I am not going to play football anymore

[Hetro Metro]

The words "I am not going to play football anymore" are the words ringing in a Metro Dad's ear. His son in the U15JSL team, currently second in their league, have just been informed that Metrostars JSL teams U14s and upwards will be scraped to preserve the senior pitch.

Whilst I am all for saving the senior pitch and removing traffic, surely the sourcing of an additional facility at say a school could cope with this.

Football clubs have an obligation to community and what about the revenue raising opportunities both in terms of membership fees and the adding of membership size and significance to grant applications.

I am glad I wasn't the Dad telling his son who had been at Metrostars for 6 seasons and loved going to watch senior games there and still dreamed of playing first team that he had no team in 2014.

[themessenger]

The words "I am not going to play football anymore" are the words ringing in a Metro Dad's ear. His son in the U15JSL team, currently second in their league, have just been informed that Metrostars JSL teams U14s and upwards will be scraped to preserve the senior pitch.

Whilst I am all for saving the senior pitch and removing traffic, surely the sourcing of an additional facility at say a school could cope with this.

Football clubs have an obligation to community and what about the revenue raising opportunities both in terms of membership fees and the adding of membership size and significance to grant applications.

I am glad I wasn't the Dad telling his son who had been at Metrostars for 6 seasons and loved going to watch senior games there and still dreamed of playing first team that he had no team in 2014.

That is very, very sad to hear. How disappointing for that boy and his team mates. What a shame that is how 6 years of club loyalty is repaid.

[starr]

Very sad indeed. While most of these kids will never play in the big leagues, they are the ones who will become the supporters in the future that fill the stands, that is unless setbacks like this don't put them off the game for good. My nephew plays JSL and loves it even though he knows he isn't the best, because he loves the sport and playing together with his mates. I don't know what his club is planning but given the state of their pitches they might be considering similar measures.

Also shows the SL people in the other threading worrying about all the juniors flooding PL clubs in the proposed restructure are being over dramatic.

[Black Hawk]

Take him to Eastern and built up their club or Campbelltown as they seem to run community teams

[The Kings Jesta]

Certainly understand where you are coming from, but can also definitely see where the club is coming from, especially is there will now be 26 game seasons for all the junior teams of Prem League clubs.
This is also how the state league clubs will gain a lot of well coached (in theory at least as coming from a big club) players to help with their numbers. Should be all Prem League clubs can only have 1 junior team per age group, helps to stop them taking more than 16 players per age group. 14 teams per age, 16 players per team, total 224 players. There'd be a lot more than that playing in each age group so State League clubs will be fine.
I don't think the players with no JSL at Metro next year should just give up. Think about the strong lesson for life that could be learned (amongst all the other benefits from joining a new club), where something doesn't quite go how you want, don't give up, learn from it a grow stronger. Who knows, at another club it may just all click and their development starts to speed up.

[juniors]

Adelaide City are looking to have a under 15jsl under 16 jsl and under 17 team next year.
All player are welcome

Trials - U10’s, U14, U15, U16 & U17
Sunday 22nd September 9:00am – 11am
Monday 23rd September 6:30pm – 8:00pm
Tuesday 24th September 6:30pm – 8:00pm
Wednesday 25th September 6:30pm – 8:00pm
Thursday 26th September 6:30pm – 8:00pm
Friday 27th September 6:30pm – 8:00pm

[Ibelieve]

Certainly understand where you are coming from, but can also definitely see where the club is coming from, especially is there will now be 26 game seasons for all the junior teams of Prem League clubs.
This is also how the state league clubs will gain a lot of well coached (in theory at least as coming from a big club) players to help with their numbers. Should be all Prem League clubs can only have 1 junior team per age group, helps to stop them taking more than 16 players per age group. 14 teams per age, 16 players per team, total 224 players. There'd be a lot more than that playing in each age group so State League clubs will be fine.
I don't think the players with no JSL at Metro next year should just give up. Think about the strong lesson for life that could be learned (amongst all the other benefits from joining a new club), where something doesn't quite go how you want, don't give up, learn from it a grow stronger. Who knows, at another club it may just all click and their development starts to speed up.

+1. Brilliantly said mate

[The moyesiah]

Certainly understand where you are coming from, but can also definitely see where the club is coming from, especially is there will now be 26 game seasons for all the junior teams of Prem League clubs.
This is also how the state league clubs will gain a lot of well coached (in theory at least as coming from a big club) players to help with their numbers. Should be all Prem League clubs can only have 1 junior team per age group, helps to stop them taking more than 16 players per age group. 14 teams per age, 16 players per team, total 224 players. There'd be a lot more than that playing in each age group so State League clubs will be fine.
I don't think the players with no JSL at Metro next year should just give up. Think about the strong lesson for life that could be learned (amongst all the other benefits from joining a new club), where something doesn't quite go how you want, don't give up, learn from it a grow stronger. Who knows, at another club it may just all click and their development starts to speed up.

+1. Brilliantly said mate

The problem is, for it to work like that the FFSA need to ban JSL teams for PL clubs. Then we have PL clubs doing what the SL clubs claim, different rules for different fools, JUST BAN JSL FULL STOP and get this comp back to being about the elite pathways it is suppose to offer. If clubs want to offer a lower level of team then join the E&D leagues, the travel might be less anyway.

[The Kings Jesta]

Certainly understand where you are coming from, but can also definitely see where the club is coming from, especially is there will now be 26 game seasons for all the junior teams of Prem League clubs.
This is also how the state league clubs will gain a lot of well coached (in theory at least as coming from a big club) players to help with their numbers. Should be all Prem League clubs can only have 1 junior team per age group, helps to stop them taking more than 16 players per age group. 14 teams per age, 16 players per team, total 224 players. There'd be a lot more than that playing in each age group so State League clubs will be fine.
I don't think the players with no JSL at Metro next year should just give up. Think about the strong lesson for life that could be learned (amongst all the other benefits from joining a new club), where something doesn't quite go how you want, don't give up, learn from it a grow stronger. Who knows, at another club it may just all click and their development starts to speed up.

+1. Brilliantly said mate

The problem is, for it to work like that the FFSA need to ban JSL teams for PL clubs. Then we have PL clubs doing what the SL clubs claim, different rules for different fools, JUST BAN JSL FULL STOP and get this comp back to being about the elite pathways it is suppose to offer. If clubs want to offer a lower level of team then join the E&D leagues, the travel might be less anyway.

I'd rather see the SL teams be able to take on board a max of 32 players (2 teams) per age group should they have enough coaches. The 2nd tier JSL league is not just about player development. Coaches also need a place to develop. State League clubs will also benefit from a far greater revenue pool to choose from. The JPL reward is to, in theory, attract the best junior players (max 16 per age), the JSL have greater income to help build up the club (coaching badges/training equip and pitches etc...) so as to reach a level of development that can push them up. Sure if they get promoted they will have to drop a team from each age group, but they can possibly just move to the club coming down, or a JSL club near by. The JPL should be about producing the best players possible, the JSL should be about elite development and giving players a place to play.

[Sven]

The problem is, for it to work like that the FFSA need to ban JSL teams for PL clubs. Then we have PL clubs doing what the SL clubs claim, different rules for different fools, JUST BAN JSL FULL STOP and get this comp back to being about the elite pathways it is suppose to offer. If clubs want to offer a lower level of team then join the E&D leagues, the travel might be less anyway.

Moron!

[The moyesiah]

The problem is, for it to work like that the FFSA need to ban JSL teams for PL clubs. Then we have PL clubs doing what the SL clubs claim, different rules for different fools, JUST BAN JSL FULL STOP and get this comp back to being about the elite pathways it is suppose to offer. If clubs want to offer a lower level of team then join the E&D leagues, the travel might be less anyway.

Moron!

GENERALLY YES

[GiancarloRed]

Unfortunate for players who wished to stay at Metros but will now need to find new clubs unless they make the PL team. I guess Metrostars is trying to manage space and resources, and maybe decided to focus efforts on top level players. There will be a revenue loss if say 45 players leave but maybe the club hopes to make it up with more players in SSG. Imagine many loyal Metro parents haven't taken the decision well as it also means splitting the social connections after many years. On the plus side the players have a chance to press their claims in a new environment and work even harder to secure a spot. There will be extra teams in PL and also a chance to get a first team place in a SL team such as Eastern United, rather than be in a reserve squad (effectively the 3rd division). The boost to smaller/SL clubs will be welcome to improve their depth and competitiveness.

[Stitch This]

There will be a revenue loss if say 45 players leave but maybe the club hopes to make it up with more players in SSG.

Surely the revenue loss will be matched by a reduction in expenditure.

[mike17]

The problem is, for it to work like that the FFSA need to ban JSL teams for PL clubs. Then we have PL clubs doing what the SL clubs claim, different rules for different fools, JUST BAN JSL FULL STOP and get this comp back to being about the elite pathways it is suppose to offer. If clubs want to offer a lower level of team then join the E&D leagues, the travel might be less anyway.

Moron!

well when you put it that way......

i saw nothing wrong with that post. they definatly need to streamline and organise the current system. any kind of b league for kids is not ideal

[Matthew]

Unfortunate for players who wished to stay at Metros but will now need to find new clubs unless they make the PL team. I guess Metrostars is trying to manage space and resources, and maybe decided to focus efforts on top level players. There will be a revenue loss if say 45 players leave but maybe the club hopes to make it up with more players in SSG. Imagine many loyal Metro parents haven't taken the decision well as it also means splitting the social connections after many years. On the plus side the players have a chance to press their claims in a new environment and work even harder to secure a spot. There will be extra teams in PL and also a chance to get a first team place in a SL team such as Eastern United, rather than be in a reserve squad (effectively the 3rd division). The boost to smaller/SL clubs will be welcome to improve their depth and competitiveness.

Before you start jumping up and down. The club decided to remove 2 sides, this might equate to 30 players. The main reason for this is Pitches. A club never wants to lose revenue, however, the club has no issues losing that revenue from club fees, as it will lower expenditure also, and will also lower ground maintenance charges. Our ground maintenance costs for this year were huge. We have a good network of sponsors/donators, so all avenues were looked at in terms of the revenue lose.

If you have seen the state of the pitches recently, this is because we tried to take in as many kids as we could from the community, but then the pitches suffer. Until the council gives us more space at TK Shutter, or provides us with options for alternative venues for training, then we would be happy to have those teams again. Until then, we need to ensure our juniors play on decent pitches, so therefore, 2 teams would need to be sacrificed. We feel that those players would benefit at other club such as Eastern United and Enfield City to name a few, who struggle to gain the player numbers, and allow these players to play JPL instead of JSL.

26 matches next season for most our teams, will mean our pitches will also take another battering. In the end of the day, by removing two sides, we beleive this will allow the long term use of our pitches and minimise ground maintenance costs.

[Con M]

Unfortunate for players who wished to stay at Metros but will now need to find new clubs unless they make the PL team. I guess Metrostars is trying to manage space and resources, and maybe decided to focus efforts on top level players. There will be a revenue loss if say 45 players leave but maybe the club hopes to make it up with more players in SSG. Imagine many loyal Metro parents haven't taken the decision well as it also means splitting the social connections after many years. On the plus side the players have a chance to press their claims in a new environment and work even harder to secure a spot. There will be extra teams in PL and also a chance to get a first team place in a SL team such as Eastern United, rather than be in a reserve squad (effectively the 3rd division). The boost to smaller/SL clubs will be welcome to improve their depth and competitiveness.

Before you start jumping up and down. The club decided to remove 2 sides, this might equate to 30 players. The main reason for this is Pitches. A club never wants to lose revenue, however, the club has no issues losing that revenue from club fees, as it will lower expenditure also, and will also lower ground maintenance charges. Our ground maintenance costs for this year were huge. We have a good network of sponsors/donators, so all avenues were looked at in terms of the revenue lose.

If you have seen the state of the pitches recently, this is because we tried to take in as many kids as we could from the community, but then the pitches suffer. Until the council gives us more space at TK Shutter, or provides us with options for alternative venues for training, then we would be happy to have those teams again. Until then, we need to ensure our juniors play on decent pitches, so therefore, 2 teams would need to be sacrificed. We feel that those players would benefit at other club such as Eastern United and Enfield City to name a few, who struggle to gain the player numbers, and allow these players to play JPL instead of JSL.

26 matches next season for most our teams, will mean our pitches will also take another battering. In the end of the day, by removing two sides, we beleive this will allow the long term use of our pitches and minimise ground maintenance costs.

A polite question - and not singling out any clubs that are also contemplating removing their 'B' teams at various levels - is the junior restructure all a done deal?

Two topics - (a) "New Junior Structure 2014" and (b) "2014 Junior League" have drawn 11,660 views and 493 replies so far - more than any other posts on FootballNews. Some have been pretty passionate posts. Many parents/guardians have encouraged loyalty to team-mates and club/organisation/school. Children who have been at a club for 4-5 years might reasonably expect that loyalty shown back to them as well. There's plenty of examples of late developers who have risen out of junior 'B' grades and made their club's senior team.

Have all issues(for and against) been properly considered in what was originally set up as a discussion paper, or was it a Clayton's consultation?

[Željko Jurin]

At u18s there is only 1 team, so eventually 'reality' comes into play ..... when 'reality' kicks in depends on the individual clubs, and their pitch availability and infustructure that is available to them and all their teams at their clubs

[The moyesiah]

I believe it's done there is no vote. However it would be nice to understand the format, ok no promotion or relegation, but will there be a ladder, or no ladder? meaning no sporting pulse.

What else is there that parents/coaches/players&clubs need to know?
When does season 2014 start/finish for juniors?

[rossonero]

shouldnt we all just wait until the board meeting on the 20th of september to confirm the changes...this new structure may never happen

[johnydep]

Many parents/guardians have encouraged loyalty to team-mates and club/organisation/school. Children who have been at a club for 4-5 years might reasonably expect that loyalty shown back to them as well. There's plenty of examples of late developers who have risen out of junior 'B' grades and made their club's senior team.

Have all issues(for and against) been properly considered in what was originally set up as a discussion paper, or was it a Clayton's consultation?

Loyalty starts on game day, as a spectator. How many parents, guardians and players have shown "loyalty" by attending and supporting thier clubs senior team?

[fossil]

I believe it's done there is no vote. However it would be nice to understand the format, ok no promotion or relegation, but will there be a ladder, or no ladder? meaning no sporting pulse.

What else is there that parents/coaches/players&clubs need to know?
When does season 2014 start/finish for juniors?

would think it was done before they released it, think like SSG no ladder required so there will be no need to keep a score or who wins a game either just pure player development

[Željko Jurin]

The proposal says nothing about getting rid of points and tables .... only about promotion/relegation (ie) follow your senior teams fixtures

[themessenger]

The proposal says nothing about getting rid of points and tables .... only about promotion/relegation (ie) follow your senior teams fixtures

not so sure it says anything about following your teams fixtures either, only about aligning senior and junior comps. What is becoming very apparent is this concept is very short on detail right now. Until the basic philosophy is approved at Board level, the FFSA will not commit to how the new structure could be/will be implemented.

For example, under the new structure, it appears the junior season will not automatically start in February or finish in September, same as the seniors does, therefore will not have 26 or 30 rounds. So no clarity on that at this stage.

If tables/points continue to be played for in the junior comps then it is still going to be about winning. So where does this so called push for greater development come into it?

And since the 'best junior players' already play against the 'best junior players' by virtue of teams being ranked in A, B or C divisions - then I fail to understand what the purpose of this restructure really is - apart from making a deliberate effort to channel all the better players out of state league clubs and into premier league clubs. Which then defeats the aim to having clubs develop their juniors and move them up to their senior ranks - because the better players will always get poached by premier league clubs, leaving state league clubs with no option but to buy in players at the first team level.

And the poaching has already started according to one report at the junior delegates meeting last night.

[robinfriday10]

so if a state league club doesn't have a team in an age group does that mean the opposition have a bye??? could be a few byes

[doesmyheadin]

The proposal says nothing about getting rid of points and tables .... only about promotion/relegation (ie) follow your senior teams fixtures

not so sure it says anything about following your teams fixtures either, only about aligning senior and junior comps. What is becoming very apparent is this concept is very short on detail right now. Until the basic philosophy is approved at Board level, the FFSA will not commit to how the new structure could be/will be implemented.

For example, under the new structure, it appears the junior season will not automatically start in February or finish in September, same as the seniors does, therefore will not have 26 or 30 rounds. So no clarity on that at this stage.

If tables/points continue to be played for in the junior comps then it is still going to be about winning. So where does this so called push for greater development come into it?

And since the 'best junior players' already play against the 'best junior players' by virtue of teams being ranked in A, B or C divisions - then I fail to understand what the purpose of this restructure really is - apart from making a deliberate effort to channel all the better players out of state league clubs and into premier league clubs. Which then defeats the aim to having clubs develop their juniors and move them up to their senior ranks - because the better players will always get poached by premier league clubs, leaving state league clubs with no option but to buy in players at the first team level.

And the poaching has already started according to one report at the junior delegates meeting last night.

I'm with you, an inner metro comp is what it seems is wanted. And yes, attempted poaching of juniors and coaches has already started. One of our good junior A div teams coach has already been approached by a PL club saying bring them over, the writing is on the wall. Disgraceful

[doesmyheadin]

The proposal says nothing about getting rid of points and tables .... only about promotion/relegation (ie) follow your senior teams fixtures

not so sure it says anything about following your teams fixtures either, only about aligning senior and junior comps. What is becoming very apparent is this concept is very short on detail right now. Until the basic philosophy is approved at Board level, the FFSA will not commit to how the new structure could be/will be implemented.

For example, under the new structure, it appears the junior season will not automatically start in February or finish in September, same as the seniors does, therefore will not have 26 or 30 rounds. So no clarity on that at this stage.

If tables/points continue to be played for in the junior comps then it is still going to be about winning. So where does this so called push for greater development come into it?

And since the 'best junior players' already play against the 'best junior players' by virtue of teams being ranked in A, B or C divisions - then I fail to understand what the purpose of this restructure really is - apart from making a deliberate effort to channel all the better players out of state league clubs and into premier league clubs. Which then defeats the aim to having clubs develop their juniors and move them up to their senior ranks - because the better players will always get poached by premier league clubs, leaving state league clubs with no option but to buy in players at the first team level.

And the poaching has already started according to one report at the junior delegates meeting last night.

I'm with you, an inner metro comp is what it seems is wanted. And yes, attempted poaching of juniors and coaches has already started. One of our good junior A div teams coach has already been approached by a PL club saying bring them over, the writing is on the wall. Disgraceful

[Stitch This]

And yes, attempted poaching of juniors and coaches has already started. One of our good junior A div teams coach has already been approached by a PL club saying bring them over, the writing is on the wall. Disgraceful

Because that's never, ever happened in previous years.

Disappointing to hear nevertheless.

[mike17]

Unfortunate for players who wished to stay at Metros but will now need to find new clubs unless they make the PL team. I guess Metrostars is trying to manage space and resources, and maybe decided to focus efforts on top level players. There will be a revenue loss if say 45 players leave but maybe the club hopes to make it up with more players in SSG. Imagine many loyal Metro parents haven't taken the decision well as it also means splitting the social connections after many years. On the plus side the players have a chance to press their claims in a new environment and work even harder to secure a spot. There will be extra teams in PL and also a chance to get a first team place in a SL team such as Eastern United, rather than be in a reserve squad (effectively the 3rd division). The boost to smaller/SL clubs will be welcome to improve their depth and competitiveness.

Before you start jumping up and down. The club decided to remove 2 sides, this might equate to 30 players. The main reason for this is Pitches. A club never wants to lose revenue, however, the club has no issues losing that revenue from club fees, as it will lower expenditure also, and will also lower ground maintenance charges. Our ground maintenance costs for this year were huge. We have a good network of sponsors/donators, so all avenues were looked at in terms of the revenue lose.

If you have seen the state of the pitches recently, this is because we tried to take in as many kids as we could from the community, but then the pitches suffer. Until the council gives us more space at TK Shutter, or provides us with options for alternative venues for training, then we would be happy to have those teams again. Until then, we need to ensure our juniors play on decent pitches, so therefore, 2 teams would need to be sacrificed. We feel that those players would benefit at other club such as Eastern United and Enfield City to name a few, who struggle to gain the player numbers, and allow these players to play JPL instead of JSL.

26 matches next season for most our teams, will mean our pitches will also take another battering. In the end of the day, by removing two sides, we beleive this will allow the long term use of our pitches and minimise ground maintenance costs.

all the kids that had $800 you mean


basically they squeezed in as many kids as possible, squeezed the money out of them and then re-invested it into........... pitches? facilities? training coaches? getting good coaches?


think of all those fees over all these years, maybe reinvest some instead of paying senior players and have your shit together. rather than robbing people and complaining about the council

when are clubs going to realise that the game and the kids are more important than the clubs, kills my soul

[Stitch This]

all the kids that had $800 you mean


basically they squeezed in as many kids as possible, squeezed the money out of them and then re-invested it into........... pitches? facilities? training coaches? getting good coaches?


think of all those fees over all these years, maybe reinvest some instead of paying senior players and have your cabernet together. rather than robbing people and complaining about the council

when are clubs going to realise that the game and the kids are more important than the clubs, kills my soul

So what does your club do?

Do your seniors not get paid?

[GaylyColouredStumps]

Unfortunate for players who wished to stay at Metros but will now need to find new clubs unless they make the PL team. I guess Metrostars is trying to manage space and resources, and maybe decided to focus efforts on top level players. There will be a revenue loss if say 45 players leave but maybe the club hopes to make it up with more players in SSG. Imagine many loyal Metro parents haven't taken the decision well as it also means splitting the social connections after many years. On the plus side the players have a chance to press their claims in a new environment and work even harder to secure a spot. There will be extra teams in PL and also a chance to get a first team place in a SL team such as Eastern United, rather than be in a reserve squad (effectively the 3rd division). The boost to smaller/SL clubs will be welcome to improve their depth and competitiveness.

Before you start jumping up and down. The club decided to remove 2 sides, this might equate to 30 players. The main reason for this is Pitches. A club never wants to lose revenue, however, the club has no issues losing that revenue from club fees, as it will lower expenditure also, and will also lower ground maintenance charges. Our ground maintenance costs for this year were huge. We have a good network of sponsors/donators, so all avenues were looked at in terms of the revenue lose.

If you have seen the state of the pitches recently, this is because we tried to take in as many kids as we could from the community, but then the pitches suffer. Until the council gives us more space at TK Shutter, or provides us with options for alternative venues for training, then we would be happy to have those teams again. Until then, we need to ensure our juniors play on decent pitches, so therefore, 2 teams would need to be sacrificed. We feel that those players would benefit at other club such as Eastern United and Enfield City to name a few, who struggle to gain the player numbers, and allow these players to play JPL instead of JSL.

26 matches next season for most our teams, will mean our pitches will also take another battering. In the end of the day, by removing two sides, we beleive this will allow the long term use of our pitches and minimise ground maintenance costs.

all the kids that had $800 you mean


basically they squeezed in as many kids as possible, squeezed the money out of them and then re-invested it into........... pitches? facilities? training coaches? getting good coaches?


think of all those fees over all these years, maybe reinvest some instead of paying senior players and have your cabernet together. rather than robbing people and complaining about the council

when are clubs going to realise that the game and the kids are more important than the clubs, kills my soul

i have a 1980 corolla for sale, 375,000kms, needs a new paint job. $42,000

whose fault is it if someone buys it?