the problem with these teams is, while some may have the facilities and backing etc to field a premier team, they just dont have the quality of players. Look at the trial games each year, when premier teams play others, the scores are usually blow outs. Plus it will take a while because usually any player who is up to a premier standard normally goes to a premier club to try and play at the higher level. Its possible that they may eventually be able to field competetive teams but a lot of work will have to go into development, etc.
Obviously teams cant step up from day1, however with planning the time required to become competitive at premier grade level can be minimised.
Gold Coast joined Premier Grade in 1996, prior to that they had nothing. In 2001 they finished 2nd and eventually finished premiers in 2004. Sunshin Coast joined the competition in 2005, and depending on a few more results, 2010 looks to be there first year that they will make the finals.
It does take time, but both these teams built largely competitive teams by developing the talent within there regions(and a few imports
)
In regards to the colts, in theory QLD kids should be a bit younger and therefore warant the younger age limit, but alot of guys nowdays (especially rugby players) are a year older when they finish school anyways.
In most cases its only really a 6 month differeance in age, and you might as well just make it u20 to fit in with the rest of the country.
Yes but the problem is i believe, that a 17yr old cant play in a U20's competition, considering the majority of QLDers dont tell 18 until the year after they finish school it could create problems, leave some players in limbo.
However what they could do is make a Premier U20's, and leave 1st grade, 2nd grade as colts, but then you have the unique situation where a forward not good enough for U20's but is to old for Colts has to step up to grade level.
