FMD this guy! :lol:

Thailand is now the benchmark.:lol:

Chips, here's a real way to reduce the costs for grassroots, you game to respond?

Chips, let me put a theory to you. Instead of pricing out kids whose parents can't stump up the thousands of dollars p.a., and instead of starting up new projects like P22, how about compelling these State League clubs to charge juniors not more than the cost of playing for a local club? (say up to $300. OK, $500 since they are reps and require more training, with perhaps $100 topup from the State and National bodies).

How to achieve this? Simple. It's a known fact that the reasons these clubs charge so much is to pay their semi-pro players and keep the senior side going. So how about this - a salary cap at State League level for Premier League and Super League? Say to the level of total expenses + 20% of current salary levels. Parallel to that, introduce a rule that says that for each player these clubs sell to a HAL club, instead of getting a measly $3K they get $15K? Suddenly there is a genuine financial incentive for these clubs to keep on producing quality young players for the highest football levels in this country.

I appreciate some players would lose a chunk of their livelihood, but instead of continuing to support average players in their late 20s-early 30s making money out of semi-pro football, or importing some average African, you would force the clubs' hand to develop and play younger players, mainly in the 17-23 bracket. And if done gradually, say over 2-3 years, the financial impact on some of these older existing players would be mitigated.

But the biggest winner would be football, as a result of being able to attract the best talent to rep football, not just those who can afford to pay for it. Screw supply and demand, let's just get more talent into the game.

FWIW I've never seen or known any immensely talented teenager who walked away from the code 'cos he couldn't afford the costs. And, any club that let him 'walk'.

The vast majority of people who are being stitched up are those who'll throw significant money in the direction of their moderately talented kid to gain some perceived advantage. Fools and their money are easily parted.

So don't want to touch my suggestion?

I had a family member playing state youth league for several years, up to about 5 years ago. He started at 16 after playing state rep since 13. The highest I paid was around $480 per annum and the highest payment for a club in the league was about $800 which also covered bus fees. This was in NSW, btw.

So, to those still involved at state youth league level, what are the actual annual average fees for youth?

And to add to that, what's a rough annual Premier League player payment budget per club?

I am just a video guy that tries not to express much of opinion, nevertheless I have some video I shot of a Skilleroos match here in Victoria a couple of weeks ago if anyone is interested.

Skilleroos. Goals & Highlights Skilleroos S Melb V BoxHill 1st Half
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0cC-peIhEo

Can't seem to find a lot of information on Skillaroos to be honest.

I have a general idea on what is it but if someone could please explain it to me it would be greatly appreciated.

Does SAP lead into skillaroos and the VTC??