Lots of kids come back from College dissapointed because all the bright lights and glam that they thought it was going to be didn`t turn out how they thought.

Certainly wouldn`t put it down to who sent them there.

Some people get lucky wit h a great coach and team others don`t...simple as that.

From what I have seen this academy and others do a good job of getting these kids a go in the first place, when 60-70% shouldn`t even be heading over there at all as they don`t have the games to back it up.

I Think you will find it`s someone with sour grapes or someone who has heard of someone making it over there another way so they think these places are a waste of time.

As the above post said, if you want to go to these acedemies then go, if you don`t the don`t.

Plenty of kids getting there off there own bat as well filling out forms and BS schools with what they can do, it doesn`t take long when they are over there to be found out for what they truly are.

Our youth leagues here in Vic are a fantastci tool for developing the younger players to play senior ball downthe line. The issue now is the fact that there are so many opportunities for kids that they don`t have to work hard or earn there spots anymore.

Clubs, Coaches and teams are expected to prove themselves to the player rather then the other way around, or the disgruntled players walk and go elsewhere as there is so many option available.

Does anybody get cut anymore?


As for kids being noticed through the "usual" channels of state teams etc, I don`t think you can 100 percent list this as an accurate tool for how good a player is. Sure the majority of the great players will find there ways into these programs, however there are still many who miss out due to being from programs that are small and therefore they are not given a look in.

Stacey Barr always comes to mind when this discussion comes up, Dominated at the womens level and is doing great in the U.S but couldn`t get a look at the U18 level.

If he didn't lie to players and parents about his achievements and what he claims to be able to do then people wouldn't have a crack at him. Take his Jock Landale FB post, if you didn't know better you would think LS got him this scholarship but the smart people know he had this lined up well before he ever set foot into the Bogus place.
People will say anything to keep their income rolling in. Tell them what they want to hear not what the need to know.

So you are friends with LS on fb? Trolling at its finest! Pretty sure it won't take long for him to figure out who you are.

Jock went there to get better before he left. Which is the purpose of the program. Again, like posted before, Jock didn't have to go, maybe ask him about it?

Pretty sure also if you check when Post Grads were announced, it already mentioned that Jock had signed at St. Mary's before he started there.
What about Biyendolo last year?

Pretty sure girls are welcome at these places as well are they not, I could be wrong.

Given Australias standing in womens basketball internationally If I was overseas I would certainly be looking here for potential recruits.

WNBL in good shape and our underpinning leagues are very strong.

"Funny how all these academies are set up for boys when there are just as many girls who end up in college and do well without all the hype"

Iam sure if you ring Boguts Academay they have girls programs, I also had a look at "Pick and Roll" there is 39 girls to 55 boys playing in USA last year.

My point being LC that there is a lot more boys than girls in college, which is definitely the case in Div 1.

Lauren Jackson did launch her own academy last year, but it was a 12 week program based in Melbourne -
http://www.bordermail.com.au/story/1556675/jackson-opens-hoops-academy/

Article mentions national roll out but haven't heard much about it since then

LJ does have an acedmy, run by some private company that i can`t thin of right now. Predominatley girls attend this but there is boys also.

the LJ thing was a total flop. I think she got conned into lending her name to it but it was never a basketball focused thing.

One of the things to take into account with the girls though is the huge drop off after under 16 level. Unlike the boys many drop out. Yes there are still the ones who are serious but the weight of numbers is not there like the younger ages.

Biyendolo is way out of his league. Wont step foot on the floor and if he does will play garbage minutes.
Not up to Div 1. That coach will be very disappointed.

16 more boys than 39 total of girls 40 per cent more at a guess :)

defiantly not equal by my books

where are the names that Pick and roll missed.
I think pick and roll do a wonderful job show me any site that shows the coverage from the girls team better than them

Bottom line the Andrew Bogut Academy has facilities that no other basketball stadium has in Australia apart from maybe AIS. Luke does have a understanding of the college system and will point you in the right direction. up to the individual whether they want it or not

^ Well said Anon.

Issac well said, I don`t remember seeing anything posted that a girl would be blocked from this forum if she wanted to get on here and promote girls hoops.

It is easier for girls to get into basketball in USA. mainly as there is not so many girls playing as boys but USA has just as many girls teams as boys. The only reason I said 40 percent more boys are playing because somebody said that "Funny how all these academies are set up for boys when there are just as many girls who end up in college and do well without all the hype" I follow the girls just as much as the boys

Too many on this thread have little or no idea what they are talking about.

What happens you decide if you want to go get more intense training or not. No one holds a gun to you head, especially not Luke. He tells the kids straight from Day one,the players and the parents there are no guarantee's. What he is teaching them is how hard life can be at college, being there for 5 months at 6am and leaving after 9.If you calculate the hrs they are there, which you experts know all the extra time the kids are there too,It is a very very good rate,not to mention the facility.Luke is a hard coach who expects the best from them all,and by golly he got it.So you experts say the majority went to Canada, who gives a shit, the players are not forced, nor are their parents,all parties know the score before they sign.You say that players don’t return,how do you know why,did you think it might be their health you moron.What gives you the right to dog kids and Luke and Boguts you have never stepped in the door,infact one of these comments comes for a very bitter and twisted ex coach who will never coach in Melbourne again,shall I start a thread and name you and why? So Luke Sunderland you keep doing this mate you are doing a bloody great job.

Luke doesn't have a degree in sports science or sports medicine, in fact he doesn't even have anyone down there to properly instruct athletes on the use of any of the weight equipment. They do little proper strength and conditioning and that's a fact.
As for a good understanding of the college system, it takes more than understanding, you need contacts who respect your opinion and he is seriously lacking that !

Luke shouldn't have to defend himself on a forum like this, shame on the haters posting such rubbish.

Same gutless fool trolls all the posts to put his worthless comments on.He does that because he can't get a coaching job at his old club and any other club he applied for this season,think it was 6 last count!

So if i make up a name like "$^@#$%^" that makes me better than an anonymous poster.??

so if you all know who it is why doesn't someone name him or her ? Seems like 477100 knows exactly who it is. That would be the anonymous poster 477100.

I personally do not put name as I still have kids in the system and we know how political basketball as all sports can be.