TOPIC:

Good afternoon,

The WAAFL Board confirms the maximum age for colts will increase from 19 to 20 years for next season.

The Colts competition shall be a restricted age competition and any person who attains the age of 21 years (in the calendar year then current) shall not be eligible to play in any fixture of the Colts competition.

The minimum age will remain unchanged. A player shall have attained the minimum age of 16 to play in any match.

The age increase is due to several factors:
• Increase in colt withdrawals, forfeits and application of the ‘even up’ rule in 2012.
• Lower 17s/Year 12 teams available to transition to colts in 2012-2014.
• Clubs feedback for players to have the opportunity for two seasons in colts.

The WAAFL has consulted widely over several months, conducted a Colts Forum and have analysed data regarding junior trends, and transfers and permits within colts.

The intent of the by-law amendment is to allow clubs to draw from a greater pool of players (20 year olds) to ‘top-up’ colts teams to avoid team withdrawals, forfeits and application of the ‘even up’ rule rather than see more colts teams nominated.

Notwithstanding the above, the WAAFL has not put a cap on the number of colts teams a club can nominate. It understands the transition of players from colts to senior grades is a club management matter where clubs will act in the best interests of their players. By not implementing a cap, clubs retain the flexibility to select players for colts and senior grade teams which are competitive and viable for the season. It is fundamental players get to play 18 against 18 each weekend without byes and forfeits. The WAAFL will review the caps age at the end of 2013 season.

The WAAFL is also fully aware clubs will make team selections to win as the by-law permits.

Consideration was also given to re-introducing a previous by-law that to remain in or qualify for promotion to A-Grade a club is required to have a colts team. The Board will not be re-introducing this rule for the 2013 season.

The WAAFL will review the colts age including capping of colts teams at the end of 2013 season.

David Armstrong
General Manager, WA Amateur Football League
West Australian Football Commission

Get Around Me wrote: ....The WAAFL Board confirms the maximum age for colts will increase from 19 to 20 years for next season.

.....The intent of the by-law amendment is to allow clubs to draw from a greater pool of players (20 year olds) to ‘top-up’ colts teams to avoid team withdrawals, forfeits and application of the ‘even up’ rule rather than see more colts teams nominated.

...The WAAFL is also fully aware clubs will make team selections to win as the by-law permits.

David, If the intent was to allow clubs to 'top-up" colts teams then why doesn't the rule reflect that intention. Clubs with more than one team should not be allowed to have 20 year olds playing. The whole thing is open for abuse.

The Preacher wrote: Clubs with more than one team should not be allowed to have 20 year olds playing. The whole thing is open for abuse.

That's a bloody good suggestion...

Did all the A Grade Clubs support this change. Must admit I think it will come back and bite them. Never woriied me. I couldn't wait to play in the Big League.

There was some consultation with the all colts grade clubs, but the decision wasn't ours to make.

No one appears to be aware (or at least no one is writing about) that this whole situation is temporary. This will all sort it self out in two seasons when the Yr 12 kids are 18 leaving school (2015). Once this happens, it's back to having a colts career for two seasons.

Unfortunately, we are the poor bastards that have to deal with this until then.

Only for those kids born between July 1 & Dec 31.

Surely it would have been better (even for Juniors) to remain with Calendar years. Does anyone know at Youth level what happens in Y8/Y9/Y10 & Y11/Y12 when a kid has repeated a year? Can they be 18/19 in the old U17's competition?

DB.

dickkyboy wrote: Only for those kids born between July 1 & Dec 31.

Surely it would have been better (even for Juniors) to remain with Calendar years. Does anyone know at Youth level what happens in Y8/Y9/Y10 & Y11/Y12 when a kid has repeated a year? Can they be 18/19 in the old U17's competition

Kids can stay down only 1 Year in School and play in that year and it must be signed by there school principal.

BigO wrote: Kids can stay down only 1 Year in School and play in that year and it must be signed by there school principal.

Thanks for that. So the worse that it can get is 19 YO's v. 16 YO's in Y11/Y12.

The 16 year olds will be in year 10.

The Recruiter wrote: The 16 year olds will be in year 10.

If they are born on or after July 1 - yup. If before, they will be in Y/11.