@smfcmike@SMEMUFC@HeatherGarriock@FootballAUS Having said that when’s the last time you heard of a junior outside of the NPL system who made it pro? I’ve never heard of one in recent times
@smfcmike@SMEMUFC@HeatherGarriock@FootballAUS In many cases NPL juniors is a dream. The product can be as bad or worse than community football. In some cases a genuine academy is there - Glen Eira as an example. In many others you still get Dad coaches and nepotism ruining the junior product.
@PaulFMcNamee@smfcmike One of the massive differences is the land size in Australia and $ associated with travel
Whilst a club like South Melbourne might be able to put players and staff on planes, most NPL clubs may not be able to
But a well run club who does well and attracts sponsorship might?
@TheSportParent@CoachJonBeck Agree but depends how far you go - buying their spot on a team, their guaranteed game time, their promotion to playing higher age groups - all happen at the junior level
@smfcmike@BentleighGreens@smfc In my opinion a very strong VPL team beats a weakened NPL team however the new coach’s first match may change that paradigm
@Sachk0 Agree however small gap between 9-14 placed. Will be a very interesting second half of the season. Super dramatic to see the rise of Preston whilst clubs like South slide down the table
@andrewvoerman@VinceRugari@fc_auckland@aleaguemen It’s an interesting fact however City, WU, Wanderers etc are all playing youth and just behind them so you could infer will be better positioned in the long term
@smfcmike@footballvic Would fans of one team go to other NPL matches regularly? ie does it matter that the days/times clash if you can still go and support your club?