0 Followers
My son is 15 and has been told if he doesn’t get selected in the pathways system, he probably won’t make representative teams in the future. Is this true and how can we help him, he so passionate.
Responses
Hi Alex,
A rather polarising statement that has been shared with you.
Cricket is now a global product in various formats, just because you are not selected in your local pathway system does not mean its the end of the world. Do some research on the amount of NSW players (Not pathway) current playing in other states. Do some research on Josh Brown of QLD, he defies all pathway programs. There are so many 20/20 products emerging all round the world that do not require a "pathway" qualification. If your son is committed and loves cricket he will fulfil his dreams. To stay passionate, keep playing the game of cricket and master his craft.
Alex,
I agree with Andrew, who ever is making that statement does not understand the changing cricket world.
For what ever reason, cricket administrators see pathways as their primary player identification method, and frankly it is just lazy.
Sure, have processes to identify talent, but that talent should also be made to prove that they are better than players that sit outside of the system, in like for like competitions. Just because you dominate under 15s, does not mean that when they get to 18, they are still "better" than players who were not in the system we they were 15.
To have players given "rookie" contracts based on what happened in under age cricket, with no Premier Cricket performance to back it up, it what is landing the state associations in the situations they face now, and to Andrew's point, leading to outstanding premier cricket performers looking for their opportunity interstate.
That being said, pathways are current and do play a role in making representative under age teams, so with your son being 15, and driven to make these teams, finding a strong premier cricket club to join in Green Shield and lower grade teams would be a great starting point.
If you son was to have good performances over the course of the Green Shield season, back up by good Premier cricket performance, leading to progression through the grades, he will be noticed, if not for U/17s, he could be in a high grade doing well by the time he is eligible for the U/19's. You always have to remember that they only pick 14 players in each age group to compete in the Australian U/17 and U/19 carnivals, and when you think about how many players there are to choose from in NSW, you have to be at an elite level.
Whatever he wants to do in cricket, he has to keep enjoying it, and controlling what is within his control. Being picked in squads or teams is difficult, and the decisions are made by groups that have no connection to your son, and the only thing that he can do is put up performances that cannot be denied, if they are deemed not enough to get in, then continue to strive to reach the highest level possible, starting with Premier First grade, and onwards from there.
Hello Alex,
What a poor, narrow-minded and uninformed perspective for anyone to receive.
Did this come from a coach or selector?
From a positive perspective, please do some research on Peter Hatzoglou and the cricket career that is unfolding for him. Never been in the pathway of any sort ever.
Has not been a hinderance to belief and persistence.
Kind regards
Andrew
