There is no denying that the off season between this season and the last was full of negative stories for the AFL. Dominated by the St Kilda player’s embarrassment and the self destruction of Brendan Fevola, the league has had a very rough summer of 2010-11.
Many of the player problems with the league can essentially be boiled down the immaturity of their players. For a league where players are plucked straight from high school right into the national limelight, there is very little transition for these stars.
The solution to this problem is one that seems to have been ignored by the whole country.
In my opinion the league should push to implement a collegiate sports league much like those found in the United States.
This could be achieved by taking talented young footy players into 18-22 year old leagues run in Universities and TAFE’s around the country. Games could be run during the week for maximum ticket sales (avoid clashing with AFL) and could conclude with a nation tournament each year.
Here are the big reasons why we should implement this in Australia.
1. Educate the players
The players in professional sports leagues all around the country are severely uneducated in life experiences. If they were required, or at least pushed to attend tertiary study before moving on to professional sports leagues, not only would they have education for a job after their sport’s career, they world also gain experience in being an adult before being in the national spotlight.
Players would be given the opportunity to expand their maturity and their professional horizons before playing in pro sports league.
2. Player skill development would benefit
If young players were to spend an extra few years developing skills before making it to the AFL they would have a better chance at cracking into the league at an earlier stage. When in the league there is very little opportunity for those players who are not at the very top of their respective age groups.
A collegiate sports league would enable them to develop skills against equally skilled players and become more well-rounded before they make the AFL.
3. Fans would love it
If games were to be played during the week it would provide footy mad fans around the country the chance to enjoy their favourite sport all week long. To have these talented young stars compete for a national college championship would make the league most attractive to fans and players.
4. Universities would benefit
With exposure for universities and TAFE colleges, the best schools would be able to effectively market themselves to potential students, both sports orientated and not, from all over the country.
5. Increased AFL revenue
The AFL would always benefit financially from a league that would complement the AFL as much as a collegiate league would.
The revenue generated from attendance each week and from an end of season tournament would be more than enough to warrant the idea.
If the AFL were bold enough to instigate the expansion of the current university and TAFE sports program, then fans of all sports would benefit. If the plan were to work for aussie rules there is no reason it wouldn’t work for sports such as league, union, cricket and football.
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