Statement regarding Under 16 SYL & Club Championship
Over the past 2 months, Football Brisbane has been reviewing various aspects of the Flight Centre Premier League and whether or not the club championship model has been successful in achieving the outcomes that were initially outlined when it was implemented. These were as follows:
The model would help lower player payments
Clubs with good youth development would benefit from this model
It would encourage young players to stay at their current clubs and become senior players
It would make U16 players feel more included within the senior structure at their club
It replicated existing structures in other state.
Initially, Football Brisbane was examining the Under 16 age group and the impact that the model has had on these particular players. Registration data was used to look at how many U16 players from the BPL went on to become U18 BPL players the following season within the same club. The data showed that slightly less than 25% of these players played at the same club in U18 BPL in the following season. It was acknowledged that there were a number of factors that could have contributed to this number including:
Players moving to the NPL
Players bypassing U18 to play reserves or first team
Players moving clubs
Players playing in other U18 competitions
Players ceasing to play football
The conclusion was that while there were a large number of contributing factors, the model did not encourage players to remain within clubs. It was also felt that regardless of where the U16 age group was placed, clubs would still provide the same level of development to players in this age group and encourage players who are ready to be a part of the senior set up, to train and play with these teams and expose them to senior football. The decision has been made that the Under 16 age group will become U16 SYL in 2017. The details of the composition of the league will be made known in the near future, with clubs that will make up the 2017 Flight Centre Premier Leagues and from the U15 SYL being considered to form the inaugural league. It has also been decided that the requirement to play all SYL age groups on a designated day will be removed, in order to help avoid clashes with school football scheduling.
After the decision had been reached to remove the U16 age group from the senior BPL structure, the impact on the club championship was considered and whether reworking the weighting of the club championship points was preferable over the cancellation of the model as the method for deciding relegation. With respect to the points highlighted earlier, the following considerations were made:
While only anecdotal evidence is available, player payments have not reduced as a result of the club championship model
The model has seen a limited benefit to clubs who have good results in youth age groups
While this model does exist in other states, evidence could not be found of its existence at an association level.
The model itself has been the subject of much debate. It has rewarded particularly, promoted clubs who have resourced the first team well, while setting up other less resourced clubs to fail.
That is not say that these clubs have done the wrong thing, more that the requirement to field youth teams that contributed to the relegation of the club, has led to a choice as to which of these options ensured the survival in the league.
This shows that player payments have not been reduced. There is also an inconsistency in the way that clubs are promoted from Capital League 1 with a club championship model not the method of promotion. It seems illogical to use different methods for promotion and relegation from the same competitions. It is felt that the Super Youth Leagues have encouraged youth development with clubs, particularly those who are not in the BPL.
It was also considered that a team that is successful in U15 SYL, is effectively demoted the following season if they are not part of the BPL set up. After all these points have been considered, it has been resolved that the club championship model will not decide the relegation of a club from the 2017 season onward.
Relegation will be decided by the results of the first team only as is common practice with competitions at the association level. Fielding teams in first team, reserves and under 18 will still be a requirement for participation in the Flight Centre Premier League and the accumulation of points from these teams will determine the winners of the club championship at the gala awards dinner.
Football Brisbane thanks those who gave their input during this process and is looking forward to a successful 2017 season.
