Wicklow GAA hosted a number of referee workshops recently for U11 games in the county.
By Cian O’Connell
It has been a busy few weeks in Wicklow, with planning and plotting being carried out to ensure U11 footballers and hurlers are afforded plenty of game time in the coming months.
Every Wednesday evening between April and September the codes will alternate, but the idea is the same: to provide matches in a fun environment.
Ultimately, in Gaelic Football, 44 teams will be involved with some clubs fielding two or three outfits at U11 level. In recent years, though, Wicklow GAA has held regional referee courses for coaches and young people interested in officiating.
“We met all the coaches recently, we put the onus on them, they have to provide referees for the U11 games because we couldn't ensure games would take place or be fulfilled, we just wouldn't have enough official referees,” explains Wicklow GAA Games Manager Hugh Kenny.
“Similar to last year, we trained up three or so from every club to referee hurling and football. We had 120 last year, they are all buying into it. We give three bibs to each club, whoever is refereeing the U11 games has to wear this bib. It has ‘give respect, get respect’ on the back of it.”
Wicklow GAA Games Manager Hugh Kenny. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Kenny is encouraged about the upcoming campaign and the work being carried out by clubs throughout Wicklow. “They get 14 game opportunities,” Kenny says.
“We finish off the year in September, we have four clubs coming to a venue to play three games.
“That is to finish the year at the end of September. Every player that represents the club gets an U11 medal on the day. We give U11 medals to every club at the end of the year.
“You get 13 organised matches, and the 14th is a blitz. It is working well, I told every coach, if anyone asks me what is the best age group to coach, I'd put the two hands up every year to say U11 was my favourite age group to coach when I was starting.
“They are coming from the Go Games, on to a little bit bigger pitch, they are expressing themselves a bit better too. So, I think it is a right age to be getting involved with.”