2024 Premier Youth Leagues

[Taffy]

Anyone have an opinion of including u18s in Club Championship table?

Funny that a team might cost a club promotion for the following year, that they won't be a part of.

Looking at this years table for instance. Cooks Hill u18s are only on 1 point while all their other teams are track for semi finals. So if they get relegated for next year it will be primarily on the perfomance of a group of players that will not be affected by the relegation.

You'll find a lot of clubs have a lot of players not turning 18 this year, Magic for example have quite a few U16 players permanently in their U18s. Some clubs may have majority 18s at least for one year but the next it won't be. Most will be affected.

Furthermore U18s end of youth, the point is also about developing your players, which is why it is a club championship. Build your players up, if your 18s aren't going well because you've developed them poorly than the club needs to look at themselves and their program rather than just blaming the players.

If you took U18s out and said now it is U16s, then your argument about one team primarily made of players not involved next year would actually be a lot stronger because the vast majority would be aging out the following year.

Also would be interesting to know how clubs prioritise reserve grade vs u18s in the current format. Theres an argument that Reserve grade is the least important team in each club as it doesnt affect pro/rel at all. Does that mean clubs are more inclined to keep players in u18s and earn points instead of promoting them to ressies?

Some clubs certainly do play their weaker U18s in reserves when needed over the stronger ones. Something players should keep an eye on and decide if they want to play U18s or if they want to be challenged and go to a team that will still give them reserves time.

[Taffy]

I have no scientific data to back anything up I would just rather see 18s go back with seniors to make a shorter youth day and get 17-18 year olds in and around the seniors environment sooner.

No reason that couldn't happen and still be part of the youth club championship.

[sapdad]

No reason that couldn't happen and still be part of the youth club championship.

Sounds like a win/win doesnt it.

[scowling]

No reason that couldn't happen and still be part of the youth club championship.

I'm in favour of 18s being part of the senior game day; however I can't see how it works post-decoupling

Wouldn't there be mismatched draws? Negating the whole point of having the same club players there on game day?
And of course there's the problem where some NPL teams will no longer have representation in the pool of clubs playing Youth games (or vice versa)?

Or are we suggesting that U18s be re-coupled back into the senior setup so that they get promoted/relegated in line with their first grade team?

[Taffy]

I'm in favour of 18s being part of the senior game day; however I can't see how it works post-decoupling

Wouldn't there be mismatched draws? Negating the whole point of having the same club players there on game day?
And of course there's the problem where some NPL teams will no longer have representation in the pool of clubs playing Youth games (or vice versa)?

Or are we suggesting that U18s be re-coupled back into the senior setup so that they get promoted/relegated in line with their first grade team?

Absolutely not suggesting that, otherwise we really are in the situation where the U16s results count towards something the players have no involvement in the following year. Not to mention the U18s aren't senior players particularly when some even in Div1 sides are only turning 16.

There may be some mismatch draws but those clubs that want to do it will just have to accept it.

[Addios]

whats the latest club championship for each div?

[sapdad]

Cooks Hill only need 1 or 2 wins of their catch up games they will be back up.The 4 clubs that went to Div 2 at the halfway all go back up if thats the case.Across all age groups,only 3 or 4 teams in the bottom 4 clubs made the semis so it sounds like the gap is still there.

[Taffy]

Will take a few years for the gap to disappear, not that it is the aim. But for those that were in Div 1, these players get to experience finals football, something that for most of those teams they wouldn't have ever had the chance to under the old system

[Retired01]

Will take a few years for the gap to disappear, not that it is the aim. But for those that were in Div 1, these players get to experience finals football, something that for most of those teams they wouldn't have ever had the chance to under the old system

The disappointing thing is that some kids left clubs that were dropped and started playing with Div 1 clubs for the second half of the season. This should be stopped next season by northern

[Izzy]

The disappointing thing is that some kids left clubs that were dropped and started playing with Div 1 clubs for the second half of the season. This should be stopped next season by northern

It is ridiculous and needs to be addressed. Make the cut-off for transfers the 30th April, not the current 30th June. This exact issue was noted as an 'area of concern' by NNSW when the relegation/promotion system was introduced last year.

[sapdad]

It is ridiculous and needs to be addressed. Make the cut-off for transfers the 30th April, not the current 30th June. This exact issue was noted as an 'area of concern' by NNSW when the relegation/promotion system was introduced last year.

I agree its a bad look,but there are also kids who moved for reasons that had nothing to do with the ladder.Its hard for the federation to do anything when clubs and kids all agree to do it.For those kids that left a club and joined another it was great for the short term,but the kids who got bumped to make way for the new kids,and anyone still at that club and contemplating going there must now be wary that it can happen to them.Reputations stick so all players can do is be wary of whats out there.If they are happy to put themselves at that type of risk then so be it.For every trophy hunter that changes clubs for 'success' there is another at a club who is being frozen out,or not enjoying their football,and we need to make sure we look after them too.

[Taffy]

I agree its a bad look,but there are also kids who moved for reasons that had nothing to do with the ladder.

That's true I know of 2 kids that left their club that was in League A for a club in League B because they felt they were being unfairly treated by the club.

Its hard for the federation to do anything when clubs and kids all agree to do it.

The Federation could do something then it doesn't matter what the clubs and players agree to.

another at a club who is being frozen out,or not enjoying their football,and we need to make sure we look after them too.

Certainly need to allow them to leave, and also look to not join, amazes me to hear one club is dropping 1/3 of its team despite very good success because they want to bring in better players. You can look there if you want, but I'd be wary about signing up for a club that is happy to cast you aside because they think they can get a better player no matter how well you've done.

[Izzy]

I have no real issue with transfers per se, but take issue with the very late deadline date. Agreed there are players who move clubs for legitimate reasons and are not 'trophy hunting', but why move near 30 June? Relegation is pretty much locked in by then. Just change the deadline date NNSW.

[sapdad]

I have no real issue with transfers per se, but take issue with the very late deadline date. Agreed there are players who move clubs for legitimate reasons and are not 'trophy hunting', but why move near 30 June? Relegation is pretty much locked in by then. Just change the deadline date NNSW.

I agree this would hopefully discourage moving to get in a better team.Maybe anything after the deadline needs to be signed off by the current club coach and TD so if a kid isnt getting time or not handling it then everyone should be ok with helping them move to a better situation.

[ForeverRed]

I agree its a bad look,but there are also kids who moved for reasons that had nothing to do with the ladder.Its hard for the federation to do anything when clubs and kids all agree to do it.For those kids that left a club and joined another it was great for the short term,but the kids who got bumped to make way for the new kids,and anyone still at that club and contemplating going there must now be wary that it can happen to them.Reputations stick so all players can do is be wary of whats out there.If they are happy to put themselves at that type of risk then so be it.For every trophy hunter that changes clubs for 'success' there is another at a club who is being frozen out,or not enjoying their football,and we need to make sure we look after them too.

You could put it down to bad parenting, some decisions were probably made by trophy hunting parents, I?d be teaching my child about commitment to the team they already signed with, I?d be teaching them it?s not bad to lose.

[sapdad]

You could put it down to bad parenting, some decisions were probably made by trophy hunting parents, I?d be teaching my child about commitment to the team they already signed with, I?d be teaching them it?s not bad to lose.

100% agree.Reading some of your posts with respect it sounds like youve been around longer than me so have probably seen this all before.Every old head I speak to doesnt really worry about it as they all say these types of kids are usually done by 16s and 18s anyway because it gets even tougher and they havent built up any way to cope with it and find it easier to just give up.

[JustMe]

Not sure why all the worry.
The whole process is results based with a bit of "we'll develop your kid" thrown in. Yes some coaches do it better than others but then they leave when their kid grow up & leave. Its an ongoing turnstyle. Teams that lose will still cut kids as slightly better ones come in. Teams that win will cut kids as they try to become even stronger. Theres little loyalty in the top tier. Best kids will get looked after though. Some loyalty in the 2nd and maybe some more in the 3rd due to no one cares about the small club syndrome.

Id rather have kids play for their home suburb. They were the days when I had the most pride and busted my ass the most and got rewarded on bigger stages.

[WOW2.0]

...Reputations stick so all players can do is be wary of whats out there.If they are happy to put themselves at that type of risk then so be it.

...reputations stick to these kids, this is a silly take, because it's typically an adult making these decisions why blame the kid 🤷

They also may be leaving for any number of reasons, not getting game time, bullying, etc...it won't always be for "trophy hunting"

I don't know how many have done this. I don't know of anyone that did this in my son's club or elsewhere. Is it a prevelent problem?

[WOW2.0]

whats the latest club championship for each div?

Div 1 Results
2 games unplayed according to Squadi Jaffas Vs Olympic in 15s and 16s

Championship table:
1. Jaffas (161Pts)
2. Magic (158Pts)
3. Olympic (150Pts)
4. NCF (147Pts)
5. Valentine (142Pts)
6. Edgeworth (139Pts)
7. Lake Mac (129Pts)
8. Maitland (116Pts)

Without 18s:
Jaffas
Magic
Olympic
Valentine
Lake Mac
NCF
Edgeworth
Maitland


Semi Finals 1Vs4 and 2Vs3
U13s
Lakes Vs Maitland and Magic Vs Jaffas

U14s
Olympic Vs Jaffas and Valentine Vs Edgeworth

U15s
Jaffas Vs Valentine and Olympic Vs Magic

U16s
Maitland Vs Jaffas and NCF Vs Magic

U18s
NCF Vs Valentine and Edgeworth Vs Olympic


Max/Min GDs by age group (across 18 games for Div 1, other divs stats reduce to 7 rounds only due to their reset)
U13s +52/-39
U14s +35/-30
U15s +25/-12
U16s +31/-28
U18s +34/-23

There were teams that didn?t win a game, some also didn?t manage a draw in Phase 2 - pro/rel by team (rather than club average) likely would have seen better outcomes for those teams

(Will run through the other 2 divisions tomorrow hopefully?anything in particular you think would be useful let me know and I?ll try to include it)

[sapdad]

...reputations stick to these kids, this is a silly take, because it's typically an adult making these decisions why blame the kid 🤷

They also may be leaving for any number of reasons, not getting game time, bullying, etc...it won't always be for "trophy hunting"

I don't know how many have done this. I don't know of anyone that did this in my son's club or elsewhere. Is it a prevelent problem?

I was talking about the reputations of clubs,not kids.I spelt out that kids can leave for a variety of reasons thats why I dont support banning transfers.The main example I assume people are referring to was a Div 1 club that got relegated so a few players from one of their age groups left and joined a team that were staying up.The club they went to has had a reputation of being aggressive recruiters since year 1 of JDL.It has brought them success so good for them.