Under 16 teams

[stopper]

Looking on the player - coach - club finder forum it seems that quite a few clubs are struggling in particular to fill their under 16 JPL teams for 2013 whilst other clubs have not only fielded a JPL team but multiple JSL teams. It seems that the players are not too concerned whether they are playing JPL or JSL even though other JPL clubs near the same geographical area are looking for players. With this in mind is it compulsory for clubs to field a team in each age group if the players numbers are not there.

[johnydep]

Looking on the player - coach - club finder forum it seems that quite a few clubs are struggling in particular to fill their under 16 JPL teams for 2013 whilst other clubs have not only fielded a JPL team but multiple JSL teams. It seems that the players are not too concerned whether they are playing JPL or JSL even though other JPL clubs near the same geographical area are looking for players. With this in mind is it compulsory for clubs to field a team in each age group if the players numbers are not there.

"is it compulsory for clubs to field a team in each age group" - No. There is no ruling that states that clubs' must field junior team or teams.
The only rule is that the club must have a senior team in the FFSA league to be allowed to field JPL teams.

"It seems that the players are not too concerned whether they are playing JPL or JSL" - Some players are not worried about which league they play in, they may just worry about playing with their mates, the culture of the club, development, etc.
If the club shows that their is opportunity for players to move between JPL and JSL squads, the player may be happy to stay and work hard to get promoted.

A full and true answer can only come from the player and their family. Maybe clubs can look into setting up a questioner at next years trials, or even one during the season.

[on-side]

"is it compulsory for clubs to field a team in each age group" - No. There is no ruling that states that clubs' must field junior team or teams.
The only rule is that the club must have a senior team in the FFSA league to be allowed to field JPL teams.

Interesting that you should say this as when I rang the FFSA (only a couple a weeks ago) to get an answer to this very question I was told that -

If the club was in the Premier League for 2013 - it was compulsory to run Small Sided and field U12,U13,U14,U15 and U16.

If the club was in the State League for 2013 - Small sided was optional and they had to field U12, U14 and U16 junior teams.

[stopper]

On the FFSA website under the:
FFSA COMPETITION OPERATING GUIDELINES
Specific to Senior Men’s League, &
Junior Premier & State League
Amended and Updated
December 2011
it states the following:
8.6 A club that nominates Senior Men’s teams in the Super, Premier and State League may nominate a maximum of 1 team in each age group, Under 12-17, in the JPL. Senior Men’s Leagues Club and all other clubs may nominate teams in the JSL. There is no restriction on the number of teams nominated per age group in the JSL.

These are dated December 2011 so I am not sure if they have been changed by the FFSA

[themessenger]

On the FFSA website under the:
FFSA COMPETITION OPERATING GUIDELINES
Specific to Senior Men’s League, &
Junior Premier & State League
Amended and Updated
December 2011
it states the following:
8.6 A club that nominates Senior Men’s teams in the Super, Premier and State League may nominate a maximum of 1 team in each age group, Under 12-17, in the JPL. Senior Men’s Leagues Club and all other clubs may nominate teams in the JSL. There is no restriction on the number of teams nominated per age group in the JSL.

These are dated December 2011 so I am not sure if they have been changed by the FFSA

Makes it interesting if a club has a JPL team and a JSL team in the same age group but there are not enough teams overall to form a JSL league, so the JSL team has to move into the JPL competition.

Would that not be against this rule the FFSA are trying to enforce?

[johnydep]

On the FFSA website under the:
FFSA COMPETITION OPERATING GUIDELINES

8.6 A club that nominates Senior Men’s teams in the Super, Premier and State League may nominate a maximum of 1 team in each age group, Under 12-17, in the JPL.

These are dated December 2011 so I am not sure if they have been changed by the FFSA

Notice that the rule states "may". It doesn't state must; so the rule means that a club does not have to field a team in every age group, only that they may field a team in every age group.

Has precedent been set? Did all clubs fielded a team in every age group in 2012 season or 2011 season?

[stopper]

I get the impression that the FFSA can change it's mind when it suits them but they are definitely not as flexible the other way. The 2013 under 17's competition up until 2 weeks ago was supposed to be a mid week fixture this has since changed to Sunday. I don't believe there was alot of consultation with that decision either.

[johnydep]

"is it compulsory for clubs to field a team in each age group" - No. There is no ruling that states that clubs' must field junior team or teams.
The only rule is that the club must have a senior team in the FFSA league to be allowed to field JPL teams.

Interesting that you should say this as when I rang the FFSA (only a couple a weeks ago) to get an answer to this very question I was told that -

If the club was in the Premier League for 2013 - it was compulsory to run Small Sided and field U12,U13,U14,U15 and U16.

If the club was in the State League for 2013 - Small sided was optional and they had to field U12, U14 and U16 junior teams.

Interesting but not surprising. There has been a lot of issues regarding the junior leagues for 2013, as well as issues with the senior men's league set up for the next three years. Information coming out of the FFSA seems to change on a regular basis, we asked for clarification of the junior setup for 2013, and after pushing hard received a short response. Only to have part of it changed later, with a response of further information later.

[johnydep]

I get the impression that the FFSA can change it's mind when it suits them but they are definitely not as flexible the other way. The 2013 under 17's competition up until 2 weeks ago was supposed to be a mid week fixture this has since changed to Sunday. I don't believe there was alot of consultation with that decision either.

There has been no consultation. The way the U17 league information has been distributed is ridiculous, and dare I say - pathetic. I spent more time at our trials trying to help parents and players with decisions on the U16 and U17 trials, than time spent administrating all the age groups combined.

Will there be an U17 league - "optional" (FFSA quote)
Will there be JPL and JSL U17 - no idea.
How many teams - don't know
What will the quality be like - don't know
What day will the U17's play - Sunday, Wednesday night? (I only heard of the Wednesday night game from several parents during the trials. I think I read early on that this was being assessed by the FFSA).
etc

[on-side]

Interesting - first time I have heard that U17s was going to be/is a mid week competition!

[stopper]

So have the clubs been notified in writing that states that they must field a team in all age groups.
The FFSA are out of step with the whole club trialling process. Information regarding changes to competition rules and league structures should be finalised and provided to all clubs before the trial process. It is only with this information that a club can really make a call on how many teams it can fill at trials and be assured that there will be a competition for them to play in. Adelaide City appeared to have filled a 16's JPL and JSL team only to have lads then selected in the NTC, they are now holding one off trials to replace these players. There appears to be no blueprint, no communication and no direction. It is more like a make it up as we go approach.

[90mins]

Is this your first year in FFSA?

[stopper]

funny enough no, I think it is an accumulative affect over many years.
Should not be surprised when the junior competition coordinator is a referee.

[johnydep]

funny enough no, I think it is an accumulative affect over many years.

Agreed.

I think it started when Dimitri left, he helped keep everything together.

[EzyG]

Looks like the Ffsa are all out of position with some rules.

[Facts and Stats]

What happens if a Club in the new APL top division, fails to meet the junior requirements?

[stopper]

looks like requirements for clubs wanting to be part of the APL need to have Under 12, 14, 16's with 13, 15 & 17 being optional for JPL

[johnydep]

looks like requirements for clubs wanting to be part of the APL need to have Under 12, 14, 16's with 13, 15 & 17 being optional for JPL

That's only part of it; see below. The idea is good, the FFA is pushing it but the FFSA is having problems due to the way they consult, negotiate and implement. There has to be funding to help clubs; most likely there will be winners and losers out of this. Some clubs having to move to different leagues and maybe organisations, others may close up.

Summary of Criteria Requirements - please refer to the NCR criteria

Premier League Clubs

• 1. SSG ( small sided games for all ages will be scheduled) Under 6 to Under 11
  
  2. Junior JPL Teams Under 12 – Under 16
  
  3. Under 17 is optional however encouraged
  
  4. Player points system will be used in Premier League.
  
  5. Ground criteria: Fencing Around pitch, Lights for games, Seating, correct pitch size, Pitch quality, Dugouts for 10 people, fully covered player race.
  
  6. Amenities: Player change rooms, Referee Room, First Aid, ticket Box, Car park, Score board, PA System
  
  7. Coaching : 2014 senior Must have C license, All senior coaches must have senior license for 2013, All assist /reserves = Sen License, Under 18 = Sen License, U12 – U17 = Youth License, SSG = junior License.
  
  8. Documents: Football Plan, Youth Plan, Annual report, Business and Strategic Plan, Sports Trainer, Star Club 1 rating, Ground Signage.
  
  9. Logo of FFSA MUST appear on breast of all Senior and Junior playing strips INCLUDING home and away.
  
  10. LOGO of FFSA sponsor must appear on Right of the sleeve of all teams involved with Premier League

Summary of Criteria Requirements - please refer to the NCR criteria

State League Clubs

• 1. SSG ( small sided games for all ages will be scheduled) Required to have at least 2 for 2013 and 2014 at least 3
  
  2. Junior JPL Teams Required to have at least 2 for 2013 and 2014 at least 3
  
  3. Under 17 is optional however encouraged
  
  4. Player points system may be trialled in State League.(TBC)
  
  5. Ground criteria: Fencing Around pitch, correct pitch size, Pitch quality, Dugouts for 10 people, fully covered player race.
  
  6. Amenities: Player change rooms, Referee Room, First Aid, ticket Box, Car park, Score board, PA System
  
  7. Coaching: 2014 senior Must have C license, All senior coaches must have senior license for 2013, All assist /reserves = Sen License, Under 18 = Sen License, U12 – U17 = Youth License, SSG = junior License.
  
  8. Documents: Football Plan, Youth Plan, Annual report, Business and Strategic Plan, Sports Trainer, Star Club 1 rating, Ground Signage.
  
  9. Logo of FFSA MUST appear on breast of all Senior and Junior playing strips INCLUDING home and away.
  
  10. LOGO of FFSA sponsor must appear on Right of the sleeve of all teams involved with Premier League

http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/sit ... source.pdf

http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/new ... view/47422