age groups

[Eustace bugles]

Is it a good thing to play above your age level ? or not ?

[shorty]

i found it awesome and successful to play above my age group..
as would nenita, harry, kirralea, dee etc - ALL the southern girls who have played national league and for SASI....

[pvfc]

This seems to be a recurring theme for you EB...did't you get the answers you were looking for last time?

This is a very good thing for some, but it's not necessarily the answer for all promising young players.
Each case has to be looked at individually and realistically by the player, coach and parents involved. I can be a great move for a player to play above their age level if they are ready for it, but can also be completely demoralising for them if they have been 'misled' into thinking they were ready - only to then find out they struggle big time and lose confidence as a result.
I'm sure I'm not the only one here who has seen both of the above situations?

[shorty]

well lucky they breed em tough down south!!!

[neits/burgo/shadow]

I thought it was great playing in a higher age group. Obviously, coaches have to decided whether a player is ready or not, and good coaches know this, and know their players ability. I, and many other southerners, started being involved in the prems at noarlunga lions when we were 13-14, and it was fantastic. At that time, we had many experienced girls who helped us youngin's (shorty, kirrals, hannah etc.) make a smooth transition into the team and the standard of play. Its not a case of being pushed into a higher age group, it was a gradual progression that the coaches at noarlunga liked to encourage once they saw players who could handle it. And i believe it worked for us . I guess back then we didnt have the option of u/15s or u/17s. Players had to go from u/14s straight to open age group divisions. Ah gotta love the 'C' Lions (lol shorty). Some days, us tough southerners (as shorty stated haha), were involved in all 3 games (u/14s, res, and prems) on a sunday. I cant speak for anyone else who did that at the club, but I know I loved it. Even if i was on the bench for most of the prems game in the beginning, just being involved in the team environment, interacting with the older girls. It all helps players grow and get ready for that next level. too bad the club is no longer around.

At the end of the day, if u are good enough to play in a higher age group, then it should be done. they are the players who get noticed by state/sasi/national league coaches.

[shorty]

amen!

[pvfc]

At the end of the day, if u are good enough to play in a higher age group, then it should be done. they are the players who get noticed by state/sasi/national league coaches.

I do tend to agree.
As you say, it works best when it is just a natural progression, rather than pushing players up just for the sake of it.
It has worked for many young players I know, including my daughter.

[shorty]

altho like neits did say - we didnt have any other age groups it was u/14 -> res -> prems...

[neits/burgo/shadow]

altho like neits did say - we didnt have any other age groups it was u/14 -> res -> prems...

arent u forgeting C Lions??? hahaha omg that was so fun to play in. queenie! haha

[shorty]

hahahhahahaha qyeenie was the best eva hahaha

what the girls these days also miss out on - tracksuits HAHAHA

[neits/burgo/shadow]

and the XXL shorts that all us short ppl chose to wear, when CLEARLY there were other ppl in the team who needed them more than us hahaha.

Anyways, back to topic...im all for playing in higher age groups

[shorty]

hahahhaha i know!!
we wanted them people needed them and tanya was ordered to wear them hahaha

anywy yeah play in higher age groups and ul aceive...