The clash is because this year the nationals are in Perth, which operate on different holidays than the other states.

Normally footy camps try not to clash with basketball nationals.

Won't affect Metro as much as Country due to the greater depth of Metro, and also because there are more country kids who play mutiple sports than metro.

My son is in the process of having to make the choice, it effects Metro boys as well, this will effect some Norwood boys as well as Sturt. It is unfortunate as my boy loves both.I believe at full strength Country would beat Metro in under 16's both teams will be weakened unfortunately.The boys have to play football this week as this leads into a scholarship with 9 football teams by 4 Metro and 4 Country players chosen. Next year they choose the Under 16 State team from the 72 scholarship winners.

I personally prefer football but it is my son's decision.The negatives of BAsketball are development is over shadowed by BASA who do not give young adult a break from the game District should have a four week break between seasons.Also spending time with parents there is more negativity amongst basketball parents than football parents this may be a numbers issue.Also when you represent a SANFL team there is no Metro vs Country mentality or jealousy.

Legend

You know your stuff. To make the state u/16 footy team you have to get a scholarship from your sanfl club. Those who say you don't have no idea of the pathway program for footy in this country. The unfortunate thing is that they clash this year so choices have to be made. I know that 1 sturt boy has already chosen footy over country and that caused him great angst but he went with his heart.

You see footy scouts now from 4-5 league clubs every friday night watching boys in 14-18 age groups. They have dossiers on all kids that have a half chance of even looking like making it. The professionalism they show towards these kids development is first class.

There is no doubt that country would be much stronger than metro team this year with full squads. You can easily identify the kids in that group that play footy as they are much "harder" in their approach. Pity is when they play footy the competion overall is diminished. Pity they can't play both these days as b'ball will lose most times.

Go country

"You can do both !"

You can't this year.
If you had bothered to read the very first paragraph of this thread, it mentions that the U16 Nationals and the SANFL U15s champs (or whatever it is actually called) are both on the same week.
Pretty hard to be both in Perth and Adelaide at the same time!

haha this is hilarious maybe in victoira its football that makes u choose but i know cos ive had to make this choice myself that basketball is the one that forces you into a decision in south australia, footy wants u to play both if you can while basketball make u make up your mind at around under 16 level its disgraceful!! thankgod i chose footy!!

and also metro v country in under 16 boys would of been a very good game to watch and im not sayin country would of won but it would of been very close they are both very talented but country have lost about 5 players and metro 1 so there ya go

This is great. The amount of times players have been told not to train with local clubs before nationals or not to play in local games by these expert state coaches is mind boggling and dumb. When we were winning nationals in the nineties, everyone played local ball! Then they take them away and play these players 2 minute. They have no respect for club basketball. Now they must accept that they are a second tier sport and can´t play with the strongest team at nationals. Payback is a bitch.

Country rocks!!!!! I should know cause i'm from country.

As sad as it is, 15 is around the age where the players must make the choice of sports. It happens all the time for footy-basketball aswell as tennis-cricket for summer wise. If they are that talented that they can play state in 2 different sports they are probably looking at a professional career and therefore need to choose a path asap. It is sad for the boys tho as they miss out on a great experience in whichever they dont choose.

177833, don't let the truth in the way of a good story or sensationilsm. State coaches are also club coaches so to say they don't respect club basketball is non-sensical. Players ARE encouraged to play club basketball and they do play it. Infact their performance for their club has a significant impact as to whether they will make a state team or not.

In the 90s when we won medals at U16 / U18 level players were not able to play club basketball 1 or 2 games before they left for Nationals as is the case now.

Is there anything in your post actually based on fact?

Very interesting debate with both sides having valid arguments. I thought outside the square for a 14/15 year old, the peaking of their chosen fields should come in the next few years. My issues is will they be burnt out when they need to be at the peak of their game. My son's standard week.
Monday 500 to 700 Association Footy training, then coaches basketball
Tues 500 Footy training, 700 to 830 Intensive basketball training
Wed Local Basketball training for association
Thursday 4.30 to 6.30 Football Training
Friday 8.30 district game
Saturday 10.00 to 11.30 Football game
Sunday 900 to 10.30 District Basketball traing
This schedule does not include SAC Basketball or SANFL trainings. By no way is this a whinge it is the reality of what many young athletes have to do.

Anon,
What is the big deal with the SANFL U/15's ?

Once again, if you actually bothered to read the thread....

The boys have to play football this week as this leads into a scholarship with 9 football teams by 4 Metro and 4 Country players chosen. Next year they choose the Under 16 State team from the 72 scholarship winners.

In other words, if you want to make the U16 State Footy team, you have to play this carnival.

no 15 yr old needs to choose

The first paragraph of this thread is:

Believe that a few U/16 basketballers face the choice of competing at nationals in Perth or playing in the footy state champs in the same week of the july school holidays

So (again), yes this year they have to choose.

But keep going off on your rants, they are quite entertaining...

The decision for my son is difficult as a parent I have facilitated meetings with SANFL junior delegate as well as his SAC basketball coaches.They both were compassionate and stated their cases without prejudice, which makes the decision even harder.My son to be fair to the other 15 SAC Nationals in the squad will make his decision by next training.Before the draft issue arise my Son will have other things to compete with eg.employment,girls,cars,drugs,alcohol,did I mention girls. As parents we need to step back and communicate with our children and honestly what they want.I have seen so many parents love their children and not be realistic, let the young adults live their dream not ours.

Rants, they are common sense discussions

"Common sense discussions" don't include calling people numb nuts or dick face - no matter how much you disagree with them.

(for the record: I too disagree with PAYBACK - I've haven't heard of players being told not to play district.)

You are righting off the State U16 footy team as being unimportant with comments like "So what if they do not make the U/16 State footy team". The point of the thread (as posted by parents of players in this situation) is that the PLAYERS find this important, and they are having to choose between the two sports (one at State Level, one at National level) this year as they clash (when usually they do not). You've chosen to ignore all of this to make the point that choosing footy over basketball at this stage does not mean you will or won't get drafted to the AFL - which whilst maybe true is completely irrelevant to the discussion.

Good luck to all of the players in whatever decision you make.

I am the father of one of the country kids that has chosen footy ahead of the nationals. To say to a 15 year old kid that the chance to play state underage footy is unimportant is just dumb.

I am a basketball person but whether I agree or disagree with my son is irrelavent. It is his right to choose whatever carnival he wishes to compete in and at the end of the day follow his dream and passion. I know he would have liked to do both and he would have done well at nationals but at the end of the day kids are kids and they they follow their hearts.

Multi talented kids face these sorts of decisions it seems at around 15 years of age. As a parent all you can do is encourage them to do both as long as they have the desire. Even though he won't try out for nationals he is still keen to do really well at state champs and the classics and help his club team do well.

Kids who at the end of the day choose "the other sport" are still as committed and competative as basketball only kids. It is a real pity they cannot do both - but thats life. As long as they remain involved in a sport of some sort and maintain enjoyment and appreciate the friendships they make along the way.

Those words are a reaction to your actions

Well, I guess we just have different definitions of "common sense discussions" then. Unlike you, I don't think they include personally insulting someone who "doesn't understand your point of view" (and for the record, it wasn't my actions that drew one of those reactions, I just don't think it's necessary and actually weakens your other arguments, which probably has some merit).

Mortgage man,
Completely agree with your sentiments. Best of luck to your son at footy and with his club ball as well.

Tough choice for the kids this year agreed.

The real issue though is one that is with us every year. Propaganda by the football community.

FACT - You do not have to play elite U16 football to be drafted into the AFL.

The process for me and my son is not about being drafted.My son dominates because he plays in a weak local competition,by playing in town he can be better be judged by the standard of competition.

Legend,

I hope your son makes a career for himself in sport as he doesn't seem to have too much time left to put into his school work!!

Let's get a grip parents - we're talking about kids sport here. Maybe some of you should be looking out for them in the thing that will get them furthest in life and I think that happens at school

Mr Pendlebury

You do have to play elite level U/15 state champs to make the U/16 state footy team.

Agree to make AFL you don't have to make elite 16's. You have to be in the AFL pathways program - just like b'ball have to be at SASI.

Don't slag footy kids who just happen to be tougher than b'ball kids. I can name 2 footy kids that would walk into the 16 bball state team but have chosen footy instead. Does not mean they are not as committed to their sport. About time people like you changed their attitude and bball would be a much better sport.

Mr Hawkins my Son is an A student at a private school, he also works two nights a week at Red Rooster. Other than that he chills out with his mobile phone, playstation and his girlfriend.

In that order 'legend"??? Lol...

He has been advised to give his decision by next SAC training they have chosen another guard in the reserves just in case. There really is no choice footy will always win because of cost,opportunities,no country vs metro jealousy, employment opprtunities. Also my Son will only grow to 6 foot 2 which he is tallish in football but short in basketball terms.

I think it's fair for a parent to present future factors in an advisory context. My mother was always happy to tell me about the wonders of being a garbage collector down the track in case I didn't work hard enough!

Haha - I reckon every mum has used the old garbage collector line. Nowadays it probably isn't as bad because a robotic arm empties the bin for you while you sit in the air conditioned truck and listen to the radio - as opposed to the old school garbos that parents used to refer to who used to run around come rail hail or shine (or 14 day heat waves?) and pick up bins and garbage bags.