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October 7 2009

Shepparton News

Soccer administrator Frank Trimboli has used his re-election as one of Goulburn North East's zone representatives to reinforce his commitment of pushing for the development of facilities in the Greater Shepparton region.Football Federation Victoria this week announced its new state-wide zone representatives for the next two years with a Shepparton-centric list of names elected to represent zones and also to state standing committees.

Zone representatives and standing committee members get to vote for the Football Federation Victoria board.

Trimboli has been a zone representative since 2007 along with Myrtleford's Frank Bonacci, who did not renominate this year.

Shepparton-based soccer enthusiast and former player Jim Kalafatis is the Goulburn North East zone's other representative, both he and Trimboli were nominated by the zone unopposed.

Former Numurkah and Cobram player Jane Webb has been returned as the Goulburn North East's representative on the state women's standing committee, Chris Georgopoulos was nominated to the men's standing committee, Kyabram's Shaun Riley nominated to the junior standing committee and David Maskell to the referees' standing committee.

All the position holders were nominated unopposed - club delegates in the Goulburn North East Football Association were informed of their opportunity to partake in the zone nominations at a meeting on August 3.

The Goulburn North East zone encompasses the Albury Wodonga Football Association's Victorian clubs, however, it has nominated no representatives.

"Greater Shepparton has positioned itself to have some control of what's going to happen in our region for the next two years," Trimboli said.

"Facilities are going to be a key focus for the people on steering committees, working closely with council."

A soccer facility suitable for major events has been on the Goulburn North East association's agenda after being highlighted by Melbourne Victory using Deakin Reserve for a showcase game in July and two Tatura venues being used for a split grand final day last month.

"We want to stage our grand finals and big matches at a premier site," Trimboli said.

"I'm hoping all the people elected to standing committees will be active in supporting our region's interests."