Appearance fees for our best players

[David G Congalton]

I understand that many of you will say "what's the point of sending a young inexperienced girl just for her to be totally demoralised and give up the game?".

It's only free if it doesn't cost anything. In the case of sending a young, inexperienced girl, who becomes demoralised and gives up the game, then there's a cost; her interest and possibly the interest of her friends. There would also be the cost of coaching, whether that's in additional coaches to cope with the size of the squad or in the time available per student.

I agree the issue has to be addressed and we're probably thinking along the same lines of sustaining the girls interest, raising their standard through coaching and preparing them before big events by their participation in events slightly above their standard, at home.

There is certainly time to take a good few steps towards this before the EU, Euroyouth and World Youth but I would be wary of filling places just for the sake of filling them. Yes it could give opportunities to some but you have to balance the opportunity costs against that.