Future of clubs on the agenda

By Teo Pellizzeri

December 26 2008

Shepparton News

North Eastern Soccer League has set down January 13 for its annual meeting which will determine the future of two new clubs.

The league released its agenda for the meeting this week with issues such as addition of new member clubs and changes to the new league constitution likely to cause the most debate.

Newly formed club Kialla will look to gain membership in the league next season at the meeting.

Its club, set to field every team except senior women next year, will be sourced primarily from Shepparton's Iraqi and Congolese communities along with graduates of the McGuire College Shepparton Junior Soccer Association program.

Also in the mix is Albury Wodonga Football Association club Benalla Rovers, which last week voted 9-1 at committee level in favour of investigating a potential future in the league.

Age restrictions in the under-16 boys and junior girls' division will also stimulate debate.

The concept of overage players in the under-16 boys created some dissent among clubs at delegates' meetings last year after the league switched the age-groups from under-17s and under15s to under-16s and under-14s.

Switching the junior girls' division from under-14 to under-15 may also prove a popular option among clubs.

State women's standing committee member Jane Webb said it was not a move she personally agreed with.

"The average age in the open women's league is 17," Webb said.

"I don't see why the league would want to send more players back down to restricted-age soccer.

"There are already a lot of bottom-age girls in the 11 to 13 bracket who physically cannot compete against 15-year-olds.

"Playing against smaller girls puts the older ones off their game too, the feedback I get is they are scared of hurting them."