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Q. Is
the change being made due to the bad weather experienced during October,
November, December 2006 and January 2007? |
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A. It is
true that the weather experienced this winter has lead to the
cancellation of most fixtures during this time. This has lead to
immense frustration amongst coaches, parents, and, most importantly, the
children, but the decision to play summer soccer was made at the AGM in
2005. This decision was ratified at the 2006 AGM. Besides the
cancellation of fixtures, one of the principle reasons to play in the
summer is so that children can train and play in weather that will make
it safer and more enjoyable, and parents can watch in comfort.
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Q.
What about pitches |
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A.
Playing in the summer will mean that the children do not have to play in
slippery mud-baths. This will mean an improvement in pitches, thereby,
again improving safety and enjoyment. In addition, by training and
playing on good pitches, the standard of sport will increase.
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Q.
The pitch improvements carried out by other sports has lead to summer
sports starting earlier and finishing later, won’t there be more fixture
clashes? |
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A. This
is one of the reasons for the change in that some clubs felt that as
other codes were arranging fixtures for the same time as the set soccer
days, why also try to play soccer in the winter when the playing of
fixtures can be such a hit and miss affair. Clare People Schoolboys
Soccer League has held discussions with Bord na nÓg Iomaint agus Peil
and agreed a fixture programme without clashes. The season will
commence in June and finish in October/November.
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Q.
Will playing in summer mean that children are going to have to choose which sport
they play? |
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A.
Definitely not, the fixtures programme has been drawn up with
co-operation between the various sports, giving each code fixtures on
different days. The Clare People Schoolboys Soccer league will not
arrange fixtures for other days. Bord na nÓg Iomaint agus Peil have
likewise stated that they will not be arranging fixtures for the set
soccer days. Clubs will naturally expect parents and players to be
committed to the set soccer day, but will encourage their players to
participate in different sports on other days.
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Q.
What about training? |
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A. It
will be up to clubs at local level to make appropriate arrangements. It
is understood by those involved in management and coaching that a
child’s sporting ability will improve by playing different sports and
mutual respect will need to be given to the needs of all in the
community. It is understood that, if they are playing competitive or
challenge games in different sports, players may not be able to attend
every training session. |
