Derry Coaching Games Manager Chris Collins is putting together the next underage development venture for early 2016 in the form of U12 Football on Friday nights in February and March. This is following on from last season’s Go Games and will give youngsters a great opportunity to practice their skills over the winter.
The action will take place at the state of the art Meadowbank Arena in Magherafelt and provides a sheltered and safe environment for the stars of the future to develop their skills and get active in preparation for the season ahead.
Some clubs in the county struggle to avail of facilities for coaching during this period, so this is a welcome opportunity to perfect the simple basic fundamentals of kicking and catching.
Perhaps every household in the county will swap a PlayStation game for a football this Christmas so everyone can get a head start. Imagine the difference you could make if you arrived at the Go Games in 2016 being able to perform the overhead catch and kick off both feet. There may be some dash knocked of the walls or the occasional broken window.
From reading Tómas Ó’Sé’s book recently he commented “if I were on my own as a kid I’d be out there with a ball, aiming at the pipes [on side of house] or practice my fielding off the wall, timing my jump or practising my frees.” He also commented on having only two channels on the television back then too. How times have changed.
This was the basic coaching done on his own by a man who went on to play at the highest level possible. Perhaps parents reading this will use their time over Christmas to get some of the fundamentals started.
As for the clubs, check the dates below and start planning for your 2022 senior team now. You reap when you sow. Seven Friday nights in the winter for youngsters to gather, socialise, have a bit of craic and you never know, an all-star might be born out of it.
The scheduled dates are:
* Friday 12th February
* Friday 19th February
* Friday 26th February
* Friday 4th March
* Friday 11th March
* Friday 18th March
* Friday 25th March
This is open to all clubs, games will be 9 a side and clubs can enter a maximum of 3 teams. So even if you have a sizeable panel, everyone should be able to get plenty of action. The more touches and involvement a player can get the better. It is £10 per team per week to enter but clubs must be committed to attend on all the dates listed.
Following on from the recent appeal for referees, one of the stipulations is that each club must provide a young whistler. Perhaps there is someone in your club going GCSE PE at school who is using refereeing as part of their practical skills.
For more information contact Chris at Owenbeg on 028 777 42990 or drop him an email chris.collins.gm.derry@gaa.ie
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