Are clubs starting gilrs teams simply to qualify for grants?
Quote:
Originally Posted by CollegeTillIDie
Well done to the good people of Clare on setting up the Under 15's League. The trick will be to continue the development into adult ranks, so that Lifford do not have things all their own way in the Banner County anymore:D
Fully agree. It's quite easy to get a few girls teams started, especially at U15 (I believe that the community games offer a national competition at this age group). The difficulty will lie in keeping the impetus going, progressing those girls to ladies. Perhaps these clubs have no desire to field teams over 15 years of age and the clubs and local community games organisers are working in tandem. Lifford have been fielding ladies teams for years - as far as I am aware there are no other ladies teams in Clare. Unless those u15 girls have a progression pathway within their club (Connolly, Bridge, Moneypoint etc) then the better players will simply head towards Ennis to continue their soccer careers.
IMO many clubs (not just in Clare) will start up girls teams in order to qualify for development grants (FAI funding). Once the grants are awarded and the clubs facilities are upgraded, what then? A rather pessimistic outlook or is it closer to reality ? perhaps this posting should be the start of a new thread?