Perhaps not stupid.

I understand Tristan's perspective - underwater hockey in New Zealand is booming particular in the junior area. They have the numbers to make an international junior team viable, as well as the funding, and it fits in nicely with their junior development program.

On the other hand, other countries (I'll use Australia as an example), do not have a national junior development program, despite efforts from States such as Tasmania. Therefore they don't have the participants or the funding to make it viable.

For these countries, a biannual international is sustainable (such as the Trans Tasmans). Another thing I have noticed, particularly with the Australian team, is when the kids reach their peak as a junior (obviously at 17-18) it coincides with their final years of school, so (often due to parental pressure) they opt out of the comp in favour of focussing on their studies.

My view is that until other countries establish successful junior development programmes like what New Zealand has, a junior worlds tournament is not sustainable as the teams are continually fluctuating in both attendence and standard. Yes, that sucks if you're a kiwi, so how can we as an international sport start to improve the situation with junior development? What services and supoprt can we get from CMAS or for that matter WACA?

I know Tristan is happy to show off what NZ has established and pass on tips and advice. And I'm certainly looking forward to seeing it all in August when I head over there. Perhaps its something that Australia should set its sights on over the next 5 years... perhaps at the 2012 Worlds Australia can win all 5 Gold medals on offer