I have seen a lot of club websites and notices announcing junior club trials for 2015.

Many Clubs are announcing trials for teams as young as U8 to U11.

I don't beleive this is a correct policy that clubs are advancing, I do understand the need for grading but that should be as far as it goes.

And if the need to improve a team as young as the U8-U11 is based on acquiring better players from other clubs what does that say about the Club's player development policies and programs?

What are others thoughts on this?

I take it these are just association clubs and not reps Arthur. Why would anyone trial at an association club at any age group. There are two criteria for most parents - either the club closest to home or the one where all his/her mates play at.

Pretty much all Clubs in Victoria
http://www.footballfedvic.com.au/index.php?id=17&tx_ttnews%5Byear%5D=2014&tx_ttnews%5Bmonth%5D=09&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=2106&cHash=df969ca9d66f88f003731571447a28cb

Even at Rep or NPL level why would you have trials at U8-11 ages?
Why would you even have Rep teams at these ages?

How can you tell that the worst U9 player won't become the best Socceroo?

How can anyone identify the next Harry Kewell at 9, 10 or 11?



Edited by Arthur: 3/11/2014 11:34:58 AM

I hate trials too.

Agree on grading for player leagues.

Too many clubs think of themselves as elite.

Players with a modicum of talent, can actually enjoy the game and have a long career.

Surely this is a sympton of the 34 NPL clubs for elite juniors .
Is SAP at all NPL junior clubs ?

I beleive it has been happening for a long time, well before NPL.

Is happening here in SA more and more. Generally due to there being more players wanting to play at the NPL clubs then there are positions. I do not agree with it either but how else do you give other players who may start a year or 2 later to join a club? First come first in? Not sure how else you do it.

We do it first come first in. Existing players given and opportunity to continue first.

Even at older levels trials should only be for vacancies, how else can you demand loyalty from a player but by showing loyalty.

I like these photos because who would have thought this kid would be a champion Tennis player based on early body shape?

I tell we've got an 11yo who is short for his age and round in body shape but shit this kids foot skills are above average.

Do we give up on him for a more athletic boy?





Edited by Arthur: 3/11/2014 04:18:58 PM

Edited by Arthur: 3/11/2014 04:22:20 PM

Well as for body shape or athleticism, no, they still have a lot of developing to do.
Though there are naturaly sporty people mentaly and I am not suggesting determination or the will to win (though could be a factor in choosing potential). If there was a way you thought could identify these qualities why not? I guess as someone pointed out, if supply is more than demand, you can have the luxury of being choosy, or you have to expand and create more demand.
The centre in Knox City with the small fields is a great idea, it's similar to the baseball park in Ferntreegully, that has about 10 fields. I did play there with a mate a couple of seasons, it makes the whole thing much easier, you pretty much just play all the different teams from the park.

Yes I think its OTT having trials from U8 - U11's.
Let them have fun and enjoy their game at that age with their mates, obviously if at a strong well structured club they benefit from good coaching whereas at a smaller clubs maybe not, come U12's thats when those parents discussing with their boy/girl decide attending trails for U12 up and have a go.

Are we sure they mean trials and not grading?