SANFL Junior codes

[gadj1976]

Its all about making College players available for as many SANFL games as possible, they now only miss 5-6 out of an 18 game season, with the SANFL comp going into 2 weekends off after these games. SANFL and College comps work together now, where in the past it has been the opposite.

Umm, that's my point. Has been all along. If you want the best kids playing 16's and 18's don't clash with college games. But yet the SANFL tell us that they can't schedule games mid week. Clearly, they're not telling us the truth.

So in summary, my recommendation was that, when college is NOT playing, schedule SANFL games on the weekend. When college is playing, schedule them mid week. Then you get the best kids playing year round. PS. Not great if your kid is kid no 30 on the list, but that's up to the club to manage the workloads.

It also means that kids not playing college footy can play for their community club and help them out!

SANFL clubs rely on volunteers its complete impracticable to expect SANFL junior volunteers to consistently give up there mid week days in todays hectic lifestyles so the colleges can play bruise free footy on a Saturday afternoon. *insetr high pitched 'Go Hearts", "Go Kings" "Go Saints" here...

If anything school sport should go back to the old days of Wednesday afternoon sports competitions

Well that would be ideal. College on Wed, SANFL on the weekends.

You're also assuming there are only volunteers at SANFL clubs.

[Bluedemon]

That has been suggested a few times for SANFL on weekends and College football during the week, unfortunately it won't happen as the colleges want that privilege of playing Saturday afternoon football.

[wenchbarwer]

That's a great way for elite kids of that age to burn out quickly, playing SANFL mid-week and college on the weekend for the entire season.

16, 17 & 18 year old boys are waaaay bigger than when we were that age, the kids need time to rest!

That's why I said it's up the clubs to manage the workload.

And it's not the entire season either.

Some kids play limited time, or are named as an emergency for their SANFL club but can't play for their community club on the next day. We have seen scenarios where kids might play none, or a few minutes only for their SANFL club but are not allowed to take the field for their community club.

So essentially these kids miss out on any game of footy on a weekend. My lad has said he doesn't want to play for his community club this weekend, which we as parents respect and will advise the community club. But it should be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

Yeah, I've also been through this, but don't forget, these SANFL clubs aren't mandatory. If little Johnny isn't getting a fair run at his underage SANFL club, go back to local footy. Sounds like it would much more beneficial for their footy to actually play than to sit on the bench.

Worked out well for guys like Beau McCreery

[am Bays]

That's a great way for elite kids of that age to burn out quickly, playing SANFL mid-week and college on the weekend for the entire season.

16, 17 & 18 year old boys are waaaay bigger than when we were that age, the kids need time to rest!

That's why I said it's up the clubs to manage the workload.

And it's not the entire season either.

Some kids play limited time, or are named as an emergency for their SANFL club but can't play for their community club on the next day. We have seen scenarios where kids might play none, or a few minutes only for their SANFL club but are not allowed to take the field for their community club.

So essentially these kids miss out on any game of footy on a weekend. My lad has said he doesn't want to play for his community club this weekend, which we as parents respect and will advise the community club. But it should be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

Yeah, I've also been through this, but don't forget, these SANFL clubs aren't mandatory. If little Johnny isn't getting a fair run at his underage SANFL club, go back to local footy. Sounds like it would much more beneficial for their footy to actually play than to sit on the bench.

Worked out well for guys like Beau McCreery

That's not why Beau McCreery didnt play at Glenelg

[wenchbarwer]

That's a great way for elite kids of that age to burn out quickly, playing SANFL mid-week and college on the weekend for the entire season.

16, 17 & 18 year old boys are waaaay bigger than when we were that age, the kids need time to rest!

That's why I said it's up the clubs to manage the workload.

And it's not the entire season either.

Some kids play limited time, or are named as an emergency for their SANFL club but can't play for their community club on the next day. We have seen scenarios where kids might play none, or a few minutes only for their SANFL club but are not allowed to take the field for their community club.

So essentially these kids miss out on any game of footy on a weekend. My lad has said he doesn't want to play for his community club this weekend, which we as parents respect and will advise the community club. But it should be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

Yeah, I've also been through this, but don't forget, these SANFL clubs aren't mandatory. If little Johnny isn't getting a fair run at his underage SANFL club, go back to local footy. Sounds like it would much more beneficial for their footy to actually play than to sit on the bench.

Worked out well for guys like Beau McCreery

That's not why Beau McCreery didnt play at Glenelg

I know that but don't ruin my point!

[wenchbarwer]

Now there's an interesting idea for a thread

"AFL players who got the arse from an SANFL underage team"

[gadj1976]

That's a great way for elite kids of that age to burn out quickly, playing SANFL mid-week and college on the weekend for the entire season.

16, 17 & 18 year old boys are waaaay bigger than when we were that age, the kids need time to rest!

That's why I said it's up the clubs to manage the workload.

And it's not the entire season either.

Some kids play limited time, or are named as an emergency for their SANFL club but can't play for their community club on the next day. We have seen scenarios where kids might play none, or a few minutes only for their SANFL club but are not allowed to take the field for their community club.

So essentially these kids miss out on any game of footy on a weekend. My lad has said he doesn't want to play for his community club this weekend, which we as parents respect and will advise the community club. But it should be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

Yeah, I've also been through this, but don't forget, these SANFL clubs aren't mandatory. If little Johnny isn't getting a fair run at his underage SANFL club, go back to local footy. Sounds like it would much more beneficial for their footy to actually play than to sit on the bench.

Worked out well for guys like Beau McCreery

For most kids, that's the epitome of their footballing career. It takes a bit to get to that level, so relinquishing a spot on a list is not something they want to jeopardise.

[gadj1976]

That has been suggested a few times for SANFL on weekends and College football during the week, unfortunately it won't happen as the colleges want that privilege of playing Saturday afternoon football.

Yep, hence we find ourselves in this situation.

[wenchbarwer]

[
For most kids, that's the epitome of their footballing career. It takes a bit to get to that level, so relinquishing a spot on a list is not something they want to jeopardise.

Yeah, fully aware how much work is involved, I've had three boys go through it to varying degrees, hence my opinion it's not the be-all and end-all.

Kids mature at different rates, there's a pre-disposition to value college kids as "better" players, and sometimes there are kids who just don't function that well in such a cut-throat environment.

if you don't enjoy your footy, you'll stop playing. It's a bit more fun to drop back a level, get a heap of game time and develop from there.

[gadj1976]

[
For most kids, that's the epitome of their footballing career. It takes a bit to get to that level, so relinquishing a spot on a list is not something they want to jeopardise.

Yeah, fully aware how much work is involved, I've had three boys go through it to varying degrees, hence my opinion it's not the be-all and end-all.

Kids mature at different rates, there's a pre-disposition to value college kids as "better" players, and sometimes there are kids who just don't function that well in such a cut-throat environment.

if you don't enjoy your footy, you'll stop playing. It's a bit more fun to drop back a level, get a heap of game time and develop from there.

Yep with ya bud. I know quite a few that have sat on the bench, or tucked away in a back pocket at SANFL juniors only to give it away and play community.

[Dutchy]

Sorry Gadj I thought you meant SANFL Community Junior footy on weeknights.

I believe college should be on week day/nights but also understand why that wont happen. Some of the lesser known colleges are pretty good in releasing their kids to play SANFL especially if they know recruiters are looking at them. While others even push back on these mid week games, even thought they are designed for the kids to be able to play both.

The other main issue that SANFL u/16/18's wont play more midweek games is the country zoned players, its a huge commitment from these kids/families as it is, some travelling 3-4 hours each way, leaving school early and getting home very late, all for 90 mins of training, doing this for a game finishing at 10pm isn't practical or even safe if the kids are driving themselves.

Do kids really get left languishing on the bench though at this level? Find that hard to believe when rotations are so important to making sure teams run out these games, not to mention exposing the kids to the level for their development and see if they have the ability to move onto senior footy.

[The Bedge]

Do kids really get left languishing on the bench though at this level? Find that hard to believe when rotations are so important to making sure teams run out these games, not to mention exposing the kids to the level for their development and see if they have the ability to move onto senior footy.

At a league club? Absolutely.

[Dutchy]

Do kids really get left languishing on the bench though at this level? Find that hard to believe when rotations are so important to making sure teams run out these games, not to mention exposing the kids to the level for their development and see if they have the ability to move onto senior footy.

At a league club? Absolutely.

Geez that's disappointing to hear, I haven't seen it though.

[whufc]

Sorry Gadj I thought you meant SANFL Community Junior footy on weeknights.

I believe college should be on week day/nights but also understand why that wont happen. Some of the lesser known colleges are pretty good in releasing their kids to play SANFL especially if they know recruiters are looking at them. While others even push back on these mid week games, even thought they are designed for the kids to be able to play both.

The other main issue that SANFL u/16/18's wont play more midweek games is the country zoned players, its a huge commitment from these kids/families as it is, some travelling 3-4 hours each way, leaving school early and getting home very late, all for 90 mins of training, doing this for a game finishing at 10pm isn't practical or even safe if the kids are driving themselves.

Do kids really get left languishing on the bench though at this level? Find that hard to believe when rotations are so important to making sure teams run out these games, not to mention exposing the kids to the level for their development and see if they have the ability to move onto senior footy.

Yep this is a huge burden on the few kids we have currently playing underage SANFL.

Like you said beyond the fact of asking them to make a long trip in the case of our players 2 to 2 1/2 hours each way. The safety of these kids potentially driving themselves, nevermind it generally results in leaving school early on match day and then either starting school late or having a day off the next day due to getting home so late.

Sadly from what i hear / see in our local comp the relationship between the SANFL clubs and country community clubs is getting more and more strained each year. I know in our region the Eagles are really trying to connect the zone with the club but ultimately it's a massive challenge.

[whufc]

Sorry Gadj I thought you meant SANFL Community Junior footy on weeknights.

I believe college should be on week day/nights but also understand why that wont happen. Some of the lesser known colleges are pretty good in releasing their kids to play SANFL especially if they know recruiters are looking at them. While others even push back on these mid week games, even thought they are designed for the kids to be able to play both.

The other main issue that SANFL u/16/18's wont play more midweek games is the country zoned players, its a huge commitment from these kids/families as it is, some travelling 3-4 hours each way, leaving school early and getting home very late, all for 90 mins of training, doing this for a game finishing at 10pm isn't practical or even safe if the kids are driving themselves.

Do kids really get left languishing on the bench though at this level? Find that hard to believe when rotations are so important to making sure teams run out these games, not to mention exposing the kids to the level for their development and see if they have the ability to move onto senior footy.

Yep this is a huge burden on the few kids we have currently playing underage SANFL.

Like you said beyond the fact of asking them to make a long trip in the case of our players 2 to 2 1/2 hours each way. The safety of these kids potentially driving themselves, nevermind it generally results in leaving school early on match day and then either starting school late or having a day off the next day due to getting home so late.

Sadly from what i hear / see in our local comp the relationship between the SANFL clubs and country community clubs is getting more and more strained each year. I know in our region the Eagles are really trying to connect the zone with the club but ultimately it's a massive challenge.

[wenchbarwer]

Do kids really get left languishing on the bench though at this level? Find that hard to believe when rotations are so important to making sure teams run out these games, not to mention exposing the kids to the level for their development and see if they have the ability to move onto senior footy.

At a league club? Absolutely.

Not to mention taking full fees from all the kids with bugger all intention of playing them

[gadj1976]

Sorry Gadj I thought you meant SANFL Community Junior footy on weeknights.

I believe college should be on week day/nights but also understand why that wont happen. Some of the lesser known colleges are pretty good in releasing their kids to play SANFL especially if they know recruiters are looking at them. While others even push back on these mid week games, even thought they are designed for the kids to be able to play both.

The other main issue that SANFL u/16/18's wont play more midweek games is the country zoned players, its a huge commitment from these kids/families as it is, some travelling 3-4 hours each way, leaving school early and getting home very late, all for 90 mins of training, doing this for a game finishing at 10pm isn't practical or even safe if the kids are driving themselves

Do kids really get left languishing on the bench though at this level? Find that hard to believe when rotations are so important to making sure teams run out these games, not to mention exposing the kids to the level for their development and see if they have the ability to move onto senior footy.

Fair point, but it would only be for the weeknights when college games are on. Most of our lads board down here anyway, so maybe we're in the minority?

They can languish, yes. My lad was sat on the bench for over a quarter on one particular game after making a mistake and then dropped the week after. but others have bemoaned to me about the lack of game time their kid got. I do question what 'development' means at this level sometimes.

[wenchbarwer]

[Fair point, but it would only be for the weeknights when college games are on. Most of our lads board down here anyway, so maybe we're in the minority?

They can languish, yes. My lad was sat on the bench for over a quarter on one particular game after making a mistake and then dropped the week after. but others have bemoaned to me about the lack of game time their kid got. I do question what 'development' means at this level sometimes.

Money. I can't believe the hike in fees over the last 8 to 10 years for some SANFL clubs.

[gadj1976]

Do kids really get left languishing on the bench though at this level? Find that hard to believe when rotations are so important to making sure teams run out these games, not to mention exposing the kids to the level for their development and see if they have the ability to move onto senior footy.

At a league club? Absolutely.

Not to mention taking full fees from all the kids with bugger all intention of playing them

True, some clubs carry a second full side and more!

[gadj1976]

[Fair point, but it would only be for the weeknights when college games are on. Most of our lads board down here anyway, so maybe we're in the minority?

They can languish, yes. My lad was sat on the bench for over a quarter on one particular game after making a mistake and then dropped the week after. but others have bemoaned to me about the lack of game time their kid got. I do question what 'development' means at this level sometimes.

Money. I can't believe the hike in fees over the last 8 to 10 years for some SANFL clubs.

At community club level, we did question why the 16's were brought in in the first place and we always thought it was a money making venture by the SANFL for their 8 clubs.