Quote Originally Posted by Cunning stunts View Post
Completely agree, in regards to field size, i wasn't able to give a true indication how it will impact but it is for U9 and U10s due to the opposition, they have made the field significantly smaller though.

as for grading, this has not been handled well at all by the association, clearly with the significant score lines (yes results don't matter but kids know if they are getting flogged each week and chasing shadows)

interesting to know if other clubs (that have two teams) are running with a A and B side or two even teams?
At NLFC in U10s we're quasi-A and B teams - This is to allow the better players to push each other at training; and we have regular games against the other U10 side to give them a challenge, and most are responding to it.

I think I've said it before here - the problem with the grading is the opaqueness of it. The lack of transparency into the process leaves those outside the inner circle feeling like it was a hot mess.
If the Toronto team we played on the weekend gets thumped week-in week-out we'll end up actually losing kids to football. Which I'm sure no one wants to see. And of course those families are paying relatively big-money to see their kids in tears.

However, if the grading was conducted openly (I've got thoughts about how this could have happened) I believe you'd have a lot more people on board with the decisions.

I'm not having allusions of grandeur here - our team would struggle against the best teams in U10s - but we would hold our own against most of the next tier. And in doing so would develop as players and as a team. Which surely is the point of grading.

I had a great chat with one of the new NNSWF people on Saturday which allows me to retain some confidence that this will eventually be sorted out.