Who old was Michael Owen or Ronaldo when

they played in a World Cup or Euro Championships for the first time? 17, or 18?

And how old are our boys at the AIS. Probably 17 or even 18 already, and not a professional game between them or maybe a couple for James Holland at the Jets and Sebastian Ryall at the Victory.

Which 18 year old Australian could play in the 2010 World Cup?

None because they'd still be training in the Granddads programme at the AIS.

The lads at the AIS are preparing for the Young Socceroos Under 20 World Cup. So this determines when they are taken into the AIS on a scholarship.

This also means we get about 25 lads every two years. And why not 25 every year...wouldn't that increase our depth.

With the Grand Plan out there surely it's time for a rethink on the future of the AIS.

The AIS do a great job. Look at the number of quality footballers they have produced.

But why not have an intake every year?

Cost of course and the lads are on a programme that takes them to the Under 20 World Cup.

It's interesting, to me, to look at how many of the current Olyroos squad didn't go to the AIS. Or perhaps have a look at how many out of twenty three did. Not many, less than ten maybe only 6 depending on who is picked.

And if you are any good, really good, what use is playing in the VPL at 17 or even 18?

Michael Owen was scoring against Argentina at that age in a World Cup game.

So what would he have said to a 17 year old's place on an AIS Scholarship?

The AIS should be bringing guys in for the Joey's programme Under 17, and developing them.

Surely 16 and 18 plus is too late in modern football.

Besides if you were any good wouldn't a lazy UK club just come over and nick you for next to nothing, play you in the reserves. You'd be cheap and if you work out great, if you don't so what.

So surely the AIS needs a revamp.

In line with Joey representation and then not just a bi-annual intake. There are enough quality players in Australia for an annual intake and it would improve our player base as well.

Imagine 14 and 15 year olds in a full-time residential football programme.

Bet they do it with 7 year old Gymnasts to why not footballers?

At the moment consider this: two players, one born in the on year and one in the off.

The one in line for Under 20 selection wins an AIS place the other is born in the wrong year so stays in his State or Club programme.

Born in the wrong year. What is that all about?

But if you get the golden pass to the AIS you will come out a better player with a stronger chance of making it than the guy who wasn't born in the right year.

Full-time skill development plus all the AIS insights. How cana guy who doesn't have the opportunity because of his birth date, how can he compete in terms of physical, skill development and football mentality.

As modern players get younger and younger can you see the next Lionel Messi stuck in an Argentinean training programme at 18?

I may not have the answer or even the understanding on this one, but it seems to me that with a new Youth League structure the AIS could become outdated in its current form.

It survives because the game in this country has been weak but if we can produce quality AIs type programmes in every state at every A-League club, why would we need to maintain a Young Socceroos programme at the AIS?

Lets develop the players at a younger age, for the Joeys. Surely they are the ones that can really benefit and leap forward quickly.

They would benefit from a full-time skill development programme.

Maybe then we would produce an extra Socceroo or two, or even a few more Olyroos.

And these guys would be ready to head off to A-League clubs or god forbid to overseas clubs after the Under 17 World Cup.

When was the last time an Aussie really stood out at the Under 17 World Cup?

They are coming into the AIS programme way way to late?

Fire away!