Well maybe if some of you looked pass your ego's and consider seeking options at the other 4 district clubs who are probably looking eagerly for posible Div 1 and Div 2 players and who gladly give your son /daughter an opportunity. Otherwise welcome to the system - been through it / done it - regret now not giving kids opportunity at the lowly clubs so they could have reached potential or at leasr had opportunity to show their potential rather than doing time waiting for the promises and then seeing next lot of recruits come in the door.Nothing apparently changed so grin and bear, can always hang hat on being at the big 3 club or the big 6 clubs, its about being part of the team and club, so embrace it. Wont change, so dont complain unless you are prepared to back with actions. End of day if kids happy thats a good thing but beware of false expectations before passes them by.

'One thing I've noticed, its not how good you are, its who you know.'

A very powerful and insightful observation Mr Interested Onlooker.

And there I was thinking that my mediocre performance in sport, business, love, in fact life in general was all my fault.

Nope. I just don't know the right people. My bloody friends - they're to blame!

I've de-friended all my facebook contacts and feel better already.

Success is just a click away.

Interested Onlooker, what's troubling you? Do you have specific issues, or just a general whinge?

"who you know and socio-economic status"
just pick em on talent please!

Get some squeaky wheels.

I dont know of many clubs where someone could just walk up and say "oh yeah um I'd like to coach div 1" out of nowhere! Ridiculous point. And if they can, well that's the clubs fault for allowing such rubbish

i have worked hard for 2 clubs now - both times after improving the area i have been involved in - i have been pushed out (ie no longer required) by associates bringing direct family members in to replace me or into where my future position was to be.

Interested Onlooker, what's troubling you? Do you have specific issues, or just a general whinge?

I think you would find disgruntled people at every club. The most contentious issues that would be common to most clubs:

* Perceived favouritism from coaches / CD's/ JDO's
* Team selection criteria not clear or adhered to
* Court time (or lack thereof)
* Varied standards in discipline to poor behaviour (eg non-attendance at training, tech fouls etc)

The squeaky wheel does get oiled, particularly parents (mothers) who can rally support for revolutions. However, some paranoid CD's can suffer from control issues and seek to crush anything they perceive as "dissent".

I think there are a few groups of difficult people at clubs (both parents and coaches):

"The Sherman Tank" - If they don't get their own way, they just drive through everyone until they do.
"The A-Bomb" - the dangerous one. Bottle everything up and then explodes publicly creating a scene
"The Sniper" - the sneaky ones that whiteants the team's or club's efforts by sniping behind people's backs.

Err Jack Toft ,you missed one ,LOL.
The "Hurdler" ,the kid who comes from a top 2 club and is picked for State Team despite their talent and plays more minutes than another despite that other getting the team back into the contest when on court.