Lets say that teams this year manage to get together 30 players plus.  What are peoples thoughts on when the league should be looking at re-introducing another team?

With the growth of Juniors and the Razorbacks new Flag program do you think the league would be better placed to sustain one? and if so where should it be based?

Personally I am eager to see the league grow back to it's former glory but obviously no point if it's unsustainable.  However with the expansion of RAAF Edinburgh (becoming a super base) and the influx of many more young Army personnel, there may be an opportunity to stand up another Northern team in the coming years.

thoughts anyone?

I see your point about a new team. But there are only 2 teams in the league with decent numbers that is the Chiefs and Eagles. The other teams do struggle for numbers. So I would look at getting those other programs recruiting and retaining players prior to looking at entertaining the idea of entering a new team into GASA.

Also there are very few qualifed coaches in our league 10 maybe. To start a team your would at least need 3 experianced coaches to get the team off the ground. O, D and line. How are you going to get that? Most teams in GASA are struggling to get qualified coaches and needing to resort to playing coaches (not the best outcome).

Also you do not want to have a new team enter the league and be the whipping boys of the league (look at the Pirates). They would need to have at least 10 veterans, these cant be guys that have played before and not got any game time at there previous club either. They would need to be soild players. Are there going to be players in the league willing to do this?? I don't think so. However i could be wrong.

The next issue is equipment, for uniforms and pads and helmets. This is just and estimate. $30,000 as a start up. With the GFC at the moment i think it would be an uphill battle to raise that kind of capital.

Then you need a committee of about 8-10 people to assist in getting it off the ground. I just can't see it happening in the next 5 years.

Slinky

The reason I raised the point is that I heard a rumour that a WA team recently split into two to form another team once they had enough numbers and coaches to do so.

So does this mean that perhaps the emphasis on growing our sport here in Adelaide should shift more to the individual team committees rather than relying on GASA?

I would like to think GASA would be supportive of a similar move here, but as I am not a comittee member I cannot speak for them.

The point you make about lack of coaches is important, but I think that if we never look to grow then we will never have enough coaches, so will never be able to look to grow, so we will never have enough coaches, e.tc.

Is the problem that there are not enough coaching courses provided or is it a lack of volunteers, if the former is then the responsability of Gassa, the latter the responsability of the teams.  If it's both then either we get serious or I fear we will end up with four teams.

I must throw out a big thumbs up to the Pigs for looking to start the Flag comp, hopefully it will generate some more interest.

If it was me choosing player from each team i would take 2 players from each team.

Razorbacks

Reggie- Because he has loads of knowledge to pass on (also can still play)

Merritt- Be is a great player but also has loads of knowldge to pass on.

Chiefs

Murdin- Great young player

DeMello- Great player and leader

Eagles

Heyne- Because he loads of knowlege to pass on and can still play

L Wyten- Just an awesome player. You always need a good QB

Spartans

Ottens- A 2 ways player who is gettting better every year

Jackson- VERY VERY experianced player who can still play and pass on knowledge

Oiler

Bennett- The man is a freaking animal and knows how to play football

Whaites- Good Solid running back

Slinky

Regards who I would pick: Unfortunately It ain't gonna happen that way, there is no way players would accept being directed to play for a team, but even if I could choose I don't think it's about making a super team from all available guys either.  The only way I see it happening is if one or maybe two of the stronger SA sides get big enough to split their side/coaching/comittee staff to form a new team.  Of course you would take players or coaches from other teams who were interested in helping the project.

Ideally I'd want one experienced coach, a couple of assistant coaches (ex players willing to make the jump and take on a mentoring role) half dozen to ten experienced players and a whole lot of recruits.  Of the experienced guys I think you'd want a mix at least one decent QB, RB, Center, MLB, Safety/CB to get the ball rolling.

Players probably not the main issue though, as Slinky mentioned you'd need a whole lot of cash and a stable committee to make it happen.  This is why I think it needs to begin from established sides with maybe a bit of assistance from GASA or maybe grants from the government.

Would you like to see either the Breakers or Lions/Pirates come back or a new team?

Yep you will never get vet players enmasse going to other teams. You will get the occasional one though. Otherwise you would look to ex-players and coaches for assistance. The league has buckets of cash (last time I checked) and would be able to assist in equipment arena (to be paid back in time of course). As for getting qualified coaches.....it seems to be a double edged sword. You cant coach unless you are accredited, so every year there should be a course, but not enough people are putting there hand up to attend so the coaching coordinator cancels the course.

What date does the season start? Is it still at the Pines?

 




AZTEC #12

Phil when it comes to coaching it has been the same people every year (very limited changes in staff). I think it would be good if we could get more position coaches per team.

I see some teams only have the one coach. By getting more people coaching it would cause less problems when other coaches have to move on. Because there are people to take up the slack. I think there is a culture in Australia that once a person has stopped playing that it is the end of the road in terms of football. Which is really not the case. However to coach is big commitment also and some people may not be able to do it.

I just hope we can continue to grow this great sport in SA.

Slinky