Sydney Uni + Collingwood U/18 Team

[Dunger]

Sydney Uni can't make their own u/18 so they want to use Collingwood scholarship players as a basis for a Collingwood backed Sydney Uni U/18 team...

Get Collingwood to pick the best 6 players on their scholarship list, then you've got a 1/3 of a decent side which would be enough and then they'll go out flog the teams they used to play for.

http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/magpies-u18-team-in-sydney/2008/12/09/1228584840754.html

A COLLINGWOOD bid to field an under-18 team in the Sydney football competition in a joint venture with Sydney University is being considered by the AFL.

The Magpies and Sydney University have put forward a revolutionary proposal that would see the powerful Melbourne club and the Sydney University Football Club jointly entering a junior team for the 2009 season.

In effect, the under-18 team, which would compete in the AFL Sydney under-18 competition, would act as a development squad for Collingwood, with a view to providing the Magpies with a vehicle to control and develop their own NSW scholarship players.

[The Insider]

I have heard whispers of the creation of this team throughout the Sydney footballing community in the last month or two and thought the mere suggestion was laughable. Surely, the team would ruin the competitiveness of the Under 18's competition, which is finally heading in the right direction with the two tiers.

The team would not benefit either party. Youngsters in the Under 18's competition would be discouraged by being beaten by 200 points and the Collingwood scholarship players would surely gain nothing by beating lesser opponents on a weekly basis.

This proposal may hold sway in a stronger competition, but as Holmes suggests Sydney AFL is too "fragile" as it is. Hopefully common sense will prevail and the AFL do not intimidate their smaller cousin intro accepting this venture.

[The Student]

Wouldn't want anything to threaten the status quo now, would we? Sydney Uni are trying to do something that will strengthen their long term future and improve the standard of Sydney football and all the other clubs can think about is themselves. Pathetic.

[tara]

Wouldn't want anything to threaten the status quo now, would we? Sydney Uni are trying to do something that will strengthen their long term future and improve the standard of Sydney football and all the other clubs can think about is themselves. Pathetic.

And what region will Sydney Uni recruit from, the inner city, kids they have had a hand in developing themselves? Or will they approach the talented kids from other regions who have been developed/nutured by other clubs?

[Pace To Burn]

And what region will Sydney Uni recruit from, the inner city, kids they have had a hand in developing themselves? Or will they approach the talented kids from other regions who have been developed/nutured by other clubs?

Of course they will be pinching them from the other clubs. They have already approached three from our club, two who played senior footy this year and would probably play most games in the seniors next year. I would have thought that would be alot better for their development. And i bet Uni will be putting them in their seniors and not leaving them in their controlled Environment in the 18s

[tara]

Of course they will be pinching them from the other clubs. They have already approached three from our club, two who played senior footy this year and would probably play most games in the seniors next year. I would have thought that would be alot better for their development.

I already know the answer Pace - same with us. Funny thing is I dont recall seeing SU training at Kelso this year.

[Dunger]

And what region will Sydney Uni recruit from, the inner city, kids they have had a hand in developing themselves? Or will they approach the talented kids from other regions who have been developed/nutured by other clubs?

They're trying to hijhack feeder clubs that already feed to other SAFL clubs. I don't see how that's improving the strength of the competition. I see how it will benefit Sydney Uni's trophy cabinet though by pillaging other teams talent coming through the ranks.

I don't see how Sydney Uni have to ensure their long term future with a junior team. Since they are a Uni, young people will always be involved with the Uni and a number of those will play footy for Sydney Uni. From my point of view this is an attempt to get a stranglehold on the SAFL comp from U/18 to Seniors and do the same crap they've done to Rugby Union.

[The Student]

And what region will Sydney Uni recruit from, the inner city, kids they have had a hand in developing themselves? Or will they approach the talented kids from other regions who have been developed/nutured by other clubs?

There will be some juniors from the local area, of course. There has been some wonderful work done by committee members and senior squad players with clinics and training at local junior clubs, schools etc. Don't be fooled into thinking SUANFC has no plans to entrench itself in the mix of junior football in Sydney. Unfortunately the University itself isn't conducive to finding 16 and 17 year olds so these structures need to be put into place. This isn't something that was drawn up on the back of a coaster at the Forest Lodge - this is an idea that has been the sole focus of some very dedicated, passionate and talented people within the club for a long time now. You have to remember that SU doesn't pay senior players but they don't cry about that when players get offered money and leave. So this is about finding a competitive advantage - the other clubs aren't scared of a bit of competition.... are they?

[The Student]

They're trying to hijhack feeder clubs that already feed to other SAFL clubs. I don't see how that's improving the strength of the competition. I see how it will benefit Sydney Uni's trophy cabinet though by pillaging other teams talent coming through the ranks.

Don't worry, petal. I'm sure the other clubs will have their cheque books out in good time to buy the players back.

[The Student]

I already know the answer Pace - same with us. Funny thing is I dont recall seeing SU training at Kelso this year.

I'm not sure if it would suit the majority of the players and coaching staff who work and reside in the inner city. Nice try though.

[Henry]

There will be some juniors from the local area, of course. There has been some wonderful work done by committee members and senior squad players with clinics and training at local junior clubs, schools etc. Don't be fooled into thinking SUANFC has no plans to entrench itself in the mix of junior football in Sydney. Unfortunately the University itself isn't conducive to finding 16 and 17 year olds so these structures need to be put into place. This isn't something that was drawn up on the back of a coaster at the Forest Lodge - this is an idea that has been the sole focus of some very dedicated, passionate and talented people within the club for a long time now. You have to remember that SU doesn't pay senior players but they don't cry about that when players get offered money and leave. So this is about finding a competitive advantage - the other clubs aren't scared of a bit of competition.... are they?

How (ie. who) did you get the personal details of all the kids in the talent squads (most of whom are already at other senior clubs) to send them those nice letters a month or two ago inviting them to Collingwood Academy training?

[Pace To Burn]

I'm not sure if it would suit the majority of the players and coaching staff who work and reside in the inner city. Nice try though.

These kids dont live in the city you muppet. Its the same old story, tell them how you can give them the chance to end up at Collingwood and play in the AFL to get them to your club and then donuts. How many kids get drafted from sydney each year, not many. If they are good enough they will make it wether they play at their own clubs or not. If they are good enough they will do most of their training in the official dev squads they dont need to be part of some hashed out plan to entice them to your club

[tara]

I'm not sure if it would suit the majority of the players and coaching staff who work and reside in the inner city. Nice try though.

No but these clinics you speak of certainly wernt out at Bankstown, nor Holsworthy, nor sth Campbelltown nor Camden etc etc.

You also mention that the Uni isnt condusive to finding u17's and u18's which is true but SU is one of the more pretigious Unis in Australia and I would rank it with Melbourne Uni as probably the top two higher learning facilities in the country and as such would be a very attractive place for interstate students to study at and hence alot of the reason I suspect you are never short of players.

Whilst alleging no money changes hands which I dont care to dispute SU is in a position to offer non monetary benfits such as gym memberships, scholarships etc etc. In most work places these types of benefits would be subject to FBT and hence do have a monetary value.

I think most clubs though have a right to be concerned because we are talking about a team representing Collingwood under the guise of SU which may appear to young players as a way of attracting attention to themselves without subjecting themselves to the politics of rep football. The concern will be will every talented young kid with stars in their eyes decide to ditch their local club in favour of this new team and what damage will it do longer term to development work in local areas by local clubs?

By the way I think its a great coup and obviously alot of though and planning has gone into it to get it to the stage it is.

[Rafters]

I think it is an exciting coup for Sydney footy. Most uni students are 18yo by the time they arrive in campus so there is no obvious overlap with current recruiting policy & shouldn't step on the toes of other clubs.

Well done to the Students & also to Collingwood for having a go.

[DLH]

It's a disaster from a Penrith point of view. We've got two Collingwood Scholarship holders who played with us at different stages this year, plus they've cherrypicked a heap of the best local U/16's to be involved as well.

So much for the development of the senior clubs in western Sydney when this is allowed to happen, despite repeated assurances that it would not.

It's no wonder people just throw their hands up and walk away.