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[Johng]

Numbers have been hit hard in 4 states in Australia due to AFL and no doubt that in QLD and NSW due to rugby or which ever code junior numbers are being hit and hit hard.

There are so many options now for talented kids

[Number4]

except it isn't.  And I say that as a proud Yorkshireman from the Home of the sport....

To watch union here if it isn't international level then it is a very ordinary game to watch

[Manormanic]

There are so many options now for talented kids

To be fair, its the same here - kids are also pressured to choose a direction very early in the piece.

[Number4]

Numbers have been hit hard in 4 states in Australia due to AFL and no doubt that in QLD and NSW due to rugby or which ever code junior numbers are being hit and hit hard.

There are so many options now for talented kids

I think you are wrong in my opinion John.. Just my opinion of course.

The game isn't just for talented kids looking for a career.. Never has been.. If numbers have in fact declined I would say it is due to the bad run by the Australian cricket team over the last few years... Watch the numbers grow when Australia are back on top again... Whenever that may be

[Johng]

I imaging the chance to play EPL would drive kids away from cricket.

Cricket needs to create more opportunities for young kids as the game will end up being second rate. Australia is finding this out the hard way as they will get an old fashioned hiding again in Eng this year and if there not careful again in Aus at the end of 2013

The current Aus team is simply awful!!

[ammo]

cricket is only going down hill on Ausralia I live in the north shore of NSW and here AFL is on the rise as well as Union, cricket is more of a time filler for many juniors. And its worse in all other states.
Atleast we have a strong Grade Cricket Structure.

[Johng]

I think you are wrong in my opinion John.. Just my opinion of course.

The game isn't just for talented kids looking for a career.. Never has been.. If numbers have in fact declined I would say it is due to the bad run by the Australian cricket team over the last few years... Watch the numbers grow when Australia are back on top again... Whenever that may be

I am talking about the elite end not the kids who have a hit and giggle which is great. At CA they know they are being hit hard by the like of the afl and that has come from James Sutherland hence the creation of the Big Bash which has opened the door for more opportunities.
The AFL has 600 contracts available similar in the NRL at an average of 300,000 per year.
You can earn $2000 a game playing country football.
CA offer 21 yearly contracts. Why play cricket!!
If you play grade cricket only 4 players that can be payed the rest do it for free.
If you can play both games what do you choose, not cricket and that is happening right around the country thats why we are so (No Swearing Please). Sport today is professional and cricket needs to follow other codes or it will die a natural death and that needs to be the three tiers of cricket in Aus which is International, state, and grade cricket

[Johng]

cricket is only going down hill on Ausralia I live in the north shore of NSW and here AFL is on the rise as well as Union, cricket is more of a time filler for many juniors. And its worse in all other states.
Atleast we have a strong Grade Cricket Structure.

You are so right its not a serious sport anymore. Grade cricket here has been hit hard in Vic by the AFL as standard is awful!!

[alba caerulea]

Interesting that League is the dominant code in Autralia rather than Union.  Again, any ideas as to why?

Perhaps it is a recent thing - Phil Vickery and Andy Sheridan annihilated the Australian front row in 2007, maybe after that they didn't fancy proper scrums

Can't believe this news about Hussey, the England boys must feel like having a party. All we need now is for Michael Clarke to be abducted and 5-0 here we come 

[langer17]

Interesting that League is the dominant code in Autralia rather than Union.  Again, any ideas as to why?

AFL (Aussie Rules) is the dominant code in Australia.

Crowd numbers go: AFL (out ahead by a country mile), League, Soccer then Union (the last three could be chopped an changed, but AFL is miles ahead)
By Participation it is: Soccer, AFL, League then Union.

[Johng]

AFL (Aussie Rules) is the dominant code in Australia.

Crowd numbers go: AFL (out ahead by a country mile), League, Soccer then Union (the last three could be chopped an changed, but AFL is miles ahead)
By Participation it is: Soccer, AFL, League then Union.

Agree

[alba caerulea]

To watch union here if it isn't international level then it is a very ordinary game to watch

Surely you don't include super rugby in that? That is a very high standard of club rugby

Does anyone notice a link between Australias success in cricket and youth participation in cricket?- perhaps too obvious to be true I dont know. There are no Warnes, Lees or Gilchrists for the kids to look up to now. And now no Hussey either

[Manormanic]

Does anyone notice a link between Australias success in cricket and youth participation in cricket?- perhaps too obvious to be true I dont know. There are no Warnes, Lees or Gilchrists for the kids to look up to now. And now no Hussey either

I don't want to be inflammatory but this does perhaps tap into that Australian thing that they sook when they're not winning...

[Number4]

Surely you don't include super rugby in that? That is a very high standard of club rugby

Does anyone notice a link between Australias success in cricket and youth participation in cricket?- perhaps too obvious to be true I dont know. There are no Warnes, Lees or Gilchrists for the kids to look up to now. And now no Hussey either

Super Rugby excluded... I wouldn't really call that club rugby

[Number4]

Does anyone notice a link between Australias success in cricket and youth participation in cricket?- perhaps too obvious to be true I dont know. There are no Warnes, Lees or Gilchrists for the kids to look up to now. And now no Hussey either

I think I already alluded to this above