What birth years will they be looking at

I too strongly believe that the cost of state trips should be mostly covered by state associations.

I think the benefits of this investments would vastly outweigh the costs over a number of yrs.

There are subsidies and the State does cover some costs but it can't cover everything so parents will have to cover the rest but yeah maybe more could be done if they got some sponsors and maybe every association on board they could put more $$ into developing juniors at nat's.

Schueller leaves Tassie for Victoria, kids leave for Victoria - surely he didn't take an entire age group ??? The Tas kids just played in the Gold medal game this year, How much does footy impact the boys at this age in Tassie ?

Not much. All boys from 18s and 20s 2015 still playing basketball.Other issues!!!

Well that is a shame, some good players there and just hope they get an opportunity

many in this age group both boys and girls are either at college, at uni or going to college, many are also working, or just finshed yr12(or doing exams when the training/selection is being held) the flip side of that coin is that during the process of un16 & 18 many who did not make the cut in those age groups have given up trying, as in most cases its the same ones who get put through, yes perhaps its talent but sometimes its purely because of past attendance. So many factors. And at the end of it by the time they get to this age group, those who are going to continue or make a national side to rep Aus have already been seen, and are on the radar (or off it which every is the case) I don't think it has anything at all to do with cost. Its one week of play for a State rep as opposed to several months and possibly continuous years of BigV/SEABL, so why on earth would it make sense for any club to stop funding those comps just so one or two of their kids (as they don't all come from one club) can play State. Far better having something for the bulk of the kids in the club to aim for than one or two select ones. Clubs can always fund raise. As for the Sudanese playing state. unlike the rest of the Aussie kids they will usually get some funding either state or church funding. So again its not a money issue, yes its expensive but its achievable.

I know for my kids playing 16 and 18 Nationals was something they aspired to, enjoyed and could fit into their busy schedule that includes school.

20's on the other hand isn't really going to do that much for them and when it comes to year 12, that takes precedence.

By the time your best kids are under 20's age they will either be at college or in year 12, so it is a difficult one to fit in for those who have to study hard.

Massive disappointment for some boys.
Why and you would think it would be the same for 2017.

^ not so. Maybe kids from QLD or WA at top age 20 might already be in college or kids in the other states that started early.

@Anonymous you are in fact wrong there matey, my kid is top age 20's and he is Victorian and he is in college now, so YES it does come at a time inconvenient for some.

Also I know of kids who are doing year 12 next year and have plenty of work during holidays to do along with all of their other commitments, National 20's isn't high on their radar at all.

It would be nice to fit it in, but it isn't the highest rated event for juniors and what's the point it won't get you to college, it is just nice for the resume.

" it won't get you to college, it is just nice for the resume." you just contradicted yourself. The standard of players competing each yr are guys schools are looking at a lot. Been able to show coaches games of you competing against guys that schools are looking at gives them a benchmark.

It is critical that U20 Nationals stays for guys to keep getting opportunities and also to expose guys that haven't played at Nationals before that may have been late bloomers.

It is critical that U20 Nationals stays for guys to keep getting opportunities and also to expose guys that haven't played at Nationals before that may have been late bloomers.

No one is saying it isn't valuable anon #571, but the number of kids that can play is very small so don't kid yourself that under 20's is the be all and you need it to get anywhere, that's completely untrue.

Most of the Vic team for instance are AIS/COE, so they are already recognised and already have exposure, opportunity and are on the radar, how many positions are left for all those others who may want to go to college, one-two maybe three spots?

Be realistic, many kids going to college will get exposure elsewhere than at Nationals!