January 31, 2007
Are National Champs the best Development Pathway for our young players?
There are a lot of questions being asked as to the validity of National Youth Championships. The questions stem from various aspects of the programmes and their structure;
Cost - each player (and their family) are required to pay out a considerable sum for the actual National Champs event. It has increased since the champs have moved from Sydney (Valentine Park) to Coffs Harbour.
If you factor in the transport and accommodation cost leading up to the actual event such as those just to get into any of the full time squads the cost would be close to $10,000
Venue Accommodation & Nutrition - there are some claims the accommodation at last year’s championships was substandard (overcrowded rooms, poor facilities, etc.) despite paying ‘top dollar’ for board.
Food was also considered to be a major issue with the parents taking matters into their own hands to ensure some of the players received adequate and appropriate nutrition.
Championship Tournament - There is some considerable movement to withdraw some state teams (at least the first squads) to attend a number of internationals tournaments in Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, etc.
Victoria, Western Australia, Northern NSW all went to tournaments in Asia. While Northern Territory, NSW & Queensland all toured the UK (as a build up to National Champs).
The feedback from all these teams was more than positive and all are seriously considering withdrawing their first squads in preference for other fixtures.
Coaches of State and and club based academies should begin to question their development pathways, while parents of potential state players should question the development managers as to the continued appropriateness of the National Champs. Are their better alternatives?
The following tournaments are already in place and they may even be suitable for some of the club based academies in preference to state programmes. Alternatively, the state based programmes could attend.
Boys U15
April 2007
Where: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
When: 1st week April 2007
Age Group: Under 15 (Born 1992+)
Would Suit: Regional representative teams, strong academies
Boys U15 & Boys U18
June / July 2007
Where: Jahor Bahru, Malaysia
When: 27 June to 1 July 2007
Age Group: Under 15 (Born 1992+) and Under 18 (Born 1989+)
Would Suit: State or regional representative teams, strong academies
Boys U18
Late Nov / Dec 2007
Where: Singapore
When: Late Nov early December 2007
Age Group: Under 18 (Born 1989+)
Would Suit: State or regional representative teams, strong academies
Expected participants: State & National youth teams from Asian countries
DISCUSSION?
Surely it’s cheaper to go to Coffs Harbour than Malaysia, Singapore and certainly the UK. As far as I understand the national championships are to identify the best talent in the country to form an AIS squad which will become the Joeys. If our state u15 traveled to the Malaysian Tournaments instead of the Nationals, what purpose would it serve?
Comment by DeB8 — February 2, 2007 @ 10:02 pm
Well it costs each player in excess of $2000 to get to Coffs Harbour. Airfares to Asia are generally cheaper that regional flights (as part of sponsorship from Qantas teams are expected to fly Qantas so no cheap fares there) Accommodation in Asia is also cheaper and the standard much, much higher.
I think you might be mistaking the National Champs in their former disguise, that of talent identification championships. One only needs look at the way FFT approach the champs now. It’s about state pride apparently, not about promoting individual players within a team structure.
Having all of Australia’s top players from each state/region would form the same purpose as National Champs did but a better standard, better accommodation, better organised…
Comment by Blackjack — February 3, 2007 @ 10:04 am
You qouted that the figure to get to the championships would be approx $10 000.
But then go on to say that player costs are in excess of $2000.
Just how much is the cost on a family that has a player in one of these teams…………$2000 or $10 000
Comment by Healthy debate — February 6, 2007 @ 2:57 pm
From selection (including trials) to completion (of nationals) = approx. $10K
To get from Hobart to Coffs Harbour, appropriately attired and kitted out (with basic requirements), accommodation, some meals & transport, and return to Hobart = (in excess) of $2000.
If any family members are to be involved, multiply by appropriate number??
Got it??
Comment by Blackjack — February 6, 2007 @ 8:39 pm
Quote:
“If any family members are to be involved, multiply by appropriate number??
Got it?? ”
Ah I see, the cost of trip to the nationals for a player is approx $2000, but it does look better for the blog if we ASSUME that family members are going to attend, and if my maths are correct 4 family members plus a team player multiplied by $2000, yep you are quite correct $10 000 to go to the nationals (the highest level, correct me if I am wrong, for a player of that age grouping).
Yup, think i have got it!
Comment by Healthy debate — February 6, 2007 @ 9:36 pm
Jeez ‘Healthy Debate’ you don’t need to make this any harder than it already is…
Let me spell it out for you (sorry to sound so condescending)
From the time of trials (February) to the completion of the Nationals in late September the cost for one family to have one player in the Tasmanian state team would be in the vicinity of $10,000 (that’s Australian dollars :-D). I know this because I’ve been there, done that, AND I’ve got the T-shirt!!!
For that same player to attend the Nationals, i.e fly Hobart - Coffs Harbour…stay and compete at the nationals and then fly home again while weraing the appropriate uniform, etc.. The cost would be approx. $2000.
Forget the family member scenario, that’s obviously confusing you.
I can’t make it any plainer than this so I hope you have got it.
Comment by Blackjack — February 6, 2007 @ 9:55 pm
condescending……..no!
Comment by Healthy debate — February 6, 2007 @ 10:24 pm
SO…….
A family has to pay FFT $10 000 for their son to play in this years state u/15 team? ($au // are they different from $tas?)
Who do they get to travel with, Harry Kewell.
Comment by Healthy debate — February 6, 2007 @ 10:28 pm
I have had a child go through the state programme and I know what my wife & I paid out in costs - eg. fuel/tyres/maintenace costs, meals, accommodation, uniforms, additional uniform items, travel to and from Nationals, physiotherapy, medical, food supplements, reference material (DVDs, books, etc.), boots, protective equipment, linements…
It all adds up. It’s got nothing to do with travelling with Harry Kewell. This type of statement demonstrates how detached you are from the facts.
Maybe FFT pays your way. Lucky you.
Comment by Blackjack — February 6, 2007 @ 10:43 pm
No I am not on the payroll, and It is obvious to me that I do not hold FFT or junior soccer within the region in the same light that you do - so negatively. If you have issues with FFT’s junior program take it up with them!
Comment by Healthy debate — February 7, 2007 @ 7:59 am
So you concede that the cost from go to woah would be in or around the $10K mark, because you have now changed tack?
Comment by Blackjack — February 7, 2007 @ 9:37 am
No haven’t changed tack, but am legitimately questioning the $10 000 price tag to play rep football at this age group.
I still believe that to play any sport at the highest level is an honour for that player, and to compete against the best from all States is a dream for many a sportsperson. Yes there is a cost involved, but the above amount suggested is extraordinary.
Comment by Healthy debate — February 7, 2007 @ 11:53 am
Gee Healthy debate i think you have made your point !! , blackjack has without doubt tried to extend the costs i think even he must agree to some form of exaggeration with his estimated cost .
Both of you get on with life and look at the real issue….
From previous correspondents the cost is large , my families experiences having a child come through the program involving - trials - training - games - camps - local tournaments and then interstate tours was around $5,500.
Some would have been cheaper but being the football fanatic I wanted to be at training sessions took the family away for tournaments( local only ) to provide family support and such.
Great experience not cheap but worth it at the time ;
As a parent what did my child get out of it - valuable life experiences , opportunity to make life long friends playing the sport of choice, experience the difference in abilities and techniques other states were able to show.- standards they would like to one day achieve.
It is unfortunate that upon return - nothing has been provided for any of the players to continue their development.
This is the area we should be concerned about - through them into clubland at 15 goodbye !
And yes , i recognise we the parents will have to further fund any program but maybe we are willing to take on that cost…
Why can’t our under 18 team enter the Singapore tournament ????
Comment by sent off — February 7, 2007 @ 12:56 pm
Everything about representing your state or nation is extraodinary but it’s an experience I would not deny my child for one minute, even at twice the price. And like any caring parent I want to make that experience the most positive and rewarding (on ALL levels) that I can. As a football administrator I want to ensure the service offered is of the best standard and appropriate for the majority, but assist the individual where I can. If it’s not that way then I’m doing it for the wrong reasons and someone is going to suffer for it.
For the fact you can’t understand just HOW extraodinarily expensive it is to represent your state says to me that you have not been involved from a parental perspective for many years, if at all. So are you “shooting from the hip” on this one too?
Comment by Blackjack — February 7, 2007 @ 1:20 pm
So Sent Off, am I correct in summising that your child has played junior football at the highest pinnacle (state rep), and has finished with that particular program, gone back to a club and been let down by what they have to offer or treat junior players with ability?
If so then……………
Blackjack my point all along.
From what I can see FFt has buffed up junior dvelopment, but that proffessionalism or level needs to be carried through to clubs. What of a player that has a high level of ability, say is not picked at a state level u/15, who have over past seasons played at a higher age group and also regional, will go to a club and play u/16, when potentially could play higher.
Comment by Healthy debate — February 7, 2007 @ 2:15 pm
No Healthy Debate your Summarisation is not correct , yes my son did make a representative team , but no he has not been let down by his club.
He like a number of players at his club has been well nutured by the club and coaches , he has been given opportunities to further develop his skills and extra sessions to improve his overall playing technique.
Maybe the club you are or were involved with didn’t do the right thing but not all clubs should be thrown into that barrell.
Club Football is the lifeblood of the game in Tassie , majority of administrators ( yes i am one of those volunteers and happy to be so ) and coaches are involved for the love of the game and mateship that can be developed .
We are not at the sexy end of the game - National champs - A lEAGUE - Institutes - like FFT , just what is best for the club and the game - sure we look after our club and attempt to bring best practices to our program - WE PAY THE FEES TO EMPLOY THE COACHES AND ADMINISTRATORS AT FFT .
If you want to see what clubs are about join one and then see how hard it is to meet the demands of FFT - parents - players and coaches.
As to your comments about 14 - 15 year olds - if they are good enough the clubs have and will continue to provide the opportunities - look at the mean age group of Premier League senior teams and you will understand what i am saying.
Comment by sent off — February 8, 2007 @ 12:26 pm
giving my passionate football playing son an opportunity to acheive his dream did cost and still does money however it is a cost that i have been willing to pay as would any parent, its just a shame that more opportunites are not made available for our youth to experience what its like to play in front of different crowds/environments, yes it costs but from my experience when asked why we don’t enter our boys and girls into other tournamnets cost always is there reason given however I believe that the organising of such an endevour is also a factor.
Comment by corner flag — February 8, 2007 @ 4:36 pm
I understand that various options for U19’s and U16’s have, and are, being considered including overseas travel. The timing of these is often difficult to sychronise to allow as many players as is possible the opportunity to participate. Amongst many other considerations school and University studies can impinge upon availabilities - especially near exam times. The system we currently have is an evolving one, and will be modified as circumstances change.
Comment by sj — February 9, 2007 @ 9:34 am