Underage Reduced Numbers

nod365

Hi All I am very involved with a small club in rural Limerickand and I am wondering what is happening in other counties where clubsare unable to field a 15-a-side team.
Up to the last two years there has been a very competitive 13-a-side competition at all ages but for some reason the County Board in Limerick seem to be determined to get rid of this competition and force clubs to amilgimate.
Our clubs always trys to field our own team, be it at 13 or 15 a-side with the last option being to join with another Club. We have done this in the past and it has worked ok but can have its down sides.
I am just wondering whats happening in other Counties, do they have competitive 13-a-side competitions and is the County board encouraging clubs to stay on their own or join together ?

Jayop

Amalgamated underage and woman's teams seem to be the only way a lot if clubs can field teams at the various age groups. Not much else you can do other than that or skip every second age group but that would leave the 9 year old playing u12 and so on.

You can't drag the lads that don't want to play out.

nod365

Jayop my main question is are reduced number competitions encouraged in other counties, obviously there has been a decline in playing numbers at underage and clubs are struggling to field 15-a-side teams.
We don't drag any lads out to play, they play because they want to,

Jayop

nod365 wrote: »

Jayop my main question is are reduced number competitions encouraged in other counties, obviously there has been a decline in playing numbers at underage and clubs are struggling to field 15-a-side teams.
We don't drag any lads out to play, they play because they want to,

Of course you don't, what I meant was it's a source of frustration that a lot of young lads won't go out to play and there's nothing you can do

As for 13 a side, I've not come across it personally.

nice_guy80

13 a side is used in a lot of counties

You need ask yourself - do I want 11 year olds playing U14? Just to make up a team
Or give the 13/14 year olds better games by anamalgamation with another club in a similar position

nod365

nice_guy80 wrote: »

13 a side is used in a lot of counties

You need ask yourself - do I want 11 year olds playing U14? Just to make up a team
Or give the 13/14 year olds better games by anamalgamation with another club in a similar position

nice_guy80 We don't have 11 year olds playing U14, for instance this year we have 18 players between 12 and 14, its not enought to field 15-a-side especially during summer months.
On the other hand its too many to join with another club, you could have a panel of almost 30 players so lots of players will see little or no playing time and will understandably give up.
13-a-side benifits small clubs like ourselves but here in Limerick our County Board seems determined to get rid of the competition.

DoctaDee

In Dublin the top 3 divisions in each age group U13-16 must field 15 aside, the divisions beneath can field 13 (but must play all players, you can't have 13+2 replacements) .. I think in the lowest divisions at some age groups they do allow 11 aside .. but that brings it's own problems on a full sized pitch

Stationmaster

In Clare a and b grades are 15 aside but c and d grades are nearly always 13 aside.

nice_guy80

If the clubs want 13 a side, the county board cannot stop them

The clubs generally know what is best for their kids

Twiceasnice97

nod365 wrote: »

nice_guy80 We don't have 11 year olds playing U14, for instance this year we have 18 players between 12 and 14, its not enought to field 15-a-side especially during summer months.
On the other hand its too many to join with another club, you could have a panel of almost 30 players so lots of players will see little or no playing time and will understandably give up.
13-a-side benifits small clubs like ourselves but here in Limerick our County Board seems determined to get rid of the competition.

there is very little benefit long term from fielding on your own for the sake of it.

firstly you are playing at a lower grade so the better lads tend to dominate and get an unrealistic view of where they are
secondly because other clubs are amalgamating the old pattern where the opponent of your 11 year old at under 14 is also 11 is not as prevalent.
in the ends children are far better off playing at their own age group for the most part I feel.

Twiceasnice97

nice_guy80 wrote: »

If the clubs want 13 a side, the county board cannot stop them

The clubs generally know what is best for their kids

that's not my experience I have to say.

there are lots of clubs who are focused on winning underage matchs as an end in itself. That type of club certainly doesn`t know what its best for its kids.