The Trials of Trialling

[beowulf]

It's that time of year again. While many rep players from the coast have already been signed for their Sydney sides of last season, those kids who want to stay on the coast (or who have no other choice) face the ordeal of 4 weeks of trials. The kids who trial for more than one district also face the choice of signing immediately for a Sydney side or waiting, possibly in vain, for CCL to accept them. They then risk missing out in both cases.

Many who sign for Sydney sides would stay on the coast if they could. So surely there is a quicker way of doing it, like immediately re-signing those from last season that they know they want, and then trialling new hopefuls. They might then achieve some consistency in quality of players (the same might be said of coaches).

I don't intend this thread as just another excuse to criticise CCF, but must we go through the same 'trials' every season? Someone must know a better way to conduct the selection process which reduces unnecessary stress, inconvenience and which recognises established talent while making room for new and emerging talent.

As proof that I'm not bagging CCF, I am pleased that last season's fees were relatively low, especially compared to the fees some sides are reported to charge. I would plead with CCF to continue this trend for the 2007 season. Football, even at rep level, has to be the people's sport and not just the sport for those with the money. Setting a high fee will unfairly discriminate against deserving kids whose parents are on low incomes

[marinermick]

Maybe you should put together a discussion paper for the association outlining the strengths and weaknesses in the current system and recommendations on how to improve things.

I am sure they would appreciate it and if it helps central coast football it could only be a positive.

[offtheball]

An age old debate.

Whatever they do can they please jsut be up front and honest.

In any given age group there are going to be kids who are outstanding and don't need to trial. How and where do you draw the line though?

Apparently in some Blacktown teams the whole squad was signed prior to a ball being kicked in trials. Not quite the problem in Blacktown as it is up here because within 25 min drive there are 8 other rep teams you could play for.

How many spots should be open on the coast? Should all kids be resigned each year because they are an incumbent? Bit humiliating if 12 are offered contracts and one or two or told they have to trial.

As I said in my opening statement even this isn't as big a problem if the coach/club is up front with the player and explains the decision.

New coaches come in with new ideas, new philosophies. Very complex to get it right.

[greenpoleffc]

Why would it be different to any other form of team building??

1) Who do you want to keep for next year
2) Who is going to actually stay

That becomes your core group then you trial on an "open to all" basis to see what talent turns up.

The hard part is if someone trials who is streets ahead of your incumbent players. Tough to go to kids and say, you were good enough but now you arent.

Tough issue to deal with but thats management.

[johnnywarren]

yes you areright greenpole - and also to the others above - but the pleasing part of these trials is the number of kids who want to be part of the ccf. obviously the kids who are coming to trial are seeing that the people in the roles for next year have credibility and are their for the right reasons. i personally know that the selections for coaches is going to be really hard but hopefully the kids and the parentswill be committed for the year and as a whole for ccf we can achieve a level of football that will take us to the premier youth league.

[keensy]

I was at trials tonight(for U/18s) and one of the CCF guys was saying that they havnt seen this many try out across all age groups ever.

Note: i made 22 man cut ;D

[johnnywarren]

well done mate, hope you go well. hally should be a good manager for you guys. plays a great brand of football - watched them 15s this year and they really looked good

[froggy]

Hally is quite knowledgeable
Good to see he got the 18 s as opposed to the 11 or 12 as origionally offered

[oziboy]

What are the rules for trialing for lightning at the CCF. ?
My child is trying out at present and each week the CCF is accepting new registration's for lightning applicants, even though they have told other children not to come back, due to stronger players being present etc etc.
It's hard on my kid because he has seen other players turned away now knowing that he has progressed further only to have new talent turn up and get a run - maybe we
should just show up on the last week. ?
Any ideas ? also each age group seems to be determined in a different way. !!

[voice of reason]

I'm sure that in reality each coach knows exactly who they want in their team. Why don't they just cut to the chase already and save everyone the misery?

[keensy]

first week we had bit over 40 for the 18s....and by the next week it was down to thirty and that was just 10 ppl who didnt show up again which werent cut. We are now down to 22 and the final squad will be 14

[johnnywarren]

oziboy said:

What are the rules for trialing for lightning at the CCF. ?
My child is trying out at present and each week the CCF is accepting new registration's for lightning applicants, even though they have told other children not to come back, due to stronger players being present etc etc.
It's hard on my kid because he has seen other players turned away now knowing that he has progressed further only to have new talent turn up and get a run - maybe we
should just show up on the last week. ?
Any ideas ? also each age group seems to be determined in a different way. !!

the rules were that the kids who went to branch were ment to come back back during this week. last week was open to all club and out of area players.
but kids came back from branch to last weeks trials as well, so if you see a newbie in your age group that you dont know, could be from the branch squad.

good luck keensy

[offtheball]

Were kids cut this week?

[johnnywarren]

i think with most coaches we are down to the business end