TOPIC:

Viper. Not all WAFL clubs insist on players playing at particular WAAFL clubs and this is absolutely the opposite of what happens in some WAFL Clubs where the choice is left to the player (with no repercussions on WAFL selection (Colts, Reserves or League). Disco has referred to another thread on this topic where there was lots of good discussion. WAAFL clubs need to look closer to home to solve this problem.

First and foremost - get down to your local Junior Club and talk to them, get to know them, invite them to come down and use your facilities, conduct half time junior games, get (in particular) their junior girls down, help them with training, donate equipment, invite them to fundraise at your games (sausage sizzle on the other side of the ground, soft drink van, icecream van, etc).

Make their Committee Members honorary members.

Invite them to your functions - attend theirs.

Be seen at their games.

Put their website/facebook links on your website/facebook pages.

If people approach your Club by phone, email or facebook) who are junior players (or their parents), send their information on to your Junior Club - making sure that they know that it was your Club that referred them.

None of this is hard, but it will take a few people some time to do.

I talk to one the Presidents of one our local Junior Club at least once a week about various things, the other club also, but not as often (I'm working on that) and we have players and Committee Members with kids playing in both Clubs.

Both Clubs know that we are here to help in any way we can.

Factor opinion wrote: Viper. Not all WAFL clubs insist on players playing at particular WAAFL clubs and this is absolutely the opposite of what happens in some WAFL Clubs where the choice is left to the player (with no repercussions on WAFL selection (Colts, Reserves or League). Disco has referred to another thread on this topic where there was lots of good discussion. WAAFL clubs need to look closer to home to solve this problem.

Without a doubt it doesn't happen everywhere but this year it certainly has with 3 of our kids told if they didn't play at "X" club they wouldn't get a game. One of them is now playing which shows it's a load of bullshit. The problem being they should never have even been told that.

Birdman is spot on. Connect with your junior club and make it a seamless transition for the yr12s the following year. Colts coaches make yourself seen and known at junior feeder clubs. Wafl clubs need to connect with the waafl clubs but unfortunately their arrogance doesn't allow it. Let's be honest.. .the wafl Colts sent to waafl sides are supposedly the lesser talented. And in my years of coaching Colts they actually don't give a shit about these boys.
Colts age group needs to be lowered.
Colt fees should be the cheapest that individual club can charge and no not all club's are as financial as others. The WAFC has to step in and somehow subsidise the Colts competition. How? I'm not sure but the fact that nearly all yr12 competitions at junior level are absolutely struggling as those in the know can blatantly see. If kids are walking from footy at yr12 level they sure as hell won't play Colts.
It's a massive issue that gets worse as years go by but the powers that be seem to not be doing anything about it.

For me the colts competition isnt a problem its the junior footy that is kids dont want to play in zones they dont want adapted rules that change each year they want to know what the score is lets e honest junior footy isnt junior footy anymore its something else. Doesnt matter how hard u work to run a geat colts program at ypur club or how closely u work with your junior club kids dont want to play the junior sport known as footy theres also NO parental support for kids these days either and the parents they do support are frustrated with all the B S that is junior footy

Very hard also when you get 17 year old 1st year colts playing against 20 year old 3rd year colts who physically find it hard to compete. I have always believed that the Colts should be from 17 - 19 (in line with the WAFL) meaning you do away with the year 12 comp (which is struggling anyway) and make that the 1st year of colts. Senior footy should be from 20 onwards in my opinion. Also i am aware of 2 x seperate WAFL clubs that have had players come into there system at Colts level and then when they are too old for colts and need to be considered for ressies, are told by the WAFL club which is the preferred ammo club they should play at to enhance their chances of getting a game at senior level at WAFL level

Yep- 20 is far too old to be playing colts. There are blokes playing AFL against fully developed physical men by age 18 and however many months they are at the time. Agree for lining up WAAFL colts with WAFL colts to 17s. And WAAFL colts should then be 17, 18 and max 19 year olds.

Keeping in mind the age of WAAFL colts was extended to 20 to have the 3 years of eligible age players, to support the struggling clubs who could't field sides. But by still having the 3 year age group and dropping it down a year, the numbers of colts will increase as they are more likely to have 17 years old still playing than 20 year olds.

But there does need to be some strong alignment and communication networks between affiliated junior sides for that smooth transition from 16s to colts. Getting them training together a few times a year helps with this to give them that taste and getting to know some of the older kids/ young men.

Agree, the WAFL are really piss poor when it comes to the guys not getting a game in colts and releasing them to their rightful junior club.