Time to take a chance

 

April 15 2008

Shepparton News

Shepparton's soccer community must seize parity with Victoria regardless of the $500000 price tag, North Eastern Soccer League president Frank Trimboli said yesterday.

Football Federation Victoria's plans for a state summer league to start in October will give the Goulburn North-East the chance to bid for a five-year, $100000-a-year licence.

Trimboli described the opportunity to participate in a state summer league as once in a lifetime, saying the consequences of not entering the competition would be devastating.

The state federation is hoping at least one club, consortium or individual in each of its eight metro and four country zones will submit a bid for a licence.

Only one licence a zone will be issued, meaning multiple bids from within a zone will have to either compete or compromise.

Licence holders will then be entitled to field under-13, under-15 and under-16 boys and girls teams and an open women's team in amateur divisions and a semi-professional open men's team.

Goulburn North-East zone, encompassing the North Eastern league, also contains rural centres such as Benalla, Wangaratta and Wodonga.

``I can only see this concept working if all eight divisions play at the same venue as a one-day package,'' Trimboli said.

``This team will let players in this region play at the highest level without having to move to Melbourne.

``But I don't want to see the zone team fragmented up between all the different towns because it just won't get enough support through the gate.''

Trimboli said he hoped Greater Shepparton City Council would take an active interest in any bid from within the city.

``If there is a team based in Shepparton it will mean visiting players, families and supporters from either Melbourne or other areas in country Victoria every home game,'' Trimboli said.

``What better way to sell the town.''

A deadline for when licence bids must be submitted is yet to be set by Football Federation Victoria.