Never really followed the lower grades, but I suspect the guy is still in denial...
Didn’t expect it to be this magnitude’:
V’landys floats return of under 20s to fix blowout scores
NRL PREMIERSHIP
April 7, 2021 7:53am
Source: FOX SPORTS
The National Youth Competition could make a return as part of a “future strategy” being worked on by the ARL Commission in a bid to stop blowout scores.
ARLC Chair Peter V’landys is of the belief that the lack of a stepping stone for young players to progress to the NRL could be playing a role in the lopsided scores we’ve seen in the opening four weeks, but in particular Round 4.
In 2018, Jersey Flegg and Hastings Deering Colts — NSW and Qld-based under 20s competitions — returned after 10 years of the National Youth Competition. Under the NYC, all 16 NRL clubs had a direct under 20s team which would play interstate teams just like the top grade, usually as a curtain raiser to the main game.
V’landys toldThe Sydney Morning Heraldthat the Commission is looking at the blowout results and is considering bringing back the NYC.
“There is not a stepping stone to the NRL and at some point this was going to happen, in my view, and we are rectifying that,” said.
“There’s no doubt the under 20s and participation is a massive factor and we are going to correct it.”
“We want under 20s and reserve grade coming back as a precursor in front of the game.
“The clubs that are successful are the ones that have maintained the best roster and the ones that have the best participation programs.
“It’s no coincidence that while our participation is down we are having this problem.”
The current Flegg and Colts competitions — which have raised the age to under 21s after last season was cancelled — puts the respsonsibility on clubs to devote time and resources on developing players. However, the re-introduction would see the NRL have a closer eye on the development.
However, according to the Herald, several club bosses aren’t entirely on board with the idea. It’s quite costly to fly an NRL squad interstate and source accommodation for them, let alone a 19-man under 20s squad too.
Round 4 had an average winning margin of 26.1, up from Round 4, 2020’s winning margin of 13.9.
The first four games of the round had especially large winning margins. Penrith beat Manly by 40, the Rabbitohs beat the Bulldogs by 38, the Storm beat the Broncos by 34 and the Sharks beat the Cowboys by 38.
A lot of fans, media personalities and even some players have blamed the sped up game on the back of the Commission’s rule changes as the culprit. V’landys said last week he’d “never introduce measures to hide mediocrity,” suggesting there’s bigger issues at hand for clubs who are struggling under the new rules.
He did, however, admit to the Herald that he was shocked to see just how big the divide has been in the opening rounds.
“I didn’t expect it to be this magnitude,” V’landys said.
“But you can’t just put it on one factor. The rules probably have a small part. The under 20s have got a small part. The rosters have a major part; it’s a multitude of factors.”
“It’s going to take some time but we’ve seen the ramifications of it.”
Didn’t expect it to be this magnitude’:
V’landys floats return of under 20s to fix blowout scores
NRL PREMIERSHIP
April 7, 2021 7:53am
Source: FOX SPORTS
The National Youth Competition could make a return as part of a “future strategy” being worked on by the ARL Commission in a bid to stop blowout scores.
ARLC Chair Peter V’landys is of the belief that the lack of a stepping stone for young players to progress to the NRL could be playing a role in the lopsided scores we’ve seen in the opening four weeks, but in particular Round 4.
In 2018, Jersey Flegg and Hastings Deering Colts — NSW and Qld-based under 20s competitions — returned after 10 years of the National Youth Competition. Under the NYC, all 16 NRL clubs had a direct under 20s team which would play interstate teams just like the top grade, usually as a curtain raiser to the main game.
V’landys toldThe Sydney Morning Heraldthat the Commission is looking at the blowout results and is considering bringing back the NYC.
“There is not a stepping stone to the NRL and at some point this was going to happen, in my view, and we are rectifying that,” said.
“There’s no doubt the under 20s and participation is a massive factor and we are going to correct it.”
“We want under 20s and reserve grade coming back as a precursor in front of the game.
“The clubs that are successful are the ones that have maintained the best roster and the ones that have the best participation programs.
“It’s no coincidence that while our participation is down we are having this problem.”
The current Flegg and Colts competitions — which have raised the age to under 21s after last season was cancelled — puts the respsonsibility on clubs to devote time and resources on developing players. However, the re-introduction would see the NRL have a closer eye on the development.
However, according to the Herald, several club bosses aren’t entirely on board with the idea. It’s quite costly to fly an NRL squad interstate and source accommodation for them, let alone a 19-man under 20s squad too.
Round 4 had an average winning margin of 26.1, up from Round 4, 2020’s winning margin of 13.9.
The first four games of the round had especially large winning margins. Penrith beat Manly by 40, the Rabbitohs beat the Bulldogs by 38, the Storm beat the Broncos by 34 and the Sharks beat the Cowboys by 38.
A lot of fans, media personalities and even some players have blamed the sped up game on the back of the Commission’s rule changes as the culprit. V’landys said last week he’d “never introduce measures to hide mediocrity,” suggesting there’s bigger issues at hand for clubs who are struggling under the new rules.
He did, however, admit to the Herald that he was shocked to see just how big the divide has been in the opening rounds.
“I didn’t expect it to be this magnitude,” V’landys said.
“But you can’t just put it on one factor. The rules probably have a small part. The under 20s have got a small part. The rosters have a major part; it’s a multitude of factors.”
“It’s going to take some time but we’ve seen the ramifications of it.”
