John Morrison – Why 70 percent of children drop out

Girls (in fact all children) just want to have fun

In his column in this week’s Gaelic Life, John Morrison expands on his debate on when to start keeping score.

He says that after 14 years of age children need competitive goals, but up to 13 years of age, they need something else.

“Winning is important but youth sport has many other complimentary goals such as social development, fun, and fitness all of which need developed.

“Seventy percent of 13-year-olds drop out because of game time, absence of fun and lack of interest because adults won’t listen to what they want or need.

“A recent survey asked why children engage in sport and 90 percent said that they participate because it was fun.”

To find out what they meant by that, read Morrison’s column in the current issue of Gaelic Life.