⚽ 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐆𝐄 𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓 𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐋𝐃 𝐁𝐄 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓 ⚽ Ger Gilroy explains why the fixation on trophies and success at underage level kills off the love of sport for a lot of young players #OTBAM with Gillette UK | #EffortlessFlow

@gergilroy @GilletteUK Couldn’t agree more. Kids want to win, but what they want to do more than that is to play. As much as kids walk away because they don’t get to play, many leave because the pressure to win takes away the most important thing, the fun of playing.

@fabiomessori @gergilroy @GilletteUK Nice to see Ger get so irate about this. One of my podcasts with Bob Browaeys from Belgian FA explains how they monitor and manage equal game time. As @FutsalFinn 'no one even remembers who won the league the previous season'.

@gergilroy @GilletteUK 7v7 and 9v9 squads of 12 max. Split game into 3rds and basically have 3 different teams. Easily controlled.

@gergilroy @GilletteUK Cups , medals and shields are for parents and coaches. Children just want to play.

@gergilroy @GilletteUK 100% agree - I loved Gaelic Football as a child and was in my local club squad at u12, u13 and u14 - the coach never started me in the 3 years - I only got to play if the team were thrashing the opposition and there was 10 minutes to go. All the coach wanted was to win

@gergilroy @GilletteUK Sport is competition. Should be about equal opportunity, not outcome. The GAA have it right with underage. Blitzes up to FÉ11, and then restrictive play up until FÉ16.

@GAAtrackerAPP @gergilroy @GilletteUK 100% keep players involved ,let them play. Unfortunately you have to force some coaches to do this you cannot hope it will happen. I have seen Go games where all subs have to get at least a half and some clubs left their sub at home.

@gergilroy Spot-on analysis there about GAA Go Games vs. the Win-At-All "dick head " coaches who put kids off playing by their attitude!!

@gergilroy @GilletteUK @kearney_phil @DrSkillAcq @markstkhlm

@gergilroy @GilletteUK Kids are competitive and that's great, some coaches and parents need to take a long hard look at themselves though.

@gergilroy @GilletteUK All kids no matter what skill level they have deserve to play & should play do away with A & B teams mix it all up.

@gergilroy @GilletteUK What about grading? A lot of clubs seem to be doing that and seems a good idea. Young players get to challenge themselves against those of a similar level. The key is to make sure everyone gets plenty of game time.. ie. Full matches! Tbc...

@gergilroy @GilletteUK Spot on Ger 👍

@gergilroy @GilletteUK In SSG’s there is a minimum playing time for each player under the FAI PDP. So while it addresses player development it doesn’t address full participation. There are trade offs - coaches and facilities are scarce and both need to scale to give players of all abilities games.

@gergilroy @GilletteUK Well said @gergilroy

@gergilroy @GilletteUK Ger is 💯 correct here. I’ve seen the evidence of all his points over many years.

@gergilroy @GilletteUK Counterpoint:

@gergilroy @GilletteUK Nail on the head

@gergilroy @GilletteUK Well said Ger, absolutely nailed it as usual!

@gergilroy @GilletteUK Are we not hindering those players who do want to win and want to be driven to do their best at these competitions, what about those players?Equally play time is great but if a player is not going to training why should a player be taken off for that player only coming to a match

@gergilroy @GilletteUK Exactly Ger. It's about retention of players, them learning the skills of the game, lifeskills,making friends and enjoying going every week. Trust me this does not dull competition. People that keep stats etc for underage players says more about them then the kids.