Pathways for sydney juniours

[tara]

Realise this re drafting, the recent drafting record of Sydney kids is appalling.

Maybe I am misunderstanding the post but the posts indicate that where you play your juniors wil somehow determine your U18 registration can be lodged. Something about each club having 30 pathway spots etc. Better read read the article and fine print, sorry if my wires were crossed......

You not misreading it - They have introduced this to keep under 18's within their region and to stop the clubs that are better resourced or those with unlimited funds from being poached. Once a kid has left he is unlikely to come back.

At the end of the day those that are up to PD should play with a PD club in the region and those that arnt should play with a Lower Div team in their region.

[Junkyard Dog]

It is a bit tough on UNSW/EASTS, we only have two clubs alligned to us. Maybe a couple of Langfords and a couple of Roos might help!!

[Mug Punter]

I think you are missing the whole point of the pathway program Muggy. Last year Sydney Uni and ECE were not recruiting players so it will help him make friends. They were poaching players from other clubs areas. This system helps put the emphasis back on the Premier League clubs to pull their socks up in regards to junior development. It may take a couple of years to get it exactly right but it will work. Instead of wanting to run off to another club they will (provided the Premier Club has set up the right systems) want to stay and play at their club. Yes, clubs will have to lift their game. I think the league has put the incentive in their to help them achieve that. Regarding your restraint of trade comment, that smells like a Sydney Uni type thing to say to me.

Surely this only applies and is appropriate to elite AFL pathway junior athletes and only till they are 18 or so..... If you are referring to Collingwood forcing their NSWAFL pathway players to go to Sydney Uni then I agree 100% that that should not be allowed. Nonetheless it will still be a small fraction of players coming out of the U16 system?

I will use Sydney Uni as an example. Surely their "territory" should be the Uni campus and the Newtown Junior Club who they have a strong bond with - that should be enough to sustain an U18 set up there. They should not be able to contact and mail out to North Shore or other Junior Clubs or approach their players directly. But surely if a player wants to play there and they aren't in some AFL elite pathway (which I assume not too many Sydney juniors are) then they can play there is they wish. This will only affect the minority of U16 kids then?

Apologies again if I got the wrong end of the stick (not uncommon for me). From what I read at first it seemed to indicate every Sydney SFL club would have 30 kids on a pathway coming out of the U16s. Surely we won;thave 300 juniors being told where they canplay U18 fotball in Sydney.....

[tara]

MP Sydney Uni sent out a letter to the "elite" under 16's last year far and wide offering them the chance to be part of the "Collingwood" Under 18's Acadamey based at Sydney Uni - Not to the kids in their region.

[shinerunner]

i heard if a player lives in one zone and detests to play for that zoned club. and wants to play for another club due to his mates being there or him going to that uni and reason ect. that there has been a genltemans agreement between all club presidents to allow him to continue his football as he so desires at the club he would like.

[Mug Punter]

Just to clarify.....

Each SFL club designates 30 players coming out of U16s in their pathway each year. Each of these kids can ONLY play U18s for that club? - for the next year, for the next two years, forever?????

[tara]

Just to clarify.....

Each SFL club designates 30 players coming out of U16s in their pathway each year. Each of these kids can ONLY play U18s for that club? - for the next year, for the next two years, forever?????

Obviously there are exemptions and no it doesnt apply to senior footballers.

[Mug Punter]

MP Sydney Uni sent out a letter to the "elite" under 16's last year far and wide offering them the chance to be part of the "Collingwood" Under 18's Acadamey based at Sydney Uni - Not to the kids in their region.

I totally disagree with that being allowed, typical Collingwood arrogance.

Sydney Uni should be able to field a team with a balance of local kids, first year students and some kids at school who see themselves as maybe studying there or who aren't good enough to play at North Shore, St george etc but still want a kick. See then a CC U18 not PL U18....

[tara]

I totally disagree with that being allowed, typical Collingwood arrogance.

Sydney Uni should be able to field a team with a balance of local kids, first year students and some kids at school who see themselves as maybe studying there or who aren't good enough to play at North Shore, St george etc but still want a kick. See then a CC U18 not PL U18....

Funny how you think I have a chip on my shoulder yet you agree with me 100%.

[Mug Punter]

Obviously there are exemptions and no it doesnt apply to senior footballers.

So, in theory a relatively average footballer could go to Uni to sign up for the Uni footy club and be told "sorry you can't play here" until you are older....

I think that this is really a case of breaking a walnut with a sledgehammer. More paperwork. Surely just keep it at the elite level.

[Mug Punter]

Funny how you think I have a chip on my shoulder yet you agree with me 100%.

Indeed

Suppose I can see the merits and as long as clubs enter into this with the right spirit it could work. Guess if you are a good footy player you are effectively tied to your senior club for 2 years in Sydney.

Still won't stop Sydney Uni/UNSW poaching players that come from the SFL finishing school but can see the point (eventually). Last thing we need is to have 16 year olds being poached by ECE, Wests and Balmain for an extra $20 a week.....

Thanks for your patience.....

[ShortHalfHead]

The rules came from a couple of teams (we all know who, no need to shame them more) went well outside the circle with their recruitment. One club sent letters and phoned players from all around the joint to join a select training group just for six weeks with a view to an AFL scholarship. It was just a great gesture from an AFL club to help develop their skills. Nothing more.
Once they got the group together, they then announced very secretly that they were forming a Premier Cup team and there would be plenty of incentives to join. They mesmerised the kids and their families. Once other clubs objected to the league, the AFL said it would not happen, was dead in the water, gone. Probably some legal advice was sought and the league changed their mind, but put them in Challenge Cup to discourage the kids (who wanted to play Premier Cup) from joining. A few left and went to Premier Cup. We know the rest of the story.

With the other club, players from other clubs were targetted by the 18's coach at the 18's carnival in Coffs. One was told that he had a "future as an AFL player" only if he changed clubs. He switched....

Having rules that "you should not be allowed to send letters to a player outside your area" is pointless. There are too many loopholes and certain clubs aren't afraid to use them.

To the leagues full credit, they have introduced a system that will eventually even out the 18's competition to a much better extent than the path it was heading. If no zoning was introduced, 2or 3 asset rich clubs would continue to plunder the top players and dominate the ladder. Many of the players from the struggling clubs would drop out of the game, sick and tired of a 20 goal flogging every week. The signs were certainly there this year.

Not being bitter, just telling it like it is.

[Junkyard Dog]

[QUOTE=Mug Punter;469409]Indeed

Still won't stop Sydney Uni/UNSW poaching players that come from the SFL finishing school but can see the point (eventually). Last thing we need is to have 16 year olds being poached by ECE, Wests and Balmain for an extra $20 a week.....

Mug, just wondering what players UNSW poached. If you are struggling to name a few could you please refrain from throwing us in with the other Uni in Premier League.

[Mug Punter]

[QUOTE=Junkyard Dog;469450]

Indeed

Still won't stop Sydney Uni/UNSW poaching players that come from the SFL finishing school but can see the point (eventually). Last thing we need is to have 16 year olds being poached by ECE, Wests and Balmain for an extra $20 a week.....

Mug, just wondering what players UNSW poached. If you are struggling to name a few could you please refrain from throwing us in with the other Uni in Premier League.

No offence intended. just a fact that many players at Uni will choose to play for the Uni as it is more convenient and a social thing too when a district club has done the development work.

BUT they also provide opportunites for new players and with their participation rates they must be doing something right

[Mug Punter]

The rules came from a couple of teams (we all know who, no need to shame them more) went well outside the circle with their recruitment. One club sent letters and phoned players from all around the joint to join a select training group just for six weeks with a view to an AFL scholarship. It was just a great gesture from an AFL club to help develop their skills. Nothing more.
Once they got the group together, they then announced very secretly that they were forming a Premier Cup team and there would be plenty of incentives to join. They mesmerised the kids and their families. Once other clubs objected to the league, the AFL said it would not happen, was dead in the water, gone. Probably some legal advice was sought and the league changed their mind, but put them in Challenge Cup to discourage the kids (who wanted to play Premier Cup) from joining. A few left and went to Premier Cup. We know the rest of the story.

With the other club, players from other clubs were targetted by the 18's coach at the 18's carnival in Coffs. One was told that he had a "future as an AFL player" only if he changed clubs. He switched....

Having rules that "you should not be allowed to send letters to a player outside your area" is pointless. There are too many loopholes and certain clubs aren't afraid to use them.

Not being bitter, just telling it like it is.

Can genuinely see yourpoint and guess Sydney Uni is particular is paying for being so aggressive and arrogant with how it developed it's U18 program this year....