School sporting scholarships/recruitment

[Gobstar]

So you accept that Scots are unfairly offering inducements?

I don't think I've ever disputed that.

 

[Gregor]

I know personally of a boy who didn't want to play rugby, to ensure he not be injured for his summer sport, but his school insisted he play. They would not let him choose an alternative winter sport.

I also want to point out I am not saying that this one example is evidence that this practice is widespread. I am just saying it did happen. I am not aware of the circumstances, but perhaps the school was not acting in its self interest and was really trying to get the lad to take a longer term view in that he had talent in both sports that he should develop at this stage in his school life.

 

[Inside Shoulder]

I also want to point out I am not saying that this one example is evidence that this practice is widespread. I am just saying it did happen. I am not aware of the circumstances, but perhaps the school was not acting in its self interest and was really trying to get the lad to take a longer term view in that he had talent in both sports that he should develop at this stage in his school life.

Most schools have a rule about being expected to play for the school in whatever is your best sport each season.
And the Code of Practice discourages specialisation by playing one sport a year.

 

[Quick Hands]

I imagine Scots would talk up their program. It is clear that Joeys has since the dark ages been the leaders in this regard. I don't see anything wrong with aspiring to usurp them in this regard. Shore seems to have the better rowing program, if you base it on number of wins. Again good on any school who attempts to emulate or better them.

Well it's either the best rugby programme in Australia or it isn't. There are a number of posters who are Scots supporters who regularly spin this line (I'm not saying you are one of them).

If it is indeed the best rugby programme in Australia, then one would expect them to win at least 50% of games against Joeys, regardless of sending boys to Armidale (which every school does). In fact a school with the best rugby programme in Australia would be able to commit teams to TAS and compete with Joeys. But they're not even close to 50% - the last 2 years they've won 1st XV and a lower grade game in one of the lower age groups every time around. What this would seem to indicate is that they have put an enormous amount of resources into the 1sts and the rest of the programme is not much different than anyone else.

 

[lincoln]

I managed to get a quick snap of the Joey's 1st soccer team running on yesterday:

You've lost me - are you inferring they only focus on one winter sport. I seem to recollect Joeys 1st/2nds winning the football only 2 years ago.

 

[Braveheart81]

Well it's either the best rugby programme in Australia or it isn't. There are a number of posters who are Scots supporters who regularly spin this line (I'm not saying you are one of them).

If it is indeed the best rugby programme in Australia, then one would expect them to win at least 50% of games against Joeys, regardless of sending boys to Armidale (which every school does). In fact a school with the best rugby programme in Australia would be able to commit teams to TAS and compete with Joeys. But they're not even close to 50% - the last 2 years they've won 1st XV and a lower grade game in one of the lower age groups every time around. What this would seem to indicate is that they have put an enormous amount of resources into the 1sts and the rest of the programme is not much different than anyone else.

Does it really matter? Scots can say what they like about their rugby program. It doesn't have to be and never will be scientifically provable.

 

[Quick Hands]

Does it really matter? Scots can say what they like about their rugby program. It doesn't have to be and never will be scientifically provable.

No, it doesn't matter. It's just the argument that they have been running to explain their success in 1st XV when it's been suggested that they have bolstered their team with talented sportsmen on bursaries and scholarships.

 

[Quick Hands]

You've lost me - are you inferring they only focus on one winter sport. I seem to recollect Joeys 1st/2nds winning the football only 2 years ago.

Correct, they won both 1sts and 2nds soccer in 2012 and in fact also won 1sts and 2nds soccer in 1988 which was the first year that soccer was a GPS sport.

 

[old fella]

Easy to drop throwaway lines like that.

Yesterday was a nightmare for TSC for the following reasons which meant that were probably quarter strength at best (definitely cannot judge their program based on yesterday). This seemed to be the outcome:

• They were committed to playing TAS for at least a third of their teams. This meant that regardless of injuries and sickness, they had to send enough players to fill their TAS commitment.
• Joeys therefore just got what was left. Some teams were left with only 9 or 10 players. Scots should have committed to playing 5 less games yesterday to stand a hope of having full/fresh teams. Stupid mistake.
• There was unprecedented sickness and injury across the board. Most teams seemed to have at least 2 players down.
• Scots has fewer kids playing rugby than Joeys so there is naturally less depth. Scots let the kids choose whatever sport they wish.

But on another note, I don't think I remember a school being quite so hostile. As a Scots parent, I couldn't wait to get out of the school. My youngest son was exposed to the behaviour of key Joey's staff and parents whose language was vulgar at the best of times. The personal putdowns and expletives being thrown around the field by these individuals was horrendous.

I am unsure why Joeys security did nothing to prevent this - at any other school, these parents would be sent off the grounds immediately or at least a warning. This reflected very poorly on Joeys and makes me incredibly glad I did not send my sons there.

I'd give Joeys an A for effort, but a D- for sportsmanship.

Here's an idea. Why not try and see the trip to TAS as a wonderful experience for your boys, rather than bellyaching about how it hurt your precious results. The SGS boys thoroughly enjoyed the 16 hour bus ride, macca's pig outs, lack of sleep and friendliness of the TAS boys and staff.

 

[Inside Shoulder]

Here's an idea. Why not try and see the trip to TAS as a wonderful experience for your boys, rather than bellyaching about how it hurt your precious results. The SGS boys thoroughly enjoyed the 16 hour bus ride, macca's pig outs, lack of sleep and friendliness of the TAS boys and staff.

Not to mention lunch in the Uralla top pub for some of the fathers

 

[Braveheart81]

Trips to TAS were mixed for me.

The worst part was the teacher who ran both my trips there made us watch John Wayne movies for most of the 16 hours spent in the bus.

The other bad part was one year our game started early enough that there was still frost on the ground.

The good part is that TAS were one of the few schools we had a good chance of beating.

 

[Quick Hands]

I know personally of a boy who didn't want to play rugby, to ensure he not be injured for his summer sport, but his school insisted he play. They would not let him choose an alternative winter sport.

That sounds unusual. The usual rule is (or was) that everyone had to play a winter team sport. Once upon a time that was rugby only - now there is quite a choice.

 

[Gregor]

That sounds unusual. The usual rule is (or was) that everyone had to play a winter team sport. Once upon a time that was rugby only - now there is quite a choice.

He wanted to play a non contact sport the school was offering instead of rugby. He had been a "A" rugby player for the school over a number of years, but had in recent times incurred a couple of niggling injuries which he believed might impact his performance come summer. He therefore wanted to put himself into the best position to be 100% fit for summer.

 

[Quick Hands]

He wanted to play a non contact sport the school was offering instead of rugby. He had been a "A" rugby player for the school over a number of years, but had in recent times incurred a couple of niggling injuries which he believed might impact his performance come summer. He therefore wanted to put himself into the best position to be 100% fit for summer.

It is unusual though and without knowing the precise details, it's difficult to make a definitive comment. From what you have said, he should have been allowed to make his own choice. If his parents had taken it further, I'm sure the school would have had to back down.

 

[Gregor]

It is unusual though and without knowing the precise details, it's difficult to make a definitive comment. From what you have said, he should have been allowed to make his own choice. If his parents had taken it further, I'm sure the school would have had to back down.

Difficult to give more detail without compromising the privacy of the boy and his parents.

 

[James Kelly]

Here's an idea. Why not try and see the trip to TAS as a wonderful experience for your boys, rather than bellyaching about how it hurt your precious results. The SGS boys thoroughly enjoyed the 16 hour bus ride, macca's pig outs, lack of sleep and friendliness of the TAS boys and staff.

Looking through my post, I'm trying to find any negative connotation to playing TAS...couldn't find anything.

Playing TAS is fantastic, a great experience for a range of boys! What I was suggesting is that Scots shouldn't have committed to playing so many Joey's teams since they had a significant shortage of players with both fixtures.

 

[James Kelly]

Pointless comment aimed at lowering the standard of discussion. Well done mate.
If you knew what you were talking about you'd have "got it".
Never mind.

Clearly the joke of the hypocrisy was lost on you.
Nevermind.

 

[Gregor]

Looking through my post, I'm trying to find any negative connotation to playing TAS.couldn't find anything.

Playing TAS is fantastic, a great experience for a range of boys! What I was suggesting is that Scots shouldn't have committed to playing so many Joey's teams since they had a significant shortage of players with both fixtures.

I imagine given the logistics of scheduling and then getting kids to games, Scots would have had to commit sometime ago. It is very hard to predict levels of injuries and sickness for all schools, not just Scots.

 

[Quick Hands]

Difficult to give more detail without compromising the privacy of the boy and his parents.

Fully understand

 

[Inside Shoulder]

Clearly the joke of the hypocrisy was lost on you.
Nevermind.

As I said: if you knew anything about the history of the things you are complaining about you would have "got it".
Stick around: you will learn things.