#Participation is the key to everything...think about it. Statement 1: "We've tested this kid. He's got a massive VO2 max, incredible acceleration, amazing agility and power scores off the chart". Statement 2: He hates the #sport. He doesn't come to training. Statement 1: "We've got the latest, state of the art training, strength / conditioning and recovery facilities. Best in the world". Statement 2: Kids don't connect with or like the #coach. So they don't come to training. Statement 1: "This kid's the most talented 11 year old we've ever seen in this sport. They could be anything". Statement 2: Her friends stopped playing at 14. She dropped out at 15. It really is this simple. Make it fun. Create the environment where friendships are formed and grow. Make it safe. Make it engaging. Build relationships then....when they turn up regularly, show them how amazing your sport, your club and your people can be. The only kid who can't get better, is the one who is not there! There is no PERFORMANCE without PARTICIPATION!

In every sport, there's a large number of people who - when presented with new ideas, stand firm and say, "That's not the way we do it here". As a young #coach, you need to decide how you deal with this. OPTION 1 - Agree with them and don't try to change anything. OPTION 2 - Disagree with them and push ahead with your idea anyway. OPTION 3 - Listen to their reasoning, present an intelligent and inspired counter-argument and seek ways to influence their thinking over time through your results. Remember this, eager young space cadets: Not everything that's old and established is WRONG. Not everything new and innovative is RIGHT. Too many sports throw out all the old, established expertise (and experts) to follow the latest fads and the most vocal social media gurus when the reality is that a combination of what we know - and what we DON'T know is usually the best way forward.

Great night with a great bunch!!

Please help!! Please share this with any Leinster fans you know who are in La Rochelle for the weekend! 🙏🏼 If you were in General Humberts bar last night please check if you took my jacket by mistake as my keys are in the pocket and I can't get into my house. @OLSCRugby

This reaction is everything!! ❤️ It's been a roller coaster of a World Cup #FIFAWWC

Excited for what's to come with this bunch of girls. A lot of talent and potential 💪

Brilliant day @_SportNI & @sportireland tutor training "Understanding Physical Literacy" Plenty of learnings, chats & networking Looking forward to introducing this to @UlsterBranch coaches and volunteers #thinkfeeldo #physicalliteracy #coachdevelopment

Great weekend, fantastic performances put in by all 4 Ulster teams - lots of work ons for Saturday - excited to see what the girls can achieve!

All the results from this weekends U16 & U18 Girls 7s Interpros at the IRFU HPC.

Brilliant morning with these girls! Hopefully see a few of them at @HinchRFC GIAT starting next month @UlsterBranch

"𝗔 𝗹𝗼𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁" 🎤 Amanda Morton reflects on the first friendly of pre-season 📺 #WeAreLarne #ForTheTown

Good to get minutes on the legs of our players preparing for next season ⚽ Paul Harvey 📸 #WeAreLarne #ForTheTown

👏 Fantastic to have so many girls take part in a tag blitz hosted by @Wellington_BT7! More than 100 players were involved, coming from @FSLnews, @LarneHigh, @StrangfordIC, @sullivan_upper & @VCBTweets 💪

🏆 𝗩𝗼𝗱𝗮𝗳𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻'𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 In January, Ulster will host 2 interpro fixtures, with the visit of Connacht being held at Kingspan Stadium 🏟 For tickets and more info ⬇️ fal.cn/3uAh9

🏉 𝙂𝘼𝙈𝙀 𝙊𝙉 💪 If you don't have 15 players, you don't have to cancel your match! Game On makes sure rugby is played. For more info ⬇️ ulster.rugby/gameon

💯 #culture #leadership

🎊 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙎𝙊𝘾𝙄𝘼𝙇 𝙎𝙀𝙍𝙄𝙀𝙎 🏉 Next week at @uususport Magee sports pitch, we're hosting another night of our Social Series. Here's how to sign up 👇 ulster.rugby/thesocialseries

Class opportunity for 18-24yo gals! Fun rugby, with your mates, Also, free pizza 👀👀 @UlsterBranch @QueensSport @UlsterUniSport @BelfastMetRugby @CookeRFCWomen @QuinsWRFC @HinchRFC @ballymenarfc #wrugby More info here and sign up link... ulster.rugby/thesocialseries