ALright my 2 cents,
SSFL is an extra curricular activity. Its participants are students. Education, classes and exams should be priority #1
Students are already made to feel like "stars" They get the benefit of missing school and classes however in the long run the % that make it as professional ballers is slim.
The aim must be to protect the student, provide him/her with an education first and foremost.
1) Cut out all second XI games for schools who already have teams playing in the Championship division. Many teams get away from relegation because their 2nd XI win the league below. Do away with that. A school can only compete in one tier. It will be less of a distraction to those who not sure if they playing football. It keeps the serious ones in focus and on top of their game. It reduces the number of teams in the league, which automatically = less games and less training and less stress on players.
2) Reduce the number of teams in SSFL....Have only the best and make those who coming up competitive. The problem is that 5yr schools will have a problem churning out good team successively. Hence Colleges may dominate the scene by importing players. Have about 6 teams MAX. Also do away with the big 5 competition have only the knockout intercol. Do not have the Senior division team compete in Intercol. Their prize is that they can come up and play the following year.
3) Grounds are a problem to maintain a field for that length of time, training etc costs money. extending the season will result in poor(er) pitches..see point 4 below.
4) Sports are seasonal...thus you will have a clash with cricket in the dry season. They have to train too and is usually one field to do all activities. Also some footballers are cricketers as well. Why should you limit the extra curricular activites a student can play in.
5) Christmas break is not a good thing...youths like to have fun too. Plus there is carnival etc. To be training nearly year round is difficult to juggle with studies etc. Also with all the other distractions spectators as well may not find time to go to games.
6) Extending the season will have an effect on the timing of the games. They will have to be pushed back earlier due to LIGHT or lack thereof. This is not feasible during the week as it takes away from school time. Only good for weekend games. It will also cut down training time unless teams could run well in the dark. This is in effect for January-March as well.
7) Exams and preparation will be affected. Extension is not a good idea.
DO NOT include Senior Divison teams in Intercol...most of them are not ready and do not have a proper football programme in place. ( ALL CIC MEN HUSH ALYUH TAIL)
9) Put Intercol at the middle of the season instead of the end. At the halfway point of the league do the intercol...thus there will be less injuries, players will be fresher. If they get knocked out they can gear up for the league and salvage the season. They will be more enthusiastic and it will give losing teams more time to train. Suspend all league play during this time...only knockout ball.
