ACT: Boys Are Better Than Girls!

Well at least they are going to be treated differently in Canberra. Different skill focus, different resources and different pathways.


You recall that our interview last week with CEO Capital Football, Heather Reid (see earlier post and podcast) covered the decision by the Capital Football Board to persist with playing squads at the U13, U14 and U15 levels. The U15 level (boys) is contingent on some ridiculous gymnastics with ACTAS.

You may also recall, that in an extensive interview with the CEO and Technical Director of Capital Football in 2009, they spoke of the design of the new Football HPP. There would be no playing squads and the players would return to Clubs for their normal season of competitive football. It was a substantial, well considered and insightful break from the CF Academy system which it would replace.

Capital Football would focus on developing players (and running representative teams to the NYC) and Clubs would be integrated into the development process by means of having the players under development, train and play in their teams.

Then the Board stuck it's sticky fingers into the mix, all the HPP information content was removed from the website, people were confused, rumours abounded, the Football HPP got the staggers after a good "first over" and frankly, its probably never really recovered. The Board reinstated playing squads and here we are today.

Its no surprise, that some of the Board are said to be on the side of the debate that favours playing squads while the others are not. The Board is rumoured to sit within two factions. But its probably not as simple as that - or is it? And if it is, what's the real agenda or are we just bubbling along from one thing to another, pushing private agendas, agendas never declared to the football community. Which faction brings hope for our Clubs? Wouldn't you like to be a fly on the wall when these people talk about Football in the ACT? You could sell tickets!

I cannot help but return to that excellent quote from David Simeone (see previous post):
In the case of board members (club, league, state) they must operate with the technical professionals in the mutual interest of the players and the game. They must avoid being inclined to carry out the aims of their own “technical plan” based on their presumptions and not expertise.


You may also recall that the men's ACTAS program would not countenance a return of players to Club in season, preferring to play in our PPL again. The Women's program,, now under Ray Junna (also Coach of Canberra United)has a different view - Junna will allow his players to return to club (as well as playing in squad in a separate competition) to play in season. Some coaches can and others can't! Some seem to embrace the opportunities and change, while others seem to prefer things just as they are - forever.

But back to the matter to hand at the CF Football HPP!!

I assumed that the Board would treat the girls as they did the boys - that is, the girls too would be placed in playing squads. All the other externalities that are used to justify the boys playing squad soltion are pretty much the same for the girls.

I was wrong!

It seems that the Board has decided that the girls will not be treated in the same fashion. There will be no girls playing squads in the ACT competition from the Football HPP. What are we to make of this?

So there we have it, its offical, we really don't need playing squads from the Football HPP. Don't dare suggest that womens football is less important than mens!!! No two standards here thnk you very much. What an exrtaordinary decision by the Board. Well done lads and lady!

Look on the bright side - that makes it dead simple for the Clubs at the meeting next Tuesday with the CF Board. This meeting is intended, among others things, to have the Board to explain to those representatives too whom they are accountable, declare what they are doing, why they are doing it, explain their lack of effective communication to Clubs and their preferred means of communications in the future (Board or staff). The members now have further reasons to instruct the CF Board - that no playing squads are required for the boys, just as there are none for the girls. Problem solved. Guess the CEO and Techncial Director got it right after all.

We need a bit more gender equity on the Board, not too mention "balls" and I bet if we did, we would have more inclusive decisions, far better means of communication, a more collaborative approach to work, a willingness and respect for the operational and technical staff of CF to do the work they are employed to do and of course, no playing squads. Well, that's my prediction.