The principle reason cited by children for participating in sport is to have fun. The Recreation (Fun Do) Stage is structured so that young participants can play to learn i.e. develop the underlying techniques of Hurling and Gaelic football through activities that are ‘Fun to Do’. The acquisition of technical proficiency during the ‘Fun Do’ Stage will enable them progress to the Development (Can Do) Stage with a sense of belief in their own ability i.e. where they feel they ‘Can Do’ what’s required of them when learning to compete. By the time individuals reach the Talent Transfer (Want To) Stage, they will have decided whether they ‘Want To’ commit the time and/or make the effort required to participate at a higher level of competition. At the Elite Performance (Will Do) Stage, Players will be expected to display the mental toughness and focus required so that they ‘Will Do’ justice to themselves when competing to win.
The Recreation (Fun Do) Stage
The Recreation (Fun Do) Stage provides children with the opportunity to develop technical proficiency through the provision of appropriate practice drills, and involvement in Go Games. These mini-games are underpinned by spontaneous play activities. Such activities are designed to maximise enjoyment by adopting modified rules in a conditioned games context. This approach contrasts with deliberate practice where structured training is undertaken to achieve specific goals, using standardised rules. The deliberate practice approach has been shown to lead to significantly higher dropout rates when introduced too early in the development of young players.
Three different Go Games in hurling and Gaelic football — known as First Touch, Quick Touch and Smart Touch - have been developed based on principles associated with spontaneous play or what is known within the GAA as the FP Index — i.e. geared to provide full participation, fair play, frequent prospects of success and provide a basis for players to develop their full potential. Each game reflects best practice in terms of utilising modified rules and equipment that is appropriate for each child’s stage of maturation. The games are designed to ensure that all participants experience a sense of achievement and enjoyment through involvement. Ideally, this should come about through the provision of fun blitzes/leagues, which are organised on a coordinated basis at Underage Club and Primary School level.
At the top end of the Recreation (Fun Do) Stage, young players may also participate in games that are organised on a representative, and more competitive basis e.g. County/Provincial/All-Ireland Féile na nGael and Féile Peile na nÓg and Exhibition games such as the Primary Game and INTO Mini Sevens. These are incentive rather than development based.
The Talent Identification (Can Do) Stage
The Talent Identification (Can Do) Stage provides advanced coaching and games for players at Club and Post-Primary School level in order to refine their technical skills, and develop the tactical and team play attributes of Hurling and Gaelic football. Provision is made for players who are not selected for competitive teams, and who wish to develop tactical and team play attributes, through games known as Super Touch 7/9/11 and 13’s. These games may be organised on an internal or external club and/or school basis.
The Talent Transfer (Want To) Stage
Players who progress to the Talent Transfer (Want To) Stage are accommodated with games across School and Club competitions ranging from underage to adult level. These games provide for further development of technical, tactical and team play skills.
Those involved with the U.16/17 Development Squads (more exclusively based than Schools of Excellence), or with County teams will have the opportunity to compete at Inter-County level, and be provided with quality coaching support. A small number will also compete in the Schoolboy International Rules series against Australia.
The Elite Performance (Will Do) Stage
Players at the Elite (Will Do) Stage have the opportunity to participate in a variety of competitions. These include: Third Level, County Under-21, County Senior, Senior International Rules or U.21 and Senior Shinty/Hurling competitions. Consistently high levels of performance will enable certain players to compete to win at the highest level.
Related Matters
Biological age, rather than chronological age largely determines an individual’s rate of progress, particularly during pre-pubescence/adolescence. The likelihood of dropout/burnout, or impeded development is greatly increased if the nature and context of the activity is inappropriate for the stage of maturation, e.g., too much emphasis on competition at too early an age or stage of development. An over emphasis on winning, not getting the opportunity to participate, fear of failure, not having fun, the severity of training, and poor coaching are among the reasons why people leave sport, particularly at a young age. The Pathway to Elite Performance (PEP) is designed to accommodate players who are late developers (mature at a slower rate), and/or individuals who are motivated (for intrinsic or extrinsic reasons) to achieve their full competitive potential later than expected.
Despite the best efforts of coaches and administrators, there will always be a number of players who, for a variety of reasons, will still dropout at different stages along the Pathway. However, PEP is also designed to afford players the opportunity to re-enter they Pathway irrespective of the age or ability of the individual. Another design feature of the Pathway is that it provides games - these focus on the recreational and social benefits of sport - for all age groups in the Recreation (Fun Do) Stage e.g. veterans/master competitions. This inclusive participation policy is one of the principle reasons why the GAA has played a major role in the development of a healthy and active society. Providing players with a sense of identity, belonging and community involvement are also significant factors in this regard.
The Pathway to Elite Performance (PEP) is subject to ongoing review and refinement to ensure that all players are provided with a balanced programme of meaningful games.
