3 Divisions – O43, O55 and O65

As the Club has grown and aged we now have a 41 year age gap between players in both divisions. This means that some players are not getting fair playing time or feel they are not contributing to their team. Our aim is to provide for everyone a fun, recreational game of soccer.

We have 79 members under 55, 106 between 55 and 64 and 134 over 65. All of these are playing members (some in the Masters on Thursdays and some spares). Many ex-members are playing soccer elsewhere and by providing a division where everyone feels they can contribute, we expect to entice more players back to playing in the Club.

As a consequence, we would like your feedback on moving to a 3 division club.

How would this work:

1. 3 age groups O43, O55 and O65. Each player is automatically placed in the division corresponding to their age. However, players may elect to be considered in another age group, as we do now. Selection will continue to be by convener in a draft.
   
   For example, if, say, you are O65 next year you can choose to be in the O43 or O55 draft. (Note: 6 players O65 are in the O43 division now.)
   
   Or if you are 50 next year, you could ask to be considered in the O55 or O65 draft (usually for health reasons) but the conveners of those divisions would need to approve, we do not want young players choosing an older division just to be a star.
   
   Prior to the draft, we might need to balance the divisions by asking some players to voluntarily move up or move down a division. You will know before the draft which division you will be selected for, as we do now.
2. The expectation initially is 3 divisions of 4 teams but our aim is to grow to 3 divisions of 6 teams and this will be achieved by attracting more ex-players back to the club and through recruitment efforts of our members.

This proposal benefits all players because we all get older and we all want a place to play where we are contributing to our team.