You know the GAA is in decline when......................

[manfromdelmonte]

When clubs run U10 or U12 tournaments at the end of the summer and insist on them being 15 a side with full rules. and a nice big cup for the winning team.
games turn into 'get it to the good lad' and the rest don't get a touch.

And our local gaa camp co-ordinator had a chat with all kids at the start - rules of camp, respect coaches, respect equipment, no bullying.
camp ran brilliantly.

[AZOffaly]

To be honest I think the GAA as an organisation does quite well in youth development, and the holistic approach to coaching kids. Respect, enjoyment, participation, child welfare etc etc. I also know that the OTú model would be seen as one of the better coaching models in the world of sport. Istvan Balyi, who would be a recognised exponent of LTAD has hailed the GAA as being a very good model.

Perhaps in individual clubs where they don't emphasise that sort of development, there might be shortfalls, but I think the whole area of coaching and coach education has come on a lot in the GAA in the last 20 years.

[twohands!!!]

To be honest I think the GAA as an organisation does quite well in youth development, and the holistic approach to coaching kids. Respect, enjoyment, participation, child welfare etc etc. I also know that the OTú model would be seen as one of the better coaching models in the world of sport. Istvan Balyi, who would be a recognised exponent of LTAD has hailed the GAA as being a very good model.

Perhaps in individual clubs where they don't emphasise that sort of development, there might be shortfalls, but I think the whole area of coaching and coach education has come on a lot in the GAA in the last 20 years.

Yup - I think there has been massive advances in the overall standard of coaching for youngsters over the last generation - a generation or so back coaching was seriously haphazard with an awful lot of well-meaning but clueless stuff going on as everyone was left to their own devices.

[Itchy]

The real one is when players of all levels couldn't be bothered playing for their clubs, the ongoing emergency that no one even talks about.

[manfromdelmonte]

The real one is when players of all levels couldn't be bothered playing for their clubs, the ongoing emergency that no one even talks about.

Yep.
We've 18 & 19 year olds saying they couldn't be bothered.
A county board who give f-all notice of games so lads cannot plan their work schedules or family lives
Hardly any games all year then cram in 3 games in space of 10 days.

[Jinxy]

This is my experience so maybe it is not representative  . Our son did a few Leinster rugby camps and one football one  . The rugby had a half hour chat at the start which I never saw at any other sports camp anywhere .  Absolutely no bullying tolerated. The word of the coach is final.

I was talking to the fella in charge. He is a schools outreach person  . Every Saturday they have 700 kids in Wexford. Something similar in Connacht.  There is a special programme to pick up kids with potential, expose them to interpros then international. But there was also a focus on bringing everyone's talent on a bit. By focusing on technique.

I know a bit about ski programmes as well. They take promising talents and I thought the rugby was better. The skiers put a lot of focus on diet and S&C. In both cases there is a lot of insight. And a good bit of child psychology. Plus a relentless focus on technique.

Same with tennis. The best coaching gets the basics right.

The GAA camp was more haphazard. I don't think GAA coaching is top notch.

Rugby is in for a hard time now with the money situation vis a vis England and France but the sport is a direct competitor to the GAA so it wouldn't do to be complacent. How sports deal with  chronic injuries will influence how parents view them.

I think the ongoing reign of Kilkenny is an indictment of coaching in the other counties as well. 

Are you posh, Seafóid?
Do you live in G4?

[From the Bunker]

You know the GAA is in decline when......................the gaa blame bad attendances on the Euros and bad weather.

http://hoganstand.com/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=258723

[Dinny Breen]

Sure it's only Munster & Leinster! Sure that's only 50% of the provinces. He doesn't even mention the qualifiers which apart from the Mayo games were pitifully attended.

And Leinster has taken a drop because Dublin is so strong. So we accept that.

It's only going to get worse.

[Mrs mills]

You know the GAA's in decline when.....you have the TV on in the background and you only glance at the Ulster final when the commentator shows any sign of interest!

[sensethetone]

Marty Mone sang at half time in a quarter-final match last year, can the GAA afford him this year?