A new, People Newspapers sponsored, winter hurling league has just been launched in the Wexford District. The League came about following a conversation between Pat Henebery (Faythe Harriers) & Liam Pettit (Our Ladys Island), on how children find it hard to take the step from U12 to U14 Hurling and also from U14 to U16 Hurling.
Statistically Clubs tend to lose a substantial numbers of children at these stages. Both felt that there needed to be some form of ‘crossover’ between U12-U14 and U14-U16, which
might assist children in progressing up an age group and continue to hurl. They believed that the approach to the League should be on a ‘local District’ basis. Wexford District is a template which could be rolled out throughout the other Districts in the future.
Following a series of very productive meetings between representatives of the Clubs and County Coiste na nOg, agreement was reached on putting the League into practice. It is estimated that circa 150 children will be involved at U13 and approximately 200 children will be involved at U15. All these children live in or near Wexford Town. It is hoped that this League will develop and future U11 & U9 Winter Leagues spring out of the initial idea.
We are delighted to announce that ‘The People Group of Newspapers’ have come onboard as sponsors. The Sponsorship will provide prizes to each of the children participating in the League and trophies for the winning teams.
The winter is traditionally a quiet time for competitive GAA underage games and this League extends the season and may encourage children to stay involved and hurl all year round. Some of these children are not currently on County Development Squads / school teams and could be lost to the GAA if they are not encouraged to continue to play hurling.
The generous support of the ‘People Newspapers’ in sponsoring this League will help to continue to develop underage Hurling in Wexford and longterm elevate Wexford Hurling back to the centre stage.
View the fixtures and competition rules from here:
