Baggy,
During the 80's we tried to go calander year and found that the number of forfiets and teams pulling out of the competition were much higher. The association thus moved back to the change in seasons being in October. Here are some of the reasons that you are infact ignorant of due to you not being around during this period.
1/ It is harder to have families commit to a team over summer. Trials will be in November. And the season won't start until February. (4 Months) Currently it is 2 months.
2/ People go away during January and some dont come back until just before school starts. These people will not be contactable and may decide not to continue or begin playing. This wont be known until after the first trainings. This was the main cause of teams being pulled out.
3/ Not being able to play incountry tournaments. Which usually run during term 4. Or playing out of age which is exactly what people are complaining about.
4/ Being 3 months behind in development for Natioanls Championships compared to other states. Vic country actually play odd age groups 13's, 15's, 17's and you will find that tey will be going back to the normal due to the problems it is causing those teams playing in Melbourne and Nationals.
5/ Having to select our U/20 State team when players are still in U/18 competition. You wont actually see players, playing against other people they are competiting for a position.
6/ Playing finals during Year 12,11 and 10 exams as well as during schoolies week and the Nationals Schools Basketball Championships.
So Baggy and other, do you want more associated problems. Becasue I'm sure that somebody who has been around for as long as you would understand the implications that the smaller club are having on the competiton.
How about this. How about those clubs that want to play October to September. Forestville, Sturt, Norwood, South and Southern play in their own competition during this period and the other clubs play when little Johnny feels like he can play against smaller players. Even though we will be playing against the exact same people.