Quote Originally Posted by Bremsstrahlung View Post
100%. There’s a lot to be said for work ethic and motivation as you progress. You can make up for lack of technical skills, with awareness, communication and working hard during a game.
Maybe not so important early on in SAP but into older NPL Youth and seniors, technical ability only counts for so much.

Works the other way too imo.
I entered State league/NPL from inter district comps at 15, and I hope kids from inter district competitions that maybe aren’t so familiar with the SAP and NPL youth set ups can find their way if they want to/are good enough.

Edit: sorry BS, I just realised I repeated what you said haha.
Having watched some community games recently (including 12A's), I think one of the side effects of SAP is that community teams have been gutted of not just high performers but nearly all the half decent kids as well.
Taking the 12's for example:
300ish kids in SAP are in this age group now.
Community has 8 grades of 8 teams, so maybe 800+ kids?
So over 1 in every 4 boys are now playing SAP, receiving training 2-3 times per week from 8-9 years of age from in most cases a higher standard of coach with TD support.

There aren't as many motivated coaches that stick with community teams anymore nor kids that stand out from the rest.

I think the late bloomers are going to be much fewer and far between. More likely they'll be kids that have swapped from other sports and have stand out physical abilities.