Let’s face it we are a reasonably successful Junior 1 Club, and have been for a long time, geographically positioned with our backs almost to the sea and operating in a limited catchment area where we constantly seek new players to replace those about to retire – and it’s never an easy task. On the other hand we have a vibrant and enthusiastic cohort of underage players in the Club thanks to the input of many devoted Coaches and organisers – whose names I’m sure, I don’t need to mention here. The ideal is that there would be a natural transition from underage to adult participation but there are many factors that might tend to militate against that - all perfectly normal and natural - when interest is lost or new interest takes over, and the question of third level education, young people starting work in other areas etc.- so many things happening that can quite naturally impact on the throughput of players – and yet we have to believe we can depend on them, well some at least. We have spent years investing in the coaching and training of our youth in the skills of the game of rugby - from as early as 6-7 years of age - and it is a reasonable expectation to believe we will see some continue to play with the Club into adulthood. We readily accept we will lose perhaps 70 – 80% of them for various reasons as already outlined but the remainder we woul like to think we can depend on, and especially in times when many have no choice but to ‘take the boat’ and unemployment is a big problem -as at present.

So from a Club point of view we want to make a better effort with all players but especially with what we might describe as the vulnerable age groups of U17’s to U19’s. These age groups become difficult to administer for many reasons – young people leaving school, many others deep in study for their Leaving Cert, others being bombarded for their involvement with other Clubs like soccer and GAA etc., and many more trying to find work for the weekends to make ‘the few bob’. From our point of view we additionally see some of our U17’s - that we have invested heavily in -  being attracted to neighbouring Clubs to play their rugby there, which is disappointing,  but perhaps understandable, if we have not being providing adequate competition to maintain their interest here in Skibbereen.

Well that is to change and we want to guarantee all in these age groups that we will be providing every facility possible by way of Coaching and training and League participation for the U17’s and U19’s for the 2011/2012 season – be assured that whatever is required will be done to encourage you to stay with the Club that brought you to your present standard of rugby – we don’t want to see you go - we want you to stay and play your rugby in Skibbereen and in time hopefully progress to our adult teams. So let the message go out to all in the U17 and U19 age groups that Skibbereen RFC will not be found wanting when it comes to providing facilities, back-up and encouragement in setting new standards for next season – but you must play your part also – and if you are presently considering joining a neighbouring Club at this level – don’t, and if you spent last season in a neighbouring Club playing at this level and have received additional offers and enticements for next season - consider of course – and then do the right thing and return to your roots.

At present the U17's are training on Tuesday evenings at 7.00pm under the tutelage of Eric Coombes and his Coaching staff - while the U19's are training on Wednesday evenings at 7.30pm in conjunction with the Junior 1 and Junior 2 team panels and Coached by Declan Coppinger and U19 Team Manager John Hayes. At time of writing the numbers have been improving each night and all are laud in their praise for the Coaching and fitness routines being applied. So if there is any more 'youths' out there do come along and make this coming season one of the best at all levels.