Originally Posted by
Pekay
I reckon this is the best thing about the implementation of the divisions. As it happened in 2004/05, and now in 2012/13, where we went from 2 Mens teams to one, if it was the old SFA structure we'd be gone. Well, long gone actually. So we have the option of consolidating our ranks and keeping an identity, and 'brand' as it's called in business terms, out in this tough area. I reckon that's the most important thing, an AFL presence in a rugby & soccer dominated district.
We don't really need financial help out here, it's access to players, and there just aren't enough potential recruits. Most of our players just play for fun, and/or are new to the game, and/or are just too old to be playing Div 2, that's a highly competitive level. There's no housing developments bringing new people to the region, and any talented juniors get lured to the stronger clubs....point in case, we lost Josh Cass to Balmain in 2011, now his brothers has followed, and Brent & Ryan Johnston as well. Since 2004, we have lost around 10 players to Balmain (......is there a direct bus line to Balmain, coz that's a @@@@@@ of a trip in my experience!) I played all my juniors for Seven Hills (Blacktown) and we've traditionally drawn players from there, but they put a new club in around the corner. So between Parramatta and Richmond, potential players go past the Ponds and Purser before they can even think about the extra 20km to Bensons. That doesn't help us at all.
With the H model Herc being retired, the 37Squadron here on base was split in half, so we get no new recruits for at least a few years until the new platform is brought in. The amount of postings out of here is huge, and nothing coming in. That's hurt us. And they want to make further cuts to the SQN. I can't see us getting a 2nd team up for a few years, we'll be using the locals that have busted their asses over the years, and trying to bridge the gap between local clubs (Quakers, Hawkesbury, Blue Mtns etc) to strengthen the 18s, but who knows what the plans are for that next year?
It's been said before, but the landscape of footy out here, and for most of Sydney to be honest, isn't as strong as its made out. It's weak, and numbers are sporadic at best, particularly at 15-18yo. All we are going to do out here is provide a place for blokes to have a kick, any aspirations of Div 2 glory and Div 1 promotion have been put back in the cupboard after losing 30 of the 47 from our Div 2 players last year. And, a chance for an old hack like me to not line up on a juiced up monster fullback for once.
As for Juniors, my mail from Quakers Hill is that Kellyville has taken the lions share of their players, through recruitment, better structure, whatever. So, a club at Rooty Hill, Quakers Hill, Kellyville, Baulkham Hills, Hawkesbury, St Clair, plus the Penrith districts, all within roughly a 40km radius, all pinching players from each other. Far from healthy.
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