There should always be pride when a sportsperson is picked to represent their state, province, county or ultimately their country and there undoubtedly is, but sadly in today’s sporting world other issues can also come to the fore.
Australian sports fans have now come to terms with the battle between club and country that top athletes face. When they receive more money on a weekly basis playing for their clubs around the world than they do playing for the national team, if the club says they want you to stay, you are faced with a difficult decision. For example being involved in Australia’s recent World Cup qualifiers Not The Footy Show understands that each player received $10,000 per game. A good earner for an A-League player, not such a big carrot for those based overseas.
The issue now is being raised lower down the sporting ladder in Western Australia, with the finals series of the All Flags State Premier League season fast approaching a fixture has been arranged against the Perth Glory; there is nothing new in this, and there is nothing new in it being called a state team, and nothing new in our belief that it should be classed a state League team, as some players selected are not permanent residents. The old minimum requirement to don the Black and Gold.
Once again the timing of the game could not be worse for those vying for the title of Premiers. Do they play in the representative team, and risk injury which could harm their club’s chances in the finals, thereby as some would say, putting themselves ahead of their club?
Despite the salary cap heavily reducing most players earnings, players could also miss out on earnings if they were injured, as we understand that the representative side will not be receiving any financial reward for playing.
Many would argue that that is as it should be, but surely having reduced the earning capacity of the players with the salary cap, and attracting hopefully a big crowd thanks to the game being promoted, the players should receive some financial reward?
It is a tricky question, and football like all sport has changed. There is no doubt that no one playing in the state league is playing purely for the money, but it is an added bonus. If the players are not going to be paid, then at least let them keep their shirts to commemorate the occasion; something that has previously been overlooked in recent years.
Either way it will be interesting to see who does in fact run out to face the Glory in this representative side.
Thank you as always for your comments which are valid in terms of giving youth a chance. However a team such as this should always be picked on merit alone irrespective of age. Of course then it comes down to whose in whose opinion is a player the best. Our views may differ from the coach’s or even other players.
With the NPL and clubs being forced to develop players the NTC will become obsolete however rest assured it will continue as the FFA needs to have its own pathway for people it has encouraged to become coaches.
As for payment for the players, it would seem fair that they receive some remuneration in light of the reduced wages they have had to accept playing for their clubs, however feelings on this come down to each individual. I am sure though that all would at least want to keep their shirt to show their grandchildren in years to come.
Stephen, you are quite right if Kenny Lowe is so adamant his young players are good enough why has he not picked them for the state league team? The reason is because everyone else who watches knows they are not good enough and the fans would not come. Also Kenny Lowe does not want his reputation as a coach harmed by getting thumped.
By picking older more experienced players more of the players team mates and friends are likely to come.
As for payment, I believe that with Football West reducing their earnings and if 2000 people attend at $10 a head then there is $20k in the pot, and Football West could afford to pay the players at least $250 each. They will claim there are costs to put on the game but surely these are split between the Glory and Football West? If not why not? Security is the main cost and the CEO of Perth Glory owns the security firm Perth Glory use so no cost really to the Glory.
Will Football West reveal an accurate crowd figure and how much they give to Charity? They should and it would be interesting to break down the figures, as it would appear sometimes their numbers do not stack up as was pointed out on the Baysie forum before a certain person was banned for shaking the tree too vigorously!
Football West, Alistair Edwards and the FFA go on and on about promoting youth. Kenny Lowe the man appointed State Coach bangs on about youth, yet the team he has picked for the game against the Glory is 75% older players. There is hardly a young up and coming player in the squad. If the youth are our future how come when they have a chance to make that point they don’t? Because deep down they know that you need experience to bring that youth along. That is why the NTC is a complete farce and should be scrapped. Without experienced players around them they will never win anything. Without the winning habit is it any surprise that these young players fail to win at international level? Once again this just proves those running the game have no idea what they are doing and its just jobs for the boys.