When I was doing the junior draw approx 1990 Olympic had several junior teams, via a deal with St Marks School (the one next to Wgtn Coll). Maki Halikias played his juniors with Olympic. I think Leo Bertos was there for a while, as was his brother Adam. The junior club was organised at that time by Mario Kotsapas. Their best junior team was coached by Costa Leonadis. Another was coached by Ross Durant who had a son at St Marks.
So that was 23 years ago. A lot of years past since then... I was just interested if they have a youth development program (obviously not if they don't have any junior teams) or if they just hoover ( to use smithys words). players that other clubs have spent time and effort developing.
That bit is up for grabs.
If other clubs had spent the time and effort then the hoovering wouldn't be so easy.
In saying that, Olympic nicked a player from my club this year and we had put a bit of time into him.
I guess my point is sometimes clubs think the "own" a junior player just because he (or she) was registered for them once. It's a two way street. Olympic aren't necessarily doing anything bad.
I think that post is called fence sitting - smithy.
There will always be players that change clubs for whatever reasons (including parents choices when younger).Being registered for a club once! doesnt make you a club player you are correct.But there are many players who spend there whole junior years with 1 club and then Olympic come along and....
I don`t think you can call yourself a developement club if you hoover your players at u19 level.