The Academy is a disastrous concept.The 'Rep Migration' Problem is easily fixed by limiting who is at what club. A ceiling is placed on Rep footballers in the one team , this can also incorporate 'homegrown players'. AND NO REP COACH IS A COACH IN THAT GRADE and/or PARENT OF ELIGIBLE CHILD
The Rep football program for juniors is no better. It's not just that it to all extents and purposes is a clique, it actually drives quality players out of the game. The pressure to make the team is high, yet the trial , selection and actual coaching ability of the Rep teams is so utterly haphazard and inconsistent it's IMO better to not do it. I watched 2 age groups last year and it was embarrassing the gulf between coaching levels. And it's awful to watch seemingly pre-determined trials.
The issue then becomes the reaction to not nominating players... You either face sanction for not sending players or you send them to a situation that is bad for them. You can't win.
Another one is the player turning down the Academy, then not getting picked the following season.
What incentive for clubs is there to 'work up' players?
I can carry on if anyone is interested
The Academy is a disastrous concept.The 'Rep Migration' Problem is easily fixed by limiting who is at what club. A ceiling is placed on Rep footballers in the one team , this can also incorporate 'homegrown players'. AND NO REP COACH IS A COACH IN THAT GRADE and/or PARENT OF ELIGIBLE CHILD
The Rep football program for juniors is no better. It's not just that it to all extents and purposes is a clique, it actually drives quality players out of the game. The pressure to make the team is high, yet the trial , selection and actual coaching ability of the Rep teams is so utterly haphazard and inconsistent it's IMO better to not do it. I watched 2 age groups last year and it was embarrassing the gulf between coaching levels. And it's awful to watch seemingly pre-determined trials.
The issue then becomes the reaction to not nominating players... You either face sanction for not sending players or you send them to a situation that is bad for them. You can't win.
Another one is the player turning down the Academy, then not getting picked the following season.
What incentive for clubs is there to 'work up' players?
I can carry on if anyone is interested