Orlando. I think you make some great points.

However, as you get older and have been at the same club a change can be as good as a holiday and revitalise your enjoyment for the game, become friendly with new people, or play with friends or those that you played against and whose games you like, it can also remove perceptions of how the coaching staff think you play.

I agree that those problems exist at all clubs. Alot of people think that playing at certain clubs guarantee good coaching. Those that know know this is not always the case. Quality coaching is one of many problems in SA at the moment.

Talk to the parents with kids at more than one club ... grass stain central. Some have done it for team selection, some have done it because of friendship groups, most see exactly the same problems wherever they go.

Usually the only immediate relief from changing clubs is getting away from personality clashes. Oh, and a new uniform that doesn't smell quite so much. But the second one is only good until quarter time.

It is very hard to leave a club and I dont think most people do it lightly. Sometimes though if you have been at a club for many years you are better off one for your own motivation and 2 to get new coaching ideas to better your own game. All clubs have their internal politics and it is usually all about the same stuff.

Some of the reasons mentioned by Orlando are exactly why you should leave a club.We have all seen it - kids that just want to play ball, get recognised for doing their best regardless of which div and develop friendships. We have all seen it - a select group of parents who have an inflated view of how everyone should treat 'their star child', coaches that pander to these egomanaics and all at the expense of kids that geniunely want to play and enjoy the game. I have seen parents openly abuse players on their own child's team and the good old, "don't pass to him / her because you've done the work".If your club does not have coaches that treat all kids with respect and be prepared to tell parents to back off AND THEN SUPPORT the coach that has the guts to do that, you need to move on but you need to do it in an adult manner:
1. don't have an open forum whingey negative session in front of the kids.
2. ask the kids and listen to them - how are they doing and enjoying
3. make your decision but don't burn bridges - coaches and officials move on and your kid may just want to as an adult move back.
All clubs are important to the competition and all the volunteers need to be acknowledged but unfortunately there will always be some who are in it for their own egos. However to stay at a club that is destroying your kids love of the game, is also soul destroying - move on.

Anonymous - last time I looked, country kids were still classified as basketball players, and basketball clubs are not regionally zoned, therefore these kids have every right to have the opportuntiy to play in the best level / league available to them in this state. Being city born shouldn't give you automatic rights to a spot on any team in any sport. Country kids have an enormous amount of commitment with travelling, foregoing their hometown social networks,struggling to get their share of the basketball dollar and the list is endless. The "country coaches" who are just basketball coaches looking to use their skills and continue to develop have as many rights in an equal playing field to coach Districts as someone in the city. These kids and coaches from the country regions are passionate about wanting to play / coach, so your beef with them is?

Scenario - Child playing Div 2 at current club - has the smarts and talent to develop into a great Div 1 player - BUT too many others in front and kid needs to grow 6inches - which he will eventually to be recognised for a Div 1 spot.

Has the opportunity to play at another club with some school mates in Div 1 - kid happy to move or stay - but has lots of mates at current club as well - Do you stay and wait for the adolescent growth spurt and trust that eventually kid is recognised and talent developed appropriately, or do you go and get the Div 1 training now and move Clubs?

Would staying and not getting the Div 1 training much matter to a child that is going to be over 6ft and is a natural B/Ball talent? Kid doesnt care one way or the other!

107677,Thats what I said; most of the kids recruted go to the div 1 side. There are a few exceptions; however its asking a lot of country parents to do all that travelling only to play in the 2's.

IMO you would not be able to keep a country parent interested if they knew they faced a season of travelling for div 2.

Thats why City Coaches should be open up and up front with Country Parents from the beginning - If there's a spot in Div 1 tell them if not tell them that too, so they are not under the impression that little Johnny is getting a spot in Div 1 - when he may not be and Parents time is not wasted coming to Adelaide for trainings etc.

"Little Johnny" must be a hell crap of a player. He is mentioned in dozens of other posts, mostly for missing out on court time.

What club does he play for?

Axeman - I believe he plays for the "Parents from Hell Club" - which is the topic of another thread at the moment

So who does "little Sally" play for?

Magpie - isnt it obvious!