Bulls forever wrote:
They are far from perfect, perfect is a place they or I will not reach. How posting on a Forum will assist them is beyond me. But I do have an idea, join the Executive of NEMJFA, like the other 10 volunteers on that committee and have a say in how NEMJFA is run. I admit to admiring the job they do, they have over 200 teams, who knows how many competitions - 16-18 perhaps, with 1 full time person and a bunch of bloody good volunteers that give up their time, mostly after having been involved at club level on committees there, to promote junior football. You can only appreciate what a great job they do, with the resources they have, when you have a understanding of what they actually do to run this huge junior competition. I don't, but through my association with other sports, I have a bit of an idea. They have been one of the most innovative junior sports over the past 10 years that I have seen.
BUT, if like most your association is purely through time your son / daughter spends playing football and then you move on, you will be unable to appreciate this.
Sheesh, I need a cigarette after that! I think the volunteers do a wonderful job and they extinguish problems as soon as they arise. I do feel that it's time to drag the coaches of the younger grades and nut out some of the intricate issues, there is mass confusion with the new rules and perhaps they needed to be put out there well before the season commenced to avoid confusion.
The rule of only allowing 15 on the field needs reviewing, I have emailed my thoughts on the matter, they allow clubs to register up to 24 players, kids don't like sitting on the bench and if most kids are going to spend half the game on there, they will stop playing.
I see first hand how the coaches are under so much stress on Sunday mornings juggling sides and trying to please everyone, their numbers will diminish too.
I enjoy being part of the NEMJFA and appreciate the professional approach that the executive committee adopt.