jo172 wrote:Paging Jetters
It was correct to page me, thank you Jo172.
So many people here are experts on children's cognitive, physical and sporting development; bloody awesome stuff.
Can't be bothered looking back through, but i swear someone gave the argument along the lines of "back when I was a boy.........and I turned out alright"; sensational.
This will improve the environment we provide to these little footballers on so many levels.
We changed our 8s and 9s to 9-a-side this year and it was the best move our League has ever made. One of the weaker clubs mentioned that there whole team kicked 20 goals the season the previous season, this year they kicked 100 in each team. We have improved those kids' footy experience out of sight, more kicks, more goals, more interaction with the game and overall a higher quality experience.
A great example for me this year was with the u13s girls comp we ran. Kept scores, but no premierships, and the quality of coaching, sportsmanship and environment for development was exceptional. Provided an incredible comparison to the boys younger premiership comps.
I bet in your (hopefully not ours) premiership u11/12 grades, you will start the biggest kid in the ruck, best player in the centre, best catch at full forward and weakest players in the pockets, and do it basically every game. And most importantly, the coach will get to live out his life long dream of pretending to coach AFL.
Lets hope innovative leagues continue to adopt change when the research and experts provide us with the direction.