Start kids with 9-a-side Footy

[Peter P]

I posted this on the "health of Australian Football across the land" thread, but I think its worth serious consideration in its own right.

Footy at primary level is not so good. So often there's 10 or so kids in a class who want to play but not enough for a team so they play other sports usually soccer or basketball. It needs something major to shift this. My suggestion is make all kids start their careers with 9-a-side.

The game is the biggest team ball sport in the world. Vast field, multitudes in each guernsey, amazing feats and long kicks etc etc. That's its attraction but also its Achilles heel. Footy desperately needs an offical respected and widely played mini-version.
9-a-side has been around for 10 years, it fits neatly onto any soccer or Rugby or Gridiron field and could be a model for internationalising the game.

But more urgently it should be the version played by primary kids for the first few years:
*can get enough classmates for a team
*the coach can see them all
*the umpire can see who's got the ball
*the kids get twice the footy for the time
*the play is more open (zoned) and forces teamwork - only 3 forwards can score.
*parents can transport team in 3 vehicles
*parents can see their darling getting more of the footy..and they can see him instead of looking for him in the roving muddy pack.
*rules are modified tackling.
..the 'soccer or basketball is safer and easier to organise' argument would no longer hold.

and they can move to full size teams in late primary (if numbers permit) and at secondary level.

 

[Stealth bomber]

That's actually a pretty good idea and it has precedent in the US.

In Nebraska, for example, many of the smaller towns play gridiron up to the high school level with less than the normal 11 to a side. There are a couple classes of 8-man and I think there are even 6-man divisions too.

Offhand I can't think of other states that do this, but the concept has worked with a lot of success in Nebraska; many of those small town kids who grow up playing in 6-man and 8-man leagues go on to the university and become stars.

 

[Asgardian]

It is an excellent idea Peter, I'm all for ideas that help to introduce our great game to children, who will become tomorrows champions

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Chris

(Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus)

 

[Pessimistic]

New NRL CEO said a major priority was to promote a 'lite' version of the code - non contact, fewer players etc

 

[Captain Sensible]

Great idea-As a parent and a student teacher I would do all I could to support it

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Son if youre going to follow the Doggies you'll need a sense of humour

 

[Peter P]

So all in favour. But when will it happen. Why are we so slow to adopt innovation. My son is at an age to start football this year..but because he's at a small primary school there is only soccer, not enough for a footy team. Yet speaking with other parents we feel we could easily get a 9-a-side team if only there was a competition. One or two may take their kids to play with a local club...but the heart and soul of community is around the school..being there on Sat morning with your classmates and the parents catching up with friends adn the school gossip etc. By sticking to the massive team list Aussie Rules continues to be unavailable to many primary school kids. And this isn't Sydney..its Core territory of Adelaide.
I'd like to see 9's as the main game in junior primary from this season..not in 5 years after my son and his generation have moved on. Tell your local AFL development officers!

 

[dons_r_tops]

my son is only 4 months old but when (if) he gets interested in sport i hope that a 9 a side version of the game is around, although i was a much better basketballer than footy player, but as i am only 5'11 he doesn't stand a chance