Good in theory.

IMO it could only work if players currently at clubs that would normally be outside of their zone could stay at their current club. There would also have to be some kind of "brother-sister" rule that would allow kids to play at clubs that their siblings are currently at.

Also remember the SANFL has a zone system in place. It has never stopped talented kids from playing at the club of their choice.

Axeman agree with club of choice but it costs them money to switch clubs

9456 - To be quite honest I think most kids that are playing with the BIG 3 are within their zones eg "council area". Most parents like myself chose their children's club on the basis that it was the closest to where they live. And yes there are some kids that their closest clubs may be one of the minor clubs, yet they choose one of the BIG 3 - But these Clubs (other than the BIG 3) obviously are not offering the same service as the BIG 3 are offering and these parents I am in no doubt have tried the minor clubs and aren't happy for whatever reason - trainings aren't as good, opportunities aren't as good, etc, I think though if you zoned you would find that you would still not attract the kids or the talent to the minor clubs, as most of the kids from the BIG 3 that you speak of actually live in the eastern suburbs and are close to south of city. I do not believe that you actually have any case for zoning because most actually choose the Clubs that are closest to where they live - and to be honest if I moved any of my kids it would be to one of the other BIG 2 because they are the next closest to where we live. The other thing which is really interesting though is the demographic of the best schools in Adelaide - Private, Catholic and Public are also in the same Council areas as these BIG 3 clubs - it is a cold hard fact that people want to live near the best schools. And yes, there are good schools in other suburbs - but I moved to the house where I live because of the school choices for my kids (private and Public) and I have my kids in both (because of their differing needs)- and it has also placed me in the middle to the BIG 3 B/B Clubs, closer to the one which we joined - I think the issue here is really zoning the Country Kids and perhaps spreading them around a bit more, because I really dont think you have an arguement for City kids - and I would think that if Clubs upset parents and kids and they wanted to leave for whatever reason - they should be able to, and most of the kids at our Club have come because of some animosity that has been at the Club that they were at which was closest to where they live. In saying that all clubs lose kids, for the same reasons that I spoke of above - and most parents will then go to the next closest club. which in our area, as I have explained is one of the BIG 3.

who cares who plays for who just as long as there are a lot of kids playing basketball

9456,
In your first paragraph you say that the larger clubs have too many teams, and that a lot of kids are playing a division below their ability. Then, in your last paragraph, you suggest merging clubs.

Wouldn't that mean you have more kids playing a grade or two below their ability??

My kids started playing for one of the so called "big 3". I moved them to a smaller club because they were not happy . One now plays ABL.
This small club had a player poached by a larger club, seduced by promises of SASI & interstate trips & better coaches & training. That kid is struggling to hold his place in Div 3 seniors.

To say that smaller clubs do not have quality coaches, is an insult to the many dedicated and hard working volunteers at these clubs.

As I have said before, relegation will not work here in SA because we do not have the population here. Until BSA settle into their new job description, all the rest of us can do is offer as much help as we can to those who do all the hard work.

Interesting to note that Norwood and Southern have more teams than any of the "big 3" ... yet are not included in this conversation. Number of teams is obviously not the indicator - the successful clubs are successful due to having structures in place, tradition of success and reputation. This will always attract players and parents. On the other end, Centrals only have 16 teams, but I'll never approach them lightly as they have a rugged style of play and play with desperation - and THIS would attract people to the club. I think players will be attracted to the style of game they want to play, and the reputation they want to have.

and everything goes in cycles anyway ... when i was coming thru NCT were one of the powers, and woodville were going thru a purple patch, and all clubs have a good period and have bad periods ... this doesn't exactly address the zone question, just a different take on it.

Excuse my ignorance, I get Sturt and Forrestville, but who is the other club to make "The Big 3"

So what haapend to those who are out of the existing zones. They have to move?

Would have thought the big three were Sturt, Forestville and North. Norwood never occurred to me as being one of the big three ...