Quote:
Originally Posted by TKR  Edwin,
The zones are defined based on location not numbers.
BTW the approximate number of players under 18 are
Northern- 272
Mid Northern-50
Central- 260
Top of South-55
Mid South-34
Southern-50
I personally believe that its poor organisation rather than player numbers that is the issue. It is noticable how well mid Northen performed considering their playing numbers at the U18 level. |
I do not dispute that the quality of organisation plays a major part in who plays in the zone competition etc. Yes, organisation plays a major part why the southern three zones were not represented. Mid Northern is lucky that they have a very dedicated core team who can devote the time/effort to the U18 zone teams.
The strenght of Northern and Central (aka Bottom of the North for Duck and Co) is their sheer numbers, in players, coaches, managers etc. This does not happen overnight. Congratulations to those who helped these two centres become what they are. Bearing this in mind, these two centres are also the two largest population centres in NZ, another factor in their favour.
If organised correctly, you get the effect you have now, where it is seen as an honour to be selected for your team as you have had to beat 100 other players to make the team. In the smaller centres, if you wait long enough, you will make the team by default, due to that you, as a 17 year old are bigger, better and stronger than some of the 15 year olds trailing for the team.
One thing I was suprised by when I recently visited my old club in Christchurch was that the City looked like it was on its way back down to a one club town. The same problem it suffered from 15 years ago.
Maybe this is the wrong place (discussion thread) to be discussing this. Maybe we should be discussing this in a thread called 'how to increase the number of UWH players through good organisation'. Then we also need to look at how to prevent burnout with the volunteers we have, how larger centres can support the smaller ones rather than conitually beating them in competitons.
The three southern zones have struggled in the interzone competitions to long, the reasons are many and varied. I am not sure that the current geographical method of splitting up the zones is correct.
Thats my one penny in this discussion for today.