AFL Apprenticeship

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  • Lucky Knickers
    Fandom of Fabulousness
    • Oct 2003
    • 4220
    #1

    AFL Apprenticeship

    I was looking for more information on the plan for the Sydney- based AFL apprenticeship program. The only info I've seen is that AFL have agreed in principal.

    Could someone explain the gist of the plan for me and also give me their thoughts on the difference it will make to AFL in NSW and for the Swans specifically.

    Mods - I wasn't sure where to post this...so please move as appropriate.
    Tags: afl, apprenticeship, Swans, sydney
    • motorace_182
      On the Rookie List
      • Jan 2003
      • 961
      #2
      It was something along the lines of each club being given or selecting a player for the junior leagues at about 12-14 years of age. They would keep an eye on him and pay all expenses etc to mkae sure he got all the opportunities required to reach his potential. Then by the age of 18 I think they had first crack at drafting him... not sure though.
      - Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in a world they've been given, than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact, it's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration, it's a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing!

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        • SimonH
          Salt future's rising
          • Aug 2004
          • 1647
          #3
          More than just a plan. Source. The article is a little short on detail, though: the players are "supported and developed" by each of the 16 individual clubs. But why would they bother if they don't have first dibs on them come draft time; and if they do, isn't that contrary to the whole direction the draft has been heading in over the last 10 years?

          Not that I mind-- there's one team that's going to benefit from this scheme far more than any other. And it ain't Carlton.

            Comment

            • singaporeswan
              Fandom of Fabulousness
              • Oct 2003
              • 4220
              #4
              Originally posted by SimonH
              More than just a plan. Source. The article is a little short on detail, though: the players are "supported and developed" by each of the 16 individual clubs. But why would they bother if they don't have first dibs on them come draft time; and if they do, isn't that contrary to the whole direction the draft has been heading in over the last 10 years?

              Not that I mind-- there's one team that's going to benefit from this scheme far more than any other. And it ain't Carlton.
              Thanks Simon - I'm still confused. How does a VIC club "develop" a player whilst they remain in Sydney and attending the NSW Academy. Attend a couple of games, go to a few training sessions?

              Why doesn't the AFL give the $20k for each player purely to the Swans?

              It would make more sense to me for interstate clubs to sponsor a couple of their juniors to come up here and play in the SFL rather than VFL/TAC to bolster the quality and strength of the local competition.

                Comment

                • SimonH
                  Salt future's rising
                  • Aug 2004
                  • 1647
                  #5
                  "Support and develop" in this context invariably means 'pay their wage and living expenses' (and possibly call them once or twice a year to say 'we still love you'). What they get out of this, beyond a nice warm feeling, is an open question.

                  Not terribly likely that Victorian clubs would be keen to send their most promising juniors up to play in an inferior comp, where their development would probably go backwards! In the long term, the standard of the NSW comp can only be brought up by born-and-bred NSW players.

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