Is your son/daughter trialling for Sapsasa?

[On The Pine]

With the heavy commitments of clubs and Stic, Zone trials etc I was curious to see how many kids won't be trialling for Sapsasa this year and the specific reasons.

I guess some follow up question would be:
-What would be the best night to hold trials?
-Does your club/coach support the kids going out (would they be okay with them missing a bit of training in order to trial)
-Have the numbers at trials dropped off in your district? (for those that have seen the trials over a number of years with their different kids etc)

Cheers

[grumbly]

My youngest is going out for the first time.

Luckily his trials were on traing nights, only a few metres from where he trains, making him only a little late for training.
Don't know or care what the coaches think, he's my son and 11, they have no say in what he does.
In saying that, I have found in the past that disruption is usually minimal.

[On The Pine]

My youngest is going out for the first time.

Luckily his trials were on traing nights, only a few metres from where he trains, making him only a little late for training.
Don't know or care what the coaches think, he's my son and 11, they have no say in what he does.
In saying that, I have found in the past that disruption is usually minimal.

I really hope that this is the attitude that all parents take, sadly I think that some get talked out of it by their coaches as something that is not beneficial (which anyone who has been involved in it will usually shoot down). I know of one Stic player that is not trialling and another that was talked out of trialling by a coach (who said that they would be better off concentrating on their club and stic stuff).

In general I have found most coaches over the years have been very understanding and supportive (and that they have recognised the obvious benefit that playing a week of intensive soccer can have for their players) but I am wondering with all the added trialling and training for the various 'extras' whether some are souring on Sapsasa as another interruption.

It would be interesting to hear how many kids each district gets out to trials and whether or not the Stic etc kids are in attendance.

[FUBAR]

SAPSASA is mickey mouse! Its a dead end pathway IMO.

Yes its fantastic for young to get recognition etc, but from a developement point of view, very little comes from it.

[grumbly]

Yep, no pathway, no developement and no real pressure. Great for the kids to participate and actually have fun.
Get your kids involved and let them actually enjoy their football, theres time enough for the pressure games when they're older.

[redmum]

Yep, no pathway, no developement and no real pressure. Great for the kids to participate and actually have fun.
Get your kids involved and let them actually enjoy their football, theres time enough for the pressure games when they're older.

[Green_Manalishi]

SAPSASA is mickey mouse! Its a dead end pathway IMO.

Yes its fantastic for young to get recognition etc, but from a developement point of view, very little comes from it.

But then Mickey Mouse has got a lot more going for him than humourless killjoys like yourself.

[Big Mac]

SAPSASA is mickey mouse! Its a dead end pathway IMO.

Yes its fantastic for young to get recognition etc, but from a developement point of view, very little comes from it.

SAPSASA is mickey mouse! Its a dead end pathway
For starters why does everything have to have a PATHWAY!!!
What sort of pathway do you expect at 11/12 yrs old??
I believe you have to make your own pathway.
Representative football should be seen as an incentive for a young footballer to continue to work hard,
enjoy what they do and see where it takes them. The trouble is that some Kids through the eyes of their Parents
believe they have "made it" when making junior rep. sides, the belief is that further success should fall into their lap.
Young footballers develop at different rates, a talented footballer at 11/12yrs may not neccessarily mean that they
remain at that level forever.
Yes its fantastic for young to get recognition etc, but from a developement point of view, very little comes from it.
What do you expect to come from it? A gold pass into every rep. squad for life? an A-League contract?
Whenever a young footballer experiences a different coach, a different style of play, different teamates, different (elite) opposition, and
gets a taste of what it is like to travel away and be part of a team that is experiencing something that may never happen again in their sporting lives
I would call that development.
Development is mostly dependent upon what the individual makes of it, its up to the Parents to help the young footballer
in determining what and how much they learn from it.
At the end of the day, if it is just a team jacket, or a team photo, or just a childhood memory so be it...why does EVERYTHING in junior
football have to have some big reward at the end of it?

[grumbly]

Well said.

[mancity]

Airport zone had about 60 kids. Unfortunately only one coach to look after them all.
Im pretty sure my lad wants to make the team to have a kick about with his mates, learn a bit in the process, and most importantly get a week off school.
Its certainly not in his consideration whether making this squad is the right 'pathway' for him !!

[FUBAR]

I have obvisouly underestimated the value that people place on SAPSASA representation.

I also find it hard to disagree with any comments made. After re reading a few posts, its clear people are talking about trialling for the local carnival, and you know what? Im all for that, my comments were directed towards the state represenation.

But I think thats a seperate debate.

[Big Mac]

I have obvisouly underestimated the value that people place on SAPSASA representation.

I also find it hard to disagree with any comments made. After re reading a few posts, its clear people are talking about trialling for the local carnival, and you know what? Im all for that, my comments were directed towards the state represenation.

But I think thats a seperate debate.

My reply was about State representation.

[barchetta]

There's so many programs. At least SAPSASA is supported by the education department. Sure there are some great players that play SAPSASA but nine times out of ten, if they're good they already play in a decent team. What bothers me are the others pedlars that suggest things may happen of you join this or do that. Scam artists.

[On The Pine]

Whether it likes it or not, Sapsasa probably is another avenue for players to be 'spotted' or looked at and the carnival is no doubt littered with coaches and various selectors throughout the week.

BUT, that is far from what the tournament is about and a few posters have already hit the nail on the head stating that it is a chance to play in a tournament with a different group of kids, often mates from school or rivals from other clubs, and play the game they love without having to feel like the world or their soccer future depends on it. Maybe it is the only avenue left for this.

The attitude that it is "Mickey Mouse" because it "doesn't lead anywhere" (whatever that means) is probably the attitude I am worried about when I start hearing of kids opting not to trial. It is scary to think what some elements of junior sport have become.

They are encouraging numbers at the Airport trial, lets hope all districts can continue to be well supported. Any other districts started their trials yet? What about the girls?

[FUBAR]

Whether it likes it or not, Sapsasa probably is another avenue for players to be 'spotted' or looked at and the carnival is no doubt littered with coaches and various selectors throughout the week. Spotted for what?? I think Barchetta has nailed it. Im pretty sure the carnival has no relevance for STIC or any other FFSA run program.

The term "mickey mouse" makes reference to its non serious side as its more about getting a day of school than player developement.

[On The Pine]

Spotted for what?? I think Barchetta has nailed it. Im pretty sure the carnival has no relevance for STIC or any other FFSA run program.[/color]

The term "mickey mouse" makes reference to its non serious side as its more about getting a day of school than player developement.

When I said coaches/selectors I didn't mean those aligned to the advanced programs specifically (although I purposely didn't omit them either). I was mainly talking in reference to coaches of various clubs, who generally are floating about (sometimes because their own kids etc. are involved) and I know of a handful of kids that have been approached and invited to trial for clubs the following year (and a few that have changed club on the back of it).

I don't know how common/frequent that is but it seems sensible to get along when there are 700-800 kids all in the same spot (rather than trying to travel to various games on the weekend). If I was involved in Stic or Zone or whatever I would also make it a priority to get out and look at some of the kids that are running around.

I understood what was meant by "Mickey Mouse", I just didn't agree with it and felt it was a little offensive to those who are involved in the carnival. As mentioned by another poster, just because something is seen as having "less pathways" or whatever does not mean it is worthless developmentally and just about "a day off school".

A carnival that values participation, fun and equal game time over results doesn't make it "Mickey Mouse". There is a huge amount of worth playing 10 games under a different coach, with different team mates, being thrown into different positions (due to rotations for equal game time), with less pressure and in a positive environment (and where negative comments are not tolerated from those on the sideline).

If nothing else, on its simplest level, it might be a welcome reminder to some kids why they actually play the game. I know that by the time I had hit 15 I had nearly forgotten and almost fallen out of love with the game amdist the politics, pressure and negativity that can at times (unbelievably) infiltrate junior sport.

If that makes it "Mickey Mouse" give me "Mickey Mouse" any day.

[FUBAR]

There is nothing you (or anyone esle) have said that I dont agree with and I understand from what angle you are looking at this from so i respect your thoughts and views. I would also hope that you see my line of thought and understand what Im saying. I believe neither of use is wrong.

But I do have to ask, if its all fun and games, why is there a representative side selected in the end? Why is there a winner to the tournament/carnival?

If its just about fun shouldnt results not matter? Surely at some point it becomes results orientated?

While it may seem like im being a smart ar$e, i assure you that Im not, just genuine questions.

[Željko Jurin]

Its about categorising, and putting whats important to your child in order

In no particular order, they may have this in a week ........

Club / 2-3 trainings + game
Stic / 1-2 trainings?
School / 1 training? + game
SAPSASA / 1-2 trainings?

That is ALOT of trainings in a week, and if continued for a month or two, would definately take its toll on a young growing childs body

[Stonthialo]

It only is as worthwhile as you want to believe!
-10 games of soccer in a week.
-Coaches who play to win but have the participation aspect in mind.
-Kids actually playing more soccer / accessing different individuals from different clubs.
-Cost of $90-$110 to play for the week and in lots of cases free because the kids can't pay.
If you think that the STIC is a better pathway, you are seriously delusional.

Osama Malik, Nathan Mauriello, Ben Warland, Thomas Darma, Teeboy Kamara, Jackson Groves, Jacob Melling, etc have all been involved in SAPSASA. You try and tell these boys that SAPSASA was a waste of time....obviously, by playing SAPSASA this was not the only reason that these boys have gone on and excelled themselves but everything counts.

If your daughter / son wants to play and gets selected, they will have a great week and at the very least gain more experience playing in match conditions.

[Porky]

SAPSASA is mickey mouse! Its a dead end pathway IMO.

Yes its fantastic for young to get recognition etc, but from a developement point of view, very little comes from it.

Just the chance to represent the area your school is in is a good enough reason....I have fond memories of the Sapsasa championships

[Porky]

Its about categorising, and putting whats important to your child in order

In no particular order, they may have this in a week ........

Club / 2-3 trainings + game
Stic / 1-2 trainings?
School / 1 training? + game
SAPSASA / 1-2 trainings?

That is ALOT of trainings in a week, and if continued for a month or two, would definately take its toll on a young growing childs body

easy...skip the school training seeing your representing your school anyway

[barchetta]

Its about categorising, and putting whats important to your child in order

In no particular order, they may have this in a week ........

Club / 2-3 trainings + game
Stic / 1-2 trainings?
School / 1 training? + game
SAPSASA / 1-2 trainings?

That is ALOT of trainings in a week, and if continued for a month or two, would definately take its toll on a young growing childs body

Spot on Zeljko. I can without doubt and through experience say that for my boy this amount of training would have caused him greater injury than what has eventuated. Much of my sons injury has been cumulative and may have happened long before it finally reared its ugly head. These kids are still growing and will play through injury. There are kids at the moment that will experience injury that will ruin them through over training, everyone knows of these kids. I know of some that have achived great things and are considerd elite. Overtraining, that is misdirected, will not improve skills, there is a limit on how far someone will develop and no amount of training will result in anyone achieving a higher level than what they are physiological capable. To attempt to achieve this level is risking the wellbeing of your child.

[Abra1]

So what's the middle ground then? Parents get criticised because they are reluctant to bring their kids out to training a couple of times a week and then others are criticised for taking their kids out for too much training. What's the answer?

[Željko Jurin]

Add my numbers up .... they are alot more then what 'I' think is optimum, and that is 3 or 4 trainings (depending on age), + game

[barchetta]

So what's the middle ground then? Parents get criticised because they are reluctant to bring their kids out to training a couple of times a week and then others are criticised for taking their kids out for too much training. What's the answer?

Your question is a complex one to answer. Some kids will want to play and train till they drop while others aren't to committed. The latter should be let to do as they wish, only time will tell whether they really are interested in the game. Alternatively, the mad keen football geek should be guided toward what team will get best bang for buck. In either instance, it is the parent/s that will be both the protector and the villain, no matter how hard you try to do the right thing. I wish I knew the answer. If it's any help, go and see a Doctor/Specialist in child orthopedics and listen to what they say; then if they say to cut down the training you can blame them.

[Stonthialo]

Torrens River.... Div 1 champs again and Elizabeth are Div 2 champs. Great to see all the kids having a go in the wet conditions this week.

[Paleon Patros Germanos]

It only is as worthwhile as you want to believe!
-10 games of soccer in a week.
-Coaches who play to win but have the participation aspect in mind.
-Kids actually playing more soccer / accessing different individuals from different clubs.
-Cost of $90-$110 to play for the week and in lots of cases free because the kids can't pay.
If you think that the STIC is a better pathway, you are seriously delusional.

Osama Malik, Nathan Mauriello, Ben Warland, Thomas Darma, Teeboy Kamara, Jackson Groves, Jacob Melling, etc have all been involved in SAPSASA. You try and tell these boys that SAPSASA was a waste of time....obviously, by playing SAPSASA this was not the only reason that these boys have gone on and excelled themselves but everything counts.

If your daughter / son wants to play and gets selected, they will have a great week and at the very least gain more experience playing in match conditions.

The Airport Western team I played for had Pellegrino, Parissos, McNeil and the Bearzotti twins.