23-12-2011, 01:34 AM
One thing we must try and ensure in 2012 is that if possible we take full advantage of all free/assisted places at the three majors, namely the EU, the Euroyouth and the World Youth. We can't be seen to be crying at our lack of funding, yet not taking up every freebie-ish place at these events. Look at the present girls U8 and U10 grading list. We get a free place effectively at the EuroYouth and Worldyouth. Should we send anyone if they had to go tomorrow? We need to think long term here and that means filling free places next year and every year, which hopefully will generate interest and competition for places. I understand that many of you will say "what's the point of sending a young inexperienced girl just for her to be totally demoralised and give up the game?". We need to address this now and I mean right now, not in 5 years time when we don't have any girls of international standard at all. Look at the J16,J15 girl grading lists. It's not difficult to work out who is going to be offered a place. We have four girls at J11 I am really pleased about. If we could achieve that each and every year that would be great.
Robin.
Robin.