SEJ SUBMISSION TO THE SE AFL YOUTH REVIEW. Even Competition. Pathway. Shaun Connell

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1 SEJ SUBMISSION TO THE SE AFL YOUTH REVIEW Building sustainable Youth Competitions and pathways to senior football in the SE AFL Region Shaun Connell General Manager Inclusion Participation Even Competition Pathway

2 Contents OVERVIEW... 2 INTRODUCTION... 3 REPSPONSE... 4 The appropriate age of senior transition... 4 The ability of existing structures to cater for sustainability and growth... 5 The suitability of alternative structures... 6 Case studies from other regions and leagues... 7 Summary... 8 Recommendations... 9 Leagues within the South East Region LEAGUE ABBREVIATION DESCRIPTION South East Juniors SEJ Junior AFL competition affiliated to AFL Victoria. Peninsula Casey Nepean Sports Alliance PCNSA Trading entity for the Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League who is the Governing body to 3 senior leagues and Netball in the South East Region. Frankston & District Junior Football League FDJFL Junior AFL competition affiliated to AFL Vic Country and SE Commission. Mornington Peninsula Junior Football League MPJFL Junior AFL competition affiliated to AFL Vic Country and SE Commission. 1

3 OVERVIEW South East Juniors Incorporated (SEJ) began in 1962 as the Dandenong and District Junior Football League and represents 36% of the total number of teams and almost 43% of the total number of junior participants in the South East Metro Development Region. The League is a metropolitan league affiliated with AFL Victoria with membership covering the local Government areas of City of Greater Dandenong, City of Casey and Shire of Cardinia. As of December 2009 the League has been governed by an independent Board of 5, three of which are appointed by AFL Victoria including the Chairman, General Manager and 1 other. The remaining two Board positions are nominated and elected by the member clubs. Position Chairman General Manager AFL Vic Board Appointee Club Elected Club Elected Roger Hampson Shaun Connell Kirsty Bradshaw Paul Milo Leigh Huisman League Board is supported by an administration of 2 full time and one part time staff. SEJ Organisational Structure SEJ BOARD General Manager (FT) Football Operations (FT) Bookkeeper/Admin (PT) Umpire Manager (HONORAIUM) Director of Coaching (HONRAIUM) 200+ Umpires 9 Support Volunteers 8 Development Squads 2

4 INTRODUCTION South East Juniors welcomes the establishment of the AFL Victoria South East Commission review into Youth Football in the South East Region. The Board recognises the complexities of the various league and state jurisdictions within the region and the Board and member clubs are fully supportive of the collaborative regional approach being undertaken during this review. With senior football participation saturation within the City of Casey around 2% for males aged between 18 and 35 it is important that the outcomes of review recommendations impact positively on growth of senior football. The Board acknowledges the scope of the South East Youth Review recommendations extends only to Youth football within the leagues under jurisdiction of AFL Vic Country and the South East Commission being the MPJFL, FDJFL and PCNSA. Outside of these recommendations the Board of South East Juniors believes that football in this region requires a more structured and planned approach to the governance and administration of both junior and senior football in this region. Over the past 5 years there has been several reviews conducted in this region and state-wide reviews that support a central governance and administration model to manage football. In David Codes 2009 Future Review document commissioned by AFL Victoria one of his key recommendations was the central administration and management of the four leagues in the South East Region. A similar theme was identified in the AFL Victoria Review of Country Football where Peter Jackson stated; Our recommendations are focussed unashamedly around the sustainability of the club, not necessarily the sustainability of leagues. For country Victoria to maintain its status and indeed grow, the clubs must be vibrant and financially sustainable. This means putting support resources more directly at their disposal, providing training and development more directly, and reducing the cost of participating in competitions. This requires a change in the current governance structures around country Victoria and it is incumbent on administrators of all governing bodies, including leagues and umpire associations, to consider this for the future well-being of the clubs and the game. The recommended changes are not so much a reflection of what is wrong, or a response to criticism of the current governance structures, but a reflection of what is needed over the next years given the issues confronting football and clubs in country Victoria. 1 Less layers of Governance and Administration will provide both junior and senior clubs a more strategic and responsive approach to the management of football competitions in the ever changing COGD / Casey / Cardinia region. The Board will duly consider the recommendations of the Working Party in line with the best interest of the member clubs of the SEJ and football in the region. The South East Junior response to the review will be in line with the identified purposes of the review. 1 Review of Football in Country Victoria (October 2011) Peter Jackson 3

5 REPSPONSE The appropriate age of senior transition Over the past 5 years there has been a shift within metropolitan junior and senior leagues to align U17 s football competitions with junior clubs and competitions. The statistics provided during the South East review indicated that the alignment of underage players to junior football clubs has seen positive participation outcomes for those competitions. Some of the key factors to this positive outcome include; Keeping peers together in a low risk environment Decreases a disconnect with well-established social groups Allowing players at age to be the "main" (oldest) team enables them to become leaders of the club and role models that the younger players can identify with. Reduces the concept of exclusion selection process of bottom age and senior football can be considered a disincentive for participation junior competition models can provide an opportunity to compete at their standard of skill Could have a positive effect on the transition from junior Football to senior football peers may be likely to stick together and form a majority of a team at U19 level particularly where there are strong Junior / Senior Club alliances participants are less reliant on parents for transport Given the success of this model around Metropolitan Melbourne the South East Juniors believes that similar or better results can be achieved in this region. This competition structure provides the strongest pathway and retention model into surrounding bottom age senior competitions. This model accommodates not only for growth, but allows struggling clubs to field teams with the two year eligibility. 4

6 The ability of existing structures to cater for sustainability and growth Currently the South East Juniors conducts the following age competition structure; U11/U12/U13 U14/U15/U17 Youth Girls U8/U9/U10 The current SEJ U17 competition consists of 15 teams across two divisions. The competition is providing for 366 participants made up of 283 bottom age and 83 top age players. When the league conducted an U17 s competition in 2012 an additional 53 top age players were accommodated. The league is in no doubt that these figures could have been stronger with a more consolidated and collaborative competition structure. In 2013 the league was poised to conduct a standalone U17 competition consisting of 6 teams, however the withdrawal of Hampton Park to the CC competition a week out from the start of the season left the competition with only 5 teams. The league worked with surrounding leagues to ensure all remaining teams found a competition to play in that year. On that basis 110 top age players were being accommodated to play. The South East Juniors competition model is in the best position to cater for growth in this age group. SEJ offers a graded competition with a two year age eligibility that can provide a pathway to senior football clubs across various leagues that border the SEJ footprint. This model maximises the participation opportunities for both strong and struggling clubs across all three LGA s. In 2013 AFL Victoria supported the PNCA conducting an U17 competition in the Casey Cardinia FNL. As a result this has negative impact on the competition structures and pathways in the region. As identified by the Working Party the Casey Cardinia U17 competition has compromised by the use of over age players, unevenness of the competition and teams withdrawing from the competition. The SEJ Premier 1 U17 competition has also seen an un-even competition with two of the six teams being uncompetitive. The Premier 2 competition however has been more balanced with only one team (Doveton Eagles) not registering a win. It is not sustainable to run two parallel U17 s competitions at both junior and senior level. 5

7 The suitability of alternative structures Various alternatives were discussed during the working party and have been suggested by clubs in both the SEJ and Casey Cardinia. SEJ U16 Casey Cardinia U17 The suggestion that SEJ revert back to a straight U16 competition and the Casey Cardinia FNL run U17 s provides significant risk to the purpose and outcomes of the review. A yearly age transition eg U15/U16/U17 would be consistent with the rest of the SEJ competition, however with the reduction in the volume teams in this age group (consistent in most competitions) outcomes such as divisional graded competitions are harder to achieve. There is around a 50% of drop off in the total number of teams from U10 s through to U16/U17 football. This is not to say this competition model wouldn t work, it just wouldn t suit the majority clubs. The other risk with this model is as was experienced this year with the parallel U17 competition Casey Cardinia FNL. Senior clubs recruited 58 of the better players who were still eligible to play U16 s and one player who was still eligible to play U15 s. Year of Birth 1995 (turning 19) (turning 18) (turning 17) (turning 16) (turning 15) 1 Total Playing in Casey Cardinia competition 303 This would suggest if the SEJ did run a standalone U16 competition this year the total number of teams fielded may be much less than the 15. Casey Cardinia clubs may well argue that if the SEJ didn t run an U17 s that the 83 top age players that remained in the SEJ would have played CC U17 s, however this is unlikely as this option was still available to these players and chose to stay a SEJ clubs. It is the view of the South East Juniors that competition structures for these age groups are flexible, adaptable and inclusive. The competition offering must be considered to be fair and even and provide an opportunity to play at their level of competition. There is anecdotal evidence that there are many participants living within the City of Casey that play in competitions or clubs outside of the Casey area. Both the SEJ and Casey Cardinia FNL must strive to provide a local competition that is seen as the first choice option for participants in this region. 6

8 Case studies from other regions and leagues As mentioned earlier in this document the SE Youth Review working party examined the competition models of leagues within the metropolitan football network. The statistical data presented showed an increase in teams in the U16 and U17 age groups. For example in the Eastern Football league the growth in U19 teams was consistent with the number of teams in senior competitions. However the net result over the U17 and U19 s age group of 14 teams in Yarra Junior FL and Eastern FL run the U15/U17 model which feeds directly into U19 competitions in the Northern FL and Eastern FL. Northern FNL have 24 teams in U16 (11) and U17 (13) age group South Metro have a weight of numbers that can allow them a risk free competition structure that allows a 15/16 and 17 age group. Southern FL footprint is covered mainly by the SMJFL. Southern FL runs an U19 s competition which does not compete with the SMJFL U17 s. SMJFL 16 = 26 SMJFL 13 U17 The advantage to the likes of Northern FL and Eastern FL is that they share a one competition governance model which allows that league to be adaptive and responsive to any necessary competition changes. In the case of Yarra Juniors and South Metro their models and pathways are well established with their senior leagues, however the junior league still has flexibility to set up the U16 and U17 competitions to suit the clubs. 7

9 Summary Based on the research, data and discussions presented during the review the SEJ Board has formed the following views; that the duplication of U17 s competition is not viable in the short or long term The current Casey Cardinia U17 competition is being supported by the inclusion of U19 participants which is not a long term sustainable participation solution. The figures indicate that if the status quo remained that a Casey Cardinia U17 competition would not be viable in 2015 Case studies of other leagues support s that U17 s teams being aligned with Junior Football Clubs provides a higher retention of teams and participants Based on experiences of other metro leagues that the SEJ U17 competition will continue to expand over the next few years - assuming another competition in the same area with the same age group target is not running in duplication. That there is potential for senior club growth through standalone SEJ junior clubs feeding U/19 teams in a divisional U/19 competition managed through a senior competition. With senior participation in the City of Casey around 2% alternate standard of competition models need to be established in this region. This can be achieved through o Growth of new senior teams in growth areas o Growth of stand-alone junior clubs into U19 and Senior Football o Review of senior competition structures in Melbourne s outer South East That the current U17 model best suits the majority of SEJ member clubs whether they are aligned to Casey Cardinia Clubs or not. That the Under 15 and Under 17 structure within an underage League feeding an Under 19 and Reserves / Seniors competition within a senior League is the most logical structure. In an ideal world, one single competition would manage both senior and under age competitions in the region - however we acknowledge that we are likely a long way from this position becoming a reality. 8

10 Recommendations Recommendation 1: Competition Structure That U17 football remain under the jurisdiction of junior football clubs and competitions That the South East Juniors competitions consist of o U8/ U9/U10/11/U12 /U13/ U14 / U15 o U17 o Female Football Junior Girls Youth Girls That a survey be conducted with clubs, parents and U17 participants on potential options to explore various options for fixturing. Casey Cardinia structure o U19 with a two year age eligibility Transition into a two tiered competition structure Consideration from PCN (CC) to allow junior U19 teams to be accommodated in fixtures Player must be turning 18 or 19 in that year o Reserves o Seniors It is recommended at the confirmation of the recommendation s that the South East Juniors and PCNSA operation staff work together to discuss the transition to the new competition model. Permits SEJ to consider the re-introduction of an interchange agreement with the Casey Cardinia FNL o Top age U17 s (SEJ) to U19 s (CC) Request to introduce a restricted interchange of players to the Casey Cardinia Senior competition (not reserves) should be further considered by the Board and discussed with the SEJ member clubs. Recommendation 2: Governance and Administration As has been recommended in the Future Directions review (2009) and the Peter Jackson review (2011) serious discussions need to be held to review the feasibility of potential consolidation of the governance of junior and senior football across the COGD, Casey and Cardinia. South East Juniors believes that under the direction of AFL Vic and the SE AFL Commission that a working party be established as soon as practicable to explore options and the feasibility in establishing a central governance and administration model of junior and senior football across COGD, Casey and Cardinia. 9

11 DATA AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 10

12 AFL VICTORIA SOUTH EAST METRO DEVELOPMENT REGION SEJ represents 36% of the total number of teams in the South East Metro Development Region and 44% of the total number of Junior teams in the SE development region. SOUTH EAST JUNIORS PCNA FDJFL MPJFL 11

13 WHERE SEJ PLAYERS GO SEJ Players transferred to Casey Cardinia by league. Although Casey Cardinia FNL remains the largest beneficiary of exiting SEJ players the competition also feeds other senior leagues within the SEJ footprint. 12

14 MISSED OPPORTUNITY ( ) Played in year as an U16 Number of players who did not play the following year Despite the reasonable numbers going through to senior football there are still a large number of players not playing football the following year. In 2012 the league conducted a Premier competition that comprised of 5 of the best U16 teams and two U17. As a result of that competition structure 20 teams participated in that U16 and Premier Competition and only 95 players from the previous year were lost to the game. However when the league didn t run an U17 in participants were lost to the game. Senior football tends to provide more opportunities to participants that can play the game. In senior clubs a lot of effort is put into recruiting or acquiring the best players to their underage teams to ensure their senior team can be successful in future years. This approach can be attributed to the breakup of established junior teams and potential to have existing peer networks being dismantled. Ideally a competition and governance structure that promotes team s staying together and reducing player movement would benefit player retention and senior clubs in the long term. 13

15 MISSED OPPORTUNITY (2013 to 2014) Over 123 players who played SEJ U16 s in 2013 are not playing anywhere in In addition almost 99 players who played U15 s in 2013 did not return to play football anywhere in This may be attributed to the confusion between the respective Casey Cardinia FNL and SEJ U17 s competitions and the recruiting of the better players from SEJ U16 teams to Casey Cardinia U17 s. The SEJ attribute the drop off players of 2013 u15 players to the SEJ U17 competition to a lack of understanding of the SEJ competition structure. Table: Players who played SEJ 2013 who did not play anywhere in AGE Club 15 (turning 16) 16 (turning 17) Beaconsfield JFC 5 4 Berwick JFC Berwick Springs 5 7 Cranbourne JFC 7 5 Endeavour Hills JFC 3 1 Fountain Gate JFC 7 13 Hampton Park JFC 3 8 Narre North Foxes JFC Narre South Lions JFC Narre Warren JFC 9 17 Noble Park JFC 7 9 Officer JFC 6 12 Pakenham JFC 6 3 Tooradin Dalmore 2 3 Total

16 SEJ Club contribution to Senior Football by club (Casey Cardinia) SEJ CLUB TOTAL SEJ PLAYERS TO CASEY CARDINIA Beaconsfield JFC Berwick JFC Narre North Foxes JFC Narre Warren JFC Cranbourne JFC Hampton Park JFC Pakenham JFC Officer JFC Narre South Lions JFC Endeavour Hills JFC % of total SEJ Club contribution On average 215 players per year transfer from SEJ to Casey Cardinia. Since 2009 Beaconsfield Junior Football Club has contributed almost 13% (168) of players to the Casey Cardinia League. More work needs to be done to create junior club / senior club alignments and structured pathways. Consideration should be given to establishing MOU s or formal agreements between junior and senior clubs that fosters healthy partnerships and pathways from junior to senior football. Where appropriate junior and senior club governance models can also be considered. Fountain Gate JFC Tooradin-Dalmore FC Noble Park JFC Endeavour North JFC Hallam FC Berwick Springs JFC North Dandenong JFC Grand Total Denotes Junior/Senior Clubs 15

17 16

18 17

19 SEJ U17 CLUB TEAM AGE DEMOGRAPHIC 22% of the 2014 U17 Competition is Top Age 18

20 Junior Teams by SEJ Club and Governance status 19