The fact of the matter is that if the 17's and 15's actually played each other the likelihood is that the 15's would win. Part of the 17th grade team this year was made up of 15's that did not make the 'A' team squad and moved up to support the previous years 15's that remained.
Nomads as a club at the Youth Age (19's) are not quite as strong as they have been previously, I don't think there is any argument about that, but if the right structure and training is put in place then there is the chance that in 3-5 years time there will be youth players coming through that are potentially (if they stick at it and have that desire) to be 1st team players. They also, as you say, have to have the coaches available and willing to ensure the players/clubs agenda is at the forefront, rather than as a parent/coach who has their own, or their child's, incentives at the forefront.
What is the right and wrong way of developing the main teams is something that can be argued, youth v experience etc etc.... But having the structure in place is certainly a step in the right direction... that is what a number of clubs need to look at long term.
BenchWarmer
Thanks for the input.
Kick off times are an issue, will you get 17 to 19 year olds to get out of bed for a 10pm KO? Only a few years ago the 17s got changed from a 9.30 KO for this reason.
Nomads won Div2 and then the following year Div 1 [old format] with Harry Smits coaching them and that team had a few players that played 12pm KO in Super Youth then turned out with Harry. Most clubs would have one or two of these sort of player but not you average 17 year old who just wants a kick around. Would be a help to be able to offer the boys some form of extra games.
With the juniors also the 15b team had players playing two years up so could still be playing 15s in 2015. I think that 15b team only had three players in the correct age grade so 13 of the 16 will be in 15s next season.
so the obvious question is why didn't Nomads play a 14th Grade side.
Bring back the premier leagues - perhaps dual age - and it will be all on!
Kids, that want to play competitively, should be allowed to do so from whatever age..... I still take great pride in the 1st trophies I won as an 8 year old, ok scoring the winner from 30 yards may have helped!, but I've always been someone that likes to play competitively.
Yes, some players play so that they actually play a sport, and play socially, and with my business I'm all for that and getting children involved in sport, but then again sometimes they need to learn about winning and losing. We are always getting children that if it doesn't go their way end up in tears! This comes from people molly coddling them from an early age!
Could there not be leagues created that allow for both? Ones where results actually count towards a trophy and others where the result doesn't count?
*Foal - Nomads were due to enter a 14th grade side last season, but then numbers dictated that to enable enough players as possible to play then those that were due to play 14th grade had to step up to play 15 B's. this wasn't necessarily through choice, but to enable the 17th grade side to happen.
There is a problem in that a number of players have decided themselves to step up, the fact that the 15th Grade league champions have at least 11 players that are eligible for 15th grade again next season, plus those in the B team, mean that long term, hopefully the future is good.
At the end of the day who is to say a player can't step up and test themselves at a higher level? As a youngster I started 2 years above myself (which was the maximum we were allowed to do) and gradually over the years stepped down to play at the right level by the time I reached 15.... but this was through my own choice, never was it forced upon me, and every player should have their choice at what grade they wish to play (within reason).
There is a player in the Nomads 15A side that could technically play in the 13th grade side..... having seen a 13th grade game that the Nomads team played in he would literally destroy the opposition. He is physically a lot bigger than them and the fact he bullies a lot of players off the ball at 15th grade, the 13's would stand no chance! As his age grow and develop there would be more of a chance of him playing against players his own age, but at the moment it is of no benefit to anyone, you are more likely to lose him to football as it becomes 'too easy'.
*edited as paragraphs seemed to join together and looked stupid!