GAELIC GAMES: THE GAA'S vision for the future enticement of members is centred around the realisation that since 1971 Ireland has been a more urban than rural society.

Considering the association’s roots sprouted primarily from a rural existence, this, it is hoped, can be actively addressed by a new national urban programme that will be rolled out over the next 12 weeks.

Dr Larry O’Connell, chairman of the GAA urban development committee, made the announcement in Croke Park yesterday where he, alongside GAA president Christy Cooney, stated an investment of €200,000 will take place across 11 centres – Galway, Sligo, Dublin, Athlone, Drogheda, Bray, Belfast, Derry, Cork, Limerick and Waterford – by 14 specifically seconded development officers.

“We want to increase the numbers of people playing and volunteering in the GAA by 20 per cent by 2016,” said O’Connell. “There is huge activity at underage level in urban areas at the moment, but we do have a problem with people then dropping off from playing our sports when they get older.

“We need to look at how visible we are in urban areas and how well we market ourselves. This pilot programme is a learning opportunity for us.”

Sligo footballer Charlie Harrison is one of the development officers involved in the project. “We had 83 kids out last Wednesday. We’re bringing them out of their areas to train in one central area in Sligo IT. Those 83 kids aren’t affiliated with any club in Sligo.

“We’re doing a seminar for teenagers in the first week of September which will concentrate on the epidemics of obesity and substance abuse – both are major problems in urban areas.

“We’re going to get the parents involved and train them as foundation coaches. If we keep them involved we’ll hopefully also keep the kids under the GAA umbrella.”