Blackjack\’s Blog

As raised in a recent post by Charlie White…what makes a club successful? This is a very complex question for many reasons. What criteria do you use to measure success? Is it purely results on the park, and if so, is it for the top team only?

Personally, I think the question is not as simplistic as just measuring the result of your top team (be that Premier, Div.1 or other). I say this only because a club generally does not consist of just one team, but I’m only too well aware that there are some clubs that see success of a certain club team as the best way to measure the club’s success.

The other side of the coin is clubs such as Clarence & Kingborough (only by way of example, I’m sure there are others too), who appear to measure their club’s success on playing numbers on the park, the establishment and maitenance of a development pathway, etc.

So, a two pronged question:

1. How does your club measure success, and

2. How should success be measured (in local football)?

There are a number of directions Tasmanian senior mens’ football can go. If we can look briefly at the more credible, some interesting discussion could ensue.

1.   Introduction of a 6 team Tasmanian State League; this certainly seems the direction FFT appears to be heading but in all honesty the one who is pushing hardest is the President Steve Gasparinatos.  To date all we have seen, in terms of planning, is a position paper directly from the President. There is no real substance to this plan at this stage but I believe the club presidents have instructed Steve to go away and put some real meat in his planning. Will the State League aid in retaining Tassie bred players here? I think not.

2.   A Tasmanian team in the Victorian Premier League; this is my personal preference, but as smudger identified in another post, it cannot be a club based proposal it must be a state wide proposition based from one centre (i.e. based in Hobart). This team could have strong links with the new TIS programme. To achieve this aim the resources that are intended for the State League should be channeled instead into this option. So I am proposing it’s one or the other, NOT both. Otherwise it’s pouring good money into bad. Will this goal assist in keeping our players here? Yes, but at the elite level only.

3. A long term goal of a team in the A-League. The A-League is set to expand in the next few years. Is it feasible for a Tasmanian bid to be developed. I’m suggesting that this is a pipe dream if you don’t use the Vic. Premier League as a stepping stone. The difference in this bid would be that it MUST be driven by private enterprise and with the full support of FFT. An entry in the A-League cannot be a FFT initiative. Tasmania needs the likes of an Ali Sultan to step up and fully fund such a proposal. Will this help to retain players in Tassie. Most definitely but once again, only at the elite level. The added attraction is that for the first time ever we would have players looking at coming to Tassie.

Topic moved and continues from “Oops there goes another”

Speaking of money for State Rep sides, where is that money?? How did it assist this years State players?? Each player was faced with shelling out $2500+ and to my knowledge there was NO financial assistance. So where is that money?

All gossip re. player movements (Tas. club to Tas. club) on here please. But keep it believable.

Division 4, as it currently stands, is a Heinz league. Some teams have veterans only, some are full of youngsters (under 35) that just can’t be bothered training or focusing on a higher standard & some are a mixture of both. I contest this has the possibility of causing some players, especially the older ones, to stay away from the game simply because chasing down a 25 year old, even one of a lesser standard in ability, is less than appealing (or even painful) and even risks injury.

A true veterans league has the potential to be of an extremely high standard if it is restricted to players over 35 who have played at a minimum of Div.1 level.

This league could be played at one venue on one day and could be self serving where the league would supply even their own referees and assistant refs.

Thoughts?

Steve Pitchford has his last day in the FFT office today. Would anyone like to hazzard a guess as to what brought this decision on? And in case you are taking this the wrong way, I’m not suggesting for a minute there is anything sinister in Steve’s resignation. (just thought I had better clear that up).

Maybe Steve could drop us a post to clear the air.

The word is;

South Hobart - interviewed three applicants for their senior coaching job, ‘Spinner’ Atkins, Eammon Kelly & George Krambousanos. No winner as yet. Will South realistically contemplate turfing out a known quantity in Spinner, or will they choose to go out on a limb and appoint Krambo or Kelly? Spinner to stay, they wouldn’t dare risk upsetting one of their stalwarts.

Knights - are romoured to be wooing Franco Previdi, but it is understood Franco has commited himself to the State Development Programme. Unless Kelly is appointed to the South Hobart job I can’t see any change being required. Who else would coach Knights anyway? You need a big personality to check the other ‘big’ player personalities.

Kingborough Lions - I can’t see any reason why the Lions wouldn’t continue with the status quo (Dale & Iles) but there is a rumour that another may be added to the coaching structure to form a coaching ‘team’.

Taroona - the new comers have become a target for coaching journeyman George Krambousanos. ‘Krambo’ has been at most southern clubs in some shape of form but has generally moved on before season’s end due to a change in philosophy.

Clarence - are said to have reappointed Andrew Brown, and why wouldn’t they. Brown (along with a hard working Clarence committee) has resurrected the club. Browny will be joined by Michael Edwards as the director of their new Clarence academy.

Zebras - with Eddo gone to Clarence anyone could be a starter. Could Nick Lapolla step up to seniors or could a bolt from the blue in someone like Chris Hey perhaps.

Metro - have already appointed Brett Anderton. Struggle St. again for the Metro lads .

Olympic - listening to Emmanual Roussos at the Vic Tuting dinner I can’t imagine Farrell Shaw will be going anywhere. Sounds like a real ‘love in’ going on there.

Eagles - ‘Sparky’ Parker has put down a tap route and personally I think he has finally found a club that appreciates what the boy can do.

University - Nathan Robinson has been posted to Huonville Police district so will he have the time or inclination to continue coaching the Students? I suspect he won’t which will open the door for…?? Who knows. Will Westy make a comeback or will Mark Rapley don the coaching cap?

What’s the news from our Northern neighbours?

I think clubs and players need to read the following documents that can be downloaded from the Football Federation of Australia website;

2007 Player Regulations

It is your own interest to see how these new regulations will impact your playing career, now and in the future.

Comments and discussion are more than welcome.

• If anyone has any further news on trials drop the name & club in here?

I’ve heard a couple of players are having trials. Can anyone add to the list?

James Sherman (ex. Zebras) has won himslef a spot in the Australian Schoolboys team to tour New Zealand & Fiji. James did well to earn himself a spot in the Brunswick City 1st squad. Brunswick are in the Victorian Div.1

Henry Fagg (ex. Zebras) is also at Brunswick.

Jonathon Ladic (Knights) has a trial with Green Gully. Ladic’s mate, Matty Sanders (ex. Metro & Knights) is also at Green Gully (Vic. Premier) and doing extremely well by all reports.

Goran Jozeljic (Knights & ex. Metro) has a trial with HASK Melbourne. I’m unsure at what level/division this club plays.

Chris Sanita (Kingborough Lions) was off to the Northern NSW Premier League outfit South Cardiff, but there is late news that he has been offered a trial with an unnamed Victorian Premier League outfit.

Rumours persist that a number of South Hobart lads, Bart Beecroft, Tom Roach, Alex Gordon & Billy Gasparinatos are also off to various clubs to trial during the Tasmanian off season. None of these can be substantiated but why spoil a good story with facts!!

Nathan Pitchford, New Town Eagles outstanding keeper, has also been linked with a trial to a Northern NSW club said to have close ties with the Newcastle Jets. This might not be as far fetched as it sounds as Newcastle have been struggling between the sticks. Could young Pitchford be A-League bound?? This rumour has since been denied (from the horses mouth, so to speak!!), which is a shame because I think Nathan has the ability to make the standard required at least at state premier level.

While on the subject of keepers, I’m also lead to believe Metro keeper Troy Kaden could be heading to an unnamed Victorian outfit to trial after a successful training stint with West Bromich Albion (English Championship League) during our last off season.

Are people watching the Hyundai A-League? Personally I have seen some top class matches and I tune in as often as I can to watch matches. Some fail to live up to the hype but isn’t that the same at all levels (EPL, Italy, etc.)

So generally speaking what are your thoughts on the A-League, and does it get your heart pumping?

Secondly, if you are enjoying it, what team have you aligned yourself to?

Do you think it is feasible that Tasmania could enter a team in either the top league or a second tier league (if it ever comes to fruition) or maybe entering a ‘youth league’ might be the best option.