SANFL Junior codes

[Down the Hill]

Why do finals bring out the worse in junior parents and players. You get the likes of MoP carrying on the like a pork chop with fixturing and allegations of club nepotism within the admin of SANFL Juniors. I mean seriously MoP - get over it. There are all sorts of factors that go into finals fixturing in the SANFL Juniors and the best attitude to pass onto players and parents is let the league do their job and as a club we will concentrate on preparing the team to play at whatever ground and time they allocate us.

You keep riding your high horse, DTH.

Much like the AFL, the SANFL Juniors put the fix into fixtures. If you think they're not Henley-centric, you're deluding yourself.

Their messaging around finals programming was inaccurate and contradictory. Consistency and transparency is all I want. Don't say ONLY the Top team will get a home final in week 2, when that's not the case. Don't say BOTH finals of a grade will be played at the same venue, when that's not the case. At the end of the day, they hide behind Clause 8.5.1 All matches shall be played at such grounds as determined by SANFL Juniors Competition Management. So, just say that from the start instead of that other bullsh!t.

I’m on my high horse because I’m rounding up stock on you blokes sheep stations.

[LaughingKookaburra]

Had a giggle Sunday in the game before ours - bit of niggle in the match, couple free kicks and adults in the crowd "You're a effin d*ckhead number xx"

Then a kid got a red (after being dropped and taunted behind play) and the crowd erupted in cheers.

Like seriously, 13 year old boys and you feel the need to carry on like that.

People that go to junior games of footy and act recklessly and aggressively like that have seriously big issues - I’d hate to see how they react in the 4 walls of their own homes when something emotionally challenging occurs…. It’s a terrible look on an individual or group!

[MoP]

I’m on my high horse because I’m rounding up stock on you blokes sheep stations.

Next thing, you'll want there to be no scoring, or finals, in ANY junior age group!

[Eagles2014]

I’m on my high horse because I’m rounding up stock on you blokes sheep stations.

Next thing, you'll want there to be no scoring, or finals, in ANY junior age group!

DTH is one of the most respected club people going around and does enormous amount of work for his successful club, why don't you just take on board what he says as he makes a lot of sense and is absolutely spot on. You worry about little things that are irrelevant, it is kids footy and they are just happy to be playing finals anywhere, it's the parents that cause all the trouble and angst

[The Bedge]

You worry about little things that are irrelevant, it is kids footy and they are just happy to be playing finals anywhere, it's the parents that cause all the trouble and angst

Facts. Kids know what kids know - they don't care where they play, what time or against who.. it's parents / coaches / adults that get their knickers in a twist over it all... and for what?

[wenchbarwer]

You worry about little things that are irrelevant, it is kids footy and they are just happy to be playing finals anywhere, it's the parents that cause all the trouble and angst

Facts. Kids know what kids know - they don't care where they play, what time or against who.. it's parents / coaches / adults that get their knickers in a twist over it all... and for what?

Doesn't every junior grade still win a sheep station?

[The Bedge]

What would I change in SANFL Jnrs?

Bring back U6's instead of putting them through another year of AUSKICK.
Allow permits for U7's (and U6s if it returned)
Allow smothering and standing the mark in the mini grades instead of just being spectators.

The rest is alright I reckon.

[Down the Hill]

The AFL, rightly or wrongly, have a say with the entry age of junior competitions around the nation to protect the Auskick program. As it is, I believe the SANFL had to do some heavy negotiation to get U7's included in recent years. I think the first priority for next season is yet another review of the older age groups. The full season SANFL U16 comp has had a large impact on what players are left standing at clubs beyond U15. Not to mention the ongoing challenge of private school lads entering Year 11 and Year 12 and deciding (or their parents deciding for them) that college football on a Saturday is enough footy for them.

It's only 3rd hand information but I'm hearing that SANFL Juniors could be considering U15.5 & U17.5 as the age groups above U14 for next year. The half year bit is always a bit messy and whilst it shouldn't be difficult to understand it's amazing how many still struggle with the equation of what makes someone eligible or not. But the progression from U14 to an 18-month age parameter to the next age group then 24-months for the one above that has merit when you balance that against 350 lads playing SANFL U16 & U18 each week.

[MoP]

The AFL, rightly or wrongly, have a say with the entry age of junior competitions around the nation to protect the Auskick program. As it is, I believe the SANFL had to do some heavy negotiation to get U7's included in recent years. I think the first priority for next season is yet another review of the older age groups. The full season SANFL U16 comp has had a large impact on what players are left standing at clubs beyond U15. Not to mention the ongoing challenge of private school lads entering Year 11 and Year 12 and deciding (or their parents deciding for them) that college football on a Saturday is enough footy for them.

It's only 3rd hand information but I'm hearing that SANFL Juniors could be considering U15.5 & U17.5 as the age groups above U14 for next year. The half year bit is always a bit messy and whilst it shouldn't be difficult to understand it's amazing how many still struggle with the equation of what makes someone eligible or not. But the progression from U14 to an 18-month age parameter to the next age group then 24-months for the one above that has merit when you balance that against 350 lads playing SANFL U16 & U18 each week.

They keep changing the age groups in the girls comp, too, trying to find the right combination. I'm not sure if it's school, work, boys or completely unrelated, but the drop off for girls once they hit about 16 is pretty significant, too.

[wenchbarwer]

The AFL, rightly or wrongly, have a say with the entry age of junior competitions around the nation to protect the Auskick program. As it is, I believe the SANFL had to do some heavy negotiation to get U7's included in recent years. I think the first priority for next season is yet another review of the older age groups. The full season SANFL U16 comp has had a large impact on what players are left standing at clubs beyond U15. Not to mention the ongoing challenge of private school lads entering Year 11 and Year 12 and deciding (or their parents deciding for them) that college football on a Saturday is enough footy for them.

It's only 3rd hand information but I'm hearing that SANFL Juniors could be considering U15.5 & U17.5 as the age groups above U14 for next year. The half year bit is always a bit messy and whilst it shouldn't be difficult to understand it's amazing how many still struggle with the equation of what makes someone eligible or not. But the progression from U14 to an 18-month age parameter to the next age group then 24-months for the one above that has merit when you balance that against 350 lads playing SANFL U16 & U18 each week.

They keep changing the age groups in the girls comp, too, trying to find the right combination. I'm not sure if it's school, work, boys or completely unrelated, but the drop off for girls once they hit about 16 is pretty significant, too.

They get snaffled up by senior teams at that age, get involved in SANFL programs as well. It's hard going for kids, both male and female, to front up for 2 games each week, more if you factor in school as well. Junior clubs quickly become the third option after Seniors/SANFL and school.

[Dutchy]

Why do finals bring out the worse in junior parents and players. You get the likes of MoP carrying on the like a pork chop with fixturing and allegations of club nepotism within the admin of SANFL Juniors. I mean seriously MoP - get over it. There are all sorts of factors that go into finals fixturing in the SANFL Juniors and the best attitude to pass onto players and parents is let the league do their job and as a club we will concentrate on preparing the team to play at whatever ground and time they allocate us.

But this is nothing compared to the behaviour of a club at St Mary's on Sunday. Couldn't handle getting beaten in their U16 Prelim Final and reports of parents and team officials arguing amongst each other. Abuse of league & ground officials and umpires that led to an off-duty copper being forced to flash his badge to get control. Abuse and threats to players from another club about to start the next game. Damage to changerooms after the game. Basically a bloody disgrace from what I've been told and quite an intimidating environment for others at the venue. The club apparently already had some sort of good behaviour bond hanging over their head from last season.

The abuse by parents/adults towards kids playing (and umpiring) seems to be getting worse and worse, Im not sure what more can be done about it.

Last weekend a saw a guy from another club (who weren't even playing - just spectating to see who they would play in the GF so no emotional attachment to the game) calling a kid fat and asking him who ate all the pies. I feel like saying something myself but just feel it will just escalate the situation.

[locky801]

Why do finals bring out the worse in junior parents and players. You get the likes of MoP carrying on the like a pork chop with fixturing and allegations of club nepotism within the admin of SANFL Juniors. I mean seriously MoP - get over it. There are all sorts of factors that go into finals fixturing in the SANFL Juniors and the best attitude to pass onto players and parents is let the league do their job and as a club we will concentrate on preparing the team to play at whatever ground and time they allocate us.

But this is nothing compared to the behaviour of a club at St Mary's on Sunday. Couldn't handle getting beaten in their U16 Prelim Final and reports of parents and team officials arguing amongst each other. Abuse of league & ground officials and umpires that led to an off-duty copper being forced to flash his badge to get control. Abuse and threats to players from another club about to start the next game. Damage to changerooms after the game. Basically a bloody disgrace from what I've been told and quite an intimidating environment for others at the venue. The club apparently already had some sort of good behaviour bond hanging over their head from last season.

The abuse by parents/adults towards kids playing (and umpiring) seems to be getting worse and worse, Im not sure what more can be done about it.

Last weekend a saw a guy from another club (who weren't even playing - just spectating to see who they would play in the GF so no emotional attachment to the game) calling a kid fat and asking him who ate all the pies. I feel like saying something myself but just feel it will just escalate the situation.

Been the same since i can remember and involved, unfortunately these parasites forget that its supposed to be all about the kids, not the parents egos

[Down the Hill]

I think crowd behaviour at senior level has seen a massive improvement in recent years. Most seem to get what are acceptable standards these days. But it seems there are still problems with junior footy. Maybe it's the age profile of many of the parents who are in the 35 to 45 age bracket that makes them more volatile particularly if alcohol is involved. The same types that think a holiday commences at the Coopers Bar at the airport and that it's a rite of passage to get on the grog from 10am before jumping on the Jetstar to Bali or Cairns and risk making a pig of yourself.

[Chappy]

I think crowd behaviour at senior level has seen a massive improvement in recent years. Most seem to get what are acceptable standards these days. But it seems there are still problems with junior footy. Maybe it's the age profile of many of the parents who are in the 35 to 45 age bracket that makes them more volatile particularly if alcohol is involved. The same types that think a holiday commences at the Coopers Bar at the airport and that it's a rite of passage to get on the grog from 10am before jumping on the Jetstar to Bali or Cairns and risk making a pig of yourself.

35-45 Is the struggling to no longer be playing and living your career through kids. Sometimes in this modern world its one of few social outings for parents. We really as a society have lost the ability to act appropriately. Its not a new thing but the world has changed enough that our behaviour should have been adjusted by now.
Please don't ruin the liquid breakfast on a holiday for me.

Its not even just being protective of their own kids, Its regularly attacking other kids/officials which then incites other parents.
As a general rule Humans are shit.

[Dutchy]

Ive taken LM's advice and tried to position myself on the outer wings of my lads games these days, which is great during the minor rounds but finals makes it hard to avoid the DH's

[LaughingKookaburra]

I think crowd behaviour at senior level has seen a massive improvement in recent years. Most seem to get what are acceptable standards these days. But it seems there are still problems with junior footy. Maybe it's the age profile of many of the parents who are in the 35 to 45 age bracket that makes them more volatile particularly if alcohol is involved. The same types that think a holiday commences at the Coopers Bar at the airport and that it's a rite of passage to get on the grog from 10am before jumping on the Jetstar to Bali or Cairns and risk making a pig of yourself.

Crowd and player behaviour in Senior Football has improved remarkably in the last 20 years (10 years in particular). The reason? Because there is serious repercussions for consistent and reckless poor behaviour. If you act in an antisocial way you can get booted out of the comp - Name the last time that happened to an entire club at junior level? It rarely happens or doesn’t happen because the dickheads who carry on like pork chops on the boundary won’t in large majority of cases get the entire junior club turfed because it’s the kids that are affected - That’s a bloody hard thing to manage. The ADFL were the first to target thugs on the field and went at clubs with poor behaviour off it with a sledge hammer. Crowds at amateur level now are way bigger than they were when I began playing as it’s a way better environment now to take the entire family.

[locky801]

I think crowd behaviour at senior level has seen a massive improvement in recent years. Most seem to get what are acceptable standards these days. But it seems there are still problems with junior footy. Maybe it's the age profile of many of the parents who are in the 35 to 45 age bracket that makes them more volatile particularly if alcohol is involved. The same types that think a holiday commences at the Coopers Bar at the airport and that it's a rite of passage to get on the grog from 10am before jumping on the Jetstar to Bali or Cairns and risk making a pig of yourself.

Crowd and player behaviour in Senior Football has improved remarkably in the last 20 years (10 years in particular). The reason? Because there is serious repercussions for consistent and reckless poor behaviour. If you act in an antisocial way you can get booted out of the comp - Name the last time that happened to an entire club at junior level? It rarely happens or doesn’t happen because the dickheads who carry on like pork chops on the boundary won’t in large majority of cases get the entire junior club turfed because it’s the kids that are affected - That’s a bloody hard thing to manage. The ADFL were the first to target thugs on the field and went at clubs with poor behaviour off it with a sledge hammer. Crowds at amateur level now are way bigger than they were when I began playing as it’s a way better environment now to take the entire family.

Crowd at Golden Grove/TTGully last Saturday appeared to be bigger than crowds at alot of SANFL games

[Bluedemon]

I think crowd behaviour at senior level has seen a massive improvement in recent years. Most seem to get what are acceptable standards these days. But it seems there are still problems with junior footy. Maybe it's the age profile of many of the parents who are in the 35 to 45 age bracket that makes them more volatile particularly if alcohol is involved. The same types that think a holiday commences at the Coopers Bar at the airport and that it's a rite of passage to get on the grog from 10am before jumping on the Jetstar to Bali or Cairns and risk making a pig of yourself.

Crowd and player behaviour in Senior Football has improved remarkably in the last 20 years (10 years in particular). The reason? Because there is serious repercussions for consistent and reckless poor behaviour. If you act in an antisocial way you can get booted out of the comp - Name the last time that happened to an entire club at junior level? It rarely happens or doesn’t happen because the dickheads who carry on like pork chops on the boundary won’t in large majority of cases get the entire junior club turfed because it’s the kids that are affected - That’s a bloody hard thing to manage. The ADFL were the first to target thugs on the field and went at clubs with poor behaviour off it with a sledge hammer. Crowds at amateur level now are way bigger than they were when I began playing as it’s a way better environment now to take the entire family.

Crowd at Golden Grove/TTGully last Saturday appeared to be bigger than crowds at alot of SANFL games

Local Derby

[Moe]

Junior sport in general has become quite volatile on the sidelines, and bad parent behaviour is rife in netball, cricket and footy from my experiences in the past 10 years.

I gave up coaching Junior football 3 years ago. Far too many people made it too difficult. Nobody wants to help, but everyone has something to say.
Sanfl juniors allow far too many "play down" permits, and I've watched too many older and bigger boy's beat up on kids who are in their correct age groups.

Netball mum's are bloody horrible creatures too, as are some of the coaches.

As a junior coordinator for my cricket club for 10 years now, there's been some bloody ordinary behaviour on the sidelines as well.

If parents don't realise it's OK to lose sometimes, then that filters down to the kid's.

I'm still in favour of a 2 year gap for junior levels. 8s, 10s, 12s etc.
When I grew up, you'd get belted one season, then be the team doing the belting the next.

[MoP]

@DTH I went to Glenelg Oval today to watch the U16 Girls Div 1 GF. Henley beat Glenunga 13.9 to 0.1. I'm not sure this is the sort of score anyone wants to see in any game, let alone a GF.
For background, this Henley team beat Glenunga by about 10 goals in last year's GF. Clearly the best team in the comp, no question. But, this season, Henley had a team in Div 1 and their second team in Div 3 (or 4). Glenunga were forced to have 2 teams in the Div 1 comp. Not only that, they were then forced to allocate their better players amongst both teams. So, the best Club in last year's comp could pick their best 25 players in Div 1. The second best Club had to split their best players across 2 teams.
I can't see how this is in the best interests of anyone. The Henley girls don't learn anything and the Glenunga girls lose interest in football.
You keep patting Henley on the back for how well they run the Junior competition, though.