Even though clubs have historically been left to do their own recruiting, which has worked very well for some clubs, and not so well for others, I think a league driven recruiting program would be highly beneficial for the league. Combining this with club recruiting, we might see a significant increase in player numbers for each team. This would apply to both the junior and senior leagues.

Quite often the problem with new recruits is that the potential players who respond to recruiting drives may not necessarily be suited to the positions required, or the game in general. Add to that the issue of retaining rookie players past pre-season/first season, and the 10 recruits that arrive at 1st training may equate to 1 or 2 players with a good potential for the sport.

I know it's all good to sit back and say "lets try this" or "lets try that" but I would think that a league wide recruiting program (not just a recruiting advertisment campaign) that involves all clubs where new players are allocated to specific clubs based on either geography or club requirements, would benefit the whole league. Whether this might encompass a draft system where teams selections are based on previous season's performance combined with current personell levels, or some other method would be up for discussion.

Interested to hear other opinions on the issue...

IF the rumours are true, then i'm sure the team would be just trying to save face by saying that the decision was mutual, but who really believes that?

Plus, I hear that Mr Wonderful over at the hogs camp is causing a ruckus, his attitude having a big impact on player numbers - a few key players have walked as a result of his actions from what i've heard. 

Who is Mr Wonderful?

Slinky

As for 'Mr Wonderful' - i'm sure you'll be able to guess that.

Thats the exact point I was getting at, in regards to club driven agendas, and in a way you can't really blame them - its a competitive league after all. Thats why I was suggesting that all clubs get together and try to look at things from a league survival point rather than a club success point.

I'm not suggesting a NFL type draft, but moreso a pool of talent situation, where some teams say "we need linemen" or "we need receivers" or "we need a punter" and that way the league can allocate the appropriate personel to the right team. Obviously geography would come into the equation too, but the basic principle is that all teams and the league get together to promote the league in an attempt to attract new players, who are allocated to teams based on a list of certain critera.

I would like to think that if a team had an abundance of receivers and knew that a nearby team was struggling for players in that position that they might subtely suggest any new players wanting to play receiver should consider the option of the other team. Too Utopian of an ideology perhaps?

We do need to help each other to allow the league to grow. I know for a fact that when I have people come and ask me about playing football I will ask in which area they live ( I have sent players to all the clubs). If they live down south I will generally give them both the Oilers and Chiefs numbers. I have also been given calls saying that people from other clubs have not returned their calls, it does disappoint me when I hear this.

I do understand that there are problems when it comes to people giving up their time for these tasks. At each club it seems that a majority of the work is left to a few key people. It would be great if more people could help to spread the load and also help to other things done such as recruiting.

If anyone would like to discuss how we went about some of our recruiting please feel free to PM me.

The price of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand, and the determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand.
-Vince Lombardi