As a new initiative this season, Irish Senior Mens Squad Camps will, where space allows, allocate a number of spaces to boys at Mini Cadet, Cadet, or Junior level, who will be invited to attend and take part in the sessions with the Mens Squad.
These places will not be allocated solely on ranking or ability, and and instead may be earned through performances and effort at tournaments, or at regional or national training camps, where the player(s) concerned have shown a positive attitude and good conduct, as well as a high work rate or superlative performance, and are capable of the effort expected in taking part in any National Squad session.
Players will normally be observed by selectors at competitive or training events, but can also be proposed by club coaches for consideration or observation.
Senior Mens NPC Richard Butler commented ‘this is a great way to expose different players, who may not all be used to what is involved, to the work rate and commitment expected at a Senior Mens session, the wildcards will have a chance to learn from, and get some training with, the best male players in Ireland’.
The first wildcards will be selected for the forthcoming Senior Mens Camp in mid June