CHANGES TO THE EFL IN SEASON 2010
There are a number of changes and initiatives being introduced to the EFL in season 2010. These were discussed at meetings with junior and senior presidents at the end of 2009 and the EFL is excited by some of the opportunities that lay ahead for clubs and their players. Here is a brief summary of what’s in store for the year ahead.
EFL Thirds
Over the last few years, the EFL has been approached by a number of clubs with too many players for their senior and reserves teams. When they can’t get a game in the reserves, most of these players, who for whatever reason often can’t train two nights per week, simply don’t play. Clubs have approached the EFL to start a more social, Club XVIII style competition. For season 2010, we have had strong indications from 3 teams that they wish to field a thirds team should a competition exist. As a result, we propose that as long as we can get 5 teams involved, the EFL will organize a thirds competition in 2010.
A brief guide to how a thirds competition would work:
1. A ten week season, with 6 clubs all playing each other twice (5 home games, 5 away games), starting on April 17 and concluding on June 26. If only five teams nominate then it will be an 8 game season played over 10 weeks (with two byes). If more teams nominate then the season will be adjusted accordingly. Combined teams from 2 clubs are welcome to nominate. Players under 18 can play in this competition so the teams could be a mix of under 18 and senior list players.
2. A player who has played in his clubs seniors is ineligible to play in the fourths team.
3. To avoid teams loading up on quality reserves players for the final, players must have played in 5 games of the fourths home and away season to qualify for the final. A premiership cup, flag and medallions will be presented.
4. Game duration will be same as reserves and colts. 4 x 20min quarters with time on in second half only.
5. Games will be played on Saturday, at 11am, and generally be played at a team home venue while their seniors, reserves and colts are playing away. The starting time of 11am allows for the teams to go and watch their clubs senior team at the conclusion of the game. Should the fixture permit, games may be played at the usual Colts time (9.40am) should the home team have a bye in the colts.
Name the competition
What should the EFL’s newest competition be called? Got an idea? Send in your suggestion.
The winner chosen will receive a Sherrin football signed by members of the Channel 9 Footy Show.
Send your entries to astanguts@efl.org.au by March 31.
COLTS DEVELOPMENT PLAYERS
In 2010, each club fielding an EFL colts team will have the opportunity to list four under 19 “development” players as part of their colts squad. Each year there are in excess of 60 players who aren’t ready for senior football, who leave the EFL to play in other under 19 competitions. At the same time, most of our clubs have room in their colts squad for more players. For this reason, clubs must apply to the EFL for a permit (with conditions attached) for these players to play and this permit can be revoked at any team should the players performance suggest he is ready for the move to reserves and senior football.
UNDER 11’S GO COMPETITIVE
The under 11 competition in the EFL will be played as a competitive age group in season 2010. While not published on the website, scores have been kept over the last two years for this age group to allow teams to be placed in divisions, with a final 5 to be played in each under 11 division.
UNDER 8’S
Over the last 10 years, the number of teams in the EFL has doubled in size. Much of this growth has been in the junior competition, with a large percentage of it at the under 9/10 level. As a result, we are almost at ground allocation capacity in the 9.30am timeslot that occupies under 9’s and 10’s. In season 2009, 31% of players in under 9 teams were actually under 8 and numbers suggest many teams had the ability to field both a stand alone under 8 team and an under 9 team.
Under 8’s will be a non competitive modified rules game played on a smaller ground. Centralized venues will be used with teams playing at various timeslots between 9.30 and 11.30am on Sunday morning. Experienced junior competition umpires will be appointed to help both umpire the game, and instruct the players on the rules of the game.
