TOPIC:

Ouch...

Unholytugboat wrote: Ouch...

Without wanting to divert this topic from the main thrust of the discussion.

Not at all uhtb. I have made my comments to Ig99. If you seriously think that nepotism and favouritism or perceptions of same is a recent occurrence you are totally delusional. That is IG99's personal experience. I have no idea which footy clubs you have been involved in but I can guarantee you that there would be disgruntled and disaffected former players from those clubs. Perhaps you missed IG99's comment about "and probably at the other clubs."

I would also point out that I think IG99 would be a worthwhile addition to his footy club's committee. The important thing is to be able to articulate and view and provide a rationale for that point of view and from a club committee's perspective is to provide an environment to be able to have a sound and rationale discussion and to make the best decision. With respect to IG99's precis of Swans that is his personal view; I personally know someone who was enamoured by the way John Todd performed based on his own personal experiences at Swans at the time. That is always happened and always will.

As a matter of interest does it cost the players selected for the 18s state team anything?

IG99. I like many others am loving hearing your thoughts on the matter. Well I'm assuming there are others. I couldn't agree anymore on what you are saying in regards to WAFL clubs. In the past 3 years I've coached at Colts level and not once have I had any communication with the WAFL Colts coach and or development officer that my boys were affiliated with. Not once. Even after sending quite a few emails and the odd phone call to the so called development managers there. The basis of my conversations was why 1. I had never ever met the person or persons previously mentioned. 2. One would assume the young man coming back to the local club needed aspects of his game worked on. 3. What position did they feel he should play in. Again going back to his needs in development.

My son was also involved in development squads. Couldn't comprehend that at the age of 15 he was doing strenuous weight sessions UNSUPERVISED. The actual exercise he was doing was one that could easily have left him with a ruptured disc if done incorrectly. Fact of the matter at that age weight sessions should be very light and minimal. Only using that as an example to show in my opinion the inept structure that development squads have. I won't name the WAFL club mentioned but as IG99 has pointed out it seems to be happening all too often. WAFL clubs need to get their head out of their arse and connect with the junior competitions and the many volunteers that feed their clubs.

Solution? No easy answer there. First and foremost communicate and connect with local footy clubs and its coaches. At both senior and junior levels. It's not all about your polo WAFL tops and your black pleated pants and looking all so very important. Rant over . Great topic of conversation by the way.....and I'm hoping that the "powers" that be actual read these opinions and act on them.

The fact that my coach last year literally had to beg a rep from Perth to come to a game to watch my team that hadn't lost a game in over year still baffles me and illustrates what you're saying perfectly. That team was full of talented players that had been overlooked by the district that should have been scouting them.

My coach was heavily involved in the colts program at Perth and it still took them almost half a season to come to a game.

So yes the WAFL clubs need to take a good look at themselves and how they find talent or the WAFC needs to hand the responsibility over to someone else and have a Victorian style u/18s comp with teams who are created to develop and find young players.

Also Postman, what you said about your son is unbelievable. I cannot believe any football club who says they have an interest in developing talent would allow that. If serious injury was caused it has a negligence lawsuit written all over it.

Again is good to hear stories from different perspectives and some more good suggestions.

Something that is continually be touted is the communication between all levels.

With this is mind what do you think of monthly meetings being held with the WAFL colts coaches & their district Waafl, PSC, Development coaches and the like?

Interested in feedback on this one from all perspectives?

Keep this discussion going it's provided good ideas and hopefully it helps all levels moving forward.

We don't all need to agree with everything but let's keep respecting one another's opinion as this makes this thread stand out.

Really good discussion thanks to all participating.

Disco Knight wrote: Again is good to hear stories from different perspectives and some more good suggestions.

Something that is continually be touted is the communication between all levels.

With this is mind what do you think of monthly meetings being held with the WAFL colts coaches & their district Waafl, PSC, Development coaches and the like?

Interested in feedback on this one from all perspectives?

Keep this discussion going it's provided good ideas and hopefully it helps all levels moving forward.

We don't all need to agree with everything but let's keep respecting one another's opinion as this makes this thread stand out.

Really good discussion thanks to all participating.

One suggestion I would make for senior footy clubs is to try to co-opt one or two colts' players onto their management committee to get a younger perspective.

Some interesting comments by all and sundry, and, unfortunately, we have had some similar experiences at my club.

We work very closely with one of our affiliated Junior Clubs - the other, we hear very little from.

We have reduced Colts aged players memberships to free in an attempt to encourage kids to remain within a Club environment. This appears to be working.

We have given both affiliated Junior Clubs Committees Members honorary full membership of the senior club.

The President of one of those Clubs has attended most of our recent Committee Meetings.

Younger players assisted with training Juniors all of last season and without being asked - really pleased with that.

We have assisted them with funds, publicity and fundraising opportunities.

We have encouraged them to play s 'little league' game at half time of the League games.

None of this is 'big', none of this is difficult, none of this is expensive - but every little bit helps them and what helps them ultimately helps us.

Disco Knight wrote: Again is good to hear stories from different perspectives and some more good suggestions.

Something that is continually be touted is the communication between all levels.

With this is mind what do you think of monthly meetings being held with the WAFL colts coaches & their district Waafl, PSC, Development coaches and the like?

Interested in feedback on this one from all perspectives?

Keep this discussion going it's provided good ideas and hopefully it helps all levels moving forward.

We don't all need to agree with everything but let's keep respecting one another's opinion as this makes this thread stand out.

Really good discussion thanks to all participating.

That's OK , u obviously are aware

Thanks to everyone for having a mature and productive discussion about these issues and sharing some great ideas.

IG99 raises valid points - but individuals will be unhappy with selections throughout the WAFL Development pathways. The important point is that the Junior Conferences, the WAFL Clubs and the WAAFL Clubs work together to maximise the number of players who start in junior footy and who play until the bodies can't take it anymore! A critical part of that is, as several people have commented in this thread, that the level of communication increases.
I understand exactly the issues around information about individuals in WAFL colts squads that needs to be shared with the player and their Youth or WAAFL club to help those players to improve their chances to make it into the highest level of footy that their ability and desire allows. More is required.
Now, without knowing the facts of IG99's position, I can say that in 2016 for example Swans had clubs in their district fielding 7 Year 11 (out of 10 teams in the Central Conference) and 5 Yr 12 (out of 10). Without knowing what the Swans Talent Manager actually did, it is logistically a massive task for their Talent Manager to "scout" that number of teams. Some talent is missed but it is in the WAFL clubs interest to find and develop as much talent within their district as possible. A good place to start the communication is with the Talent Manager at the WAFL club.
I also note that at least in IG99's case, the disappointment of missing out on a place in the WAFL Colts squad did not mean that he quit footy altogether - instead he is playing WAAFL and that's a great thing.
The question, I think this thread is asking is, how can we keep more players in IG99s position playing footy? The suggestions made in this thread should be seriously considered by all JFCs, WAAFL Senior Clubs and WAFL Clubs.