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.’’

However, Butler is encouraged by the increasing number of counties which are implementing the ‘Go Games’ model developed by Croke Park for underage games. “In Croke Park this summer, nearly 5,000 children will play in Go Games blitzes. I see the same happening in pitches and fields across the country.

“What should the adults do in all of this?’’ he asks. “They should be examples of good behaviour, show respect for the referee – even if he/she gets it wrong sometimes – applaud good play, try not to criticise mistakes.”

He added that more and more coaches are setting up activities in their coaching sessions which allow players to practice and experiment – instead of resorting to “the repetitive drills of old”.

Meanwhile, on the subject of refereeing at adult level, the chairman of the National Referees Committee, Mick Curley has ruled out any suggestion of assessor reports being made public (as suggested by Mayo manager John O’Mahony in a recent interview)

The policy is to have reports released only to the referee involved or the committees which deal with referee training and appointments, he pointed out in a separate article.

“The role of the assessor and the assessor’s report are none other than a training tool, used in the education process for referees. And, in that context, while it is understandable for others involved in the games to request the availability of the reports, the question arises as to what use these reports would be to anyone outside of those to whom they are now available.’’

Meanwhile in an attempt to educate the public at large about the role of umpires and linesmen – agreeing that it is often misunderstood – Curley points out that these match officials do NOT have the power to call the referee’s attention to such fouls as over-carrying, bouncing the ball more than once consecutively after gaining possession, to catch a sliotar more than twice before playing it or for handling the ball on the ground.