different clubs have different philosophies around what age grade is 'correct'.
Last season 2 clubs sacrificed one age group to try to win an older D1 grade. Both clubs now have no side in the D1 grade they gave up on last year. The good players of that age have moved to other clubs or play up in age again.
I'm hopelessly compromised
because I believe the rule should be uniform and in the corresponding age grade but my kids have always played up because it was a better footballing option.
Last season 2 clubs sacrificed one age group to try to win an older D1 grade. Both clubs now have no side in the D1 grade they gave up on last year. The good players of that age have moved to other clubs or play up in age again.
I'm hopelessly compromised
because I believe the rule should be uniform and in the corresponding age grade but my kids have always played up because it was a better footballing option. hullo Nomads!
so who is getting developed by winning 24-0? Cashmere Tech also have very good 13D1 players up in 14's. Coastal and FC2011 have kept their guys in the 13's D1 and the 2 who would of made that team (Coastal) who are younger play in the 12's.(which is a considerably less strong side).
I talked to a Waimak organizer this week and he was saying it's ridiculous them having 2x 14D1 sides... results round 1 seem to confirm that.
Players should be in their corresponding age grade. Player development is club coaching and FTC.
The Saturday Game becomes useless and in fact harmful if the focus is we are in the winning team. If we want a genuine D1 comp then clubs choosing to stack teams and sacrifice others needs to be looked at.
some blow outs in other grades D1 as well, I know a side that lost 1 - 18 in preseason lost 0 - 8 yesterday to a side with a sympathetic coach.
in the poor organization arena, we turned up to find no posts and no marked field... worse still two fields marked across the one we were supposed to play on. Unacceptable really. The home coach was pretty upset, more so when I said this equates to a default
as he has the far stronger team and his side should win D1. The issue of course becomes it's his boys that miss out on the win if I protest. sigh. That is straight out embarrassing for not just the home club but for mainland.
Flicking through the junior grades theres a few 10+ goal margins...makes me feel better about the hiding my lads got. It just further fans the flames for those who are calling for a revamp of the junior comps (myself included).
Some kids are too good to be playing in their own age group given how shambolic some age groups are, but I do (to a degree) disagree with clubs moving a whole squad up. a total revamp of the regions comps is needed IMO. Remove U13-U18 and replace it with U14s (midday kick off), U16 (915am) and U18s (1045am) and then move your mens kick offs back 30 mins.
While it'll be a big step up for some kids it'll largely help the top end players develop. Maybe semi social divisions in the current age brackets for those outside of the top tier of players.
Shame something that logical will never ever happen
gings2012-04-22 19:20:40