chloe’s manager tells the rest of the players that none of them will become footballers if they have her attitude because she has no staying power. Scenario 2 Amy went to local club training for the first time because her friend at school was saying how great it was. She was welcomed to the club, explained the rules and code of conduct at the club as well as the club’s philosophy. Amy really enjoyed training as the coach was really friendly and most of the session was conducted with the ball. They played a game at the start and another small sided game at the end which was great fun. Before the team’s first match the mentor invited all players and parents to a short meeting and explained that they were playing in a league and fun blitzes and that all players would be given an equal chance. Amy loved her football and always looked forward with great enthusiasm to the next training session or match.
Ask Yourself, Which of these clubs will hold on to their players?
Academies/Development Squads The development squads and academies were originally set up to ‘develop’ young players in Dublin. The selected participants were given knowledge on skills and age appropriate education in a relaxed environment. There was no pressure on the girls to perform and they developed at their own level. Players were encouraged to come to mentors if they were having any difficulties with a skill.
The current squads and academies are now considered a failure if they do not achieve success. Training has become very structured and the fun element is being lost. Girls are being considered a failure at ages as young as twelve and being dropped from selected panels as team sizes must be reduced. Incorrect information has been given to KIDS at various times and they are being treated as a COUNTY player with inappropriate training methods. People must remember that these players are still children and will have many years ahead of them to be bound to strict procedures of being a county player. From speaking to clubs in the county many feel that some of their players have gone backwards rather than improved while being involved with some of these teams. A mentor in one of the clubs stated “One of our girls was brought onto the academies and she was our strongest player by far, she is now lucky to be in our top five.” The following are the current structures of the academies (U11-13) in Dublin.
Current Structures
2
3
1
2
3
2 4
2
Expert Coach
8
2
9
2
Expert Coach
2
1
1
3
1
2
9
1
2 1
2 1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
•
Totals: – 90 kids receive expert coaching – Approx. twice every month
•
Under 11, 12, 13
•
Total Approximately 270 girls
3 4
2
8
1
1
1
6 7
1 1
5
2
1
2
1
4
2
1
2
2
3
2 7
2
2
2
2 6
2
2
1
2 5
2
3
5
2
6
2
7
2
Expert Coach
2 2
8 9 1
2 1
2
Is there a need for these ages?
1
2 1
1 1
1
1
1
1
What about the other kids?
Proposal 2: Changes to Academies/Development Squads From the previous reports you, as a club, can see how important it is for young girls to have fun and be allowed to develop at their own rate. Evidence also proves that only a minimum number of girls are benefiting from elite coaching and being given the opportunity to participate at ‘elite’ level. The following proposal, with the utilisation of development blitzes, will allow more girls the opportunity to demonstrate their skills and abilities and also help with the development of clubs, mentors and players, through mentor education. National competitions are not organised until under 14 level, yet in Dublin academies are being brought together from under eleven and then have the harsh reality of dropping at least fifty of these girls and telling them that they are not good enough even at that young age. Were these girls not better off being left with their clubs to play matches? A series of fun small sided U12 blitzes at the end of every year would allow the next years Under 13 mentors choose girls for their squad. This would be the first squad to be brought together and all younger academy teams abolished. These girls would then be together for a full year before joining to make the Dublin U14 team. The blitzes will allow every girl an equal opportunity to become part of the squad as all players will be seen and there will be no ‘elite’ selections from clubs. This squad would be closely observed to ensure age appropriate training and information was provided to all involved.
It is also proposed to utilise these development blitzes for mentor education by having expert coaches at all venues and having an information session with the mentors of the teams involved in the blitz. The mentors can then take this back to their clubs, ensuring high standards of coaching are being delivered to a larger range of girls which will have a knock on effect throughout the county. This in turn will see the standards of coaching increased throughout all the clubs and in turn affect a far greater number of girls in the county.
The effect of these blitzes are shown as follows on the next page.
Development Blitzes
Expert Coach
Club Coach Team 1
Club Coach Team 2
Club Coach Team 3
Club Coach Team 4
Club Coach Team 5
Club Coach Team 6
20 girls
20 girls
20 girls
20 girls
20 girls
20 girls
Impact on 120 girls x 10 blitzes = 1200 girls per Blitz Day
As you can see from the above diagram 1200 girls would be impacted upon from one single blitz day and this is just at one age level. It would be hoped to hold approximately ten blitzes simultaneously in the county. This will give all girls the opportunity to demonstrate their skills in a fun environment while also providing mentors the opportunity for education and guidance.
Conclusion In conclusion you can see that non competitive sport offers girls a chance to learn new skills in an environment that promotes development more than competition. As long as the child has full support and interest, she’ll come out a winner. Non competitive sports do offer competition, in some form and girls can take from it as much competition as they feel ready for. There is a tendency to nurture the perceived best and neglect the rest in recent times in Dublin and there has been too much focus on the elite players and not the remaining girls who form the majority of the clubs in the county. Training and competition is geared for the outcome and not for the process of development. Children participate in sport for fun and enjoyment and the county structures need to focus on this. Small sided non-competitive games can ensure that this happens. The ‘Small Sided’ environment is a developmentally appropriate environment for our young players. It is a fun environment that focuses on the player. It is a pity that juvenile football is compared to adult football and often there are instructions given out by mentors that children don’t understand. Small sided games begin to give the game back to the players and allow a more player-centred environment. When players are motivated to practice their sport, they will learn more from it, and therefore become a better Ladies Gaelic player. So, the aim should be to get as much pleasure from the sport as possible. With this proposal it will also ensure less drop out as blitzes will be available for teams to enter throughout the year making it easier for clubs to hold on to their players.
If standards of players at all juvenile levels are increasing then it is sure to have an overall positive effect on the future of Dublin Ladies Gaelic Football. By abolishing academies until under 13 level young girls are given a better opportunity to develop and be with their clubs. The blitzes also offer the county board the opportunity to have specialised coaches present to educate the club mentors in turn increasing standards throughout all clubs in the county.
Most importantly when deciding how you, as a club, are going to vote on this proposal, remember the children and put those young girls first before your clubs aspirations and need for extrinsic rewards. They are the future of Dublin Ladies Gaelic Football.
Appendix I
Appendix II A Coaches Letter to Parents Dear Parents, Here are some hints on how to make this a fun season, with lots of positive memories for your kids and your family. • • •
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
• •
•
Make sure that win or lose you love them, as the person in their life that they can always look to for support. Try to be completely honest with yourself about your kids' athletic capability, their competitive attitude, their sportsmanship, and their level of skills. Be helpful, but don't coach your kids on the way to the game or at the breakfast table. Think about how tough it must be on them to be constantly inundated with advice, pep talks, and criticism Teach your kids to enjoy the thrill of competition, to be out there trying, to be constantly working to improve their skills, to take physical bumps and come back for more. Don't tell them that winning doesn't count because it does, and they know it. Instead help them develop a healthy competitive attitude, a "feel" for competing, for trying hard, for having a good time. Try not to live your life through your kids. You've lost as well as won. You've been frightened and backed off at times. Sure they are an extension of you but they may not feel the same way as you did, want the same things, or have the same attitude. Don't push them in the direction that gives you the most satisfaction. Don't compete with your kids' coaches. A coach may become a hero to your kids for a while, someone who can do no wrong, and you may find that hard to take. Conversely, don't automatically side with your kids against their coaches. Try to help them understand the necessity for discipline, rules, and regulations. Don't compare your kids with other players on their team - at least not within their hearing don't lie to them about their capabilities as a player. If you are overly protective you will perpetuate the problem. Get to know your kids' coaches. Make sure that you approve of each coach's attitude and ethics. Coaches can be influential, and you should know the values of each coach so that you can decide whether or not you want them passed on to your kids. Remember that children tend to exaggerate. Temper your reaction to stories that they bring home from practice or the game about how they were praised or criticized. Don't criticize them for exaggerating, but don't overact to the stories that they tell you. Teach your kids the meaning of courage. Some of us can climb mountains, but are frightened about getting into a fight. Some of us can fight without fear, but turn to jelly at the sight of a bee. Everyone is frightened about something. Courage isn't the absence of fear. Courage is learning to perform in spite of fear. It's overcoming it. Winning is an important goal. Winning at all costs is stupidity. Remember that the officials are necessary. Don't overreact to their calls. They have rules and guidelines to follow representing authority on the field. Teach your kids to respect authority and to play by the rules. Finally, remember, if the kids aren't having fun, we're missing the whole point of youth sports.
Article written by: Darrell Burnett, Ph.D.
“I don’t care if we lose 100-1. If my team goes out there and plays hard, plays fair, and has FUN. We are winners!” (Ben Eaton)
“Kids don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.”
Lyn Savage Dublin Regional Games Development Officer
Tel: 087 1316944 Email: [email protected]
Introduction Ladies Gaelic Football has been thriving in the Dublin over the last number of years and new clubs and players are joining the Association on an ongoing basis. It is essential that the county has the proper structures in place to deal with the surge of numbers involved and more importantly that we remember the most important people involved – the players.
Recently Ladies Gaelic Football has gained a more competitive nature in Dublin and this can be detrimental to the development of the young girls involved in the sport. All involved must remember that every child must develop at their own pace and by adding extra pressure they lose vital elements which can be detrimental to their overall development.
The following proposal offers solutions to getting Ladies Gaelic Football back to the way it should be and allow the girls to have FUN and have a more positive experience while playing the sport. Sport offers kids an arena where they can earn attention and respect by exerting their natural abilities. The proposal outlines ways to make the sport less competitive in the county and allow the girls to develop naturally and increase all standards in the future. There are two options for clubs to discuss and it is hoped that the proposal will then be brought to the Annual General Meeting and voted upon. Clubs may be gaining new players every year as mentioned but there are also many players being lost and we need to make changes to hold on to these girls. (See Appendix I)
The second part of the proposal deals with the current development squad and academy structures and changes that can be made to improve these and again make a more player centred approach to the development of these girls. I feel that the county is not maximising the talent of girls from all clubs by ensuring the proper structures are in place, increasing standards at all levels.
I look forward to your views and opinions on the following and I hope that your club will see the benefits of these changes for juveniles (Under 10-Under 13) and offer your support with a positive vote at the AGM. If you have any questions you can contact me at any time.
Why do Kids Play Sport? 1. To have fun 2. To improve their skills and learn new skills 3. To be with their friends and make new friends 4. To do something they are good at 5. To be part of a team 6. To get fit 7. To succeed or win The number one reason why children play sport is because they enjoy playing games and having fun. Mentors and parents need to be aware of this at all times. Sparky Anderson, a former major league baseball manager, wrote, “We’re asking kids to compete to win. Why not ask them to compete to have fun?” The primary goal of juvenile football should not be to form a winning team. The goal should be to create an atmosphere that is fun, childcentred and develops the skills of all the participants. If a child experiences a positive performance and receives constructive feedback she is more likely to continue participation in the sport. Everyone enjoys winning but most children focus more on performing the activity instead of who won or lost. Success should be measured in terms of personal growth and development and not by who won the league or championship. The majority of children would rather play on a bad team than sit on the bench for a good one. Winning and receiving awards are of secondary importance to children and should not be heavily emphasised. Children love to play and have fun and that is what Dublin Ladies Gaelic Football should focus on. ‘A Coaches Letter to Parents’ by Darrell Burnett demonstrates the philosophy all mentors should be working with. (Appendix II).
Why Kids Quit Sport? 1. Overemphasis on winning 2. Lost interest 3. Not having fun 4. Time consuming 5. Coach was a poor teacher 6. Too much pressure 7. Tired of playing 8. Coaches play favourites 9. The sport was boring Over 35% of children who play youth sports quit after the first year of competition. 85% of the children who continue to play drop out of sports all together between the ages of 10 and 17. Why are children quitting sport? The primary reason is that children are not having FUN. There are additional causes like overemphasis on winning and being given out to for making mistakes. Coaches and parents compound these problems by singling out players for excellent play with extrinsic rewards: best player, player of the match etc. This degrades the average and below average players and also adds competitive stress to the player who received the reward. Children quit sports because winning is not everything to them, having fun is, and when the game is not fun, they lose interest. Getting children interested again after they quit can be very difficult. With this in mind it is extremely important that Dublin Ladies Gaelic Football provides the correct structures to ensure that when we do get young girls into our sport and that we do everything to keep them and ensure that EVERY player gets an equal opportunity to have fun and develop at their own rate. From the above take a look at the current structures and the proposed new structures to see the way forward for holding on to girls in our sport.
Current Structures In Dublin there are leagues and championships organised at juvenile level from under 10 to under 13 and these are divided into divisions as follows:
•
•
Championships –
Under 10: Division 1,2,3
–
Under 11: Division 1,2
–
Under 12: Division 1,2,3
–
Under 13: Division 1,2,3
League –
Under 10: Division 1,2N,2S,3
–
Under 11: Division 1,2,3
–
Under 12: Division 1,2
–
Under 13: Division 1,2,3N, 3S
The current structures automatically lead to teams becoming competitive as there are extrinsic rewards for them at the end through cups, trophies and medals. Mentors and parents also take the matches more seriously and the FUN element is forgotten about. Teams are playing their strongest players while the average players are left on the sidelines to watch match after match. There is also evidence in the county of teams refusing to play with fewer players to match a team who can only field less players as they need the points or they need to win through to the next round. If these were non-competitive this would not be a problem because mentors would use all their players and would play with any number available to them. Is it fair to an under 13 team to have to field eleven players against fifteen players from another team? Where is the FUN in that? It has happened on numerous occasions in the county this year. Below is a comment I received which summed up the current structures: “I am watching an U10 B girls game. 15 a side and 8 subs. My daughter is here and they have no space. They are crowding around the ball which is not their fault and not all girls are getting to play. Can you do anything to change this?”
Club Case Study Throughout 2008 I have visited a large number of clubs and heard the views and opinions of all involved. Most of the problems which arose were similar in all clubs and it was interesting to hear that many of the clubs disagreed with the current structures and would rather have non competitive structures to allow their players have fun and develop skills at their own rate. The following is a case study taken from a club in Dublin and some of the problems they are encountering with current competitions.
The club operated on the principle that football should involve a high component of skill teaching and enjoyment with games that are played in a non competitive environment. They have suffered many defeats as they try to integrate less experienced players and it does appear that other teams have raced ahead when looking at results. The overall perception is that success is measured by position in the league or championship and how much the team has defeated other teams rather than how players are developing. A mentor in the club recently watched an under 12 game where one team destroyed another but the mentors refused to ease up as was Division 1 and that is what was expected. They also refused to take off their stronger players and instead played with their full team. The mentor involved wondered if they had the wrong policy in playing average teams but allowing all girls equal opportunities.
IS THIS CLUB WRONG?
Results from various studies have shown that a high level of competitiveness (U10-U13) is detrimental to development of players. Prof Niall Moyna and Sean Boylan are of opinion that a high percentage of players peak at an early age and do not maintain their rate of development and by minor are not standing out. This will be seen with girls in the next few years. Players who achieve success too early or are advanced too quickly by mentors often give up the game as they lose interest or become difficult to coach as feel have little to learn. This club is correct in allowing girls develop at their own pace but the teams against them are making it unfair to their girls and forgetting the FUN element.
Proposal 1: Changes to Structures With this in mind the following are the proposals for changes to the current juvenile fixtures. These would allow clubs to give girls time to develop and also ensure that all girls are given equal opportunities to play. There are two different options:
• Option 1: Abolishment of leagues and championships to be replaced by Fun blitzes hosted by different club every 3-4 weeks - small sided games in parallel on main pitch, varied rules - even teams - points given for skills - no winners or losers
• Option 2: Keep non competitive league and have fun blitzes in place of championship
- league to continue with organised fixtures but non competitive with no winners or losers - fun blitzes replace championship guaranteeing all teams more matches
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Important to keep blitzes running through summer as this is when drop off occurs (clubs have option to enter)
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Blitzes should be maximum 10 a side with no subs
Competitive V Non Competitive Games There are many benefits for juveniles of having non competitive structures and studies have been completed all over the world to prove this. You, as clubs, need to decide if these new proposed structures would benefit not you, but your young girls. The following is a synopsis of a study completed on the effect of competition on self esteem in girls.
“Girls’ Self-Esteem Comparison in Competitive and Recreational Gymnastics” (Zeynal Amac, Nicole Anastasio, Amy Morwick, Jialin Yi)
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Girls have lower self-esteem than boys (Marcotte, Fortin, Potvin & Papillon, 2002)
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Girls who participate in sports in general have higher self esteem than girls who do not (Trew, Scully, Kremer & Ogle, 1999)
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Healthy self-esteem has been associated with happiness, success and high achievement, whereas low self-esteem has been associated with depression, anxiety and underachievement (Addeo, 1994)
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Results show that girls aged 10-13 involved in competitive sports have lower self esteem than girls involved in recreational sport
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Girls in non competitive sport had more FUN
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Major factor was amount of pressure created by act of competition
You as a club might like winning competitions and bringing home cups and trophies but if they were not there are the girls in your club going to leave. No they are not. The extrinsic rewards have become the most important element for many clubs in Dublin and this has to change for the future development of Ladies Gaelic Football in the county. Girls will continue to play as long as they are having fun and enjoying the sport. Fun blitzes can assure this and allow all girls equal opportunities to play the games. These blitzes would consist of small sided games in a fun, learning environment. Small sided games are about learning, self-experiencing, having a lot of touches on the ball and above all, children having fun every time they step on the pitch.
Benefits of Small Sided Games •
More touches of the ball by all players throughout all areas of the pitch
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More shots on goal
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More efficient use of facilities (multiple games on pitch)
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Repeated decision making experience
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The ball is in play more often
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Emphasis on player development rather than winning and losing
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Better success rate leads to improved quality of play, self-esteem and player retention
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The game is easier to understand
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Freedom of expression – no positions in early stages
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Less perceived stress on players
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Less perceived pressure from parents and coaches
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Parents are more likely to volunteer for small sided games
The emphasis of Small Sided Games is on participation and enjoyment, and an associated removal of the current emphasis on the importance of winning
Studies have shown the following differences between 7-a-side and 15-a-side games:
Heart Rate
15- a- si d e
7- a- si d e
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Physiological responses are higher during a 7 a-side than a 15 a-side game so health benefits are higher in 7-a-side
Match Analysis: Catching
Total Number
60
55
50 40
31
30
21 37
20 10 0
3
21 11 Total
Chest
5
Low
7-a-side 15-a-side
High
Match Analysis: Passing
Total Number
50 41
40 30 20
21 17 31
10 0
3 17
Total
Hand Pass
13
Foot Pass
1
Punt Pass
7-a-side 15-a-side
Match Analysis: Scoring Attempts
24 Total Number
20
19
16 12 8
8
5
4
3 3
0
Total
3
1
0
2
0
0
3
1
2
4
0
0
0
5
6
7-a-side 15-a-side
Player •
There was a greater number of catches, passes, pick-ups and scoring attempts in the 7 a-side than a 15 a-side games so more player-ball touches which increases the window of skill development
Match Analysis
Enjoyment 20
15 a-side 7 a-side
N u m b er
19
Match Analysis
Perceived Competence
18
17 17
7 a-side 16 N u m b er
16 15
15
14
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Levels of enjoyment and perceived competence are greater during a 7 a-side than 15 a-side game so many players are enjoying the small sided game as they feel the ability to participate
15 a-side
13
Mentor and Club Philosophy It is important that your club can think about the philosophy of your mentors and also your club’s own philosophy. The following are examples of contrasting philosophies using the current and proposed structures and how they affect the players in your club. Scenario 1 After Chloe watched the Ladies All Ireland Final on TV she was very keen to join a club and play football so she went to her local club and joined in training. Training was ok but they did lots of running and physical work and Chloe only saw the ball for a ten minute game at the end. She only got to touch the ball twice as there was so many playing. Chloe was then a sub for the first three games as they were in the championship but she did play in one of the league matches. Chloe did not know where she should be or what she should do and the manager kept shouting instructions but she couldn’t understand what he was saying. After fifteen minutes Chloe was substituted and told she needs to learn what to do but they need to get points. Chloe misses the next match and goes with her friend to dancing. She loves dancing as it was so much fun and no parents or mentors where telling her what to do as she did not need to win anything. Chloe’s manager tells the rest of the players that none of them will become footballers if they have her attitude because she has no staying power. Scenario 2 Amy went to local club training for the first time because her friend at school was saying how great it was. She was welcomed to the club, explained the rules and code of conduct at the club as well as the club’s philosophy. Amy really enjoyed training as the coach was really friendly and most of the session was conducted with the ball. They played a game at the start and another small sided game at the end which was great fun. Before the team’s first match the mentor invited all players and parents to a short meeting and explained that they were playing in a league and fun blitzes and that all players would be given an equal chance. Amy loved her football and always looked forward with great enthusiasm to the next training session or match.
Ask Yourself, Which of these clubs will hold on to their players?
Academies/Development Squads The development squads and academies were originally set up to ‘develop’ young players in Dublin. The selected participants were given knowledge on skills and age appropriate education in a relaxed environment. There was no pressure on the girls to perform and they developed at their own level. Players were encouraged to come to mentors if they were having any difficulties with a skill.
The current squads and academies are now considered a failure if they do not achieve success. Training has become very structured and the fun element is being lost. Girls are being considered a failure at ages as young as twelve and being dropped from selected panels as team sizes must be reduced. Incorrect information has been given to KIDS at various times and they are being treated as a COUNTY player with inappropriate training methods. People must remember that these players are still children and will have many years ahead of them to be bound to strict procedures of being a county player. From speaking to clubs in the county many feel that some of their players have gone backwards rather than improved while being involved with some of these teams. A mentor in one of the clubs stated “One of our girls was brought onto the academies and she was our strongest player by far, she is now lucky to be in our top five.” The following are the current structures of the academies (U11-13) in Dublin.
Current Structures
2
3
1
2
3
2 4
2
Expert Coach
8
2
9
2
Expert Coach
2
1
1
3
1
2
9
1
2 1
2 1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
•
Totals: – 90 kids receive expert coaching – Approx. twice every month
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Under 11, 12, 13
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Total Approximately 270 girls
3 4
2
8
1
1
1
6 7
1 1
5
2
1
2
1
4
2
1
2
2
3
2 7
2
2
2
2 6
2
2
1
2 5
2
3
5
2
6
2
7
2
Expert Coach
2 2
8 9 1
2 1
2
Is there a need for these ages?
1
2 1
1 1
1
1
1
1
What about the other kids?
Proposal 2: Changes to Academies/Development Squads From the previous reports you, as a club, can see how important it is for young girls to have fun and be allowed to develop at their own rate. Evidence also proves that only a minimum number of girls are benefiting from elite coaching and being given the opportunity to participate at ‘elite’ level. The following proposal, with the utilisation of development blitzes, will allow more girls the opportunity to demonstrate their skills and abilities and also help with the development of clubs, mentors and players, through mentor education. National competitions are not organised until under 14 level, yet in Dublin academies are being brought together from under eleven and then have the harsh reality of dropping at least fifty of these girls and telling them that they are not good enough even at that young age. Were these girls not better off being left with their clubs to play matches? A series of fun small sided U12 blitzes at the end of every year would allow the next years Under 13 mentors choose girls for their squad. This would be the first squad to be brought together and all younger academy teams abolished. These girls would then be together for a full year before joining to make the Dublin U14 team. The blitzes will allow every girl an equal opportunity to become part of the squad as all players will be seen and there will be no ‘elite’ selections from clubs. This squad would be closely observed to ensure age appropriate training and information was provided to all involved.
It is also proposed to utilise these development blitzes for mentor education by having expert coaches at all venues and having an information session with the mentors of the teams involved in the blitz. The mentors can then take this back to their clubs, ensuring high standards of coaching are being delivered to a larger range of girls which will have a knock on effect throughout the county. This in turn will see the standards of coaching increased throughout all the clubs and in turn affect a far greater number of girls in the county.
The effect of these blitzes are shown as follows on the next page.
Development Blitzes
Expert Coach
Club Coach Team 1
Club Coach Team 2
Club Coach Team 3
Club Coach Team 4
Club Coach Team 5
Club Coach Team 6
20 girls
20 girls
20 girls
20 girls
20 girls
20 girls
Impact on 120 girls x 10 blitzes = 1200 girls per Blitz Day
As you can see from the above diagram 1200 girls would be impacted upon from one single blitz day and this is just at one age level. It would be hoped to hold approximately ten blitzes simultaneously in the county. This will give all girls the opportunity to demonstrate their skills in a fun environment while also providing mentors the opportunity for education and guidance.
Conclusion In conclusion you can see that non competitive sport offers girls a chance to learn new skills in an environment that promotes development more than competition. As long as the child has full support and interest, she’ll come out a winner. Non competitive sports do offer competition, in some form and girls can take from it as much competition as they feel ready for. There is a tendency to nurture the perceived best and neglect the rest in recent times in Dublin and there has been too much focus on the elite players and not the remaining girls who form the majority of the clubs in the county. Training and competition is geared for the outcome and not for the process of development. Children participate in sport for fun and enjoyment and the county structures need to focus on this. Small sided non-competitive games can ensure that this happens. The ‘Small Sided’ environment is a developmentally appropriate environment for our young players. It is a fun environment that focuses on the player. It is a pity that juvenile football is compared to adult football and often there are instructions given out by mentors that children don’t understand. Small sided games begin to give the game back to the players and allow a more player-centred environment. When players are motivated to practice their sport, they will learn more from it, and therefore become a better Ladies Gaelic player. So, the aim should be to get as much pleasure from the sport as possible. With this proposal it will also ensure less drop out as blitzes will be available for teams to enter throughout the year making it easier for clubs to hold on to their players.
If standards of players at all juvenile levels are increasing then it is sure to have an overall positive effect on the future of Dublin Ladies Gaelic Football. By abolishing academies until under 13 level young girls are given a better opportunity to develop and be with their clubs. The blitzes also offer the county board the opportunity to have specialised coaches present to educate the club mentors in turn increasing standards throughout all clubs in the county.
Most importantly when deciding how you, as a club, are going to vote on this proposal, remember the children and put those young girls first before your clubs aspirations and need for extrinsic rewards. They are the future of Dublin Ladies Gaelic Football.
Appendix I
Appendix II A Coaches Letter to Parents Dear Parents, Here are some hints on how to make this a fun season, with lots of positive memories for your kids and your family. • • •
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Make sure that win or lose you love them, as the person in their life that they can always look to for support. Try to be completely honest with yourself about your kids' athletic capability, their competitive attitude, their sportsmanship, and their level of skills. Be helpful, but don't coach your kids on the way to the game or at the breakfast table. Think about how tough it must be on them to be constantly inundated with advice, pep talks, and criticism Teach your kids to enjoy the thrill of competition, to be out there trying, to be constantly working to improve their skills, to take physical bumps and come back for more. Don't tell them that winning doesn't count because it does, and they know it. Instead help them develop a healthy competitive attitude, a "feel" for competing, for trying hard, for having a good time. Try not to live your life through your kids. You've lost as well as won. You've been frightened and backed off at times. Sure they are an extension of you but they may not feel the same way as you did, want the same things, or have the same attitude. Don't push them in the direction that gives you the most satisfaction. Don't compete with your kids' coaches. A coach may become a hero to your kids for a while, someone who can do no wrong, and you may find that hard to take. Conversely, don't automatically side with your kids against their coaches. Try to help them understand the necessity for discipline, rules, and regulations. Don't compare your kids with other players on their team - at least not within their hearing don't lie to them about their capabilities as a player. If you are overly protective you will perpetuate the problem. Get to know your kids' coaches. Make sure that you approve of each coach's attitude and ethics. Coaches can be influential, and you should know the values of each coach so that you can decide whether or not you want them passed on to your kids. Remember that children tend to exaggerate. Temper your reaction to stories that they bring home from practice or the game about how they were praised or criticized. Don't criticize them for exaggerating, but don't overact to the stories that they tell you. Teach your kids the meaning of courage. Some of us can climb mountains, but are frightened about getting into a fight. Some of us can fight without fear, but turn to jelly at the sight of a bee. Everyone is frightened about something. Courage isn't the absence of fear. Courage is learning to perform in spite of fear. It's overcoming it. Winning is an important goal. Winning at all costs is stupidity. Remember that the officials are necessary. Don't overreact to their calls. They have rules and guidelines to follow representing authority on the field. Teach your kids to respect authority and to play by the rules. Finally, remember, if the kids aren't having fun, we're missing the whole point of youth sports.
Article written by: Darrell Burnett, Ph.D.
“I don’t care if we lose 100-1. If my team goes out there and plays hard, plays fair, and has FUN. We are winners!” (Ben Eaton)
“Kids don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.”
