I can vouch for that.For the most actively participated sport, just having the same players churning out is obviously a structural issue.
Covid is part of the problem and FFA Cup was step in right direction but there’s such a big disconnect between A-League, lower tiers and youth comps.
Young Suit has been through this system. Has been to a weeks coaching in Shanghai for a Stoke City development camp. He has the talent.
I've put him through many years of academies, all of which has cost me thousands. THOUSANDS!!!
Yet, It hasn't just been the money, but it is the politics.
Young Suit could never break into NPL teams because it was all about who you knew and the connections. And, dare I say it, the big, big $$$
So, in the end, better kids missed out on progression. There were even better players than young Suit, from African countries for example, that could hardly afford to buy their own kid's boots. They didn't even get a look in at NPL trials, because they just couldn't afford to pay the fees to play. It was so sad to see.
I remember one morning when I was managing young Suit's team (Under 15-1's), a kid of Somalian descent turned up and had forgotten to bring his socks. The ref wouldn't let him play without the correct socks, so I went to the canteen and bought him a pair. He won the game for us that day. He was seriously a cracking player, yet never even got a chance or was even noticed at NPL trial. Why? Because they had already selected their team. The trials were a waste of time.
The system is so broke, it ain't funny, and the amount of football talent being lost is why Australian Football is such a basket case at the moment.
Mark Bosnich is on the money.