Just what we have been talking about at our local club up here in Qld. It's very much like a number of clubs have to pull together in the later grades to form regional teams.
To use our local club as an example, the U15s are surprisingly strong but are unable to form a team in the 16s or 17s. So they have spoken to the surrounding clubs to form some teams in this age group who have also been unable to make up a team.
It's a sad sight indeed to see halve a dozen keen boys rock up to a club and be unable to play. The clubs collectively need to address it president to president as I don't believe the direction will come from the BJRU and maintain some of the momentum from the JGC. Which culminates for us QLDers point of view this Saturday against NSW at Ballymore.
Let's see if the Reds can finally win something this season!!
It's a real concern. We have teams in the same boat here. Our under 17 Gold boys will play Colts this year to improve the quality of football. They will also play under 17s.
Unfortunately, the competition will have a reduced number of teams or will play with reduced numbers on the field for the 17s competition.
For us, the Colts competition fills the gap for those players. Also, since we have an under 17s team, some of the 15s may be able to be assessed to play up.
I'm sure those options aren't available in every case, though.