Quitting GAA at the age of 18

[senditin]

This is a very common thing and happens to every club both big and small, in football and hurling. But what do people think is the main reason for it? Drink? College? Lack of interest?

[kb]

I think it is all of the above.. But I think in fairness clubs need to try to do a bit more to keep lads of that age involved, be it have a few more social outings of something. When I went off to college myself I lost all commitment to my club.. I got back involved about 5 or 6 years later.. There are a lot of lads in the same boat.. One of the main issues is once you go off to college if you are not making the senior team it is hard to stay committed

[mw]

Spot on kb. Its a big commitment to travel from limerick or cork or wherever for training twice a week if you're not guaranteed game time come the game at the weekend. Maybe if the u-21 grade was run properly it may solve a few problems...

[onesided]

I think a massive thing is the travelling expenses with fellas travelling down for training and games when they're in college. I was secretary of our own club for two years and I made a point of making sure the young fellas weren't left out of pocket for travelling. Loyalty to the club means lads are slow to put up their hand for a dig out so the hierarchy should do it without being asked. We would be a relatively small club with limited finances but what is the point in having money in the bank and no team?

[Laoch na hImeartha]

I agree that college is the main reason. You might be willing to keep with the club if you are an up and coming prospect, but for the lads on the periphery of teams its very hard to be motivated to travel up and down the country in the depths of winter. Again, its not the worst if your club is in North or East Kerry, but to travel to the depths of Corca Dhuibhne or Uíbh Ráthach is a big commitment. I know some clubs arrange training in Tralee or Killarney, but its still hard to get players training

[nedeenbnn]

The main reason is that players have no teams to play on. Throughout their underage careers, they would have been guaranteed games on the first team ... U-12, U-14 etc. All of a sudden they are playing with the senior team / on the senior panel. Alot of guys will not play on B teams having been a key player in their club's underage system.

Similarly if you are not good enough to get on the Sigerson team then you don't play in college.

Physically, at the age of 18 onwrds it is harder to keep fit as well as get to the fitness levels of senior football

Finally, at the age of 18, people start pursuing other reasons, are out of the comfort zone of school (and probably parents), having to face up to new pressures ... football can begin to be lost to some individuals.
Also

[Deleted]

Nov 18, 2010 5:39:25 GMT mw said:

Spot on kb. Its a big commitment to travel from limerick or cork or wherever for training twice a week if you're not guaranteed game time come the game at the weekend. Maybe if the u-21 grade was run properly it may solve a few problems...

This is an interesting thread,i agree with you,if the under 21 grade was run properly there would be less players dropping out after minor,an under 21 county league run during the summer months would be ideal in both hurling and football,i think years ago there used be a NK U21 hurling league,dont know why they got rid of it

[dashboard]

I would say that out of the club that I am involved with at least 5 or 6 of them minors will play no further part in the club I would agree more needs to be done with the under 21 club structure but where would you get the time . I know the couple of under 21 games our club plays you would be counting the bodies coming in the gate hoping to have 15

[themanhimself]

I think that for the player who doesn't go straight from minor to senior there is a void. If the junior division could offer a few more games than just 5 or 6 co league games during the summer and the Barrett cup etc it would be more appeal ling.

[lár na páirce]

I think the Junior Leagues are the way to reduce the drop off after minor

Run it from March to September with regular games - That way lads keep involved in the club

[westmeathman]

I quit when i was 18 and i have to say its one of my bigest regrets.drink fags and women had alot to do with and could nt be bothered training.
Training sessions were a dull boring ritual back then but i,m not sure what there like these days.maybe more enjoyable less tedious training sessions might help to keep more lads interested

[dartboard]

I think the training is far better than in my day laps of the pitch sprints and then a bit of a game but most of the young lads can't get on the senior team or even have any affinity for the senior team. they, were playing with their mates all ,,along and bar the 2 or 3 best players thatmake the senior panel the rest just drift away with no incentives to play on we need a better structured under 21 club football regime

[Annascaultilidie]

Ye may as well be asking how do we stop the tide going out.

[Ard Mhacha]

I think many lads just want to play for enjoyment. Many underage teams are about win win win. It's about the best 15 and not about getting youngsters involved, enjoying a game regardless of ability

At minor/senior, it becomes so serious and time consuming that some just can't or won't partake. A lot of players want to play but all the training takes away the enjoyment

I'm a firm believer in every club having a team for all ages and abilities, just to come together once a week for the social side and fun. No pressure, no tactics, who cares who wins. There's a huge percentage of lads and men drifting away from the game because of college, work, etc. A team that meets once a week for a game or kick about is what many of them would jump at the chance to partake in. It's something that is seriously lacking in the GAA nationwide.

[dartboard]

Great point ard mhacha and after minor most of these fellas are lost to their clubs or playing soccer with their local team which is fine but why shouldn't they have the option to keep playing at some level for there gaa club for more than 1 or 2 games in a season

[peanuts]

Mar 28, 2015 17:34:11 GMT Ard Mhacha said:

I think many lads just want to play for enjoyment. Many underage teams are about win win win. It's about the best 15 and not about getting youngsters involved, enjoying a game regardless of ability

At minor/senior, it becomes so serious and time consuming that some just can't or won't partake. A lot of players want to play but all the training takes away the enjoyment

I'm a firm believer in every club having a team for all ages and abilities, just to come together once a week for the social side and fun. No pressure, no tactics, who cares who wins. There's a huge percentage of lads and men drifting away from the game because of college, work, etc. A team that meets once a week for a game or kick about is what many of them would jump at the chance to partake in. It's something that is seriously lacking in the GAA nationwide.

Soccer has 5/7 a side games and rugby has tag rugby. Does the GAA need something similar?

[Ard Mhacha]

Mar 28, 2015 21:56:22 GMT dartboard said:

Great point ard mhacha and after minor most of these fellas are lost to their clubs or playing soccer with their local team which is fine but why shouldn't they have the option to keep playing at some level for there gaa club for more than 1 or 2 games in a season

Exactly

I watched highlighted of the World Cup in Dubai recently. Teams from all over, different nationalities, forming teas regardless of ability, colour or whatever.

The GAA go on about our games being inclusive to everyone but they're not. Ireland seems to be the only place where the games are about the elite athletes, even at underage club level. It seems the rest of the world play for the enjoyment, whereas the youngsters here can't get a game because it's all about winning.

[Chinatown]

Mar 28, 2015 22:10:08 GMT peanuts said:

Mar 28, 2015 17:34:11 GMT Ard Mhacha said:

I think many lads just want to play for enjoyment. Many underage teams are about win win win. It's about the best 15 and not about getting youngsters involved, enjoying a game regardless of ability

At minor/senior, it becomes so serious and time consuming that some just can't or won't partake. A lot of players want to play but all the training takes away the enjoyment

I'm a firm believer in every club having a team for all ages and abilities, just to come together once a week for the social side and fun. No pressure, no tactics, who cares who wins. There's a huge percentage of lads and men drifting away from the game because of college, work, etc. A team that meets once a week for a game or kick about is what many of them would jump at the chance to partake in. It's something that is seriously lacking in the GAA nationwide.

Soccer has 5/7 a side games and rugby has tag rugby. Does the GAA need something similar?

You could be on to something here in fairness

[Deleted]

Excellent Points Ard Mhacha . I think it's a few different things . Definitely the Training and how serious now it has become . Jobs have hurt the rural clubs big time . A lot of players can't get a job close to the area where they live . It's hard for them to make the effort to drive in a car for 2 or 3 hours after work on a Tuesday night to train and drive back . Football has become a big commitment and Work, a Social Life , Travel , Immigration , and Other sports play a big part in young fellas walking away . I think that will never change even with Crokes a town team . One Minor team I knew only 5 or 6 of them ended up playing for the Seniors . It happens all over the Country .

[mossie]

Nov 19, 2010 1:20:57 GMT onesided said:

I think a massive thing is the travelling expenses with fellas travelling down for training and games when they're in college. I was secretary of our own club for two years and I made a point of making sure the young fellas weren't left out of pocket for travelling. Loyalty to the club means lads are slow to put up their hand for a dig out so the hierarchy should do it without being asked. We would be a relatively small club with limited finances but what is the point in having money in the bank and no team?

Is it necessary for players in college to travel home during the week for training? In the early part of the year put the training on at the weekend when they be at home anyway. The young lads that are committed to the game will probably keep themselves in good enough shape during the week anyway in that colleges have gyms, training facilities and groups of lads that would fall in together to train.

[mossie]

Nov 18, 2010 5:39:25 GMT mw said:

Spot on kb. Its a big commitment to travel from limerick or cork or wherever for training twice a week if you're not guaranteed game time come the game at the weekend. Maybe if the u-21 grade was run properly it may solve a few problems...

running the under 21 grade properly at club level is well near impossible.

Run it outside the summer months and people will moan that players have school,college football to play and the exams that go with school, college plus they are not around as they are scattered all over the country. Run it during the summer and people will moan that they cant get a team out because the players have summer jobs, are away on sun holidays, concerts etc. or abroad on J1s. not an easy one to solve.

[onlykerry]

It is a challenge for most sports, not just GAA. 18 is a watershed age for youngsters with college, work etc. I think this is possibly where the non playing side of the club has its biggest impact. There will always be a major turnover of players at this age as many move from home - some to return later but many move for good.