With the U12 league getting underway tomorrow we chatted with PJ Cunningham, Chairperson of the Mayo Bulls about their new junior programme.

What was the motivation behind starting juniors? 

To ensure the club will survive, and that there will always be an option to play hockey for all those who want to. Often we hear of people wanting to try it, but no local team exists for them. We hope to see our junior members develop into senior players and themselves be involved in running the club and ensuring this continues. Since the beginning of our junior programme it has truly been a rewarding experience, which in turn makes us want to do more to make this happen.

How has it been to get the programme going? Do you have many juniors training regularly?

Better than expected, with backing and help from Mayo Sports Partnership, Inline Hockey Ireland and Chancellor Michael Kilcoyne, we have been able to slowly build up the equipment necessary to ensure safe training, as well as helping parents with the costs of playing Inline Hockey. This has made it easier to introduce junior members to the sport which  for some may have been out of reach. Since March we have 17 juniors all 12 and one who's 14, at least 10 juniors per session, 0 drop outs since we started and steadily have new members joining.

Are the junior players looking forward to get going competitively on Saturday?

When I asked them if they'd like to play other inline teams, they couldn't say yes quicker. There all looking forward to the games, a chance to play In a purpose built environment,  and I think more importantly on the same team. I think this is what they look forward to most, a chance to all play together and help one another. I think the parents are as excited as the kids ahead of their first games. It's going to be alot of fun.

Any advice to other clubs looking to start juniors?

Don't be afraid to ask for help, even if you think maybe that person or club doesn't like us, we all need each other and all have the same struggles and goals. Some of the help we have got from ex players, people we've met at tournaments and teams in our league has been great, and without this we may have not been able to make these games possible for our juniors. Also the league, it's officials and officers have helped us greatly, and continue to do so. It wasn't just Mayo Bulls who put a junior team forward, it's the efforts of several clubs and IHI members that have made it happen.

Thanks for taking the time PJ, it's great to see another junior club up and running and we wish you every success.