The fact we have a group willing to put money into developing talent for the Force, we should be applauding. I agree developing local talent would be better but I think they have scouts that suggest the guys that they sponsor
Printable View
The fact we have a group willing to put money into developing talent for the Force, we should be applauding. I agree developing local talent would be better but I think they have scouts that suggest the guys that they sponsor
As long as the Force keep engaged with the local community game then WA born/raised numbers will increase over time. Having a look the other day i counted 19 teams between the U/18s and Under 20s colts grades. 19 colts aged teams is the most i can remember for a while.
I don't have a problem with where the Future Force players come from as they all play in the local comp and the local guys still have Premier Grade, Super Under 20s and NRC to push their cases if they get missed the first time round. Also i think the plan is to increase the number of spots in the academy from 12 to 20.
[QUOTE=Kalahard;429558]As long as the Force keep engaged with the local community game then WA born/raised numbers will increase over time. Having a look the other day i counted 19 teams between the U/18s and Under 20s colts grades. 19 colts aged teams is the most i can remember for a while.
Kala interesting view on the state of U/20s comp. my mail has the Comp down to 7 teams by round 5 ( also of those 7 currently in the Comp 2 have already forfeited games this year ) - my best guess is the conp will be 5 teams by round 12.
Clubs lacking depth/quality in senior grades are taking u20's to play grade leaving a gaping hole in the 20's comp which will lead to to a weaker state for rugby in was for at least 5 years. Every club needs colts to back up senior grades but not to the detriment of the 20's comp in numbers and standard.
Not too mention every club needs a rowdy bunch of colts amusing the club with their antics .
Many people in this forum pass comment on the ARU and its lack of grassroots focus. What has rugbywa done for the colts comp in recent years.........(this would require multiple pages of content, not much positive ). They must have been focussed on running a successful professional team on and off the field with a strong profit & loss / balance sheet
colts is about as grassroots as it gets
Do not forget the early graduates who were WA - Koteka, Hardwick and Scoble.
[QUOTE=wjm;429561] Yes, I've seen some of the forfeits etc, my point was in WA it has been a long time since we have had 2 colts grades and 19 teams to start the season. By seasons end, a couple of teams may fall apart but my main point is that it has been more than 7 or 8 seasons since we've had so many U/18s and U/20s teams in our comps.
Some may blame RugbyWA for the state of colts rugby, but its not like RugbyWA is responsible for going to each individual club and recruiting for them, the societal shift away from sport participation and the other temptations out there that lure young fellas away from sport. The last 4 to 5 years RugbyWA has been focused on restructuring the professional arm of their operations which has resulted in the set up of the Future Force, Own the Force and a reengagement of the community competitions. The benefits of theses actions may not see an immediate change but over time things will keep improving and hopefully one day we're regarded as a strong development state.
As I have posted several times previously the whole colt aged player thing needs an overhaul.
Only 3 premier clubs have the numbers to field both 18's and 20's with a few premier clubs having neither through no fault of their own but the harsh reality is that there is not enough players in this age group to go round.
Again I will put it out there that the colts comp should be a premier and junior division and as long as the player is under 20 then he can be eligible for both divisions.
This whole 18's thing where players can drive down to Brittania for a game on a Saturday morning along with all the other schoolboy teams and then head to his club and get on the piss is a bit of a joke.
These players are young men and should be part of the senior club.
Last time I looked the under 20's were down to 7 teams. Wests and Cott gone. Arks battling but at least they are still turning up given their results. 5 competitive teams with two more making up the numbers. Not exactly a competive and developing age group is it?
Where have i said this years U/20s are the most competitive competition WA has ever had? All ive said is between the 18s and 20s we have had the largest number of colts teams i can remember for at least 10 years. Ive said nothing about forfeits or standards of play because i know how dynamically these grades can change.
Ok sorry mate. I did not factor in the under 18's who for some strange reason are included in the Juniors. Now, we know why the under 20's does not have a lot of numbers.