Originally Posted by
Baffled
Can no longer hold my tongue so thought to add a bit of truth on this matter. Firstly would like to disclose I am known to Reece Papas so can tell it as I know it with a bit of inside information. Papas has been over recent years one of Northerns highest achieving footballers for his age an FFA Aus rep U16 Afc qualifiers DM Aus School Boy rep u19 player of the tournament at the Australian Championships representing NSW CB. Aus School Boy Wales/England Tour Captain and player of the tour voted by coaching staff DM, MOM against English All School National side, every player in Academy sides such as Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal etc voted by English All School Committee, a very rare occurrence to be given to a player of a losing side and only once before given to an Australian player so a huge honour. Asked while there from an Aston Villa scout to trial, ended up staying 3 months and also trialled at QPR, Liverpool, Stoke, and Bolton. Offered a contract with Bolton and also asked to go back to Aston Villa, QPR and Stoke subject to getting a EU passport which was being processed but has taken 2 years to finalise just received this year. Played part of the last game of the season after being rested for 2 weeks from an injury with u21 Stoke v U21 Arsenal at Britania Stadium DM. Feedback from all was great player would do well but needs to be exceptional to be accepted as an overseas player a very big home grown policy has been put in place by their Governing body. Australian Nike Chance winner went to St George Park Uk over 5k applicants applied for the trial in Australia. Has represented Northern at all levels and captained all sides chosen in the All Star Sides. Went to Institute Challenge Canberra on 3 occasions hoping to be looked at for the AIS or told they were playing for an opportunity to be picked but found out the 4-5 positions available the kids had been already told they had been accepted prior to the Tournament being played, mainly from Adelaide and Perth funny that is where the 2 coaches were from?? Now back to the Jets, been involved for around 4 years whilst and after playing for NNSWIS. First contracted 13/14 NYL season after playing for them 2013 NBN comp for zip $0 the only player that played every game except the last which he was away at Nationals for the School Boys. The only player who was not paid while 2-3 players being paid were playing 22s the ones that were brought in from out of the area and contracted but were not up to playing first grade?? Another kick in the teeth for being local. After being selected in the Aus School Boys asked if he could go away expecting them to say no but they agreed to let him tour what a great experience. The aftermath of this was to be benched most games in the NYL before going away only to play against AIS as no overage players were allowed. When the opportunity came to extend the stay in the UK the Jets said they are going to cancel his contract. Does he come back to sit on the bench or play a couple of games that are left with the Jets in a development comp where there no finals etc or take the great opportunity to stay and trial?? I think the decision would be fairly easy. After further discussions with the Jets they apologised and supposedly after a meeting decided to honour is contract $100pw however no further payments were made. At this point he was ready to move on and with hindsight probably should have. He returned just in time for the NBN season and agreed to come back with the agreement he could have the opportunity play in the midfield instead of right back which they were making him play,everyone could see it was not the position for him except the powers to be. This was honoured for most of the season and was up there for player of the year behind Connor Evans this was announced and from that week never played there again was pushed back to CB for the rest of the reason I think they only won 1 of their remaining games. However it was a very successful year for them. When they all received their contracts for this season Reece never received 1 at this point and was told he will get his soon it is going to be different to everyone elses asking further questions he was told he is not going to be paid because he stayed in the UK. He was never paid why he was away they stopped them and never honour his contract as they agreed. After his parents got involved and asked questions they were told not to interfere as this is between the player and Club. The Club continued to argue the point but were told to check their records to show no payments were made as they continued to insist the contract was honoured as that is what they agreed to. A new contract was signed the next week no further discussions were had. The following NYL season they persisted at playing him predominantly RB and a bit of CB. 2015 NBN yet another coach not sure if he played more 2 games in a row in the one position was all over the place RB CB DM AM. Not sure how you can develop playing like this? Was told a year before from a senior coach it is great he can play several positions will really help him later on but it is hard to promote him because he does not have a specialised position. Who created that issue? Not the player but the coaches!!! As time went on more broken promises more bullshit less opportunity no communication no plan no pathway only going backwards due to bad decisions made by hierarchy. More players coming in with no more ability but getting opportunity players with lesser ability getting rewarded. Probably trained a handful of times with first team over all this time but kept being told next week. Went away with first team for preseason after impressing in the midfield at senior training then gets to play to try and impress put plays LB which he has never every played before. No communication upon return no commitments made, training now with 15 16 17 year olds not good for development or being pushed to that never level. Was told years ago by many people if you want to get anywhere with football should get out of here. Had several opportunities to leave a call from Steve Corica and his response was" thanks for asking but I would like to do the right thing by the Jets as they have put a lot of time in to me". Life lesson, loyalty gets you nowhere. After seeing no plan was bold enough to recognise it and called a staff member at the time to say he has had enough of all the bullshit and is finishing up has to start considering his future. Was offered if needed assistance to find another club, refused the offer and off his own back approached CCM to trial. After trialling for several weeks was offered a contract in the youth side for the NYL. Knowing he had to reestablish himself in a new environment was going to be challenging. So far all going well came in late so lost early opportunity to play with the first team at preseason but had the opportunity to play a preseason at Orange and has had more times training with the first team then he every had in Newcastle. Captained the youth side for NYL. Positive feedback wow what is that and appears been given a plan. A change and the challenge has been good, only issue has to now fight the battle of not being a local quite funny really being a local in Newcastle was a hindrance now not being a local works the same, such is life. Could go either way only time and hard work will tell.
Sorry about the long winded comment but just showing and trying to explain why so many get so frustrated with our so called development program.