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Preparing Our U21 NT for a Greener Future (PART A)

Do you want the next coach of the Australian U21 NT to simply fulfil their role or would you like to see the next coach not only fulfil their duties but to put in place structures that will allow future U21 teams to grow on and off the court? I believe it is time to take our Australian U21 NT to the next level. We need a coach with vision. We need a coach who is respected. We need a coach who has the skills to create and maintain a professionally organised, task-orientated community of experienced managers who, together, will provide the framework for future coaches and U21 National Teams to operate from into the future. I believe that I am that man.

There has been much debate, both previously and recently concerning the use of the offsite forum. I am not going to argue that it is useless—as it has been a great resource in the past---but now it has become rather cumbersome. That, together with the laziness of most managers in accessing it means that it is not an efficient place to conduct our U21 NT business. As a result I believe that a separate forum needs to be created solely for the Australian U21 National Team so that a greater number of users can access and interact with the U21 NT. If elected I will immediately implement such a forum. But what will this forum look like? How will it function? Who will be able to access it? Why would you?

A forum created specifically for the U21 NT will need to be dynamic. It will need to provide information for managers of U21 NT players and Aussie managers in general on a range of topics. I envisage a change in how we provide and access help from experienced managers. I will create a number of specified roles within the Administration Group under the titles of ‘Mentors’ and ‘Experts’. I will draw on members of the Aussie community to fulfil these roles. These roles will be created in such a way that the managers fulfilling them can be replaced when required so that the structure and our future success are maintained.

The forum will need to be user-friendly and informative. Managers will need to be able to find what they need easily and the information provided will need to be accurate and evolving. As a result, those who visit and use this site will not only gain a greater understanding of all things U21 NT related but hopefully gain a greater understanding of BB. I intend to have sections within the forum like a ‘U21 NT Hall of Fame’, ‘Library of Links’ and ‘He Got Skills?’ to name a few. The ‘U21 NT Hall of Fame’ section will showcase our former U21 NT players and their performances. The ‘Library of Links’ will be as it suggests, a place where mangers can go to be linked to a massive selection of training, player and manager information. The ‘He Got Skills?’ section will allow managers to see the current U21 NT player requirements (skill sets) and view some of our former U21 NT player skill sets at particular ages so they can compare their current trainees and map their progress. Overall, these features will eventually become an excellent resource for the Australian community.

This forum will need to be constantly evolving. It will need to support the growing Aussie community---including those new to the game as well as those whose experience must be utilised for Australian interests---so that the interest levels of all are catered for. To do this I believe we need to tap into the wealth of knowledge our more experienced managers have while simultaneously guiding the new crop of Aussie managers through the great game that is BB. The ‘Mentors’ and ‘Experts’ will be crucial to the guidance of managers of U21 NT players and the development of this forum in general.



Last edited by Mr J at 6/11/2013 7:40:43 AM

Preparing Our U21 NT for a Greener Future (PART B)

We need to make the ‘Australian U21 National Team Forum’ an exciting and entertaining place to be. To do this I will create specific roles designed to engage and entertain the community. Roles such as a ‘Public Relations Officer’ (PRO) and ‘Official Commentator’ (OC) will hopefully achieve this. The PRO will be responsible for alerting the Aussie community at large through press releases regarding up-and-coming games---and perhaps spamming our next opponents’ forums. The CO will provide the community weekly reports on U21 NT games played. Crucially, these press releases and game reports will be presented to the community in a tongue-in-cheek tone that mixes accurate information with absurd humour in such a manner that informs and excites managers. We have a number of ‘out there’ managers who are more than capable of taking on such roles.

Now, some managers are going to argue that there is nothing wrong with the offsite forum and that creating a new forum just for the U21 NT means that only supporters can access its content. These are valid arguments but managers need to ask themselves whether or not such inconveniences are worth derailing the future of the Australian U21 National Team. I for one believe that it is time we listened to the community at large and created a place of business that will inform, showcase and progress the future of the U21 NT.

So, if you believe that the Aussie community is ready to become more professional; that it is ready to develop, maintain and build a place of business that is communal and patriotic; that it is ready to put in place a system that will become the foundation for future international success; and that the Australian U21 National Team is destined to become respected on the big stage…then vote for me, Mr Green. With the assistance of Aussie managers, I am ready to initiate the above stated system and lay the foundations for future U21 National Teams, their coaches and managers of U21 NT players.


Thank you,

Mr Green



Last edited by Mr J at 6/11/2013 7:42:06 AM

Great speech. My question is how will you get so many people involved? We used to have so many people involved but as time has gone o there are less and less. You can't do it all yourself so how will you get a large number of managers involved?

I'm going to be really blunt here.

I think the winner needs to really take on the role almost entirely themselves. With maybe one or two other helpers.

Why?

You can really get a taste of U21 management and build a long term vision and team to your play style to really test in the second term.

The whole mentoring thing sounds so pretty and flowery, but in reality, is sucks.

People get busy, and can drop off at any point, leaving the manager doing all the lifting he was hoping he didn't have to do.

It sucks, it's life.

My suggestion is to get the conversation going, but keep a tight control over the development of all trainees.

In the second term, start delegating those tasks to others so they can add their own influence and eventually take over, and all your hard work can be put to the test in the 2nd term, rather than relying on everyone else to mentor.

It worked for me the first term.

Can't say I enjoyed my second term, though I did stop Latino from winning the election so you can all ball me for that.

Last edited by iwen at 6/11/2013 8:12:48 AM

Great speech. My question is how will you get so many people involved? We used to have so many people involved but as time has gone o there are less and less. You can't do it all yourself so how will you get a large number of managers involved?

Ultimately, the system I am suggesting is reliant on a number of managers seeing its value and volunteering their services in specific positions. As time goes on it is my hope that more and more managers become eager to be involved in some capacity. However, as I stated, the system does not require that the same managers remain in those positions. we know from experience that all of us---regardless of the effort we put into things---that eventually new blood is need to reignite the interest. My hope is that if we can set up the positions (the roles and it becomes known what those roles entail) managers can slip in and out of those roles over the coming seasons without the structure ever collapsing.

Last edited by Mr J at 6/11/2013 8:24:52 AM

I might alos add, Yoda, that I do not want to do it all; the idea is a communal one. Sure, there needs to be a coach who ultimately makes decisions (tactics, personel etc), but if the community functions as I hope it might, my role is just one of many.

I'm going to be really blunt here.

I think the winner needs to really take on the role almost entirely themselves. With maybe one or two other helpers.

Why?

You can really get a taste of U21 management and build a long term vision and team to your play style to really test in the second term.

The whole mentoring thing sounds so pretty and flowery, but in reality, is sucks.

People get busy, and can drop off at any point, leaving the manager doing all the lifting he was hoping he didn't have to do.

It sucks, it's life.

My suggestion is to get the conversation going, but keep a tight control over the development of all trainees.

In the second term, start delegating those tasks to others so they can add their own influence and eventually take over, and all your hard work can be put to the test in the 2nd term, rather than relying on everyone else to mentor.

It worked for me the first term.

Can't say I enjoyed my second term, though I did stop Latino from winning the election so you can all ball me for that.

Valid points, Iwen, but I will have to disagree. The reason why I don't agree is simple: You are an excellent manager who ran the U21 NT in a manner that worked for you. Sure, as you stated, eventually people dropped away for a variety of reasons and you were left to do it mostly alone. My hope is that if a sound structure exists, is open to all and is easily accessible, then that kind of situation (where you are running 90% of it---or more) isn't as pronounced.

Mr Green - you won't be getting my vote.

Some of the questions I see you ask, leave me wondering... "Do you any clue what you're doing."
Some of the purchases I see you make, leave me wondering... "Do you have any clue what you're doing."
Some of the decisions I see you make, leave me wondering... "Do you have any clue what you're doing."
Have you been tanking for the last ten seasons? Who knows what you're doing. (P.s. I do NOT want to hear about your 40 year plan.)

Have you ever made a choice without someone else's opinion. (If you say yes, it was probably a bad decision.)


But what I'm getting at is I ...

I feel like you have awfully slow learning curve, and have not proven yourself from a strategic stand point that you deserve this position. Lets be honest the U21 is huge and hence I'll be casting my vote for someone whom I feel has earned the position.

It's easier to be active in the forums than it is to understand how to play the game.

You should be the teams PR Manager or something. I don't know.

Am I right, or wrong and just poking fun?

Tell me how you have proven yourself? (If you have in you're speech, I apologise. But I ain't reading all that. Give it to me in dot points.)

This is pretty brutal, and may be over exaggerated. Maybe not.
Either way, I got a laugh from it. LOL

Last edited by RazorSharp at 6/11/2013 8:37:34 AM

I think it is a noble concept. I hope it works.

Just remember, ultimately the manager is accountable for all things U21.

If people drop off or the quality of mentoring is poor.... that can mean a few poor seasons of U21 talent.

You're entitled to your opinion, Razor as is every other manager who gets to cast a vote. Your overall comments that suggest I'm a shithouse manager is one view...and again, your entitled to it.

At no stage have I even hinted (reread what I have posted) that I am a great manager. In fact, I recall a recent post where Sid suggested I be considered and I immediately replied along the lines that I am not in their league. So, if you are after a response to your personal attacks you'll not get any gratification from me.

So, if I admit I'm not a great manager why am I running? Simple: I love this game and want to see it progress. I enjoy posting in the forums and agree that posting often doesn't mean I know what I'm doing. I'm always learning, Razor. Hell, I just learnt that you can appear nice and respectful in private but dish out the trash in public for your own joy. I just learned that about you. Lesson learned.

I stand by my proposal to set a foundation for the U21 NT and I at least rate myself enough to believe I can do the job. Will I fail? Perhaps? Will you enjoy that? Certainly. Regardless, Razor, I will enjoy every minute of trying it and somewhere along the line I'll provide the Aussie community with something of value.

At least I have the balls to put my name forward knowing I'll get them placed in a vice for all to see, mate. I knew that when I entered this election. Just as well I've got big balls eh?