Mr. Colin Regan:

The GAA's view is exactly the same as the Chairman's. We find that unacceptable. The Go Games philosophy was introduced specifically to address that. The Go Games philosophy requires - it is compulsory for all clubs - that children up to under 14 level enjoy an opportunity. Everybody plays is the philosophy of the Go Games, as we heard from Deputy Rabbitte. Deputy Rabbitte attended the féile hurling in Galway last week and there was a requirement for roll-on, roll-off substitutes for participation in that.

Unfortunately, there is still a culture driven by some coaches within our clubs where they seek to live vicariously through the underage teams with which they are working.

We also now have a requirement that all coaches working with juvenile teams in the association receive foundation level coaching. It will take a generation to deliver that cultural and philosophical change but we believe that if every club steps up to the plate and requires every coach to receive that training, which directs them on how to address this challenge, we will see a sea change within the association over the coming years. We are delighted with the fact that, as I mentioned, 220 clubs applied to get involved in the healthy club project. One of their big motivations is to address that kind of culture within their own clubs. We see that project as being a further antidote to the win-at-all-costs ethos that can unfortunately carry across all codes. I played pretty much anything with a ball as I was growing up and I unfortunately experienced that attitude myself. The drop-off rate is one of the factors but the issue is multifaceted.

I am excited to hear that, when a club lost those players through bad practice, another club was ready and able to provide something for those young people. It is essential that we have a sufficient network of opportunities for young boys and girls to enjoy physical activity regardless of whether they do so under our own particular code. In fact, I would go further and ask how we imbue a love of not just sporting activity, but activity in general among young people during the formative years of their lives that they will carry right throughout.