Unprofessionalism of the Sturt FC

[Blue Boy]

They didnt break the night before rule only the 8 day before the next game rule - I have to say it seems a bit harsh !!!

[Blue Boy]

On a serious note selection at Blue bagger land will be interesting this week.

For me a couple of handy ins this week maybe.

I honestly was a bit peeved that they were kept away from playing last week for a trial against West Adelaide !!!

[am Bays]

Just a couple of thoughts.
firstly, I do not condone under age drinking ( I have a 17 y.o. son, it's a worry esp. when they have a drivers licence ....ask most parents ), but serious question...How many of us didn't drink before we we legal age, AND , did you always do what you were told ??
Silly decision by the lads involved to break the team rules, but we were all young & stupid once , and these kids have a bit more to lose than I ever did.
secondly, and again a serious question , do talent scouts only observe players at the under age championships ? Or do they look further ( ie under age grades & association games ? )
Admittedly, these lads have seriously compromised their chances of being spotted, and a chance to show their talent against the nations best juniors, and that will serve as part of their self inflicted punishment .
I guess it's not the end of the world , but they have made their chances all the more difficult, but not impossible.

When dealing with underage athletes not only does the coach and program (in this case the SANFL underage elite development program) teach them the skills of their sport but also the standards required to be an elite athlete. Elite athlete standards dictate you don't drink alcohol as it is a performance dis-enhancing drug...

You'll find that once the final squad 30-40 athletes / footballers were chosen they all would have had to sign agreements to say that they'll will abide by the rules of the program and refrain illegal activity (underage drinking) etc etc etc- this is a standard athlete agreement 1000s of kids sign each year at the state based acadamies and institutes of sport around the country. In other words these four footballers would have been told/warned right from the start don't drink alcohol, take performance enhancing drugs etc if you do you could be kicked off the program

The kids have just learnt rule # 1 of being an elite athlete everyone is going to be watching you and as soon as you step out of line the coach will know about it, in others words don't do stupid things in public like drinking.

This hasn't ruined there chances of making the AFL if they are good enough to make they will (good enough in all facets skill, physical fitness and mental application (not drinking in public will help prove #3)). It has made it a bit difficult but if they learn from this experience and are good enough the potential six figure salary in their first year is still a possibility.

Moral to the story as eloquently put by Crash Davis in Bull Durham 'When you make it in the show [AFL] and you [drink in public] the press will call you colourful, until then you're a slob"

[Jimmy]

just hope the lads can learn from it and move on. well handled by all concerned, very professional.

maybe westies should take a leaf, that ******* rabble of a club, should be playing in div ******* 10's FFS. then they can get pumped by united. !!!!!

[smithy]

just hope the lads can learn from it and move on. well handled by all concerned, very professional.

maybe westies should take a leaf, that ******* rabble of a club, should be playing in div ******* 10's FFS. then they can get pumped by united. !!!!!

Westies actually suspended 11 players throughout most grades against us in ROund 1 Jimmy.

[Jimmy]

just hope the lads can learn from it and move on. well handled by all concerned, very professional.

maybe westies should take a leaf, that ******* rabble of a club, should be playing in div ******* 10's FFS. then they can get pumped by united. !!!!!

Westies actually suspended 11 players throughout most grades against us in ROund 1 Jimmy.

oh yeah, i forgot about that....always wanted to say this...

kettle. black. pot

[sturtpeter]

As previously stated the hierarchy at Sturt will deal with this in the appropriate forum.

The 4 lads involved are quality young men and will learn that life has to be respected and I'm sure they will ALL be the stronger for this experience.

I wish each of them the very best for the future because Sturt needs them as does SA Footy in general.

Go U Baby Blues