Quote Originally Posted by Bremsstrahlung View Post
The idea of playing JDL before NPL Youth games got me thinking.
Are there any club identities forming? Making kids feel as though they are part of a organisation?
Eg is there any cross play with NPL youth or even NPL senior setups? Or are JDL very separate to NPL until say 12s.
Maybe not the most important thing for 9 year olds, they already have their Jets or Overseas idols. But maybe somebody involved with the program could comment on their thought on if this is important and if so, are many clubs doing it?
absolutely.most clubs ive seen a lot of have a very close association with seniors.i know of a few NPL teams who have done jersey presentations to the kids by the seniors.SAP demonstrations have been played on 1st grade matchdays.even having coaches involved in SAP who are in the seniors set up come through and talk to the kids and encourage them.its really cool and definitely bonds the kids to the club from an early age.
also it should be noted that every instance ive seen of seniors getting involved in it has always been embraced by the seniors.it never looks as if they are performing some sort of chore.the kids get a real kick out of seeing how the big boys do it, and hopefully it inspires them to want to do the same.