Associations have the issue that they're serving a constituency (member clubs) whose interests are directly opposed to rep football - rep football costs a lot to run (which comes from either parents or the clubs, and Associations cop it from both ends no matter how they manage that) and it thins out the club player base.
The old clubs are motivated by the maintenance of their tradition of elite football and they serve as a binding force for their communities. Nevertheless, any club that relies on shaking down its juniors and having a fundraiser each year where the big dicks in the [insert ethnicity here] community write the biggest cheques they can to show how wealthy they are isn't really a truly sustainable model.
A salary cap on the senior comps would be a good idea, but better yet would be a fee cap. FNSW are doing research into what each club charges, I'm wondering if , freshly armed with that information, they aren't going to go down that route.
It'd be great if rep football somehow linked in with the Associations, so kids could do both and Associations could provide academy type training for local kids (club and rep) and the kids could play both rep and club football. That'd bring rep football closer to the 'man in the park' and maybe provide a better link between the elite and the grassroots, as well as providing more football for the elite kids and raising the standards of local association comps.
Not at all sure it's possible or practical, but it'd be nice...
Dibo, all the points raised are very valid & seek to help solve the problem.I have attempted to answer each point from my past experience.
I am not saying that all of my answers are 100% correct as of today, as each season rules & regs change, But I hope I have shed further light onto your questions.
"Associations have the issue that they're serving a constituency (member clubs) whose interests are directly opposed to rep football."
This is very true & basically it`s the nature of the beast.Without disrespect to those hardworking people that run the clubs,but from my experience very few of the long term core group from each club committee have kids that reach rep level.
The reason for this is basically the time & committment it takes to have a child playing reps is huge & therefore a committee person just hasn`t the time for the committment to both club & Reps.
That is why we don`t see long term committee people involved as naturally they follow their own children.
Thus the divide begins.
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rep football costs a lot to run (which comes from either parents or the clubs, and Associations cop it from both ends no matter how they manage that)"
From my experience this is not true.I have been through the exercise some years ago of costing the rep teams as against the money raised by those teams for the Association over the season & at worst it`s break even.
The rep player`s pay for their gear,uniforms etc., registrations, insurance,referees fees at the start of the year.
Local clubs pay the referees fees weekly so they can charge the players less up front.
The CCFC have always charged more for the rep players.Originally it was to cover the hire cost of busees to transport players to matches however,with the opening of freeways etc.the buses were dropped but the costs remained.
Also it is in the best interest of some association committeee`s to show higher costs for the rep. teams(more acceptable expenses) as it becomes easier to hide expenses that would otherwise become embarrassing to them.
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and it thins out the club player base."
It thins out the player base by 16 players per year.However,with the usual drop out rates it could be argued that unless these kids had an elite path to travel,they to would drop out.
Also the majority of kids that don`t maintain their position in the reps return to local comp where they become the "Star player" thus the comp can maintain some strength.
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The old clubs are motivated by the maintenance of their tradition of elite football and they serve as a binding force for their communities. Nevertheless, any club that relies on shaking down its juniors and having a fundraiser each year where the big dicks in the [insert ethnicity here] community write the biggest cheques they can to show how wealthy they are isn't really a truly sustainable model."
Truer words were never spoken.This is why clubs like PAN HELLENIC,PRAGUE etc have disappeared.It usually takes about 3 generations though.
"A salary cap on the senior comps would be a good idea, but better yet would be a fee cap. FNSW are doing research into what each club charges, I'm wondering if , freshly armed with that information, they aren't going to go down that route."
A salary cap would not work under the current system.Clubs like Bonnyrigg pay their players a base wage. However, if a player has played well it is not uncommon for one or more of the fans to slip $50-$100- into the players` pocket whilst having a drink in the club.Thus a good player may pocket his $200- club payment then get another $4-500 from supporters.
One of the reasons for the breakaway from the Amateurs(by some 5 associations) some years ago, was the fact that the Amateurs had a sweetheart deal with their insurance company.
The insurance company sponsored the amateurs to the tune of $100,000- per year.You don`t have to be Einstein to realise that the kids were overcharged insurance fees to make up for that sponsorship (plus some for the insurance company as well probably)
I hope they do bring in a fee cap or even give a breakup of the fees.
At my former Association we did a fee investigation of the local clubs. We found that most clubs imposed fees & unfairly blamed the Association for them.
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It'd be great if rep football somehow linked in with the Associations, so kids could do both and Associations could provide academy type training for local kids (club and rep) and the kids could play both rep and club football. That'd bring rep football closer to the 'man in the park' and maybe provide a better link between the elite and the grassroots, as well as providing more football for the elite kids and raising the standards of local association comps."
This scenario would be ideal on paper,but is unsustainable.
The kids selected for reps usually train two nights per week with a game on the weekend.
The level of rep coaching should be thus,that it not only improves the skills of the player but also conditions the brain to a more disciplined coaching session than that given at club level.
If a player was to play for club & Reps they would then be required to do 2 rep trainings,1-2 club trainings & 1 game saturday & 1 game sunday.
Then take the worst case scenario that the rep game is in south Nowra & a kid would only last a season or two before they are burnt out or seriously injured.
The gap between grassroots(club) & elite football is a problem.
At my previous Association we had shadow rep squads.
ie. Every player in every age group was invited to rep trials.
The first 16 were selected for reps,the next 16 were invited into the academy for elite training one night per week.These players also played for local clubs.Added to the academy squads were players selected from their club for selected training sessions.
It strengthened the local comp.,encouraged the kids to a higher standard, decreased the gap between club & rep. & finally provided ready replacements if a rep player dropped out.
There is a solution to the problem but it would take a total restructure of football in this state.
