Sorry to post this non-AFL issue on this board, but after reading some of the comments made during a previous debate about the merits of a new/seperate finals series (Dan24 and others) I got some very useful research information on why competitions should have finals. I have 'reduced' my argument posted on the general board so as not to waste too much of your time if not interested.
I currently coach a junior soccer team (U12) and for some reason the Competition 'delegates' have voted against playing finals in the U12 to U17 age groups. This system inherently favours junior teams with players that have previously played together, and/or have had plenty of training and/or trial games prior to the season starting.
To my knowledge, junior soccer in my region (U12s to U17s) is the only competitive junior team sport in the region that has no finals, and I want to change this. I believe that playing in finals is something that junior players need to experience (and play weekly for the opportunity to do so) and if good enough it is something that they enjoy.
Could I ask for responses with argument on why junior players (AFL, Soccer or any sport) would benefit from playing in finals - or indeed why not.
I currently coach a junior soccer team (U12) and for some reason the Competition 'delegates' have voted against playing finals in the U12 to U17 age groups. This system inherently favours junior teams with players that have previously played together, and/or have had plenty of training and/or trial games prior to the season starting.
To my knowledge, junior soccer in my region (U12s to U17s) is the only competitive junior team sport in the region that has no finals, and I want to change this. I believe that playing in finals is something that junior players need to experience (and play weekly for the opportunity to do so) and if good enough it is something that they enjoy.
Could I ask for responses with argument on why junior players (AFL, Soccer or any sport) would benefit from playing in finals - or indeed why not.
