The new Wexford GAA Games Development Action Plan Jan 2013 was introduced to County Board on Tuesday night in the Ferrycarrig Hotel. After almost a year of a root and branch review by Leinster Council of the entire coaching and games development programme in Wexford, the Council submitted their report in November.
Wexford Co Board then established their own committee under Vice Chairman Micheal martin to review those findings. That committee added, edited and deleted from that report to bring a final proposal to Co Board.
That Plan was unanimously endorsed by the Co Board, made up of Club Chairman, Secretaries and Clubs County Board Reps.
Some of the points include an establishment of a District Talent Academy for both football and hurling.
This will mean that in essence there will be 4 development squads in the county instead of one, so 120 players will get top levl quality coaching each year instead of 30.
The Academies will be limited to the already agreed 22 sessions (including games) per annum. This will ensure that they spend quality development time rather than just training which is what they should be doing with their clubs.
A time programme will be put in place so that when football quads are training-playing no hurling is on and vice versa. This will protect dual players and give those with talent in both code an opportunity to develop their skills.
A full timetable will be launched this week for the year to include club games, Talent Academies and county teams.
Go games will be the method of playing u pto the age of 12 as per Official GAA rules. This means ALL players get a decent chance to play and enjoy the and not just win at all costs at that age group, which has left many young players with no game time in the past