AFL:Ssshh don't mention Barry Hall:)

AFL to reduce the size of junior teams...now where have we heard that before?

Apparently AFL want to introduce 12 players a team for juniors. So every gets ago, and they are living in fear of football, so it seems.

And as the local junior seasons start, the race is on to get our cAussie children, into AFL, Union, League or Football.

This from The Age.

Aside from the "fairness" of there policy, The AFL is also aware of the threat from soccer. It want to ensure that Auskickers of today want to be the Buckleys, Hirds and Vosses of Tomorrow, not the next Vidukas, Kewells or Cahills

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Funny no mention of Barry Hall:)....read the full article below.


12-a-side plan for junior footy ...
Tony Jones
Sunday Age April 13 2008

Now, this might not come as a huge surprise ... but I wasn't the most gifted junior footballer running around. You might say I was "bench specialist", always the one standing there as the team was read only to hinge my hopes on being the 19th man.

This weekend, thousands of kids will bounce out of bed, pack their boots and mouthguards in readiness for another season of livingout their dream. wWhile that comes easy for boys and girls with natural talent, there are a multitude of kids who only ever have minimum impact. But they keep coming back because they love playinf footy and they should never be discouraged for having a go.

The AFL recognises the need to continue encouraging this youngsters and is formulating a policy that would see junior teams reduced to 12 a side.
"You can be a participant, but how active are you during a game?" asked the league game development manager David Mathews.

The 12 a side concept allows for more teams to be formed, giving everyone a chance to play and the opportunity to get their hands on the ball more often.
"More opportunity and less congestion" said Mathews.

Aside from the "fairness" of ther policy, The AFL is also aware of the threat from soccer. It want to ensure that Auskickers of today want to be the Buckleys, Hirds and Vosses of Tomorrow, not the next Vidukas, Kewells or Cahills.