UNDERAGE TRAINING

Training for our six underage teams takes place three times a week as follows:

Training is supervised by qualified, enthusiastic coaches who work to ensure each child realizes their full potential. The emphasis at all underage training sessions is on skill development, team building and having fun; children are encouraged to try their best and to risk mistakes in the pursuit of successful skill performances.

Every training session is open to all child within a given age group, no distinction is made between levels of ability. Players are challenged, but never over-stretched, through a series of drills, mini-games and match practice activities to enable them to put their skills into practice and to learn the team-play and tactical requirements of the game as well as the all-important rules. Use of the GAA's Skill Star Challenge for U14/U16 players and the U Can Skills Awards for younger children provide feedback for coaches on an individual's progress and encourage regular practice by players away from the training field.

Parental attendance and involvement at training is encouraged, particularly at the younger age groups. Parents are welcome to stay and watch their children if they wish but do not be surprised if you are asked to lend a hand with fitting helmets, setting out pitches or supervising small activities! No previous experience of hurling or camogie is required to help out - many of our best nursery stage (U8/U10) coaches got involved in teaching hurling/camogie before taking up the game themselves and some have have no playing experience at all. All that is required is enthusiasm, a sense of humour and a willingness to learn a few new skills.

UNDERAGE FIXTURES

Our teams are regularly involved in fixtures both in London and further afield. Kilburn Gaels firmly believes that games are the best way to learn how to play hurling - training is only the first of many steps on the path to learning a skill. Participation in games for all children, from the youngest beginner to the oldest and most experienced is the best way of ensuring players gain a full understanding of the game and is key in developing a life-long love of Gaelic games.

At the lower end of the club - U8 and U10 grades - fixtures against other clubs are arranged over a series of blitzes and challenge games to give children their first taste of 'competitive' hurling in a controlled environment. Small-sided, modified games known as 'Go Games' are the prefered option at this formative stage providing the challenge of opposition, but with the emphasis remaining very much on skill development, team building and above all having fun. Our aim is to provide children with a positive playing experience where every player has the chance to shine and be involved; winning at this stage is viewed as a bonus, rather than the aim.

Players get their first taste of competition at U12 grade. While the format of the games remains along the lines of the Go Games a competitive aspect is introduced in the form of league and championship blitzes. The emphasis on skill development and inclusion remains with all children invited to participate in each blitz; the club's 2-play rule allows each child to plays at least half of every game and ensures that no-one remains a substitute.

Activity at U14 grade and above continues to focus on raising playing standards, but with the added onus on competition and winning as a measure of success. League and championship competitions are run at U14, U16 and U18 grades on a 13 or 15-a-side basis with a shift away from blitzes to individual, full length fixtures in some competitions. At this level there is the added competition among players from all four clubs in London for the right to wear the county jersey and represent London at both Provincial level here in Britain and against club and county teams in Ireland.