Why do the DDCA have 11's 13's 15's and 17's when almost every other comp has !2's 14's and 16's. All of our jnr rep sides are 12,14,16 and with a need for more grounds (eg the 11's having to play Friday nights)? It just makes more sense to have the same as other comps?
Dont quote me but I think it changed a few years back because we were losing kids from the game once they got to old for juniors they were not staying on to play seniors then especially since they were still under age to drive or get to the games many parents of 16 & 17 year olds would not drive them to seniors. One of the reasons from memory.
Sobers wrote:Why do the DDCA have 11's 13's 15's and 17's when almost every other comp has !2's 14's and 16's. All of our jnr rep sides are 12,14,16 and with a need for more grounds (eg the 11's having to play Friday nights)? It just makes more sense to have the same as other comps? The split of junior age groups (11, 13, 15, 17 v 12, 14, 16) is pretty much 50/50 throughout the metropolitan area (not "almost every other comp" as quoted) and more associations are switching to the odd age groups, with none going back to evens.
Odd age groups mean we cater for younger players out of Milo and retain the 16 year olds who feel they are not ready to play seniors full-time.
To use the VMCU Junior Carnival as an excuse to make the backward step to even age groups is hardly a resounding reason.
Moving to odd age groups was one of the better decisions by the DDCA.