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.
Liam Quinn
Roar Pro
The NCAA is one of the most corrupt, controversial sporting bodies in the US, suggesting that it is a system that would fix AFL problems is wrong. Just last year the NCAA Heisman Winner - Cam Newton - was embroiled in controversy after claims his father took payments for him to attend eventual National Champions Auburn. 2005 Heisman winner Reggie Bush had to give back his trophy, USC forfeited all their wins over his time at the college and are ineligible for the next two Bowl Seasons, because he received massive benefits. The current set-up with the TAC Cup and the State Leagues seems to work incredibly well for the development of AFL players and it's also the established system in place. Forcing an ill-suited American system onto Football development in Australia would damage the growth of Junior players much more than it could potentially help.
Djsinnema
Guest
It is only a small percentage of collegete athletes who would fall under that category. The teams are only allowed to have a certain quota of NCAA athletes on Athletic Scholarships while the rest of the team will be made up of ones not on the athletic scholarships. I do also know that several of the conferences/leagues outright ban scholarships. (Ivy League and Patriot League are just two that come to mind) Mind you, alot of the players who get drafted in the NFL, NBA and to a lesser extent NHL, are the ones who have the scholarships. (these players often forego the final 2-3 years of college)
amazonfan
Roar Guru
:D We could indeed! :D
MyLeftFoot
Roar Guru
Only FIFA has the capacity to expound a good culture, apparently. We could all learn a thing or two from Qatari and Russian governance.
amazonfan
Roar Guru
Sick culture? Are you serious? Well, perhaps you shouldn't watch it if you feel that way. Personally, I'm completely comfortable with the culture of the AFL.
MyLeftFoot
Roar Guru
Mahony reckons soccer players have better educational standards, and yet soccer keeps turning to ex-AFL players to run their game for them. Interesting.
MyLeftFoot
Roar Guru
James Hird. Andrew Demetriou. Mike Fitzgerald. There are a zillion examples - might help explain why former AFL players are over-represented in sports administration around the country, including in the FFA.
Matt S
Guest
Boy, most of those collegiate American football players are not at the universities to study or for their brains. They are there to fill stadiums and contribute to the image/reputation of the university. Most would hardly attend class. The NRL's Toyota cup is probably a good model to look at. 85% of players are doing some sort of tertiary & TAFE study along with all the other educational programs. We shall see what generational change can occur from this. It acts as a good filter from school/junior club to NRL.
seanoroo
Guest
Nice article I like the idea, also It would be good the see a tassie, canberra and NT team (college) involved.
Djsinnema
Guest
Are you suggesting a similar system to the NCAA Basketball, were Uni teams play a season, finish with a national tournament. Apparently one of the biggest advantages is the weeding out of weaker players, who dominate junior levels, due to being taller or bigger than the others. (one example is Kwame Brown, who was a number one pick, but failed in the NBA after going from High School to the Pros, and skipped college) One of the issues that are present is that in America, the whole College Basketball/Football thing is engrained in the culture, Unlike Australia. Their are some benefits in giving young footballers, in both the NRL and AFL, pathways beyond youth football.
Mahony
Guest
I would not compare the education levels/culture/experience of AFL players to "professional sports leagues all around the country" - because in other codes the education levels/culture/experience are far greater. Sure, there is a lot of scope in the NRL for improvement along with the average 'footy' player - but in union and football it is a very different story. This whole proposal seems like more 'rent seeking' from the AFL is you ask me. This "profit" will come from public education budgets and at the expense of merit and intellectual integrity in post-compulsory institutions. Education will indeed be key to resolving the sick culture of AFL football - but the AFL will have to pay for it over many generations - the tax payer won't be doing it for you at the expense of the broader national interest served by education - community prosperity. Nice try - but no banana!
Stu Wilsons Gloves
Guest
Educating AFL players, you blokes are dead set dreaming.
Simmo
Guest
1. Watch NCAA tournament 2. Wonder how collegiate sport would translate to Australia 3 ? 4. Profit
Isn't this more or less what the state competitions provide ?
The_Wookie
Roar Guru
There are endless examples of players getting an education while playing in the AFL. Andrew McKay became a vet while studying at uni and playing for carlton, nikc duigan became a psychologist playing for norwood while studying, john worsfold became a pharmacist while studying and playing for west coast. These are just a few.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
Given the problems of college players who just arent ready for the big dance - I'd suggest reviewing proof of the lack of success of Heisman winners for proof - I'd suggest setting up a series of state-based semi-professional leagues to provide a stepping stone between College ball and the National Football League. We could call these the New York Football League, the California Football League and so on. One major advantage of a series of State-based feeder leagues is that younger, more athletically talented players could learn from veterans who are no longer good enough for a roster spot but still know how to play football. It would also provide somewhere that players returning from injury could do to get back to game speed. Ian