There have been a few questions about the make up of the squads, no so much the issue of mis-grading, but more to do with the balance of numbers.
GRADING ETC
Firstly, the 1st Div squad is now at 18 with Ricky S joining that squad. Ricky played some games for the Maroons late last season and has been training on Wednesdays, so we welcome him.
The 2nd division squad remains at 23 with the withdrawals of a couple of players. There is a chance that others might decide to leave it.
It has been suggested that we look at a 50-50 split between the squads. The main reason we aren't doing this is because Div 2 players are allowed up to play Div 1 but not vice versa.
This season there will be much more interaction between the teams than there has been before. If the Div 1 team is short then it will be boosted by players from Div 2 and these are to be decided by myself and Paul E on a week by week basis, to cover positional areas of need.
If we look at the club now as a club of two teams rather than separate and competing teams as we have been previously, there is no sense in putting more than necessary into the 1st Div team. On the question of game time, Paul and I will work to make sure that any Div 2 overflow players each week are utilised by Div 1 if required.
I understand that even this explanation might not be enough for some players and again suggest that if this is you you need to take everything into account before you decide to register for the season.
FEES
Football South Coast has just released a new fee structure which leaves the club about $1000 worse off per season than last year, at the same rego fee. Because we have some money in the bank, and because we flagged this earlier, rego will stay at $220 but is likely to increase in 2013. I also think we might look for a third team that season if someone would like to step forward to assist with that.
SHIRTS
I have ordered new shirts so that both teams have the same coloured strip. The Div 2 strip will be numbered from 23 up to allow ease of call ups to Div 1. Unfortunately I go the order in too late and an alternative will be needed for the first few rounds, possibly the white strip from last season. regardless, please keep those shirts coming back.
TRAINING, TRIALS ETC
Training will commence on Wed Feb 1 at 6.30pm sharp. David Jirsa will be in charge of training from then.
We are hoping to organise a 5-a-side competition on Sun, Feb 19 (details to follow) and tie this in with rego + a BBQ.
We have also entered a team in the pre-season trials competition on the Saturdays of Feb 25 and March 3 - this can be a combined team. Teams play 2x40 minute matches each Saturday. An email will go out closer to the trials to see who is avilable. All players who wish to play will be able to on at least one weekend.
Other trials will be considered for each squad.
The BLOG
Finally, just another request that if you want to ask a question on here you can do so using the comments or the shoutbox. We would prefer you to use your name though.
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Hi Tony, thanks for the update..
ReplyDeleteFirst of all I would like to thank all who have put so much work into getting things sorted to start the season, much appreciated
On the question of balance of numbers between the two teams, I maintain that two sides of equal number would be the most equitable arrangement.
I wish to play this year and have no intentions of reconsidering this decision, however, it would appear that current arrangements have the 2nd Division team acting as a reservoir for the 1st Division team.
The need for Division 2 players being required to play up into Division 1 lacks probability. With around 21 players a piece it would be extremely unlikely that the Div 1 side would need to call on Div 2 players. In addition, I think we would all agree that the Division 2 side needs to be able to arrange positions, plan strategy and remain competitive. To do this we need to have players distributed equally.
This is clearly a matter of equity - same fee paid, same numbers in each side, equal opportunity to play a game we all enjoy.
Kind Regards
Glenn (former Goalie)
Hi Glenn,
ReplyDeleteI thought I'd jump in here as you've directed the message to Tony. Just wanted to remind you and others who feel this way is that it was not just Tony's decision here. It was a decision made by myself, Paul, Les, AB and Tony in what we believed was the best decision for the club, not for any one team.
I agree all are entitled to their opinion, no doubt about that, and Glenn I'm glad you put your name to it (unlike those who hide behind 'guest' when stirring the pot) but remember everyone had an opportunity to nominate themselves to be on the panel to make such decisions. If you put your hand up then you could have been part of the discussions and put your case forward then.
As such I don't believe this matter is up for debate.
Ant
All
ReplyDeleteI think it's important to acknowledge what we're trying to achieve here. Previously we've had 2 separate teams, we now want a club. In this case, the focus is to get the first team as high as possible in the league. There is no sense in having a 1st team struggling in the bottom half of the division and having a second team winning the division below (I'm not suggesting this will happen!), this is the philosophy of all amateur clubs and as such the teams below the first grade do to some degree act as a pool of players for the 1st team to use. If we don't do this then we'll struggle to attract good new players in the future. This might not bother some of us now, but in 2,3, 5 years it will as we can't all play for ever.
That might sound harsh, but it is what is.
The alternative is that we act as 2 separate teams which we all voted on and rejected last season. Running as 2 separate teams would ultimately lead to each team organising themselves, including league rego, etc . As Ant pointed out, no one (not one single person) other than those already organising the club offered to stand for the positions discussed in the meeting the other week, which shows how much appetite there is for that option.
The best way to facilitate what we’re trying to achieve and at the same time give the 2nd team access to as many of the better players as possible is to have a smaller 1st team squad. As Ant says, this approach was agreed by the selection panel, but it is also fairly standard practice in amateur clubs. It means that the 1st team take the players they need each week for the positions. There's not much point, for example, taking the 2nd teams best striker and midfielder for the whole season and then being short of defenders for several games while the 2nd team struggle to score goals because their best striker can't play for them at all.
The 1st team will need players from the 2s on a regular basis, it’s a fact. We discussed peoples availability at length when we picked the squads.
In terms of fees being paid, including pre-season we're paying less than $10 a week. Some of us play in training every week, other can't make it, some play every game, others don't because of work, family, injury, holidays, etc.
You have to take the rough with the smooth guys.
Thanks Ant, I realised that this was a decision of the panel and we all had an opportunity to participate. I also think that the panel is there to represent the interests of all the players - including the 23 in Division 2.
ReplyDeleteWe will have to agree to disagree. None of this is personal ...after all, when put in context this is weekend soccer for men old enough to know better!
Cheers
Glenn (former Goalie)
Thanks for the input Glenn and others. Views are welcome but it should be stressed that the squad numbers will stay as they are, barring withdrawals. For those who are concerned they aren't going to get the right value from their registration this season I urge you to make one of two judgments at this stage - trust us and get on with it or look for another club. There will be no hard feelings if you decide to try elsewhere but if you decide to stay then it means accepting what we are trying to do (see Les post above for an eloquent summation of this). T
ReplyDelete