Numbers at trials?

[flyte7]

Trialed at Croydon at the weekend and there was a little over 20 boys for the u14 age group (two teams last year). Heard from a friend that they had a similar number at West Adelaide (again 2 teams last year) who are the league and cup winners.

Is the FFSA plan working and JSL players are going to JPL lower division clubs? Are there any clubs that have seen a big increase in the numbers trialing? Was it simply just a really busy weekend for trials?

[Sacred Noodle]

By the sounds of things extremely low numbers everywhere - AC 12 and 13's had about 4 - 6 from outside the club turn up to each of these age groups respectively other years there would be 20 -30 plus from outside.

[Željko Jurin]

Raiders approx,

u11 ...... 30
u12 ...... 28
u13 ...... 57
u14 ...... 25-30
u15 ...... 30-35

[AL K HOLIC]

mate is in a western suburb club, 8,9,10s plenty possibly two teams in a couple, 12s and 13s low numbers, 14s over 25ish heading for two teams, 15s low, 17s good.

most clubs are hoping better numbers in the mid week days as players try to fit in multiple club trials, I hear players that were stuck in jsls are going to e&d and saasl or even walking away.

I know this western club had 6 players not return from one team as they had an idea they would be in a second team and now they are getting older the competitive players are leaving them behind.

[Soap Box]

By the sounds of things extremely low numbers everywhere - AC 12 and 13's had about 4 - 6 from outside the club turn up to each of these age groups respectively other years there would be 20 -30 plus from outside.

Is the low numbers due to parents thinking it might a be a closed shop at City and not worth bringing their kids down

[spooky1972]

Trialed at Croydon at the weekend and there was a little over 20 boys for the u14 age group (two teams last year). Heard from a friend that they had a similar number at West Adelaide (again 2 teams last year) who are the league and cup winners.

Is the FFSA plan working and JSL players are going to JPL lower division clubs? Are there any clubs that have seen a big increase in the numbers trialing? Was it simply just a really busy weekend for trials?

Well west adelaide you would think they are looking to recycle 1 or 2 players after a double, unless they are real stand outs chances to get in are slim, so why bother even trialling there for that age as you are prob only trialling for JSL.

I have to think if any U/13 2011 player that may have been a second tier player at an existing A league team, for example a player who may have been at west adelaide or adelaide city etc, as a bench player every week could quite easily slip straight into a 90 min role at Croydon/Toros.

I wonder out of the 20 boys at croydons 14s for 2012 how many of that 20 are strengthening their squad? They have lost 10 plus players, be interesting to know if the entire A team returned and you lost JSL players or both, and again of that 20 how many came from other clubs that will make the team stronger, I would have thought the two possible promoted A league teams may have had a bigger showing of these second tier players of other clubs.

I am assuming the girls have gone or can the girls play U14s with the boys?

[flyte7]

Hi Spooky

We were trialing as newbies to Croydon, so cannot comment on what the mix was of JPL & JSL players from the previous year, although there was still one girl there, who was holding her own with the boys. I think they must have kept the core of their JPL team as the standard on the Sunday especially was very good.

Could just be school holidays and numbers will increase across the board this week. Great numbers at Raiders though, especially 13's!

[spooky1972]

yes the girls definately hold their own and definately are a part of that team.

I'm not entirely sure of the age when girls can no longer kick about with the boys.

Although Croydon and Toros both had great seasons this year, they could both add 2-3 players to bolster a team possibly heading into a very competitive A league.

I am surprised that numbers did not rise for 1st team places, Toros numbers in this age have definately risen and look to have two 14 sides for 2012, but as I said, I did think both clubs, could possibly see more players.

Maybe they will arrive when players discover they did not make 1st squads, in saying that clubs with good numbers can also lose players when they discover they did not make 1st team selection and I'm sure some JSL teams will possibly crumble also.

It definately makes it hard when a club has 1 and 3/4 teams.

[AL K HOLIC]

So did numbers change over the weekend?

Did they get better or worse?

I was told by western suburb player and will quote even with the bad spelling;

"yeah heeps of xxxxx players came to our team saying they hated playing at xxxxxx."

Could hurt this team if they are JPL players.

[flyte7]

I can only speak for a couple of the clubs that I know about and the figures went up dramatically for the midweek trials. Don't know if this was due to end of school holidays, less congestion of trials or boys not being selected at their first choice clubs.

One of the clubs finished their trials last night and are notifying their kids by letter. I know the club probably think this is professional and is certainly better than getting a text message in my opinion, but it leaves the boys in limbo for the weekend. Either the boys go and trial at another club this weekend so they have a fall back or they risk leaving themselves with very few options if they wait for the letter early next week and are unsuccessful. What happens if other clubs make these boys offers this weekend? It all seems unneccessarily convoluted.

[Hibs seven]

It is a tough time for all the kids involved and pretty stressful for the coaches and parents. Some big decisions to be made, is my boy/girl good enough to play in the top leagues or do the play at the level they are most comfortable at. I was at Cove under 13 trials and 45ish showed up for the three sessions, 8-10 were sent home but was the first of the clubs to do trials so hopefully all involved have found other options.

Hats off to the coaches at all clubs who have to tell those kids that they will not be involved at the club and still portray a positive at the end of it.

[AL K HOLIC]

All players should know their role in their team and they should know if they require to have options, if you are a new player to a club then you should always trial at two clubs to have options. It's alot harder to get into side after, than it is to decline an offer of two.

Parents need to talk to the coach and if that coach is honest they should give you an answer.

Yes your child is in my thoughts as a 1st team player, however holding that spot is up to him/her.
No your child is not in my thoughts as a 1st team player, however it's up to him/her if they want to push to get in it.

Honesty is always the best policy, then let the parents make a decision with their child, I do not agree on selecting 30 players and no one knows what the hell is going on. However if a club does choose this action, and the parents don't seek further answers, then don't blame the club at any decisions made at later dates, that you are not happy with.

[NSX]

Adelaide Cobras

Had a pretty good turn out across all teams

U12 - 21
U13 - 12
U14 - 20
U15 - 19
U16 - 14
u17 - 9

The club still needs players to fill U13, U16, U17, If you know anyone who is interested in playing
and is good enough to cut in the JPL, then get in contact with Adelaide Cobras www.adelaidecobras.com.au

[gl1968]

i heard strikers had good numbers this year may even field an under 16 team considering they did not have an under 15 team last year

[muts]

Honesty is always the best policy, then let the parents make a decision with their child, I do not agree on selecting 30 players and no one knows what the hell is going on. However if a club does choose this action, and the parents don't seek further answers, then don't blame the club at any decisions made at later dates, that you are not happy with.

Contradictory rubbish. You seek answers, get told there are no answers until next year - how do you make a decision based on that?
Poor form by clubs not being honest with parents and players - how many clubs are doing that?

[manu09]

Parents need to talk to the coach and if that coach is honest they should give you an answer.

Yes your child is in my thoughts as a 1st team player, however holding that spot is up to him/her.
No your child is not in my thoughts as a 1st team player, however it's up to him/her if they want to push to get in it.

Honesty is always the best policy, then let the parents make a decision with their child.

This was the case with my son, and I am grateful to the coach. My son and I were able to talk about it, and he then went out and had a blinder. He pushed his way into the 1st team and has been happier because of it.

[spooky1972]

Honesty is always the best policy, then let the parents make a decision with their child, I do not agree on selecting 30 players and no one knows what the hell is going on. However if a club does choose this action, and the parents don't seek further answers, then don't blame the club at any decisions made at later dates, that you are not happy with.

Contradictory rubbish. You seek answers, get told there are no answers until next year - how do you make a decision based on that?
Poor form by clubs not being honest with parents and players - how many clubs are doing that?

Even if a coach does say your selection A or B, this is not written in stone with two teams.

Development, injuries, holidays, birthday parties, illness or even bad form, the list and opportunities for all players in a JSL team, to break into the JPL, is up to the individual, and endless.

In saying that some of the kids could care less and just want to play football on a Sunday, and that's ok too.

[Left Right Out]

I have always thought trials are RUBBISH, didnt happen when I was a teenager!

I thought it was the club and coaches job to DEVELOP PLAYERS. It just seems its a bit like Senior soccer if your not good enough and the coach cant help you then you will be replaced.

How many clubs will say no to a player in U12s or 15s or whatever and in 4-5 years when they develop and are trained and coached WILL NOT return to certain clubs because they were told they were not good enough.

Trial numbers are high because every player (and there parents) are always looking over there shoulders thinking IS MY POSITION SAFE HERE!

Then I heard a few things at the trials that I went to (With my son)
Youngest son was told on first night there is already 10 in the squad from this year so we are looking for 6 players for the A Team. Why trial with 37 kids then? Wouldnt they be better of saying we are looking for a Left Back, Midfielder and a Goalkeeper (Or whatever positions they need to fill)

I also heard a coach at another club ASK 12 year old kids WHO IS TRIALLING SOMEWHERE ELSE? Why is it there business? What if you are honest and say Yes will you get overlooked.

Then I heard at my eldest sons trial (First one) numbers were not really flash at the end the coach said. If we dont get a better turn out at the next 2 trials we will need to hold a couple of others? There were 24 kids who turned up to the clubs advertised trials, you can pick a squad from that. Why wait for people that hadnt turned up?

This trial thing is very funny to me and I believe the clubs that say to an U12 side or similar- We will take you through the next few years and develop you and you learn a system and play with the same players for a few years not changing people every year. Then theres the people in charge (Coaches) who are doing a good voluntary job I would imagine been to the FFSA done a 2 day course then can all of a sudden become talent identifiers and or tell kids they are not good enough.

A fine example with NO NAMES but There is a GK coach who is employed by FFSA and has been involved with an Elite Squad (Junior level) and is also now a Senior GK coach at a high level. HE IS NOT A GOALKEEPER but has done a GK course. Its odd.

[Soap Box]

I have always thought trials are RUBBISH, didnt happen when I was a teenager!

I thought it was the club and coaches job to DEVELOP PLAYERS. It just seems its a bit like Senior soccer if your not good enough and the coach cant help you then you will be replaced.

How many clubs will say no to a player in U12s or 15s or whatever and in 4-5 years when they develop and are trained and coached WILL NOT return to certain clubs because they were told they were not good enough.

Trial numbers are high because every player (and there parents) are always looking over there shoulders thinking IS MY POSITION SAFE HERE!

Then I heard a few things at the trials that I went to (With my son)
Youngest son was told on first night there is already 10 in the squad from this year so we are looking for 6 players for the A Team. Why trial with 37 kids then? Wouldnt they be better of saying we are looking for a Left Back, Midfielder and a Goalkeeper (Or whatever positions they need to fill)

I also heard a coach at another club ASK 12 year old kids WHO IS TRIALLING SOMEWHERE ELSE? Why is it there business? What if you are honest and say Yes will you get overlooked.

Then I heard at my eldest sons trial (First one) numbers were not really flash at the end the coach said. If we dont get a better turn out at the next 2 trials we will need to hold a couple of others? There were 24 kids who turned up to the clubs advertised trials, you can pick a squad from that. Why wait for people that hadnt turned up?
This trial thing is very funny to me and I believe the clubs that say to an U12 side or similar- We will take you through the next few years and develop you and you learn a system and play with the same players for a few years not changing people every year. Then theres the people in charge (Coaches) who are doing a good voluntary job I would imagine been to the FFSA done a 2 day course then can all of a sudden become talent identifiers and or tell kids they are not good enough.

A fine example with NO NAMES but There is a GK coach who is employed by FFSA and has been involved with an Elite Squad (Junior level) and is also now a Senior GK coach at a high level. HE IS NOT A GOALKEEPER but has done a GK course. Its odd.

Some Coaches dont get it. Instead of taking players that want to be there they always think there is a football superstar around the corner just waiting to come out and play for his team. The loyal kids loose heart and go to another club or give it away alltogether. 24 kids should be enough to pick a team from they couldnt all be that bad.

[AL K HOLIC]

I have always thought trials are RUBBISH, didnt happen when I was a teenager!

I thought it was the club and coaches job to DEVELOP PLAYERS. It just seems its a bit like Senior soccer if your not good enough and the coach cant help you then you will be replaced.

How many clubs will say no to a player in U12s or 15s or whatever and in 4-5 years when they develop and are trained and coached WILL NOT return to certain clubs because they were told they were not good enough.

Trial numbers are high because every player (and there parents) are always looking over there shoulders thinking IS MY POSITION SAFE HERE!

Then I heard a few things at the trials that I went to (With my son)
Youngest son was told on first night there is already 10 in the squad from this year so we are looking for 6 players for the A Team. Why trial with 37 kids then? Wouldnt they be better of saying we are looking for a Left Back, Midfielder and a Goalkeeper (Or whatever positions they need to fill)

I also heard a coach at another club ASK 12 year old kids WHO IS TRIALLING SOMEWHERE ELSE? Why is it there business? What if you are honest and say Yes will you get overlooked.

Then I heard at my eldest sons trial (First one) numbers were not really flash at the end the coach said. If we dont get a better turn out at the next 2 trials we will need to hold a couple of others? There were 24 kids who turned up to the clubs advertised trials, you can pick a squad from that. Why wait for people that hadnt turned up?
This trial thing is very funny to me and I believe the clubs that say to an U12 side or similar- We will take you through the next few years and develop you and you learn a system and play with the same players for a few years not changing people every year. Then theres the people in charge (Coaches) who are doing a good voluntary job I would imagine been to the FFSA done a 2 day course then can all of a sudden become talent identifiers and or tell kids they are not good enough.

A fine example with NO NAMES but There is a GK coach who is employed by FFSA and has been involved with an Elite Squad (Junior level) and is also now a Senior GK coach at a high level. HE IS NOT A GOALKEEPER but has done a GK course. Its odd.

Some Coaches dont get it. Instead of taking players that want to be there they always think there is a football superstar around the corner just waiting to come out and play for his team. The loyal kids loose heart and go to another club or give it away alltogether. 24 kids should be enough to pick a team from they couldnt all be that bad.

You also have to blame the parents, some just don't want to try other clubs plain and simple, so if they miss out they possibly end up with nothing. Prime example my nephew plays for a western suburb 'A' team, they are trying to collect numbers for two teams in 14s.

I believe they are maybe 3-5 players from this goal, anyway another local club, maybe 5 mins drive away possibly cut 7-10 players from their trials of the same age group on Sunday, not one call to the club, so parents just won't consider some clubs even if they are As.

[Hong Kong Fuey]

I have always thought trials are RUBBISH, didnt happen when I was a teenager!

I thought it was the club and coaches job to DEVELOP PLAYERS. It just seems its a bit like Senior soccer if your not good enough and the coach cant help you then you will be replaced.

How many clubs will say no to a player in U12s or 15s or whatever and in 4-5 years when they develop and are trained and coached WILL NOT return to certain clubs because they were told they were not good enough.

Trial numbers are high because every player (and there parents) are always looking over there shoulders thinking IS MY POSITION SAFE HERE!

Then I heard a few things at the trials that I went to (With my son)
Youngest son was told on first night there is already 10 in the squad from this year so we are looking for 6 players for the A Team. Why trial with 37 kids then? Wouldnt they be better of saying we are looking for a Left Back, Midfielder and a Goalkeeper (Or whatever positions they need to fill)

I also heard a coach at another club ASK 12 year old kids WHO IS TRIALLING SOMEWHERE ELSE? Why is it there business? What if you are honest and say Yes will you get overlooked.

Then I heard at my eldest sons trial (First one) numbers were not really flash at the end the coach said. If we dont get a better turn out at the next 2 trials we will need to hold a couple of others? There were 24 kids who turned up to the clubs advertised trials, you can pick a squad from that. Why wait for people that hadnt turned up?

This trial thing is very funny to me and I believe the clubs that say to an U12 side or similar- We will take you through the next few years and develop you and you learn a system and play with the same players for a few years not changing people every year. Then theres the people in charge (Coaches) who are doing a good voluntary job I would imagine been to the FFSA done a 2 day course then can all of a sudden become talent identifiers and or tell kids they are not good enough.

A fine example with NO NAMES but There is a GK coach who is employed by FFSA and has been involved with an Elite Squad (Junior level) and is also now a Senior GK coach at a high level. HE IS NOT A GOALKEEPER but has done a GK course. Its odd.

I agree trials are a stressful time for boys, with some clubs conducting them exceptionally well, with other clubs pointing to boys in a large group and saying If I point at you see you later!! Very interesting in regards to the goalkeeper comment, I would love to hear peoples's feedback, surely you would have had to play in that position to understand the psyche of that particular position!!!

[prefly]

Yes you would think so, but I'm afraid when it comes to goalkeeping and FFSA there is not much sense made at all.

[AL K HOLIC]

Yes you would think so, but I'm afraid when it comes to goalkeeping and FFSA there is not much sense made at all.

can the words sense and FFSA even be used in the same sentence?

[Hong Kong Fuey]

Yes you would think so, but I'm afraid when it comes to goalkeeping and FFSA there is not much sense made at all.

[Hong Kong Fuey]

Yes you would think so, but I'm afraid when it comes to goalkeeping and FFSA there is not much sense made at all.

I have been informed, that one very talented junior goalkeeper was cut from this program, who already has overseas interest!!! Sorry who are you going to believe a current EPL goalkeeper, who is in constant touch with the family , or a guy who has never played in this position cutting you from the squad!!!!

When this young boy plays overseas, the FFSA are going to be very embarrased!!!!

[Stitch This]

I have been informed, that one very talented junior goalkeeper was cut from this program, who already has overseas interest!!! Sorry who are you going to believe.........!!!!.......

I wouldn't believe anything someone has posted on Football News

[Football Focus]

All kids should be given the opportunity to play football. Our club standard is not good enough to be elitist. The standard of coaches needs to be better to warrant the fees being charged to play. This means our governing body needs to invest more time in educating us. Vicious circle really. What about the talented who cannot afford to play? Is it any wonder the numbers are down?

[Bomber]

All kids should be given the opportunity to play football. Our club standard is not good enough to be elitist. The standard of coaches needs to be better to warrant the fees being charged to play. This means our governing body needs to invest more time in educating us. Vicious circle really. What about the talented who cannot afford to play? Is it any wonder the numbers are down?

I hear you but if you want to become an elite tennis player or swimmer it will cost you plenty.

Clubs only charge what will cover their costs. After strips, training gear, balls, trackie tops, bags etc there is very little left and any run overs would cover things such as membership, coaching, ground lighting, pitch wear and tear etc etc. It usually works out to maybe $5 a session, which in my eyes is relatively cheap.

[Steve#4]

All kids should be given the opportunity to play football. Our club standard is not good enough to be elitist. The standard of coaches needs to be better to warrant the fees being charged to play. This means our governing body needs to invest more time in educating us. Vicious circle really. What about the talented who cannot afford to play? Is it any wonder the numbers are down?

I hear you but if you want to become an elite tennis player or swimmer it will cost you plenty. Clubs only charge what will cover their costs. After strips, training gear, balls, trackie tops, bags etc there is very little left and any run overs would cover things such as membership, coaching, ground lighting, pitch wear and tear etc etc. It usually works out to maybe $5 a session, which in my eyes is relatively cheap.

It's much dearer than that if the club has a bar

[Football Focus]

How about a club just for juniors; one with no senior team to finance?