Quote Originally Posted by sammydog View Post
Do you think the current SAP system has the best of the best players?

So many of the kids in the SAP programs are there to make up the numbers I question the value to the truely elite kids. Are we actually holding back the good kids by having an "everyone gets a prize" (as long as you can afford the entry) system of elite development. For my mind its watered down the talent pool for the sake of numbers.

The killer for me is I have seen community club teams (across many clubs) gutted when players run off to SAP. The result is kids left behind leaving the sport because their team folds. I think we would be better to scale back the size of the elite programs, encourage community clubs to improve coaching/development and increase playing season by another 1-2 months (it can be fit in, particularly for mini-roos ages).

Community clubs could then better underpin the elite programs by feeding better players, rather than being seen as places by the SAP clubs to pillage players to get numbers.
nah, im getting the feeling some of you blokes are confusing this SAP program with "things that were done in the beforetime".

SAP program put out calls for trials, the mini roos coaches actively encouraged their 'better' kids to attend.
The 'best' kids from the trials were selected. we certainly didnt have to present a P&L to the committee in order to get Plague Jnr in. He was picked (as one of the 2nd tier players) but he showed some talent and willingness to learn. This year about 10/18 kids lost their spots to new trialists. again, the kids who were there werent guaranteed anything and theres certainly no one in his squad who is there because of money.
I know our club has payment plan options and stuff for parents if the money is an issue. last year it was about double the cost of Mini Roos, but they got twice the football so it was justified.

The SAP program was introduced to combat the "elite development squads" that were around (and still are) that had that reputation for favouring certain kids and letting parents buy their way in.
Our club made a point of telling us this pre-season and i believe them.
SAP teams are a requirement for any club aspiring to get into NPL. im bummed out Cooks Hill didnt get involved, would love to know why they didnt, as they certainly had the juniors to fill squads. Yet it seems their best kids left in order to get a spot. So whos fault is that, the kid for wanting more, or the club for not getting involved?

again, no one has explained to me how the mini roos program is going to expand to make the 'rest' of these kids better. more training, more use of grounds. it all costs money, so who foots the bill?
parents again? ok, so now are we getting back to money being the factor.

thats the question im asking.