Hoops

AUSA hoops threatened by BV?

Vic metro has 25 NITP training on one court. I agree about the under resourced comment. It must be frustrating for the coaching staff!

BA s "program" is going down the drain, they need to take a dam good look at how the Americans do it, they think the Cof E is the standard to aim for, you only have to look at what the college system in America offers to see BA are so far off the mark its not funny, that's why they want to stop all these kids going into the college system.
Look at what they have lost in the last year or so, and they are not coming back to play in the Un19s , why would they when the opportunities to develop are greater in the USA than they could ever be here. Gone are the days when only those who couldn't really make it here went to college, now the better and smarter ones are going, and organisations like AUSA are clearly seeing this trend and creating more opportunities for not just the elite 10% to go but also all those who don't fit BAs picture.
NITP/NPP in Vic is an excuse to raise revenue more than develop players.

It has kind of changed over the years HO, I can only give you an estimate for the Vic program I have been involved with, at the moment it is around 15-20 for country and maybe a few more for metro. Country NPP has few at camps, small numbers so we are talking high teens there and mid to low 10's for NITP.

Once again, only estimates, I don't actually know the numbers and I have no ideas of other states. Generally they match up with State and Nationals squads, then a few more who come and go, so numbers can be ever changing.

There is a subtle difference between what is offered and expected notwithstanding the financial element.

The NITP/NPP or BA pathway is about doing what you are expected to do to complete set tasks and achieve set goals as given to you by your State/National coaches.

This is non negotiable and if you do not do the work you can in fact not be invited back to the program, therefore you are effectively left on the outer.

There is only a limited number of opportunities and therefore it is a very selective process that funnels kids into the BA system of play and development.

It is not necessarily about the individual or his/her personal development as much as it is about the system and how the kids fit into what is expected of them as a whole.

Privately operated businesses that offer a similar basketball training and development regime (once again taking the financial element away), offer a slightly different opportunity.

They will personally try and connect with the player to develop and improve them in specific areas necessary for the targeted end result. It is less selective and has a different governance, doesn't rely on kids fitting their system!

If the kid needs work in a specific skill or strength and conditioning aspect for example, they will be more focused on working with that individual as well as some team aspects to improve them, which isn't always possible or at least doesn't appear so under the BA model. If kids don't improve to the satisfaction of BA they can be removed until they are noticed again, kids under the private model can stick it out within the program, it is their choice.

Private business models do also promote and connect with the USA college system directly and indirectly, more overtly than BA who have coaches that speak with colleges but you won't read about it as much.

Self promotion and video analysis, mixed tapes, camps and improving the individual's particular skill set etc... These are all targeted towards the college pathway more so than under the BA system in my humble opinion, this is what I am observing as the difference...

Does it then conflict or should one be threatened by the other? Once again I think each they offer what people want or need and there should be no threat or conflict. In fact, wouldn't it be great if they worked more closely to help develop more kids and keep them in the sport longer by working side by side in stead of us perceiving the opposite exists?

Personally I don't see any threat either way here. Remember how narrow the top of the pyramid is and how much pointer that top end is in basketball.

Opportunities are very rare and if kids want to pursue their basketball further they usually do this with the support of their parents first and foremost.

Parents have to guide their kids initially and if they have the money to send them on camps here or overseas, then whether they are with a state program or a private enterprise really shouldn't matter.

In this country we are resource poor when it comes to hoops, we are not the USA where money is thrown at the top end of the basketball elite, so the end must be supported by the means with which to get there.

If a kid wants to further his/her education, go to the USA and have a crack at the college system on a scholarship or if they want to stay here and try to enter the NBL, that is their choice and at least these programs are on offer.

Yes, some are more selective than others are on the face of it, but nothing will ever beat hard work to develop talent and potential. What I read is that no matter where kids want to go, if they don't do the work they won't get the rewards...