Meeting misses the mark

April 6 2009

Shepparton News

A focus on issues not relevant to the advancement of soccer is Goulburn North East Football Association president Frank Trimboli's criticism of a recent initiative by Greater Shepparton City Council.

The president said while the council's preparation for strategic development of the game was a positive, its execution was lacking and questions were being directed to the wrong places.

A meeting last week between the league, three councillors and Football Federation Victoria executive Mark Rendell and commercial operations manager Matt Usher ended with a survey being circulated to clubs by a consulting firm representing council.

Trimboli said he was disappointed the council was going back to the clubs rather than listening to the league as their representative.

He was also bemused at council asking for more information in spite of a presentation from Football Federation Victoria of its strategic plan.

Trimboli said the ultimate aim of the process was for Shepparton to share in the wave of state and federal funding on the way if Australia was to be chosen as host of the 2018 or 2022 World Cups.

Even if Australia is not chosen as host, Trimboli said for an area fast becoming a hotbed of the sport, it was being left behind facility-wise compared to other parts of the state. The survey issued to Goulburn North East league clubs asked questions such as ``what are the three biggest challenges or problems your clubs faces in its current position,'' and ``Are there any developments that you would NOT like to see occur for football in Greater Shepparton.''

``The league is already representative of the clubs,'' Trimboli said.

``A survey is another bureaucratic step which the (FFV) strategic plan already has answers for.

``The clubs are focused on winning premierships and improving themselves, the league is focused on the future of the game.''

Trimboli said the FFV's strategic plan was based on building international facilities in regional areas, arguing Shepparton would host Olyroos games, Matildas games and regular state league soccer if it had an appropriate venue.