Lady Reds vs Sydney FC

[voldemort]

Just reading the comments on the strikers, clearly there are issues as Scipio says over the whole park when conceding so many and the limited opportunities of the strikers.
I read recently about McCormick being selected for Aust School girls squad, she works so hard as a forward both offensively and attacking from what I’ve seen in Prem games surely its time to start her and give her a few games and see what she can do.
Plus from what I saw she did well in the 'trial' games.
Wouldn’t need a substantial game plan chance that the coach seems reluctant or unable to alter but give her a decent go for 60 or 70 minutes for a few games.
Good opportunity to maybe get her to combine with Macri that would provide strength, high work rate and pace up front.

[snow white]

Found it interesting that at 3 nil down, Mj was replaced with a midfielder and only at 4 nil down, with about 15 minutes to go, that some sort of tactical switch was made.

Clearly evident after 20 minutes that things went working. We were lucky to be only 2 nil down at half time, at which point changes should have been made, to give a chance to get back into the game, before score blew out.

Round 3 Canberra V Adelaide - 1-0 up until the 63 minute , 2-1 down in the 81st.minute before the first ( and only ) change...... 3-1 loss !!
Changes and adaption to the game have been non existent since day 1 .

The structure never changes whether it be 1-0 up with 30min. to go or being 3-1 down with 10 minutes to going and just hoping for a McLaughlin once a season miracle .

Who needs to change structure or have different tactics when you 'play out from the back'????

[snow white]

Just to put the Sydney game in perspective ... Last week Perth,minus de vanna, mc callum, gill and even Sam Kerr who left for Sydney, beat this same Sydney with largely a locally base squad. Football west is comparable to our own state in terms of size, player base etc, but were still able to beat Sydney 3-1 without their mathilda's who are perth born anyway.

Perth had a poor season last year, even being beaten by us, but using largely local girls are now competing with great success.

All we can do is come up with excuses that the coach has too many teams, not enough help, that we don't have enough money to buy players.

Time for real fundamental change, starting with the grassroots and bringing accountability to all.

Mediocrity should no longer be accepted and everyone, including clubs, needs to accept some of the blame.

[John Cena]

groundhog day !

[M@rvin]

FFSA Head of Women's Football and Adelaide United W-League coach - David Edmondson

What is he doing about development at grass roost level?
As head of womens football he should have a plan/vision to develop players in SA.
As AU W league coach he should do every thing possible to form a team that can compete and win.

Is he doing either??

[johnydep]

FFSA Head of Women's Football and Adelaide United W-League coach - David Edmondson

What is he doing about development at grass roost level?
As head of womens football he should have a plan/vision to develop players in SA.
As AU W league coach he should do every thing possible to form a team that can compete and win.

Is he doing either??

He is one person in the scheme of things, have a closer look at the system; who is involved in running and administering the system, who else is involved in coaching and selection of development squads? Go ask a few club delegates about thier view point on this, talk to some of the young players and their parents and find out what they know and believe is happening. Then start making educated comments about people doing their job.

[SAD GAL]

I think the posts (post game) say it all.

[southern]

You can't just slam DE for what he does (not). It's a bigger picture, with FFSA that basically don't give a toss about women's soccer provided people keep paying fees. They just run a business, their involvement with the 'real people' out there is zip. For example, no offence intended to anyone, but aren't there any coaches who would do better than the current one with the young squads (U15 state team)? Did they even offer some of the better coaches to take on that job?

Instead, they get "their" people to go and run clubs (GH may even be a good coach, but if so why doesn't he do a state team/ntc/development team?). I'm sure Fulham (again, no offence intended) would find a coach without the "help" of FFSA...I don't mean to say anything about Fulham here, but I think it's a good example of how badly FFSA manages the whole thing. Seriously, what would you think if Ritchie A. was also coaching a Super League club???

Sorry - rant over

[juniorsupporter]

BE, I agree that the issues facing women's soccer in SA are complicated and many- there is not just one thing or person to point to in trying to figure out why the sport is struggling. I would say, however, that it is not easy to find qualified, quality coaches to coach women's teams- you make it sound a good bit easier to find good coaches to work in the women's game at the club level than I think it actually is, based on the little experience I've had.

[johnydep]

Since I've been involved for the past 7 or so years, all the talk from the FFSA has been junior development. If the players and teams from the Development squads are not producing the required results after 5 years, something must be wrong.

If it's not the players or the coaches, what is it? The system, the organisation, communication?

It's time for an independent review on the FFSA's development program.

There is always change happening, take this year for an example; information sent out about forming an U14 and U15 State teams, then a last minute change to one combined U15 State team. Change like this is happening every year in the junior system; no consultation, last minute changes, no explanation.

Implement the required changes early enough so that clubs and players can adjust and compliment each other, then leave the system alone for two years.

Sadly, it looks like there has been major disruption to the junior girls system which may take many years to rectify. The damage? Many players, parents and clubs have lost confidence with the State coaches, system and the FFSA. Our club will not be implementing any further pathways for girls until we start to see changes for the better, and we start to receive fair and proper communication and information. Are we the only club to have lost faith?

An independent review of the FFSA is well overdue.

[juniorsupporter]

The unpredictability is frustrating and damaging to the long-term development of the juniors. I would say that the example you cited:

"There is always change happening, take this year for an example; information sent out about forming an U14 and U15 State teams, then a last minute change to one combined U15 State team. Change like this is happening every year in the junior system; no consultation, las minue changes, no explanation."


was a response to a change at the national level- I'm not making excuses, just adding information. The state programs have to correspond to the national one- but I agree that the junior development program has not been the same one year to the next and that this unpredictability and instability isn't a good thing for anyone, not the clubs and not the players. I'm not sure I'm all that bothered about consultation in this instance because I think the FFA and FFSA should be directing the elite development programs- they should know how to go about it properly, much more than I would given that I'm not a coach. But a bit more stability and predictability would be helpful to everyone.

[scipio africanus]

Since I've been involved for the past 7 or so years, all the talk from the FFSA has been junior development. If the players and teams from the Development squads are not producing the required results after 5 years, something must be wrong.

If it's not the players or the coaches, what is it? The system, the organisation, communication?

It's time for an independent review on the FFSA's development program.

There is always change happening, take this year for an example; information sent out about forming an U14 and U15 State teams, then a last minute change to one combined U15 State team. Change like this is happening every year in the junior system; no consultation, last minute changes, no explanation.

Implement the required changes early enough so that clubs and players can adjust and compliment each other, then leave the system alone for two years.

Sadly, it looks like there has been major disruption to the junior girls system which may take many years to rectify. The damage? Many players, parents and clubs have lost confidence with the State coaches, system and the FFSA. Our club will not be implementing any further pathways for girls until we start to see changes for the better, and we start to receive fair and proper communication and information. Are we the only club to have lost faith?

An independent review of the FFSA is well overdue.

In December last year, when a FFSA crisis meeting was held to discuss the terminal state of a number of senior clubs, the call was made by at least one club representative that nothing short of a independant inquiry into the women's game was required to discover and recommend solutions to root causes of many issues and to ensure proper accountability.

The request was noted, but nothing ever eventuated.

[John Cena]

under perform in the FFSA and you can keep your job for as long as you like. use the whole squad instead of the same players week in week out, give the other keeper a game , mix it around a bit...

[paul merson]

Since I've been involved for the past 7 or so years, all the talk from the FFSA has been junior development. If the players and teams from the Development squads are not producing the required results after 5 years, something must be wrong.

If it's not the players or the coaches, what is it? The system, the organisation, communication?

It's time for an independent review on the FFSA's development program.

There is always change happening, take this year for an example; information sent out about forming an U14 and U15 State teams, then a last minute change to one combined U15 State team. Change like this is happening every year in the junior system; no consultation, last minute changes, no explanation.

Implement the required changes early enough so that clubs and players can adjust and compliment each other, then leave the system alone for two years.

Sadly, it looks like there has been major disruption to the junior girls system which may take many years to rectify. The damage? Many players, parents and clubs have lost confidence with the State coaches, system and the FFSA. Our club will not be implementing any further pathways for girls until we start to see changes for the better, and we start to receive fair and proper communication and information. Are we the only club to have lost faith?

An independent review of the FFSA is well overdue.

Why is there so much importance put on state coaches or even state teams, I know as a child I placed very little thought on state teams, I wanted to play for my clubs seniors, I dont even know who were the state coaches when I was 15, let alone any of the players that got into it.

The emphasis needs to be improving coaching accross the board, for both the womens and mens comps, with better club coaching comes better players on mass, not just 15 kids chosen by 1 persons opinion which is a state team.

Everyone needs to stop looking to blame and start looking for answers that they can then implement, why worry about things you can not change, put your effort into what you can change.

[juniorsupporter]

"Why is there so much importance put on state coaches or even state teams, I know as a child I placed very little thought on state teams, I wanted to play for my clubs seniors, I dont even know who were the state coaches when I was 15, let alone any of the players that got into it.

The emphasis needs to be improving coaching accross the board, for both the womens and mens comps, with better club coaching comes better players on mass, not just 15 kids chosen by 1 persons opinion which is a state team."

How about both? Both important-


"Everyone needs to stop looking to blame and start looking for answers that they can then implement, why worry about things you can not change, put your effort into what you can change."

Solution orientated! I like it.

[SAD GAL]

Clubs are trying to stay afloat and in the competition. They don’t have the resources or time to keep tackling the big issues with the FFSA. It’s the FFSA that needs solutions and a F’en plan as to where it wants the comp to go and the various streams that run off the main key objective that is:

TO PROVIDE AN ENVIRONMENT FOR WOMENS SOCCER IN WHICH PLAYERS CAN ACHIEVE Prems/State/National League/National Team selection, etc

In Doing the following players will be able to achieve……

If we don’t have a plan then clubs have no idea where they fit in…their role…and importantly the players don’t have a clue at what is available to them. SELL THE DREAM FFSA.

In every organisation the Executive is responsible for setting the Agenda (Strategic Plan or whatever you call it). They may or may not consult with the staff. However, the plan needs to be relevant.

I suspect that there may be one however, in reality who checks its performance. Who are keeping the B’s honest and accountable ?

Before anyone comments…Yes I did try and get involved however, I think I was perceived as a threat (because I was excited about where the game could go) and I failed in my attempt to get onto the Board.

Clubs many years ago were involved in recommending players for SASI and State, etc. In the late 1990’s they were cut out from this process and many turned their backs on the SAWSA and kept their focus to their clubs only. Can’t say I blamed them

[johnydep]

Why is there so much importance put on state coaches or even state teams, I know as a child I placed very little thought on state teams, I wanted to play for my clubs seniors, I dont even know who were the state coaches when I was 15, let alone any of the players that got into it.

The emphasis needs to be improving coaching accross the board, for both the womens and mens comps, with better club coaching comes better players on mass, not just 15 kids chosen by 1 persons opinion which is a state team.

Everyone needs to stop looking to blame and start looking for answers that they can then implement, why worry about things you can not change, put your effort into what you can change.

Totally agree, hence my previous post. It is the governing body that puts all the importance on State teams; see Development Pathway http://www.ffsa.com.au/fileadmin/user_u ... athway.pdf

Clubs are not consulted, we're dictated to. Players aren't treated with respect and due care, they're dictated to.

It's not about blaming, it's about finding and fixing. At the moment the system is not working, across the board - juniors, seniors, women and mens' leagues.

Clubs and players need the FFSA and FFA, our governing organisations are doing their best, the people that work there are putting their heart and soul into the system, however, there is a problem. Blame is not what I'm trying to show, I'm after an independent inquiry/review into the whole of the FFSA. Not a witch hunt, just a report to help the sport move forward with all stake holders on board and the best interests of players and clubs.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Football_F ... _Australia

Haven't read this one - http://footballofaustralia.com/public-i ... e-inquiry/

[guess_who]

I think we need to look outside of New Zealand to sign internationals. No offence to any of the girls but none have impressed.

[paul merson]

Clubs are trying to stay afloat and in the competition. They don’t have the resources or time to keep tackling the big issues with the FFSA. It’s the FFSA that needs solutions and a F’en plan as to where it wants the comp to go and the various streams that run off the main key objective that is:

TO PROVIDE AN ENVIRONMENT FOR WOMENS SOCCER IN WHICH PLAYERS CAN ACHIEVE Prems/State/National League/National Team selection, etc

In Doing the following players will be able to achieve……

If we don’t have a plan then clubs have no idea where they fit in…their role…and importantly the players don’t have a clue at what is available to them. SELL THE DREAM FFSA.

In every organisation the Executive is responsible for setting the Agenda (Strategic Plan or whatever you call it). They may or may not consult with the staff. However, the plan needs to be relevant.

I suspect that there may be one however, in reality who checks its performance. Who are keeping the B’s honest and accountable ?

Before anyone comments…Yes I did try and get involved however, I think I was perceived as a threat (because I was excited about where the game could go) and I failed in my attempt to get onto the Board.

Clubs many years ago were involved in recommending players for SASI and State, etc. In the late 1990’s they were cut out from this process and many turned their backs on the SAWSA and kept their focus to their clubs only. Can’t say I blamed them

If you need the FFSA to sell you a dream then you wont succeed regardless, players that make it to elite levels are self driven and not people that let what happens with the federation get in their way.

Yes clubs have lots on their plates, but clubs still need to focus on what everyone is there for, football, yes send your chairman/pres to deal with the FFSA but as a whole why are others at the club worrying about what the FFSA are doing, again worry about what you can influence, let your pres worry about the FFSA and be the connection.

Surely her/his directive back to the club is all others at the club need to worry about.

On the mens side, not all is rosey between clubs and the FFSA but does that change Metro Stars approach to football? No.

If the state team set up is a shambles how does that change a clubs focus on development?

[johnydep]

Clubs are trying to stay afloat and in the competition. They don’t have the resources or time to keep tackling the big issues with the FFSA. It’s the FFSA that needs solutions and a F’en plan as to where it wants the comp to go and the various streams that run off the main key objective that is:

TO PROVIDE AN ENVIRONMENT FOR WOMENS SOCCER IN WHICH PLAYERS CAN ACHIEVE Prems/State/National League/National Team selection, etc

In Doing the following players will be able to achieve……

If we don’t have a plan then clubs have no idea where they fit in…their role…and importantly the players don’t have a clue at what is available to them. SELL THE DREAM FFSA.

In every organisation the Executive is responsible for setting the Agenda (Strategic Plan or whatever you call it). They may or may not consult with the staff. However, the plan needs to be relevant.

I suspect that there may be one however, in reality who checks its performance. Who are keeping the B’s honest and accountable ?

Before anyone comments…Yes I did try and get involved however, I think I was perceived as a threat (because I was excited about where the game could go) and I failed in my attempt to get onto the Board.

Clubs many years ago were involved in recommending players for SASI and State, etc. In the late 1990’s they were cut out from this process and many turned their backs on the SAWSA and kept their focus to their clubs only. Can’t say I blamed them

If you need the FFSA to sell you a dream then you wont succeed regardless, players that make it to elite levels are self driven and not people that let what happens with the federation get in their way.

Yes clubs have lots on their plates, but clubs still need to focus on what everyone is there for, football, yes send your chairman/pres to deal with the FFSA but as a whole why are others at the club worrying about what the FFSA are doing, again worry about what you can influence, let your pres worry about the FFSA and be the connection.

Surely her/his directive back to the club is all others at the club need to worry about.

On the mens side, not all is rosey between clubs and the FFSA but does that change Metro Stars approach to football? No.

If the state team set up is a shambles how does that change a clubs focus on development?

No disrespect, but it doesn't sound like you know the full workings of a club. I have been President, Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Junior Delegate, Coaching Coordinator, FFSA liaison, Coach, STIC Coach, and everything else at the club to keep it going.

The governing body should represent it's members, those members are represented by their President. At the moment the FFSA has no members, Presidents have no voting power on FFSA decisions.

State teams are being used by the FFSA to develop Australia's next Socceroos and Matildas; is this the role of the FFSA?
By constantly changing the rules, in the hope of developing Australian players, the clubs must cope with constant change. Change that they may not agree with, change that may alter a long term goals that they have implemented.

Is the FFSA the State governing body, or the State development organisation? Who does the FFSA answer to? Are clubs members of the FFSA or affiliates, or...?

What you say makes sense. But so does what many others say. How do we come to the centre ground? Have an independent inquiry!

[paul merson]

No disrespect, but it doesn't sound like you know the full workings of a club. I have been President, Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Junior Delegate, Coaching Coordinator, FFSA liaison, Coach, STIC Coach, and everything else at the club to keep it going.

The governing body should represent it's members, those members are represented by their President. At the moment the FFSA has no members, Presidents have no voting power on FFSA decisions.

State teams are being used by the FFSA to develop Australia's next Socceroos and Matildas; is this the role of the FFSA?
By constantly changing the rules, in the hope of developing Australian players, the clubs must cope with constant change. Change that they may not agree with, change that may alter a long term goals that they have implemented.

Is the FFSA the State governing body, or the State development organisation? Who does the FFSA answer to? Are clubs members of the FFSA or affiliates, or...?

What you say makes sense. But so does what many others say. How do we come to the centre ground? Have an independent inquiry!

Not looking for a hostile arguement but just cant see how the FFSA moving state teams ect effect clubs developing players, develop players for your club not for the FFSA, do Croydon Kings base their development arround FFSA state teams?

Yes I agree with what you are saying about clubs being members of the FFSA and having no say, but from a club level why worry about what you cant influence, surely there is enough to do at your club to leave dealing with the FFSA to your Pres or FFSA liason? What can a coach or junior committee member achieve with the FFSA that those people mentioned cant? So leave it to them and focus on what you can influence.

So lets just say tomorrow the FFSA do everything people on here want, is that going to help the standard of the game? Not with out the clubs focussing on their own development, that is the only thing that can help produce better women footballers, leaving it until under 15 state teams is too late, the game needs to improve (both mens and womens) at club level juniors, well before these kids should even know about state teams.

I can not influence the FFSA, I have spoken with Michael Carter and viewed my points and thoughts on the mens comp many times, the guy is very approachable, especially being my views havent always been too complimentry, but when it comes to playing I worry about what I can influence at my club, saving goals, helping junior GK's and liasing with the club/committee as a player, worrying about anything else that I cant influence is a waste of my energy, we have a club Pres to liase with FFSA on our behalf.

[johnydep]

All your questions, and mine can be answered with an independent inquiry.

• Is the FFSA governing the sport efficiently?
  Are resources used efficiently?
  Is the introduction of FFSA State and Development teams to the leagues achieving a set goal? What is the goal?
  Are Development squads in the JPL system improving the development for all players and clubs, are there any detrimental affects to clubs and players?
  Is there a conflict of interest?
  What are FFSA fees being used for, what is the percentage for each category, what is the funding for FFSA Development squads?
  Is the FFSA announcing format changes in a timely manner?
  Are State players (which were once club players) receiving training better than clubs training?
  Has the FFSA consulted with the clubs they represent; on matters such as following the FFA pathway, implementation of Development squads, scrapping of the boys U17 league? Etc.
  Are there any issues with the FFSA tribunal hearings? Does the FFSA follow their own rules all the time?
  Are clubs getting value for money?
  Is the FFSA a representative organisation; do they represent clubs or the FFA?
  ETC ETC

For clubs to develop players, the FFSA should be working with clubs and have trust and faith in each other. The FFSA should be using all their (our) resources on helping clubs improve the running of each club and the development pathway at clubs. Develop the sport.

I can't see that having an organisation trying to concentrate on two roles can be affective in both roles. There is a conflict of interest. And if you saw the daily correspondence and changes over the past 7 years, you'd understand a little more.

Unless people have something to hide, there is nothing lost and plenty to gain from an independent inquiry into the whole of the States football governing body.

[snow white]

All your questions, and mine can be answered with an independent inquiry.

• Is the FFSA governing the sport efficiently?
  Are resources used efficiently?
  Is the introduction of FFSA State and Development teams to the leagues achieving a set goal? What is the goal?
  Are Development squads in the JPL system improving the development for all players and clubs, are there any detrimental affects to clubs and players?
  Is there a conflict of interest?
  What are FFSA fees being used for, what is the percentage for each category, what is the funding for FFSA Development squads?
  Is the FFSA announcing format changes in a timely manner?
  Are State players (which were once club players) receiving training better than clubs training?
  Has the FFSA consulted with the clubs they represent; on matters such as following the FFA pathway, implementation of Development squads, scrapping of the boys U17 league? Etc.
  Are there any issues with the FFSA tribunal hearings? Does the FFSA follow their own rules all the time?
  Are clubs getting value for money?
  Is the FFSA a representative organisation; do they represent clubs or the FFA?
  ETC ETC

For clubs to develop players, the FFSA should be working with clubs and have trust and faith in each other. The FFSA should be using all their (our) resources on helping clubs improve the running of each club and the development pathway at clubs. Develop the sport.

I can't see that having an organisation trying to concentrate on two roles can be affective in both roles. There is a conflict of interest. And if you saw the daily correspondence and changes over the past 7 years, you'd understand a little more.

Unless people have something to hide, there is nothing lost and plenty to gain from an independent inquiry into the whole of the States football governing body.

I hear you JD, but FFSA would never sanction an independant inquiry.

That could make some accountable, and heaven forbid if accountability was ever introduced to our beloved game.

Valid point about the conflict of elite football and the grass roots. Not that the two cannot co-exist, if anything the two are dependant on one another, but all I see is a heavy focus on the elite pathway (which isn't producing results) and a near total neglect of the grass roots, after a token effort to engage the clubs was abandoned very early in the piece.

[grandparent]

I dont know the inside workings of the FFSA but i would have thought that their should be a closer liason with clubs seeing that almost all players came from club level. What is the role of the zone councils and advisory groups that have just been named.

[Caretaker Coach]

Interesting reading all the posts, and I sometimes wonder if we have complicated things too much, become too technical.
I believe football/soccer is a simple beautiful game, complicated by the coaches and or the players.

Here we have a guy with qualifications would get him a coaching gig overseas, has all good intentions, for a professional team.
Our team is made up of players who work study ( or both ) and struggle to get to training, probably mentally worn out by game day.
Something about a full time coach working with a part time team, that doesnt quite add up. I feel for the coach ( is he trying too hard to justify his appointment ) I feel sorry for the players, they do not look like they are playing the type of football they enjoy.
Should he let go of the reins a little and just let them play ? Can they do any worse ? K.I.S. principle.

[QuantoQuesta]

You could not be more wrong!

This type of football is exactly the style of football we players want to play! We don't want our keeper to punt the ball downfield and chase after it, we want to play football!

Please don't try to tell us what we want, you do not know!

In fact the team were asked by DE how they wanted to play and they said they wanted to play possession football, play out from the back etc. pretty forward thinking coach in my opinion, actually asking players at the star of the season how they want to be considered as a team and how they want to be seen by others et.

[The General]

Hey QQ ease up turbo - I think you may have misread what CC was trying to say, does not mention anywhere about kicking ball long anywhere - "the way the game should be played", I thought refers to passing, keeping possession, supporting the player with the ball, 2nd + 3rd efforts etc. etc all simple stuff, which we are not doing enough off.
As for asking players what style they want to play, I find that strange ? Unless he did to see if the players were on the same page as him ?

[paul merson]

All your questions, and mine can be answered with an independent inquiry.

• Is the FFSA governing the sport efficiently?
  Are resources used efficiently?
  Is the introduction of FFSA State and Development teams to the leagues achieving a set goal? What is the goal?
  Are Development squads in the JPL system improving the development for all players and clubs, are there any detrimental affects to clubs and players?
  Is there a conflict of interest?
  What are FFSA fees being used for, what is the percentage for each category, what is the funding for FFSA Development squads?
  Is the FFSA announcing format changes in a timely manner?
  Are State players (which were once club players) receiving training better than clubs training?
  Has the FFSA consulted with the clubs they represent; on matters such as following the FFA pathway, implementation of Development squads, scrapping of the boys U17 league? Etc.
  Are there any issues with the FFSA tribunal hearings? Does the FFSA follow their own rules all the time?
  Are clubs getting value for money?
  Is the FFSA a representative organisation; do they represent clubs or the FFA?
  ETC ETC

For clubs to develop players, the FFSA should be working with clubs and have trust and faith in each other. The FFSA should be using all their (our) resources on helping clubs improve the running of each club and the development pathway at clubs. Develop the sport.

I can't see that having an organisation trying to concentrate on two roles can be affective in both roles. There is a conflict of interest. And if you saw the daily correspondence and changes over the past 7 years, you'd understand a little more.

Unless people have something to hide, there is nothing lost and plenty to gain from an independent inquiry into the whole of the States football governing body.

Hey JD I agree with what you are saying, but, even if there's an enquiry into the FFSA this season and all is sorted to what has been wanted here, clubs as far as football goes are still in the same position, Im not talking about the financials side of things or the dealing with the FFSA Im talking the quality of the football going on.

Currently how ,many SA girls are in the AU squad? 15ish?

So these 15 or so are getting training everyday by a full time qualified coach, so you'd think they'd be moving forward as players, so then they drop back to a league in which (arguably) they were the better players in the first place but now have 6 months of 'elite' training so the gap grows, then there's the fact there are how many Premier League clubs? Is there enough of a competitive competetion?

So how does the FFSA fix this?

Well then you look back to the likes of the state team/development squads you brought up, thats 15 or so years of development thats been left to the club / individual to develop before the FFSA get involved with their further development and then how many players go into these squads? so again some get better and the rest get left behind.

The game needs improvement accross the board, not just for those that make development squads, my personal development came from clubs, I didnt play a state team game or get involved in state team set ups until I was 30 years old, but I had good support at club level.

This is where Im saying leave worrying to the people at your club that need too and that deal with the FFSA on your behalf, and put everything into what you can influence which is with in your own club.

Also, how much of what the FFSA implement and chop & change is coming from the FFA? I know on the mens side of things 2 of the points that have caused concern are the again change of 19's to 18's and the PPS for the seniors, which were both directives by the FFA who are about nothing other than development pathways and not about club football, one of these I personally should be worried about as it has to do with discriminating against age but will my worrying change anything? No, so why waste my energy.

[juniorsupporter]

PM, your experience as a junior male (I'm assuming) player brings up an interesting point. That is, as I've pointed out before, that girls generally come to the game later (at the club level) and get an overall inferior grade of coaching to the boys. (no disrespect to the few quality coaches in the girls' game-and with the exception of the girls who start in the boys, still in the minority) This compounds the problem that you've brought up about the state program only getting to a few and not until around 12 years old and the gap widening after that.

This is a significant way in which the girls/women's game is different to the boys here in SA (not saying that they should be playing or trained differently)

I would also argue that twice a week training isn't adequate from U13 on, even though it seems like a law set in stone.

Lastly, not all players are going to be elite players- but a rising tide lifts all boats, doesn't it?

[SAD GAL]

Good discussions.

I do have a huge problem with the coach asking the players what style they’d like to play. Then again in defence, he’s trying to do the best he can with many players from different clubs trying to cope with a game style at club level (and sometimes struggling with even that basic game plan) and then being asked to consider a new style of game.

As I’ve always said, the stock of quality mature players is diminishing and we’re now cutting into very young and inexperienced players to carry the flag.

The W LEAGUE IS NOT A DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE!!!