GAA’s €7m plan to win over children in capital

DUBLIN GAA received a second significant fillip in five days last night when the County Board launched far-reaching plans for a €7m programme aimed at increasing participation among children in Gaelic games in the capital.

The county's importance to the GAA today is more critical than ever, with over one-third of the Republic's population residing in Dublin.

However, the Association is almost non-existent in some areas of a city where competition among sports for young hearts and minds is perhaps more fierce than anywhere else in the country.

County secretary John Costello said last night, "At the moment, figures show that we have a 16% participation rate among children in Gaelic games in Dublin."

"With Dublin's population it's vital that we have as vibrant a GAA structure in the capital as is possible. We want that figure to increase and we now have the opportunity to do that."

The Government has pledged €1m per year for the three-year period of the programme, with Croke Park chipping in with a €1.6m lump sum. A further €735,000 will come from the Leinster Council's coffers while the remaining €1.3m is the responsibility of the Dublin County Board and its affiliated clubs.

As well as addressing participation rates among juveniles boys and girls the plan also zeroes in on Dublin's elite performance pathway. There will be a significant increase in the number of youngsters catered for in development squads.

At present, 40 children are catered for at each individual age group. The new target figure, in both hurling and football, is set as high as 100.

"What it basically means is that where we have one development squad per age group at the moment, that will increase to three per group for hurling and four per group for football," said Costello.

"There are more kids playing Gaelic games in Dublin than are born in Kerry or even Cork every year. The fact that we have more kids to cater for means we need more development squads which will hopefully lead to more success at all levels."

Games Promotion Officers will be employed at club level to develop Gaelic games in Dublin schools.

These officers will focus on improving existing mentors' skills at club level, recognition that volunteerism without some knowledge and ability can be more detrimental than helpful.

In addition, three regional development officers have been appointed to co-ordinate activities on a regional basis and to assist in the development of club structures and new clubs.