So we have come to the end of another successful BPL season.
And as always the captains of the BPL teams like to discuss a few things behind the scenes in regards to how we can continue to build on BPL's growth over the last couple of seasons.
Today I'd like to share with you all one of the proposals that has been put forward in recent months so it can be discussed more openly on this blog.
The proposal is that starting in 2013 if BPL teams feel they are able to grow to the point where they could support two team in the league they would be able to setup the second team as part of their "club" and as a result players within that club would be able to switch between the different club teams during the season, like is done in many other club sports.
So this change has been suggested as a result of some clubs captains acknowledging that in the past it has been difficult to start new teams in BPL as it requires very committed captains/managers as well as the best way to win BPL has traditionally been to build up a solid squad, then go shopping for some top talent already within the league, then cut the weaker players rather than actively recruiting new player and focusing on developing them and growing both the size and quality of the league in the process.
Some of us feel that this has stifled the creation of new teams within the league and has limited the opportunities for up and coming players to join the league which is something we are looking to rectify.
We believe that offering teams the opportunity to become clubs if they wish has the following benefits:
Whilst the general consensus is that this idea is a step in the right direction, we are also aware that it does have some potential pitfalls.
So here are some suggested rules, regulations and conditions thought of thus far:
So that's the basic idea - what does everyone think?
And as always the captains of the BPL teams like to discuss a few things behind the scenes in regards to how we can continue to build on BPL's growth over the last couple of seasons.
Today I'd like to share with you all one of the proposals that has been put forward in recent months so it can be discussed more openly on this blog.
The proposal is that starting in 2013 if BPL teams feel they are able to grow to the point where they could support two team in the league they would be able to setup the second team as part of their "club" and as a result players within that club would be able to switch between the different club teams during the season, like is done in many other club sports.
So this change has been suggested as a result of some clubs captains acknowledging that in the past it has been difficult to start new teams in BPL as it requires very committed captains/managers as well as the best way to win BPL has traditionally been to build up a solid squad, then go shopping for some top talent already within the league, then cut the weaker players rather than actively recruiting new player and focusing on developing them and growing both the size and quality of the league in the process.
Some of us feel that this has stifled the creation of new teams within the league and has limited the opportunities for up and coming players to join the league which is something we are looking to rectify.
We believe that offering teams the opportunity to become clubs if they wish has the following benefits:
- It gives clubs incentive to recruit and develop players.
- It allows the formation of development teams within clubs that give less experienced but eager players the opportunity to play in BPL.
- Clubs having development teams also gives intermediate players the opportunity to take on roles of leading teams and playing in positions on the field that they might not get when playing with other more senior players.
- Teams within the club could be smaller, ie only 10 - 12 players, because players would be able to be switched between teams during the season when instances of work, injuries, holidays, etc affect playing numbers, which will mean more game time for players and less forfeits.
- Smaller teams makes starting new teams easier which will help with BPL growth
- More players and player development should also make the league more competitive
- Allows senior players within clubs the opportunity to help with player development by playing on development teams without needing to sacrifice their entire season by being stuck on one team.
- Allows senior players within a club to take turns playing and coaching the development team so no one gets burned out.
- Allows dedicated individuals within clubs to manage more than one team rather than every team in BPL needing its own captain/manager/administrator.
- Captains won't have incentive to cut players from their clubs and players looking for teams will have captains more willing to take them if there is a spot on a club's development team for them.
- Events like come and try nights won't end with 80% of rookies going home without a team.
- A much more competitive league over time.
Whilst the general consensus is that this idea is a step in the right direction, we are also aware that it does have some potential pitfalls.
So here are some suggested rules, regulations and conditions thought of thus far:
- Only allowing a maximum of 1 or 2 players to change between club teams each week to prevent blatant stacking for important games.
- Placing a limit on the number of players that can be on a top team, maybe 12, to encourage clubs to make sure that not all the top players end up on their club's top team over time. So in the event a club has 12 on their top team and they wanted to promote a new up and coming player onto their top team they'd be forced to relegate someone from that team so the development team wouldn't be forgotten.
- Each player would only be able to play for one club team in any given week.
So that's the basic idea - what does everyone think?
Well worthy of consideration, I think this puts a major impetus on clubs, and particularly captains to significantly increase recruiting above all else.
ReplyDeleteWould be bold to implement immediately, but bold is often reasonable.
Nice post.
I'm in favour of giving this a run. It doesn't affect the ability of existing clubs to play or compete, while giving incentive to those that wish to more actively recruit and develop.
ReplyDeleteObviously important to figure out how to manage stacking/player movement/etc, but I reckon it's a good concept to try out.
Nice one Chris.
ReplyDeleteThe BPL will inevitably move to a 2Div structure at some point, and this proposal will make even more sense at that time, but that's no reason not to give it a run in S1 2013.
Def. Clubs: Depending on who you talk to, the term "Club" means different things. I assume that your clubs model doesn't require any senseless bureaucracy eg: Exec structure, incorporation, meetings with minutes etc? I hope not. (None of that stuff seems necessary for this to work.) Just checking...
But I ask the question the rules about restricting player movement between teams? Why not just leave it open for the club to shift players around all it wants? It's going to mean a whole lot more admin for the LD (and the club Captain) because every week a roster will need to be submitted and then verified by the LD.
To complement the proposal the league could run with a split draw which ranks teams after the first full round robin and then splits into a top draw and bottom draw, with some sort of crossover to give the cusp teams a second bite at making the finals. It's totally feasible, and might allow a smooth transition to 2Divs at some point in the future.
If it helps to grow the league it's a good thing.
G'day premier leaguers.
ReplyDeleteWe are fortunate to have busy body types like Chris in our community to keep pushing the competition along and encourage innovation.
I like the idea and it makes sense that encouraging clubs to have more than one team will increase playing numbers, particularly new players to join the league and hopefully lead to healthy competition and skill development.
The Moreton Bay Buggers have some experience on this topic to share.
There have been Bug teams in the last 18 seasons of the BPL (season 1 2006 to season 2 2012).
For the first 6 seasons we entered 1 team, for the next 5 seasons we entered 2 teams and the last 7 seasons have featured 1 bug team. The Buggers keep a record of all the players who have played on our teams and the numbers tell a strong story in terms of adding new players on our teams.
First 6 seasons (1 team) - 8 rookies, an average of 1.3
Next 5 season (2 teams) - 24 rookies, an average of 4.8
Last 7 seasons (1 team) - 18 rookies, an average of 2.25
When I say 'rookies' I mean players who had not played in the BPL or at a similar standard prior. During the seasons with two teams we were always on the hunt for more players, and were especially able to cater to rookies who wanted to step up to the mens format.
It was great to have the flexibility to mix things up at the end of a season, allow players to have a variety of team experiences with different team mates, encourage guys to take on new leadership roles and create teams of players with a similar mind set and shared goals while maintaining the stability of a consistent club.
I would hope that Chris' proposal would help to achieve these goals and more. I would also caution team captains about the increased work load that comes from managing multiple teams, especially when moving players between teams each week is part of the plan. It would be more work and obviously would require a team of leaders to manage 2 teams each week.
I think its worth a try and i'm looking forward to 'watching' the 26th season of the BPL already.