The demise of the ABL continues because of this competition.
The numbers of players in each squad has been reduced dramatically with so many players giving up at the age of 22.
In a ten team competition each team would expect to have 3 impact players, that's 30 players in total. These squads would be made up of 6 development or emerging players, that's 60 players.
The middle band of between 4/5 players which fill out a squad are long term club players or older players.This is the 40-50 players we are risking by the process of this silly blip in BSA history.
Neither of these latter two groups are large enough to form a team on there own, within an ABL squad. So what are we left with once the 3 impact players are removed? Around 9 -12 players in a club.
In some years the balance of these will alter given the relative ages and strengths that naturally flow through a club. eg West had a strong group come through U18/20 2 years ago. those girls are now too old for YL. West hence will use the DIV 2 comp to play the second string ABL players. Central have many young emerging players, they will use YL to run with their ABL program. Forestville don't even link the 2 groups at all!!
BUT YOU CANT DO BOTH, YOU SIMPLY DONT HAVE ENOUGH PLAYERS!!!!
The result is massive swings of ability in a 5 year age bracket and older players leaving clubs and the game. Younger players bored with no competition in YL now see it as a waste of time and effort.
Netball has become a clear option for these emerging 18 - 21 year olds.
We had a great system. Yes different to other states , but a tight second level game each week, where the competition aided the development of our players.
It has been a grave error for women's basketball in this state.
As a coach I am bored by the YL, and do not see it as important. If I was coaching I think it would be better to train than play these 1 sided games.