State School Girls Trials

[adelaidepie]

I was trying to attach a flyer about state school girls trial information for my daughter's friend but it won't work so I have typed the information below.



Girls football (Soccer) state team 19 & under information 2013
3rd-9th August 2013, Canberra ACT
Nominations due 1st March 2013

Students must be 19 & under as at December 31st 2013

To nominate for the SSSSA Girls Football (Soccer) Team, the online form must be filled in by 1st March 2013. This form can be found on the SSSSA website - http://www.decd.sa.gov.au/sport/pages/s ... oolsportsa. Click on interstate on the left hand column and then click on football (soccer). An email address is required to be able to nominate for this team.

Team officials:

Tour manager:
Team manager: Alice Gorman - 0410 819 687
Coach: Sharon Black - 0433 443 096

Trial Information:
The teams trials will be:

First Trial: At - SAWSA home ground, opposite Annesley College
Date - Saturday 16th March 2013
Time - 9:00am - 11:00am

Second Trial: At - SAWSA home ground, opposite Annesley College
Date - Saturday 23rd March 2013
Time - 9:00am - 11:00am

Third Trial: At - SAWSA home ground, opposite Annesley College
Date - Saturday 6th April 2013
Time - 9:00am - 11:00am

Trial Conditions:
- The online form must be filled in prior to the student trialling
- A trial cost of $5 per student to be paid at the first trial to the manager upon registration. At registration a caregiver/parent MUST sign in to allow the student to participate in the trial. NO SIGNATURE - NO TRIAL
- All students who trial must bring shin pads.

Championship Cost:
An individual itemised account will be provided for every player selected in an interstate team. Uniforms, levies, food, travel and accommodation will be included on the invoice. These items are estimated to be approximately $1800 for this championship.

A deposit of $500 is required by 19th April 2013 and full payment is required by 19th July 2013.

Championship Expectations:
The student agrees to attend the competition for the full duration including the opening and closing ceremonies and the education excursion.

[adelaidepie]

My daughter just informed me that Lisa McCormick is no longer tour manager.

[mccormickbl]

I would Highly encourage girls to attend trials. The opportunity to represent SA is wonderful and of course representing your country is a bonus! Go for it girls!

[smiley6]

my daughter would love to be part of that team but there is no way we can afford $1800 for a few days in canberra..

thats the sad part with these trials... only the ones that can afford such trips can go on trials..otherwise its a waste of

time for the player as well as the coaches.... we'll have to give it a miss, unfortunately..

[mccormickbl]

Yes people's finances are an individual concern and unfortunately this does preclude some athletes and it happens across many sports, but many levels of govt and private enterprise realise this. So there is support if you are prepared to do some groundwork.
Grants from local councils, school, your sporting club, country athlete awards (if country!), fundraising.... Just to name a few. Takes a bit of time and work, but worth it.

[Danny Way]

No kid should be excluded from state representation in any sport if they are good enough, just because of lack of personal finance. For gods sake we live in Australia ! My personal belief is that regardless of whether you play football or tiddly winks, if you represent your state, the state governing body should be funding the representitive. Surely one of their prime directives is to be providing an equal playing field for all kids seeking state representation in the nominated sport.
With the existing structure, these representative teams are not necessarily made up of the best players in the state, but the best players that can afford to represent their state. There is a difference.

[smiley6]

that was excactly my point, my daughter is in yr 12 this year, which would be her last year and chance to represent the state.. why do they have to have new uniforms each year...they could be just handed out for the week...big costcutting!!

as mentioned by Danny Way...its the ones that can afford such luxury ( which it really is at the moment the way things are going ), they get to represent the state, not the ones that would be good enough to go!! and that to me seems wrong...
what if the girl does have the talent, but the parents just can't afford to send her....yes, fundraising would be an option..
if you find the time to do that..especially with yr 12 ,all the extra studying, soccer commitments for the club and maybe a few
hours work at the weekend...its just not possible...!! the people organising these events really should consider these facts
and maybe in cutting those costs would get a bigger turnout for those trials..my daughter is old enough to understand that we simply can't afford it, still she would have loved to give it a crack!

[Blacky11]

Smiley 6 i would like to respond to your comments in relation to this post.

Firstly i may say that i am Sharon Black and was last years and will be this years schoolgirls coach.

I am a little disappointed in your comment the ones that can afford such luxury, they get to represent the state, not the ones that would be good enough to go.

Last year SA came second to NSW and had 3 Australian representatives and 3 shadow squad players selected from the girls team. (personally i would have liked to have seen 5 and 3 but some other states had some say in selection).

Im fairly certain that MONEY or AFFORDABILITY had nothing to do with their selection but hard work, determination, passion and obviously their talent contributed to their selection.....

I understand that times are tough and no i dont understand the domestic dynamics of your family but you have been given some options here in relation to grants etc and your response is that you dont have time to sit down and search for them.....

you can lead a horse to water.......

[SAD GAL]

Things never change. $1800 will and I stress WILL mean that only those who can afford (or see the effort worthwhile) will go. As in years past, many players opt out. That’s a shame. From what I hear most representative sports have similar (if not higher) costs associated with national participation.

Councils…lucky if you can wrangle $100.

Local MP (if you’re nice) A $100-200

Sponsors: A basket or voucher to raffle off.

Otherwise the usual source: Mum and Dad.

Federtaion (in between its lunches and great ideas sessions) should engage a sponsor for the team. And not just in cheap and nasty kits....$$$$$$

As I say...disgraceful taht this is the cost to represent your state....However, this is the case for most sports.

[SAD GAL]

Sharon fair call however, I too have been involved AND as it gets closer to paying the $$$$ players pull out. And others in the fringes whose parents are willing to sacrifice will go. Question is....How many players elect not to go to trial because of cost???

I agree about representing your state but $1800 is not good.

IIn recent times the cost of living has gone through the roof. Much higher than when I was involved. If I was now faced with a $1800 bill, when having to pay power bill $980, gas $250, Council rate (1/4 payment) $300, private school fee (where the cost is justifiable coz it may give them a better start to life in a chosen career vs Womens soccer - enough said) I will need to sit down with my daughter and say “sorry but we just can’t do it. Selling candy bars and to quote one of SAWSA’s great ideas…go out and ask local businesses for sponsorship will amount to $0.

The people that run these events obviously haven’t paid for anything in a long time. Otherwise, in these tough times, a better arrangement will be explored.

Smiley 6 i would like to respond to your comments in relation to this post.

Firstly i may say that i am Sharon Black and was last years and will be this years schoolgirls coach.

I am a little disappointed in your comment the ones that can afford such luxury, they get to represent the state, not the ones that would be good enough to go.

Last year SA came second to NSW and had 3 Australian representatives and 3 shadow squad players selected from the girls team. (personally i would have liked to have seen 5 and 3 but some other states had some say in selection).

Im fairly certain that MONEY or AFFORDABILITY had nothing to do with their selection but hard work, determination, passion and obviously their talent contributed to their selection.....

I understand that times are tough and no i dont understand the domestic dynamics of your family but you have been given some options here in relation to grants etc and your response is that you dont have time to sit down and search for them.....

you can lead a horse to water.......

[Blacky11]

Mate I understand about today's costof living and I won't bore you with the details of how tough financially tough it was being a state and national representative 20 odd years ago and the sacrifices my mum made back then (absolutely no chance of grants etc) so I could participate, but that was a choice we made as a family and other things got sacrificed.....

I also think last years schoolgirls team was made up of exceptionally good players....

[SAD GAL]

I also saw it first hand (the sacrifices parents made) how some players were not able to go.

We are in tough financial and job security times. I mean tough. $1800 hit to anyone's budget (most of us) is not able to be sustained or absorbed.

When you were playing the cost of living was no where as bad as it has been over the last 2 years. I earn much more than I did a decade ago however I'm worse off.

Since you played for State, businesses are doing bad. Therefore the sponsorship $ is dried up.

There are far more aggressive forms of fundraising udnertaken by the plethora of institutions. Lotteries, etc. clambouring for our money and support.

Far different times. I would hesitate to say that if my girl came home and said the trip cost $500-700, I would have to do some serious budgeting. On top of trying to pay school fees, power and water bills, food, etc.

Again $1800 is ludicrous. And for what? No disrespect however, what is the return on investment? A gig on the Matildas?

[Blacky11]

Not sure how many games you have played for The Matilda's but I will say I have never regretted one single cent I have spent on representing my state and country.....and the life changing experiences I have had through experiencing other cultures (money certainly can't buy a trip to North Korea but a " gig" with the Matilda's could)....
Save the private school dollars - plenty of money for worthwhile life experiences then....

[M@rvin]

Sorry Blacky I'm with sad girl, there will be girls that will not attend due to the cost.
Given that this team is representing the SA Education Dept and the state why could the state government not kick in some $$ to reduce the cost?

I also know that you will select the best team from those that attend trials.
Will be interesting to see how many turn up.

[Blacky11]

Lol mate that is fine....if the team is anything like last year then I will be well pleased, they were super

[Blacky11]

Oh and whom am I speaking with sad gal and m@rvin? I've not long been on the forum and don't know the names "behind the names"....

[Danny Way]

Lol mate that is fine....if the team is anything like last year then I will be well pleased, they were super

Congratulations, I am so pleased for you. What a very poor, unprofessional, self indulgent statement to make from some one in your position. I was looking at the bigger picture of some how making it an equal playing field financially for all the girls that want to try and represent their state, regardless of their parents financial state, not about how you went or how many games you won when you got there.

[juniorsupporter]

Hang on, Blacky was defending the quality of the girls on the side last year. The implication of the initial posts was that the team wasn't as good as it could have been because girls were put off by the cost involved.

"With the existing structure, these representative teams are not necessarily made up of the best players in the state, but the best players that can afford to represent their state. There is a difference."

While I understand your point, Sharon has the right to defend the quality of the side that went. She wasn't being self indulgent, she was sticking up for her girls.

[Unretired]

Oh and whom am I speaking with sad gal and m@rvin? I've not long been on the forum and don't know the names "behind the names"....

LOL good luck with that Blacky....Been trying to work out who SAD GAL is for years.....

[abbie's keeper]

Hang on, Blacky was defending the quality of the girls on the side last year. The implication of the initial posts was that the team wasn't as good as it could have been because girls were put off by the cost involved.

"With the existing structure, these representative teams are not necessarily made up of the best players in the state, but the best players that can afford to represent their state. There is a difference."

While I understand your point, Sharon has the right to defend the quality of the side that went. She wasn't being self indulgent, she was sticking up for her girls.

+1

[mccormickbl]

Keep working towards support from our state and national bodies!
In the meantime if anyone would like assistance or suggestions about ideas for accessing funds for a chance to represent your state or country please don't hesitate to ask.
You should also check out the high calibre of players who payed school girls over the years ...incl Sharon! Many went on to represent the Matilda's, w-league, coach etc. sacrifices in all sports at all levels are always made as I am sure you have all done in some way shape or form.
On a footnote, schoolgirls is run by the Education Department and endorsed by FFA.

[SAD GAL]

Fair points all round however, it won’t be long before the cost nudges $2k. Doesn’t mean the best won’t get a gig. Of course they will. Parents will foot the bill. They always do because they see that its something their child is good at. Enjoys and in the scheme of things its Stater representation.

Man wish I could say that. However, when I look around this state and I see the costs associated with playing soccer vs the cost of playing aussies rules at club level and the disparity is ridiculous. CRAZY. The cost is far too high. The sport cannot sustain or justify the cost.

How many excellent players are denied the chance of playing? Plenty I suspect.

On a side note, I am happy to give my pearls of wisdom on this forum and anonymity keeps personal criticism being directed towards me and I can remain neutral.

I know from being within the sport and caught up in its politics and seeing it through rose coloured glasses, etc, we (yes me too in the past) fail to see the road crash that’s about to occur. In SA the crash has occurred,. The game nationwide is suffering too. And I think from a state/national perspective the future is dire.

I’ve never slammed a specific person on a personal basis

Happy to engage the sport as an external “forum consultant” and hopefully ignite the passion on to someone to take up the fight.

[southern]

I agree with SG, the forum is for anonymous posts. That's why ppl feel free to express their opinion without fear of retaliation.

Maybe Sharon Black could have kept her anonymity too and her post would just be "an opinion". Instead now we are here reading her immature interpretations of the cost of living, the fact that ppl should give up private education to play women's football and the fact that her family could afford (making sacrifices) to have her play in the Matildas (thereby implying that with no money behind her even Sharon Black would not have made it to that level...Guess what? Not everybody can afford the luxury of making sacrifices or fund raise...).

1800 dollars are A LOT for many families, no doubts there. Saying that simply ppl have to "fund raise" it's a joke, she obviously has enough time on her hands and income to go with it (and in fact she has time to coach - clearly not working two jobs as a single parent and providing for two or more children). I think it's offensive for parents who struggle to put meat on the table once a week to read this nonsense. It's true, everybody knows it. You play if you have money, full stop.

These comments don't help anyone and don't make the coach look any intelligent.

[paul merson]

the forum is for anonymous posts

Anonymity is the unfortunate part of these forums, it means people dont have to be held accountable for what they post, refer back to the Geoff Hargreaves topic to find 'anonymous' formites posting about him the things they'd never confront him with, so sorry Bad Egg I have to disagree with you on that one.

Secondly, everyone needs to remember this is just the school state team not the actual state team, the Aus School boys team isnt ranked the same as the Joeys, I agree the cost is pretty hefty but thtas what it is unfortunately and yes some may miss out due to this, I just hope those that do get even more hunger to prove their value for their club.

Bit disappointing for someone of your stature posting on here Sharon in this way, critisisms should be water off a ducks back in your position

[SAD GAL]

Both schools of thought are good however the Egg gets me over the line (no surprises).

$1800 is a lot and if my girl came home with that bill I would have to say no and that would be devastating for us parents. At the moment I am trying to negotiate instalments to pay my council rates of $1200. A debt I have accrued over a couple of years. Things are hard and I’ve never been in this position before. Its been hot and I have an air cond but my mind is always thinking how much will my next bill be? Its just come in at $900.

Digressing slightly I think someone made a valid point about those pin heads in the AIS swimming Olympic team who embarrassed themselves and offended us tax payers. These pin heads get everything laid out for them (as with other sports) and some land lucrative million dollar sponsorship deals. And guess what? NO HECS DEBT. LLeyton Hewitt and co also have had the benefit of taxpayer funded world class sports training. Makes millions but no Sports HECS debt.

Maybe we could start to get these pin heads to pay something back into the sports pot for the benefit of up and coming sports people so that they are not faced with $1800 bill to play school kids sport or state, etc.

Why should a kid coming out of Uni have to pay a HECS debt once they hit a certain level of income? Hawke brought in HECS as a way of putting back in for your education (highly subsidised of course).

Reality is, back when Blacky was playing, the parents didn’t have to contend with:

!) mobile phones for kids;
2) only a few of the privileged went to private schools;
3) utilities bills were much lower;
4) cost of technology that kids must have to do school work. ie laptops, internet etc.

Don’t embarrass us by trotting out the same rubbish about Councils sponsorship, selling lamingtons, Chockies etc. Doesn’t even cover the pocket money the kids need to take. Yep. That’s an additional $200. Maybe in your day you were happy to wing it. Gen Y will not move out of the house unless they have the latest footwear, soccer boots, and a pocket full of spending money.

That then brings the cost to way over $2k.

Happy to hear an alternate viewpoint.

[Unretired]

I know its hard for some parents and also single mothers or fathers especially for that much.

As a parent tho I did sacrafice for my daughter to go on state trips...and in one year that meant 2 state trips which ended up costing us $3500. I was willing to do this and I would again just to give my daughter that experience of getting excellent training and pursuing her dream.

There are ways around getting the money together.. When we had this big amount, to raise money I sent over 200 letters out to various businesses around South Australia and that almost got me halve of the payment...its a bit of hard work but well worth it if it gets your daughter to these state trips. Through ffsa (not sure of the school girls) you can also work out a payment plan to pay for the trip.

And school girls trips are just as important as the state nationals as they are looked at for W-League and Matildas teams as well. I remember one year some of the current Matildas went to the school girls trip instead of the nationals.

But yes it is up to the individuals and what they can afford.
Just my experience.

[Bagman]

These $$ issues are bigger problems than football admin staff and coaches understand.

What about the parents with 2 or 3 sport talented kids...

I was involved with a club and had some dealings with the FFSA for a number of reasons ,
one year our club had 3 players going interstate ( with SB ) the club helped with a bit of fundraising ,they all got grants and they still had $1500 plus to pay.

In 2011 , I wrote a personally addressed letter to FFSA's Mr Carter suggesting that in the FFSA juniors there should be an accross the board $ 10.00 per registered player charged to help cover costs for representitive teams . Not Staff , not hangers on , not for the FFSA coffer's but for the assistance to parents of selected travelling players.

I did not get a responce........nothing... P*ss Poor IMO.

I understand some poeple would say fee's are high enough already but most of the fee component is club based ( ours were 80% club - 20% moneys going to FFSA ).

If they want the best to play state , help them with the cost..

[smiley6]

sorry, Blacky11.. i never meant to say anything negative about the players that were chosen last year!! i am sure you
had very good, experienced and highly qualified players represent the state..what i meant, with costs lower, you would
have many more girls come for trials and therefore many more to choose from....

what i meant about the money as an example: our son 12, had to go to canberra with his school for 1 week... included wa
flights , with qantas, accomodation, all meals, zoo, war memorial, museums etc....total cost was $965

the week was packed with activities for them and was below $1000..... i know refs etc all want their share, fair enough...
still, can't justify $1800!!

again, nothing against the team chosen, great bunch of girls... my girls came out 2 years ago for trials and were chosen as
reserves..i know they both have the ability but we just can't afford it.... by the way we have 4 kids..if we only had the 1 child... maybe it would look different...but there are more important things for us on the list at the moment, eg schoolfees
for a private college....

[SAD GAL]

Great grass roots comments. Its straight to the point and from the perspective of a parent. In the real world. With real pressures and real issues.

Under a separate posting the FFSA is requesting feedback.

Is this a feel good “tell us how great we are” exercise or what?

The feedback in this post for instance is real AND TO THE POINT. Simple. TOO DEAR and COST PROHIBITIVE. Cannot be clearer.

The suggestion of adding an extra cost to the rego fee ie $10 top cover costs of trips is something I mooted a decade ago (or less). I have NO problem paying this levy to go towards the cost of a trip. Went nowhere.

Like with most things, it’ll get swallowed up. Money re-allocated and guess what…parents still get hit with a big cost pressure.

The FFSA is run by people with 1980’s thinking for a 2013 game. Do they not read or listen to the news?

Retired and her suggestion is excellent however, I can tell you, nowadays if you can get some product to raffle off you’re lucky. In Quigs’ case she in Kansas City (new team) following her dream. Great stuff and all the best however, when all is done and dusted, what’s next? Reality is unless you are suitably qualified, work is hard to get. My point? Any loose change I have goes towards their education. Women’s soccer is not boys or mens soccer (sorry to say) therefore, the expense of state/schoolgirls is NOT justifiable.

[Blacky11]

Smiley 6 thanks for your reply and your reasoning, I appreciate your well thought out response.

I agree that with a lower cost there would indeed be more girls out trialling however, unfortunately I don't see that school soccer is goin to get cheaper in future years....

As for costings in relation to your sons trip I am not sure why there is a discrepancy but I am sure that school soccer would have to be transparent in giving a break down of costings....

I think when I helped out a few years ago all kids from each state paid the same amount so that If the tournament was in Qld then kids from WA, SA etc paid the same not sure if that is still the case...

Your daughter is more than welcome to come out and give trials a go....even if unable, if selected, to travel, hopefully they will be enjoyable for the girls...