by The Crumber » Mon Feb 19, 2007 8:33 pm
Have read the last few pages and offer the following comments:-
- Anyone new to this site and league may rightfully ask "what on earth are Blackwood doing here anyway? We had Milang and have Kersbrook. Zonal country teams. Blackwood is a metro area. How ridiculous that they're here. Why did the HFL ever admit them? Read on....
- Why bother at all with HFL Salary Cap regulations? A bit like the current AFL betting scandal. Farcical. Anyone can pay anyone whatever they like, but really, is any HFL player worth $400 a game? Fair go Blackwood if that's really happening. Glad you have metro sponsors and won't ever know the struggle genuine country sides go though to get a buck or two for new jumpers etc...
- A bit about Birdwood moving up. It does indeed sound peculiar to most, as it did when Nairne and others took the plunge. Without singling out Birdwood, it really doesn't have a lot to do with grassroots footy. Central Div attracts more sponsorship more easily. Hence more $. More promotion, more bums on fences, seats, bars and cars. Much more respect and clout at HFL meetings. More $ to pull players who come as total strangers from other lands, take their money and remain so. So the boys get that sinking siren feeling week after week. It only hurts if you play for the jumper, even if you were born just up the road. By the end of the year, not many are left anyway but the HFL guarantee of 3 years stands. Players are notorious for their non-involvement on club committees. Do a deal with your club-: Go on the committee and train ONE night a week. Change all this stuff.
- Most people (clubs, players, supporters) never think about the HFL governing body and how it works. It's just this name, "The Board" which appears ominously in constitutions and seems to conquer all. In real life, it comprises lots of fuddy-duddies ( each with their own agendas) Most have been there far too long and those in the highest office are there because no-one else wants to do it. I stand corrected if I am wrong, but I would be overjoyed if an actual current player got a jumper. Its' meetings, when delegates are invited, usually comprise club officials who are tired to death with making it all happen and just want to go home. The meetings are flimsy, and, dare I say it, often unconstitutional. Absolutely stale, but it how the hell could it change? Get some new blood!!!!!!!!!