Looking to future - March 6 2008
Looking to future
March 6 2008
Shepparton News
Junior girls will play North Eastern Soccer League this season after more than a year of negotiation resulted in commitment from enough clubs last night.
The departure of Griffith teams Hanwood and Yoogali from the league proved to be the catalyst for teams to consider expanding the number of divisions.
Attracting Victorian-based clubs currently in the Albury-Wodonga and Bendigo competitions led to an expansion of the league.
Albury-Wodonga league teams Benalla, Myrtleford and Wangaratta will field three girls' teams in addition to an open women's division last year.
Adding a girls' division to the league in addition to the open women's competition was seen as an essential step by its administrators.
But the league had met resistance or indifference from every team bar Cobram Victory until last night.
An under-10 boys' division was also discussed last night but the meeting failed to reach a conclusion.
League president Frank Trimboli urged clubs to engage the junior numbers in the Goulburn Valley in order to keep a senior league possible.
``We won't be able to attract an Echuca or Benalla if we don't have the divisions available,'' Trimboli said.
``It's no good saying we'll bring these leagues in for 2009, we have to show initiative now.''
Shepparton South indicated it would require an unprecedented influx of junior girls in order to field a team.
However, only Cobram left the meeting categorically saying it would not field an under-14 girls' team when the season starts next month.
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