Quote Originally Posted by Alton View Post
Absolutely, there is only enough quality in the area for 8 x NPL teams, let them play each other 3 times. Promotion from League 1 is too risky, before everyone bangs on about Cooks Hill have a look where Lakes are ATM, the same will happen to Cookers.
We just don't have the numbers or the facilities in NNSW for 22 or so premier clubs

2 divisions of 8 teams playing each other 3 times with promotion and relegation to follow in a few years (after evaluation of playing standards) but only for the 3 senior grades.
Youth all in one pot split into 2 groups with no promotion and relegation but the pots being mixed each season. Play each other 3 times.
SAP or approved equivalent compulsory for all clubs in both divisions.

In the youth, there will be some very lopsided results until the SAP kids come through. Say 4 years, with the competitions tightening up from under 13 upward each year as the SAP training takes hold.

Why no promotion for youth?

Until u16, whilst competitive, it is still about development. Additionally, imagine a situation where a club comes last in NPL1 and gets relegated but all their youth teams are near or at the top of the the table. If those youth teams were relegated, those kids would walk. Keeping the kids in the clubs also allows clubs to plan for the future, eg our 14s and 15s are really strong and MAY take us back up in 5 or 6 years so lets plan. It also allows for clubs to develop some club spirit or loyalty. I know that my son's NPL club pay very little attention to their youth teams and the same can be said of several others.