Wexford GAA U11 Skill League 2018

What is the U11 Skill League

The U11 skill league is a new hybrid model combining the go games model with an adaptive competition model that will incorporate points or scores for the successful completion of a specific skill.

The adaptive competition model is one that encourages competition while also allowing teams to find their own level by pitching teams against others of a similar level on our “Kent Stainless Football” or “Halo Tiles ” Finals days.

The U11 skill leagues are small sided games where the pitch size and rules are modified to ensure that participants are challenged and supported to develop the basic skills of the game and derive maximum fun and enjoyment while doing so.

The more confidance that players have in their own ability and the greater the level of the enjoyment that they derive from developing and expressing this, the more likely they are to maintain a lifelong involvement in .

U11 Skill League will have a #PositiveSidelines appeal for 2018, coaches and parents are asked to only make positive comments towards both players and referees.

Benefits

• Promotes full participation • Puts and emphasis on skill development (high catch) • Appropriate pitch size and numbers • More touches of the ball • More efficient use of facilities (multiple games on a pitch) • Repeated decesion making experience • Emphasis on player development rather than winning • Less preceived stress on players • Less emphasis on goals & points

Camps & Participation Events – “Providing children a fun & safe environment to participate in Gaelic Games”

How will these games work?

The U11 skill league is a new model and it must be understood that unforeseen occurrences may arise in which case C&G will act accordingly.

We would ask for every club’s assistance and cooperation throughout this new initiative. Wexford C&G also see this initiative as the perfect breeding ground for new referees and referee development to supplement the growing shortage for referees in the . It is hoped that “Go Games Referees” will be used for this initiative and that all clubs will support this view.

Skill league format; • Games will be fixed for Friday evenings, if this needs to be changed, it can be agreed by both teams (please note this may result in no referee being available) • Clubs can enter multiple teams once numbes allow (clubs should have a minimum of 28 (u11’s & u10’s) to enter a second team. If a club has over 40 (u11’s & u10’s) they may enter a third team. • Teams will play 3 home and 4 away in one code and 4 home and 3 away in the other code to ensure an even number of home matches for each team. Clubs may get more home games if they have a Go Games Referee • The scoring system will adopt a hybrid of the traditional goal = 3 points, point = 1 point and the addition of successfully completing a HIGH CATCH being rewarded with 1 point. A HIGH CATCH is classed as “a ball caught over head from a dead ball, ie goalie kick or puck out, a sideline or a free”. • Teams will be awarded 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw and 0 points for a loss • After all fixtures are complete, the final league table will determine each team’s opponent on the “Final Days” where ALL teams will be involved • Where possible Referees will be Go Games Referees, seen as development referees and should be treated appropriately. If a referee is treated with improper conduct, Wexford C&G will be contacting the clubs coaching officer with a formal warning. In the case the home club is unable to organise a referee for a game, a coach from each team will take a half each. A list of all Go Games Referees will be distributed to clubs in advance. • Referees are to be paid €20 by the home team when a Go Games Referee does the game

Camps & Participation Events – “Providing children a fun & safe environment to participate in Gaelic Games”

Host Club Responsibilities:

o Car Parking / Traffic Management o Pitches Available with No obstructions o Facilities Available (toilets, shop, etc) o Bins (please have plenty of bins available to avoid littering) o Home club to pay the referee €20 per game refereed o Pitch layout according to guidelines outlined by Wexford C&G o Match Ball (size 4 sliotar) (go games “smart touch”) o Respect the referee o Only positive comments and encouragement to players to support development #PositiveSidelines o A Go Games Referee should be contacted and arranged from the Go Games Referee list supplied by county board

Visiting Club Responsibilities:

o Appropriate team numbers o Arrive with kit on and teams picked in advance where possible o Arrive on time o Respect the referee o Only positive comments and encouragement to players to support development #PositiveSidelines

County Board:

o A list of Go Games Referee will be distributed to all clubs in advance of starting. o Fixtures provided to clubs in advance o Results gathered from assigned club contacts and leagues formulated for updated standings

Aim

To allow players to develop their technical skills consistantly in a dynamic environment while also enhancing their development in other areas such as team play. There will be a particular emphasis put on the technical skill of the high catch for 2018 with a view to expanding the skill development element in the future.

Camps & Participation Events – “Providing children a fun & safe environment to participate in Gaelic Games”

Playing Rules

The traditional Go Games rules will apply to all games with a number of small adjustments including the following:

• Teams will consist of 12 a side (every child gets a minimum of half a game) • A size 4 sliotar and a smart touch gaelic football will be used • The pitch length should be the width of an adult pitch and from the 14 to 65 lines in its width. This would allow two games to be played on an adult pitch at the same time. • The ball may be carried for four steps before bouncing or soloing, players are only allowed to make two plays, i.e. one hop, and one solo or two solo’s before they release the ball (football). • The player that is fouled takes the free and if a player on the opposing team fouls the ball (picking off the ground / over carrying) the closest player then takes the free. • The player closest to the ball going out over the sideline takes the sideline • A single point is awarded to a team when a player from that team makes a high catch, ONLY from a dead ball, including Kick or puck out by the goalie, a sideline cut or kick and a free (player must be a minimum of 5m away from the free taker). Once a high catch is made successfully, the referee will signal with a whistle and the call “HIGH CATCH”. The player then has 5 seconds to make a play (like the football mark at adult level) • A traditional goal will result in 3 points and a traditional point will result in 1 point • Games will be 20 minutes per half with two halves played, and a 5 minute half time break.

Final Notes

This is a new initative for all involved, there will be hicups along the way and we ask for patience and cooperation with us and with each other. We feel that this is a step in the right direction for developing our players in the best possible way. As always we will review things at the end of the year and look forward to your feedback. As a final reminder, we ask all participating clubs to embrace the #PositiveSidelines initative. Wexford Coaching & Games.

Camps & Participation Events – “Providing children a fun & safe environment to participate in Gaelic Games”