The issue was/is, Canty coaches were saying to players: "if you play for my club, then you've got a better chance at making the Canty team". It definitely did happen during my time coaching and lost kids to one particular club.
Perhaps not an issue now, as I thought Canty coaches have been told they aren't to say these things anymore, but it does seem odd that whole Canty teams go to one particular club. I mean look at the Mainland Pride for god's sake! :-)
The issue is also compounded by the 20 gazillion "Canterbury" teams that now exist. Is this breeding false hope in players (sic parents)? Are we over promising and under delivering? Over a 10 year period how many boys turn out for Canterbury and what percentage then go on to play at least for the Dragons. Would be less than 1 percent I reckon and consistent with the number who made it into the old national league through teams like ChCh Utd, New Brighton, Rangers or Woolston. Restructure the rep team setup with one team in each age group coached by one of the FDO's - problem sorted. And bring back the annual national age group tournament.
Do increased numbers of local rep teams lead to higher quality players? Statistics don't support this theory when you look at the fact we have only one player in the recently announced U20 national training squad. Has it improved retention rates in youth leagues? Probably not. So what is the point of the current strategy? Research suggests the best way to develop young athletes is to regularly put them in a competitive situation against similar or higher achieving athletes. Sending more players to a poorer SI competition doesn't compensate for 1 team competing at a national Inter Federation tournament. The Federation structure was sold to the districts on the basis players in smaller centres would have increased opportunities to strut their stuff against quality opposition, a true test of development. Mainland are already addressing the issue of unbalanced local junior leagues by restricting age based player movement that should see all the best players of the same age playing against each other. And clubs should only be allowed one team in each league - works a bit like the NRL salary cap, if you can't get first team footy with the local club (i.e. selected in the 'b's) then go looking elsewhere.
My advice to parents seeking the best outcome for their kid? Stick with your local club and if you think they don't offer what Chardonnay or Skylark need - get involved!!