Quick Hands
David Wilson (68)
And it's a question that many of us have asked; "Why do players who have been in ARU programmes since they were 15 or 16 have such poor basic skills?"
As an AB fan Will Skelton worries me - serious go-forward.
Because of who they pick at 16.And it's a question that many of us have asked; "Why do players who have been in ARU programmes since they were 15 or 16 have such poor basic skills?"
Because of who they pick at 16.
Then it's all gym and breakdown work.
i agree that dennis should be on the bench next week.
We blew 3 easy tries - any one of which would have made the result quite different. Some of them were bad misses.
But how many players have gone through the Uni program onto gold as a consistent first choice starter. Note izzy didn't go through the program.This is why we are getting something above club rugby - because Age systems protect the whiz kids from having their flaws exposed. Once you're in, that's it: money invested, time to work on your bench press and beep test.
If you're interested in a good club we hear Sydney Uni has a few spots open and you have access to the best facilities that way and will play on the best team. That way you don't need to worry about dealing with distractions like adversity or competition.
Just learn how to win, and keep that beep test training going until the Waratahs selectors call.
The "Rote Drills" that they perfected was barefoot footy on rock hard grounds at La Perouse with all the local kids involved. No Video analysis, no coaching, no drills, no adults. Just playing the game over and over and over, as long as it was light enough to see.
PPS. We tend to produce some rote coaches, standard and predictable game plans. That is sucking some of the excitement out of local derbies more than the rote execution of breakdown work by the "chosen few". We need a little more individuality and risk taking from within our coaching stocks.
Every study on kids sport that I have read stresses the importance of at least one of:
1. Unstructured play - i.e. kids down the park playing without coaches, manager or parents anywhere near them
2. Playing more than one sport during childhood so that the maximum number of skills and co-ordination are developed
Everything we do is the exact opposite, so should we be surprised at the outcome?
Our coaches all now follow a similar path to the elite level. None of them would sully their hands coaching a 3rd or 4th grade club side. Rod McQueen and Bob Dwyer both did and the results speak for themselves. When you're coaching teams like that you have to think on your feet and constantly adjust to completely unforeseen events and you've pretty much got to do it all yourself.
Nowadays the path is to be part of the ARU elite programme or at a GPS school. I don't believe it's a good preparation for coaches or players to follow this pathway they're just not exposed to adversity or distractions as Pfitzy points out.
Slightly unfair - I think.But how many players have gone through the Uni program onto gold as a consistent first choice starter. Note izzy didn't go through the program.
Or trying to motivate yourself or the team on a cold July day at Forshaw or out at Granville playing against a wily old 1st grader who doesn't care what school you went to or what ARU programme that you're in?
One of the best out of St Pius and Manly would still be a Wob if he had attended Rooty Hill High and registered with the Emu's for Colts/Grade. How much influence has the MMM had on him and how much was his own skills and abilities?Uni had developed a model of picking them young and keeping them.
One of the best out of St Pius and Manly would still be a Wob if he had attended Rooty Hill High and registered with the Emu's for Colts/Grade. How much influence has the MMM had on him and how much was his own skills and abilities.
<snip>
And by young you mean after they've played for CAS/GPS/NSW schools/Oz schools
Slightly unfair - I think.
The question could be asked how many players have gone through any club development programme onto gold as a consistent first choice starter?
If a kid is any good, they will end up as a consistent first choice starter in Green and Gold REGARDLESS of the club experience/development/training programme, or "Koala Club" selection they have been exposed to.
One of the best out of St Pius and Manly would still be a Wob if he had attended Rooty Hill High and registered with the Emu's for Colts/Grade. How much influence has the MMM had on him and how much was his own skills and abilities?
Would TPN be a better player if he had attended an AAGPS School followed by apprenticeship at a "name" club like Randwick, Uni or Norths?
Is Treweek a better player now he is at Manly and no longer a Pirate?
Where did Northam gain his pace? Similar for Lachie Turner - Was it Newington, or Eastwood or just an inate skill the boy had?
To answer the initial question, not many from Uni have gone on to Green and Gold, but plenty have gone on to Super Rugby. Many of theirs have been with the club since school.
How many from Easts, Wicks, Hobbits, Norths or Marlins development programmes have gone on to be consistent first choice starters? Pretty sure the answer would be the same.
Uni had developed a model of picking them young and keeping them. Wicks and Norths seem to have copied this model (at least the "picking them young" aspect) but have not had time for this to flow through to Grade. Time will tell, although the good folk at the Wicks seem to be rather mercenary with recruits that don't shape up and deliver the goods.
Now you need to ask some one you suspect is in "the programme"