There was little opportunity for young people to enjoy alcohol-free activities, a meeting in Killarney to set up a No Name Club has been told.
No Name Clubs for older teenagers exist in 40 venues around the country. There is a large number of clubs in Galway, with others in Dublin, Cork, Waterford, Meath, Wexford, Kilkenny and Kildare. Started 27 years ago, their co-founder was the former Kilkenny hurler Eddie Keher. Mr Keher is now national development director of No Name Clubs.
A promotional video for the new club has contributions by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, Republic of Ireland soccer manager Brian Kerr and other sports personalities.
Carole Goulding, Cork-Kerry area co-ordinator of the No Name Club, told the meeting in St Brendan's College that the clubs were set up by parents and included Garda representatives. They served as an alternatives to public houses, but were not pioneer clubs. Their events were alcohol free.
Aimed at fifth year and transition year students, their activities included debating, cabaret competitions, dancing, discos and public speaking.
"You are looking for positive, young people who understand the ethos and philosophy, and who want to do something," Ms Goulding said.
Some parents at the meeting expressed concern that the interview process which selected just 25 hosts and hostesses to become leaders and organise activities sounded elitist and would result in the rejection of other young people. One parent asked: "How angelic does a young person have to be to be to join a No Name Club?"
Ms Goulding said they had to be positive, and the clubs aimed to build up self-esteem and self-confidence. "You can't take all the young people in Killarney and bring them in and try to make them positive."
She said there were support services for young people who got into trouble, but "very little for normal young people".