The group charged with advancing football in the region, AFL Western District, is pushing ahead with planned changes to junior competitions this season despite fierce opposition from clubs.
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The commission believes it is right in restricting club lists to 26 for under 12, 14 and 16 sides in 2018 and all grades will play 16-a-side games with up to five players on the interchange bench. This is predicated on the belief there are not enough players to go round.
All 11 Hampden league clubs are united against the changes and preparing to launch a formal challenge to the edict.
The commission argues the changes will ensure all clubs have equal numbers and be on an equal playing field.
But a wise person once told me if you give equal treatment to people - or in this case clubs - which are unequal, you end up with inequality.
The commission’s cap and fewer players on the ground rule are designed to give the have-nots a chance.
Why should clubs which have spent years investing in quality junior coaches and programs be restricted? Why is the commission trying to demotivate some clubs? Surely the commission should be looking at ways to improve the have-nots – help them develop better junior programs through education, expertise, marketing – rather than reining in the successful clubs. One of our great traits as a community is that we innovate and continue to strive for improvements. This decision is creating a hand-out culture.
As parents we want our children to play sport, experience team work, meet new friends, achieve goals, have fun and grow up to lead a healthy, fit lifestyle. Telling a child he or she can no longer play with mates and wear the jumper of their dreams because of a new rule will not achieve what the commission wants. Kids will undoubtedly say – “I’m not playing anymore”. It’s the same when parents ask or tell them to eat vegetables, they dig in and refuse.
The commission needs to encourage more children to play the game, not less. Other sports must be licking their lips in anticipation of the new rules being enforced because they will be the winners out of this.
The commission is right to review junior footy, there are issues, no question. But these changes fly in the face of encouraging children to participate. Having less kids on the ground says that loud and clear. The commission needs to go back to the drawing board.
*Greg Best is The Standard editor, the father of junior footballers, club volunteer and fan of the game.
