Is our season too short?

[King Kazu]

Last night was our last training for the season, so I was talking to our current first team GK about his first season of playing football in Australia - he's from Liverpool and came over at the start of the year.

He said he really enjoyed it and thought the standard was quite high, but was a bit disappointed that the season was so short. Apparently back home in similar level leagues he would have 12 or 14 teams (minimum) and play a 22 or 26 game season + Cups. Obviously in the UK football is number one and at their equivalent level they probably don't share with cricket pitches.

I think this is topical given the various topics in the FFSA forum about not playing enough games.

I personally think the SAASL season is 'just right'. By the end of the season I'm practically ready for it to end. Throw in a couple of Cup round games to supplement the League season and I'm happy.

What do you think?

[Ernie Cooksey]

I'd play all year round if I could.

[albagubraith]

I do agree with him that the season is too short. I am from the UK as well and am used to playing alot more games in the league. I am getting older now too though and also agree i am looking forward to a bit of a rest as much as i love to play football.
We did have 8 pre-season games though and started pre-season training in early January so adding all that in it has been close to a UK season for us.

[Juventino]

I got injured in the last pre-season match before this season and was out for two months. So I missed basically half the season from that alone. Another injury during the season and I've played much less than half. A few more games would suit me just fine.

[Paleon Patros Germanos]

We had a Scottish lad play for us this season and he has similar thoughts.

In Scotland they also participated in two or three cups as well as the league.

[The General]

Part of the problem we have here is that a lot of our pitches are used for cricket,have a limited window as to when you can use them.
There are also players who play summer sport,struggle to make the start of pre season training as it is.

You have to feel for the Sat div4B, div 5 comp,and Sunday div 4 comp,where they have far too many byes.

Great idea, and for the clubs who want to participate, maybe we can suggest and help the SAASL introduce a zonal pre season competition ? That will give you some extra games.

[swannsong]

Back in the early to mid 90's Sunday Division 2 had 12 teams...In 1992 the Downs played 22 League games plus about 6-7 Cup games (Runners Up in the league and winning the Consolation Cup) It made for a long year, but if you had a big squad to draw on it wasn't too bad.....clubs with less player numbers might find it a bit tough.

[Steve#4]

Depends on where your club is at with numbers and your position on the ladder.

[God is an Englishman]

I have said this many times and agree with the Iggies A's keeper.

Over there, you can also be registered with clubs who play on seperate days as well, so that doubles the amount of games you can play.

the last season in England I played over 50 games and then came here and joined the back end of a saasl season and I fucking loved it.

[closed account]

yeah, i think it is cause yer a long time finished, im from aberdeen, scotland, we pritty much played all year round, only around 2 month off then it started again, had 6 cups to compete in, one being the scottish amatuer cup where all the associations around scotland played and another of those cups was a cup just for your division, giving all teams a chance of a cup final, was around 26 league games, also during the daylight savings there's midweek games also.

http://www.aberdeenshireafa.com/

[Knight15]

Perhaps a Wednesday night comp during the season would work, obviously less teams, but could help raise more funds through the bar, plenty of people who can't play on weekends due to work that would love to play and others who would play twice a week

[Chelsea4thewin]

play 7 a side during the summer, also plenty of futsal, indoor competitions going around

[gaizka_mendieta]

play 7 a side during the summer, also plenty of futsal, indoor competitions going around

+ 1

[Outlaw 2.0]

play 7 a side during the summer, also plenty of futsal, indoor competitions going around

I understand where people are coming from but this is a perfectly reasonable solution. There are pleanty of 7 a side comps on during pre season as well as indoor and futsal.

[God is an Englishman]

play 7 a side during the summer, also plenty of futsal, indoor competitions going around

7 a side, indoor and futsal just aren't the same thing though.

[Fitz]

its around the right mark. I like our season, although it feels short, but I remember back to the start of the season playing in sweltering hot days and currently, its getting pretty warm during the days. There's some older lads playing that might appreciate not playing in the heat. You also have to factor in that a longer season = more injuries, therefore clubs need a bigger talent pool to play a longer season. Its all relative, but I think the amateur league rounds are about right. Prem, State, Super could be longer though.

Futsal, 7-a-side etc may not be the same as full field, but they improve you as a player and you get more touches in those games. My first love is field, but I play futsal and 7-a-side to better myself and for pure enjoyment.

[blind_spot]

Season is OK in length, could be a a bit longer maybe 4-5 rounds more ... You would hate to play over in Europe when the snow is half a meter high in winter... We have it so good here in Aust.... Plus even though Futsal and 7-a-side is not the same, I find it actually complements to the skills you need when you play real football...

[Blotto]

now that the weather is fining up I don't want the season to end....

[Steve#4]

now that the weather is fining up I don't want the season to end....

Nice if your standing between the posts and not running around much

[Blotto]

now that the weather is fining up I don't want the season to end....

Nice if your standing between the posts and not running around much

nailed it.....

[Fitz]

now that the weather is fining up I don't want the season to end....

Nice if your standing between the posts and not running around much

nailed it.....

not to mention the weather is still temperately cool up in the hills at this time of the year

[Steve#4]

Also I need the summer to get my bank balance up for next seasons bar tab

[God is an Englishman]

Season is OK in length, could be a a bit longer maybe 4-5 rounds more ... You would hate to play over in Europe when the snow is half a meter high in winter... We have it so good here in Aust.... Plus even though Futsal and 7-a-side is not the same, I find it actually complements to the skills you need when you play real football...

I used to love playing in the snow. Use a red ball and sweep the lines so you knew where they were.

The pitch was still marked better than at your place as well

As for indoor and futsal, whilst it compliments the ball skills the game is about so much more than that. PLUS, those versions are basically non contact.

[Adolf Hìtler]

I used to love playing in the snow.

[blind_spot]

I said HALF A METER snow ... and IF you are a decent/good player you should be able to adapt quite easily to any kind of game style .. be it physical or not ...

[Loretta Jones]

I use metres personally.

[boneyard]

i just ficked through the thread,i rekon have the odd mid week game for a grade only.with the money
floating around lets make players earn it.
if the lighting isnt there play the games at grounds where there is on a wednesday night,crowds would be healthy
and we can take our kids and show them this is what they do in europe.
be good for all of us.

[God is an Englishman]

I said HALF A METER snow ... and IF you are a decent/good player you should be able to adapt quite easily to any kind of game style .. be it physical or not ...

That's like saying a good footballer should be able to adapt to playing rugby or netball.

[blind_spot]

I said HALF A METER snow ... and IF you are a decent/good player you should be able to adapt quite easily to any kind of game style .. be it physical or not ...

That's like saying a good footballer should be able to adapt to playing rugby or netball.

Well some sports are quite similar so there should be no problem in adapting ...IF you are a good athlete and also depends on the position that you are going to play ...

[God is an Englishman]

I said HALF A METER snow ... and IF you are a decent/good player you should be able to adapt quite easily to any kind of game style .. be it physical or not ...

That's like saying a good footballer should be able to adapt to playing rugby or netball.

Well some sports are quite similar so there should be no problem in adapting ...IF you are a good athlete and also depends on the position that you are going to play ...

So if you are good at football you will be able to adapt to netball.

I've played rugby and football - I can assure you they are very different sports.