Forbes

So you are in Forbes...

a few important things to know about Forbes.

I would allow 5+ hours to travel unless you're not stopping and not planning on checking in prior to training at 3 Finding the ground can be confusing if you ask a local for directions, so print off a map! The suggested pub on the paperwork is a great place to meet up with other parents and team mates as you get your bearings but there's nothing to really entertain the kids for too long. On saying that though unless the pub has changed names its at a different one. Head off to the RSL soon after the 'welcome' at the pub as its the pick of the places to eat and the queue can get huge. If you've got room in the car pack some extra blankets and tracksuit to sleep in as a lot of the accommodation is basic struggling for 3 stars After years of trialling hotels and motels there I've settled on the Victoria Inn as its central to town and new.

On the morning of the trials the queue at McDonalds can be over 30 minutes long and then you have to wait for your order! my record is about 53 minutes - never again! If your car is left outside and exposed, chances are it will have 1cm of frost on it, so consider where you leave it overnight. When thinking of what to pack... The day starts off misty, freezing and the ground is covered in frost. The sun emerges and the ground goes very soft and wet then after lunch you're down to your shirt and sunburnt.

If your child doesn't make possibles v probables you can head off reasonably early and be home for dinner if you hang around you're looking at walking in the door roughly 9pm Monday night.

Our best representation ever was 6 boys making the squad of 22 for MacKillop a few years ago. 5 teams take part in the trials for MacKillop. Sydney is the strongest team and in my time as Team Manager we have come from being the whipping boys to challenging Sydney as the 2nd best (although last year Wollongong got the better of us). Now the day is set up so this clash is the precursor to the possibles v probables game late in the day.

For the last few years I've insisted on taking approx. 18 children as it is a long way to travel and I've wanted to give everyone as many minutes as they could possibly play. Last year it was made mandatory to have squads of 22 so we have adhered and by coincidence have picked plenty of Year Five kids which stands us in good stead for next year. It worked against us somewhat last year as we had some withdrawals and injuries and we couldn't rest some players.

The reality is these are only trials and not a competition for trophies and titles. Usually 2 games in, once we've been through our rotation once, we are told by selectors who to play and in what positions. Often we've picked kids who only play one position and the selectors tell us to move them out so they can see others in the team play in that spot. I will regularly remind parents and players we have picked 22 great young footballers. At this stage in the boys' development they should be learning every back or forward position possible so they can read the game with more than one set of eyes, and for example, know what its like to sit on the wing bored not getting a touch on the ball. Most of the boys, especially in Western Sydney, play for small clubs not necessarily in their age group and/or in positions dictated by their club's age registrations.

I hope you find this information useful. If you think there's more I can add before or after your Forbes experience please let me know!

Cheers Adam