It?s a wonder what these lower NL1 clubs will do in a couple years as they get relegated and clubs like Croatia, Suns and Kotara inevitably get promoted. Will the committees at the likes of Thornton and Southy be happy to play 3rd division with all those reliant juniors.
It’s a self perpetuating cycle. But usually I’d say 80% of the best players will play NPL every year, just a matter of what club. Those that aren’t loyal to new lambton, will find a new NPL club more than likely. Toronto will be on the lookout for some NPL experienced players - we have seen in the past the big jump up to NPL.
In my opinion, any NPL club that gets relegated to NL1, their best chance at promotion is the year after.
Like Azzurri all those years ago when them and Lakes were cut. You basically have to take a punt and try and keep that team together/strengthen it.
In most cases, let’s say Southy, the better players will want to keep playing NPL. So when they were relegated, a lot of their players just went to other NPL clubs. That makes it tricky for the club to fight for promotion because you’re basically starting again. I think youth is something Southy have always done well. Back in the day their Youth/19/23s whatever it was were always very competitive. Now some of their youth are mixing it with clubs that should be miles better.
But at the end of the day it all comes down to first grade.
When New Lambton get relegated this season, they will likely lose a few players. Same with Lakes last year.
Then you put them against clubs like Toronto and Kahibah that have been building and improving a competitive first grade team for a few years. Look how long it has taken Toronto to get to the point of promotion back into NPL? It’s not easy.
It’s a tough gig to be relegated.
You’ve got clubs who are on the rise and have momentum like Croatia, Dudley (worked their way back), Suns etc against clubs that are losing momentum like Southy, Wallsend, Thornton.
This is a really good question and one that will definitely play out over the next few years.Senior clubs dropping down and clubs without youth ranks will rise and it will result in some medium term issues that NNSW better be prepared for.Regardless,these outcomes are a good thing because it shows the promotion/relegation system works and rewards teams that deserve to be there rather than legacy programs getting a free ride.It also shows the strength of the ZPL level and hopefully raises every level as they push up.I dont think Lakes dropping down last year had a massive impact on their youth and I dont think New Lambton doing the same this year will either.Whoever is the first to drop into ZPL will may be a bigger test case but lets see how it goes.
If it?s Wallsend it won?t affect the juniors that will just fold. Be interesting the teams coming up if they look to add youth. Dudley as first up have looked to add youth with the junior and senior clubs coming together and from I?ve heard have applied for PYL. They are probably in a lucky position to have a junior base. How do a Croatia or Suns do it. Do they just create a junior program from scratch. Then that changes the whole club. Will be interesting times
Relegation will kill Wallsend and Thornton completely in my opinion.
Wallsend, Thornton, Southy and Cessnock wouldn?t win ZL1 and gain auto promotion back up to NL1 and quite frankly the way Kotara and Croatia are going neither would Lakes or Westy.
Kotara recruited strong from New Lambton, so they would be highly competitive if they gain promotion into this comp this season.
Will be interesting to see how New Lambton go back in this grade next season, have a couple of good players but too many rejects from other clubs. Will their youth take a massive hit with it? Only the future will see. How many Toronto players stick around if they get promoted? A lot of them dropping back to play locally and at this level. Will they want to jump back up to it? Rumours of more juniors coming back from Olympic and Magic if they do get promoted.
One thing is for certain, promotion and relegation has made things a lot more exciting and interesting. One of the very few things Northern have got correct
Will southy be happy when they are relegated to zpl?
Ah yes, the Broadmeadow Community Club with their excess of teams - 12/B, 14/A, 14/C, 16/D. It's a start I guess, but that is still money out of Magic's account, which I don't believe any club will want to do willingly.
I think you would find most Clubs with Interdistrict teams in Miniroos and the older kids from U/12 and up, already have teams in Zone League or they are Community affiliate of their NPL/NewFM namesake.
Unless Croatia wants to team up with a Tilligerry or Gresford Vacy etc, there just are not many community clubs left without a Senior Club to align with.
Best bet to build their Youth squads would be to pick the bones of whoever gets relegated to ZL1. Although, quick glance at the bottom 3 teams in NewFM, their Youth teams are also generally near the bottom too.
It's almost like there is not enough talent to go around! Anyway, just stick with Seniors in NewFM & Zone League - 1st, Ressies, Conference and the younger ages play in Interdistrict comps.