Let youth sparkle rather than flawed gems

Val Migliaccio From: AdelaideNow April 12, 2011

SUPER League players' reputations have been tarnished due to some clubs continually fielding players way past their used by dates.

Most clubs are developing, nurturing and enabling many youngsters a taste of senior football.

But there are some who are trying to buy premierships with mature players who are only in it for the easy cash.

There's talk of some clubs paying players $700-plus a game.

For that kind of money you would expect to see healthy crowds, entertainment and good quality football.

But that's not the case.

Crowds are fickle, the style of football from some clubs dates back to pre-1980 ... the less said the better.

The only entertainment you get sometimes is when fans yell out disparaging remarks to the players taking the Mickey and the money out of the game.

The state's premier semi-professional competition, the Super League, a step down from the A-League, surely cannot be taken seriously when players can't be bothered getting into shape for one reason or another.

Yet they're playing and they're happy to secure a wage which is probably taken from clubs' junior fees. Some players are stepping out onto the park barely able to raise a gallop or touch a ball unless it's delivered right to their feet.

It's a joke especially when hard working adults are charged $9 to watch a Super League clash.

Is the game at that level all about winning without respecting the game itself?

Why do club chiefs allow a player to wear a shirt if they're not putting in the hard yards to at least resemble a semi-professional soccer player?

Given some of these players were once gems it still doesn't make any sense.

The Football Federation SA can help the cause by introducing schemes where clubs are able to field youngsters and reap nice rewards for doing so.

Perhaps all Super League clubs should have a mandatory minimum number of players included in their squads who are under the age of 21 on their senior match sheet.

Make it five players per squad of 18 - increase the bench to seven so a coach can make a healthy choice of three subs - and then these young guns might be fast tracked into senior football.

If a club complies with the development scheme, award them a bonus point.

But there is room for these social soccer players but surely not in SA's Super League, the A-League's second tier showroom.

Clubs must see the light because it's not a good look, not for budding kids, not for potential sponsors and paying fans.

And closing doors on youngsters who are desperately trying to break into first team football to make way for a mature talent is that developing the sport?

We're seemingly losing these kids from the game, they're walking away disheartened because of this mockery.

Playing socially is great but we're told our Super League is a pathway towards the A-League given all the government grants being spent on youth development.

It's not all bad, there's just a few of these sprinkled "gems" floating around in the top tier.

But one too many is enough to sink the morale of hardworking young players.

Enough is enough.

To those clubs, stop trying to buy success, develop it!

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/soccer/let-youth-sparkle-rather-than-flawed-gems/story-e6frectc-1226037924730