Last week saw the AFL North Coast Board put forward their proposals for next year and beyond. With the development of the Gold Coast AFL franchise there are opportunities, as outlined below. Hence, there are recommendations which require some form of change for the code to thrive.
Any feedback should be forwarded to your club committee by the end of the month.
Some of the Issues raised in the review
- Physical player welfare with some players (especially of junior ages) having to play more than 2 games each weekend
- Low levels of connection between Junior and Senior clubs affecting retention.
- Low number of teams
- Need more of a stepping stone for young talent
- Lack of a clear differentiation between Auskick and Club Football
Summary of Recommendations
- Provide clubs with the opportunity for AFL NSW/ACT staff and Level 1 coaches to conduct Community Auskick (proposal being mid-week) in place of Club Auskick; allowing clubs to focus resources towards juniors
- Introduction of Under 10s into junior competition to provide great differentiation and offer choice for young players
- Juniors on Sunday to now comprise Under 10s, Under 12s and Under 14.5s
- Expanded Junior competition with Mid North Coast, Grafton and Lower Clarence invited to join an 11 team competition with North/South Pools
- Change from Under 18s to Under 17s (to be played on Saturday along with Reserves and Seniors) is a by-product of the Junior age group changes. Some Reserves players helping out can instead focus on becoming Committee members/volunteers for their clubs. All in aide of recruitment and ease of player strain.
The aim is to have Northern Beaches in all grades by 2011, with a Camden Haven/Taree side joining the Under 17 competition by that time as well, in conjunction with the expansion noted above in the Juniors.
Last Modified on 03/08/2009 18:45