Quote Originally Posted by Eastwest View Post
Does it matter? Its a choice. No problems.
It's a slippery slope. Once it's gone, it won't come back. Rather than trying to help the couple of clubs that are struggling to get third grade numbers (or allowing them to continue in ZL3), the federation should be trying to help bring people to Zone Football, not push them away.
I think you'll find with it being optional, that Olympic won't have a third grade. They are outside of the promotion conversation, so they can just sit in ZL1 and concentrate on just keeping two grades afloat.

Plenty will disagree with me and already have, but the best thing about having three grades is being able to keep players at clubs for a longer period of time. Creating and keeping that club culture. Having a diverse range of players from your younger boys coming through the ranks, even children of guys that have been or even still play and are involved in clubs, that's what's special.
If it wasn't for third grade, there would be plenty of people who are heavily involved with clubs that probably would have never been there without that avenue. Not everyone that joins Zone League jumps straight into first and reserve grade.