Catch-22 has club in tough position

By Glen Atwell
NOBLE Park under-18 coach John Clausen has a problem, but its nothing to do with the big dry threatening the start of the Eastern Football League (EFL) season.
The drama is a game of numbers, and Clausen has decisions that need to be made.
With too few under-18 players to field two sides but too many to register only one team, Clausen is in a difficult catch-22 situation.
“At the moment we have about 36 boys going through training, they are ready to play,” he said.
If Noble Park registers one under-18 side, about 10 players will miss out.
“To field two teams we need about 52 guys on the list. It makes things tough because decisions have to be made fairly soon,” the coach said.
Clausen believes the dilemma is linked to a general slump in junior numbers across the district over the past few years.
“Noble Park has always been strong in the under-18 division,” he said.
“But a lot of other teams in the area have struggled for numbers.
“Springvale Junior Football Club folded and Keysborough has always battled for numbers.”
Noble Park has traditionally fielded only one under-18 team, but Clausen hopes to register two this year.
“It’s my first year at the club and I’m hoping some more players jump on board,” he said.
“We already have five Sandringham Dragons and three Dandenong Stingrays players on the list.”
Clausen said the lure of soccer was having an effect on junior football numbers.
“Greater Dandenong is a very culturally diverse area, a lot of juniors just won’t play football,” he said.
“What they often forget is just how many mates you can make by joining a football club. It’s a great atmosphere to be in.”