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The new OBA Transfer policy is one which probably has the support of many clubs and coaches, but it's a radical decision that parents should be protesting.
Under the new rules, players are kept captive to their clubs. Want to try out for a number of different teams? You can try, but you won't be picked unless you're hot enough to justify a $300 transfer fee. Don't like your coach? You better find out quickly before you sign on with the team. This decision can only be made once, because once you commit, you *belong* to the club until the end of time (it's not made clear in the policy whether clubs have to release a player after a request is made regardless of whether the transfer fee is paid or not). Didn't make team 1 at your club? Maybe you're good enough to make team 1 at another club, but you'll never know with this new transfer policy in place.
Coaches may have rejoiced at the news of the OBA Transfer Policy, but this policy hurts them too. Does you team badly need a talented big? Then you better hope that the bigs on team 2 or the younger team will develop quickly. Does you team need a shooter? Again, you will be seeing the same kids try out year after year. The only new kids you'll see are kids who've never played basketball competitively before, and the chances they'll be skilled is well...not good.
AAU coaches (without an OBA team) should be especially concerned as many of their players are drawn from kids that play with different OBA teams during the season. Better hope OBA teams don't field AAU teams themselves, or your try-outs will likely be attended by raw players only.
Coaches, if you are looking to form a new team older than novice level - just give up now. The fees to create a team with players drawn from other teams makes this decision financially impossible.
The OBA has been making rash decisions without proper consultation. Remember how they got rid of time-outs during the season last year? If any of you were at the OBA 3x3 last year, you know that they were thinking of making even more radical changes. We've got to let the OBA know that they can't operate in this high-handed, irrational manner. If this policy stays in place, I can see a lot of players leave basketball altogether. It's time to take a stand.
Under the new rules, players are kept captive to their clubs. Want to try out for a number of different teams? You can try, but you won't be picked unless you're hot enough to justify a $300 transfer fee. Don't like your coach? You better find out quickly before you sign on with the team. This decision can only be made once, because once you commit, you *belong* to the club until the end of time (it's not made clear in the policy whether clubs have to release a player after a request is made regardless of whether the transfer fee is paid or not). Didn't make team 1 at your club? Maybe you're good enough to make team 1 at another club, but you'll never know with this new transfer policy in place.
Coaches may have rejoiced at the news of the OBA Transfer Policy, but this policy hurts them too. Does you team badly need a talented big? Then you better hope that the bigs on team 2 or the younger team will develop quickly. Does you team need a shooter? Again, you will be seeing the same kids try out year after year. The only new kids you'll see are kids who've never played basketball competitively before, and the chances they'll be skilled is well...not good.
AAU coaches (without an OBA team) should be especially concerned as many of their players are drawn from kids that play with different OBA teams during the season. Better hope OBA teams don't field AAU teams themselves, or your try-outs will likely be attended by raw players only.
Coaches, if you are looking to form a new team older than novice level - just give up now. The fees to create a team with players drawn from other teams makes this decision financially impossible.
The OBA has been making rash decisions without proper consultation. Remember how they got rid of time-outs during the season last year? If any of you were at the OBA 3x3 last year, you know that they were thinking of making even more radical changes. We've got to let the OBA know that they can't operate in this high-handed, irrational manner. If this policy stays in place, I can see a lot of players leave basketball altogether. It's time to take a stand.
