By Kirstie Fitzgerald
The Western Region Football League is considering changing its junior age level competition structure to include Under 17 and Under 19 grades in season 2016.
The new proposal would see the retention of the junior Under 9 to Under 15 competitions, while the traditional Under 16 and Under 18 grades would make way for the new Under 17s division to be played on Sunday and Under 19s on Saturday.
The move comes after the WRFL Board and Juniors Board recognised a reduction in the number of clubs fielding Under 18 teams over the past several years, as well as the view that some Under 16 players who leave football, would be retained if offered another year of Sunday junior competition.
Consideration was also given to the difficulty of integrating Under 18 players into the senior club environment, with most players legally unable to participate in key club functions.
Initially releasing its intentions to change the age-level to all WRFL clubs in July, league chief executive Bob Tregear said that the feedback has been positive.
“Since distributing the proposal to all member clubs last month, we have had some really pleasing feedback.
“This decision will affect not only those clubs with current junior teams, but will also have an impact on those clubs looking to develop junior sides in the future, so to receive a positive response in its early stages is promising.”
Eligibility for respective age levels will remain as currently defined in the league’s by-law 4.1.2.1, with players to be under the nominated age-level on 31 December of the year prior to the start of the season.
To cater for the introduction of the new grades in the 2016 season, the effect would see the move of existing 2015 teams up by one year.
“Depending on feedback received, it is likely that some provision would be made for over-age development players at the Under 19 level, as currently provided in by-law 4.1.2.2,” Tregear said.
With successful introduction of an age-level change in the Eastern Football League in 2012, the WRFL is hoping to receive similar results in 2016 if the proposal is successful.
“Recent discussions at staff level with senior EFL staff indicated an overall satisfaction with the change, particularly with respect to the new Under 19 grade that was seen to assimilate much better into the senior club environment,” Tregear said.
“While EFL staff noted that it would be unreasonable to expect a marked increase in Under 19 team numbers in the first year or two after such a change, they did report a rise in the number of under-age teams in the two and a half seasons since making the change.”
Further data collection, analysis of historical records and detailed survey of club opinions are being reviewed to further inform discussion over the next six weeks, with a resolution to be sought by the WRFL Board on September 21.
Last Modified on 22/09/2015 15:23