Butler calls for rethink on youth coaching

THE GAA’s National Hurling Development Coordinator, Paudie Butler, has called for a more fundamental approach to the training of young players and, in particular, for adult mentors to be more tuned in to the needs of the people in their care.

Writing in the programme for yesterday’s All-Ireland hurling semi-finals, he said that his experience of watching underage games in many places – in both hurling and football – indicated that too much attention was being paid to the rules and regulations and not enough to actual playing.

“I see eight and nine-year-olds trying to play according to the rules of adult hurling and football. (And) I see grown men on the sideline behaving worse than their children – questioning the referee, shouting out instructions that the children can’t understand.’’