State School Girls Trials

[smiley6]

thanks Blacky11, i know those 2 years ago, she said the standard was very high and she appreciated the diff approach of
coachingstyle and therefore learning more technique..i will have a chat to her....but don't think that she would want to come.. it would be much harder to accept you are chosen but can't go for financial reasons!! believe me, we looked into it earlier on and also asked around , incl businesses....but also for them it is very tuff with things going and no one wants to spend extra money if they don't have to!! good luck to all the girls at trials and at the event...

[Nimmitz]

I dont write often but I will on this topic, perhaps just to give another perspective. I am a parent of a my beautiful daughter who was lucky enough to be invovled in Schoolgirls for 2 years. We as a family could also not afford for her to go. We were lucky enough to get some sponsorship through our local club but that was about all the rest of the money we came up with. We also decided that if she was going we all were going. We took out bank loans and refinanced, thats how we raised the money. She had a wonderful experience was extremely proud to represent her state and met some wonderful people who became her friends.We as a family had a fantastic time and now have truely happy memories. We all do the best for our children and our family. But after all its just money its the life experiences that matter. Some things we have control over, others we don't. My beautiful daughter is no longer with us she was taken tragically in a car accident 2 years ago at the age of 17. The memories of schoolgirls and of course others is all we have now how I wish it was different. But doing what we could we certainly have no regrets in spending that money.

[Unretired]

Im so sorry for your loss.

And I thank you..It certainly does put everything into perspective...

[abbie's keeper]

I dont write often but I will on this topic, perhaps just to give another perspective. I am a parent of a my beautiful daughter who was lucky enough to be invovled in Schoolgirls for 2 years. We as a family could also not afford for her to go. We were lucky enough to get some sponsorship through our local club but that was about all the rest of the money we came up with. We also decided that if she was going we all were going. We took out bank loans and refinanced, thats how we raised the money. She had a wonderful experience was extremely proud to represent her state and met some wonderful people who became her friends.We as a family had a fantastic time and now have truely happy memories. We all do the best for our children and our family. But after all its just money its the life experiences that matter. Some things we have control over, others we don't. My beautiful daughter is no longer with us she was taken tragically in a car accident 2 years ago at the age of 17. The memories of schoolgirls and of course others is all we have now how I wish it was different. But doing what we could we certainly have no regrets in spending that money.

And a lovely girl she was and a great team person. My daughteer was one of those lucky enought to play with her for those 2 years and call her a friend. This is one of the many benifits of being involved and while my daughter played in the team for 5 years, we also made those sacrifices over the years to assist her in realising her dream, earn real life experience make great friends at the same time, Australia wide.

[mccormickbl]

Like Abbie's keeper my daughter was also in that same team with her..... I think all has been said! As parents we do what we can! To all those whingers about finance ... Get a grip. Make each moment count... Live in the here and now... You don't know what's around the corner! My offer of assistance about sourcing financial support still stands.... Funny but no one has asked!!!

[billy the kid]

Memories are what cannot be taken away. RIP young girl.

Life is fragile and yes every needs to count however, we cannot live as if its our last because what keeps us all going is the hope that what comes ahead will be exciting, fulfilling and special. Its called living.

People whom lose someone always reflect on special moments. And yes I always reflect to the time my girl was playing and how the sport took me to many places in Australia. Cannot take away from the sport the friendships that are made and experiences the players had.

I think the point of the discussion herein is about the prohibitive cost and in a climate where people are struggling with cost of living, conflicting priorities I feel for those who have to say no. Not a thing that comes easy to most parents. How is this problem addressed? Not sure. Events cost money to put on.

[Drusetta]

+ 1

I dont write often but I will on this topic, perhaps just to give another perspective. I am a parent of a my beautiful daughter who was lucky enough to be invovled in Schoolgirls for 2 years. We as a family could also not afford for her to go. We were lucky enough to get some sponsorship through our local club but that was about all the rest of the money we came up with. We also decided that if she was going we all were going. We took out bank loans and refinanced, thats how we raised the money. She had a wonderful experience was extremely proud to represent her state and met some wonderful people who became her friends.We as a family had a fantastic time and now have truely happy memories. We all do the best for our children and our family. But after all its just money its the life experiences that matter. Some things we have control over, others we don't. My beautiful daughter is no longer with us she was taken tragically in a car accident 2 years ago at the age of 17. The memories of schoolgirls and of course others is all we have now how I wish it was different. But doing what we could we certainly have no regrets in spending that money.

And a lovely girl she was and a great team person. My daughteer was one of those lucky enought to play with her for those 2 years and call her a friend. This is one of the many benifits of being involved and while my daughter played in the team for 5 years, we also made those sacrifices over the years to assist her in realising her dream, earn real life experience make great friends at the same time, Australia wide.

[yoda]

Great forum topic and discussion. My daughter is eligible for the 12 yr old state schoolgirls trials, we won't be going because of the costs involved if she did get picked. We have many other costs this year for soccer and would love to be able to allow her the experience but need to draw the line somewhere. I am all for sending her to the trials like Blacky suggests but know that if she were selected I could not let her down by not letting her go. Therefore it's easier to just not apply and not attend.

[johnydep]

Great forum topic and discussion. My daughter is eligible for the 12 yr old state schoolgirls trials, we won't be going because of the costs involved if she did get picked. We have many other costs this year for soccer and would love to be able to allow her the experience but need to draw the line somewhere. I am all for sending her to the trials like Blacky suggests but know that if she were selected I could not let her down by not letting her go. Therefore it's easier to just not apply and not attend.

I have to agree with this.

I'd love to send both my kids to the trials. But when I look at the cost factor and the returns, it does not add up for me and my family. Especially when I take into account the several years that both have already been involved in State football and State Futsal, the travel and associated costs become quite expensive with minimal returns on exposure, reward and opportunity. For us, the money is better spent elsewhere.

That's just our point of view.

For others it may be different. So if you haven't been involved in a major football tournament before, it's worth being part of it. The experience and memories will last a life time.

[SAD GAL]

Happy (yet sad) at reading about the situation some parents are in. Unless you're flushed with cash or a dill, you cannot justify wasting money on such frivolous activities.

Just paid my electricity bill (overdue by 5 weeks). $898. And no I'm living a lavish existence. Plus paying off a $1300 local council rate (overdue) in fortnightly instalments.

So for all those who want to talk about days gone by when they sold chocolates or hassled their local businesses or councils for sponsorship….they are long gone. That was in the days of lower cost of living. Lower cost to attend tournaments.

I suppose I’ll get another posting

Sad Gal = negative.

I’ll take anyone one who says I cannot speak from experience and from a point of sense. I no longer have ANY involvement in the game. Those years are gone. I san see where the passion is. I was there once too.

Practically, cannot justify spending monies on a feel good exercise that soon dissipates once the girls get home.

Spend money on a family holiday to the Yorke peninsula. Better still pay your bills.

And also. Once the people involved in FFSA (women’s side) have kids (cough cough) and are faced with pressures we parents face the they might know how insane this all is.

[M@rvin]

Sad Girl = sensible

My daughter made the decision to withdraw due to the cost as the funds are to be used elsewhere, something she wants to do more than school girls.
As I have said previously this should be funded by the education department and state government as the girls are representing the state schools. Also do they really have to fly could costs not be reduced by using a bus?

[SAD GAL]

Why would they explore cost efficiency measures? They don't pay to go. Officials don't contribute (debatable whether they should though).

Yes I agree. NSW and Qld girls maybe have a better incentive to go. Better chance at cracking the National team than SA. However, I'd bet they woudl have the same financial issues as SA.

Yes I agree that there needs to be other state/federation/AIS funding options available. This would step up elgibility criteria and greater accountability by the funding groups. And thjose who make the team would have all earned it. Sorry to say but there are a small percentile that get a call up when some first choice players aren't able to go. Happens and I get the reasons why.

[juniorsupporter]

Team list from the school sport website;

Alison Atkins
Stephanie Baradakis
Brianna Bartlett
Victoria Battersby
Isabella Blaess
Sarah Chapple
Madeline Forde
Cheyenne Hammond
Zoe Haralampopoulos
Kendall Jenner
Bethany Koutsouridis
Alyce Macauley
Rhiannon Mullan
Renae Pantelis
Zoe Sgargetta
Zoe Spyridonidis

[smiley6]

good luck to the girls chosen! as i read through the posts, i can see that i am not the only one with the opinion that is just
too expensive..especially in the times we are in now... having said that..yes , i agree, we should give our kids opportunities to explore and experience..we are doing that! My daughter is involved with Duke of Ed, currently on her gold (already and just turned 17!).. mid june she will walk the kokoda trek in PNG with a few others as part of her gold.. its a 10day experience, mostly funded by duke of ed ( we are maybe $600 out of pocket )...flights, meals etc all covered by duke of ed
part of equipment , passport and vaccinations are our responsibility...we are more than happy to pay here..as with those awards she has something to show for in future jobsearching or in her case, to get into the army, hopefully!!

so, we are not holding her back, sometimes we as parents have to make decisions, not always easy , but unfortunately finances play a big part in it all..

My daughter is very happy and can't wait for this adventure and the benefits that will come with it... i am sure everone is trying to do their best for their children and their future.. good luck girls, make SA proud