Not as easy as that
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Anyone who thinks that Kotara lighting is up to scratch is delusional.
What is northerns plan for zone teams promoted who do not have juniors ?
Yes they can enter the competition but cannot compete in finals or be promoted to NPL.
Hypothetical - next few seasons Cardiff and Uni get promoted with Croatia already in the comp. None with a junior base. Imagine that finish top 3 - makes a mockery of the competition.
An idea that I dont really like.
Since youth is decoupled from seniors, new Clubs promoted could take on or connect with Youth teams relegated to ZL1. That way the 13s-18s youth teams can stick together as a unit albeit with a different club. Better than clubs having to reinvent the wheel.
Another point is that we're struggling to get 20 competitive youth clubs now, we cannot add 5 more and expect a better comp.
Only works if those clubs have a similar culture and are a reason for coaches and players to move over. Used to happen those dropped from NPL to NL1 would lose their youth the promoted club would need to then get their youth teams. There would be coaches and players not happy just to switch and will potentially go elsewhere. And while recent promotions/relegations have been close, would say Singleton youth be happy to now travel down to Warners Bay because Singleton got relegated and Warners Bay were promoted?
This is a good point, though if they managed to split into 4 division of 8 each with promotion/relegation between all of them then it would see more competitive games.Quote:
Another point is that we're struggling to get 20 competitive youth clubs now, we cannot add 5 more and expect a better comp.
So what happens if club A gets relegated, newly promoted club B takes club A’s youth on, then the next year club C gets relegated and club A gets repromoted? Do you then have club B continue with club A’s youth, or the takes on club C’s youth?
Either way, it’s a ridiculous idea.
If any local.club puts in half an effort to get their best community kids and some decent coaches they will have competative games in the lower division of NPL youth.
Then within a few short years they will prob breed some NL1/ZPL level players and have a better future than relying on recruiting seniors every year.
Stags set the blueprint on how to rebuild youth just go ask em.
Anyone know if Dudley got youth off the ground for next year?
Them and Croatia gonna be a good case study on how its done over the next few years.
Have heard Dudley have their teams set. They were in a fortunate spot to have a junior club with 700 plus junior. They add in a quality coach in Peter Preston as TD showing they are taking it seriously.
I imagine starting from scratch with no juniors would be a massive undertaking for a club on top of a senior squad going from ZL to NL1. It's a big ask from the federation
Shortsighted view. Youd make a good politician. good for nothing.
I dont mind it. It's an idea that can keep teams together & coaches together and a chance for clubs like Croatia who have nothing.
Kids are chopping and changing clubs anyway. Whats a better way Albert?
Hit a nerve did I? What happens if Belswans get relegated and Toronto promoted? The juniors based in Belswans aren’t going to drive to the other side of the lake to play. Or will Belswans continue to have to provide a training ground and match day ground? What if Belswans get relegated and Singleton get promoted? It’s still ridiculous and your personal attacks don’t address the logistics of it.
If players and coaches are chopping and changing clubs anyway, then why bother trying to keep them together :lulz:
This competition getting tighter and more exciting each year, anyone have any early standouts for promotion/relegation
With Croatia's rise, everyone would be naive to count them out early. Along with them, West Wallsend, New Lambton and Toronto are your early favourites. Although with Toronto's loss of Purcell and the form considered at the back end of last season, I don't see them contending again.
Relegation is anyone's game and last year proved that. I think that this year, as the depth of quality improves, we will see a clear top half and a clear bottom half.
Hearing news that Port Macquarie Saints have been offered a spot in NL1 as winners of the regional super league - northern also plan to offer the 2026 winners a spot and take NL1 to 12 teams for 2027.