Sir, – One of the biggest frustrations for many sports clubs at the start of a new sporting year is trying to find enough coaches and helpers for junior sport while also managing Garda vetting requirements. Many volunteers may already be vetted through one organisation, such as the GAA, but must still go through the process again if they want to help with another sport, such as soccer or athletics, which comes under a similar risk category. This often discourages parents and other volunteers from helping, resulting in a shortage of coaches and a barrier to greater involvement across their community groups.From past experiences, we know that, when it comes to safeguarding, there can be no compromises. Currently, under Irish law, Garda vetting is non-transferable between the different sporting bodies. The time may have come, however, for the different sporting bodies to come together under the umbrella of Sports Ireland to form a new national governing body for junior sport where a common clearance system for volunteers is made possible.This would reduce duplication, shorten delays in getting the various programmes under way and support clubs that are already struggling to recruit enough coaches and helpers by making it easier for people to help out. – Yours, etc, KEVIN McLOUGHLIN,Ballina, Co Mayo.