League set to propose changes to junior competitions

By Teo Pellizzeri

August 20 2007

Shepparton News

Junior competitions in the North Eastern Soccer League are set to be overhauled next season after the competition tended towards younger players this year.

The under-17 division is set to be cut after teams like Shepparton South and Tatura filled their men's senior side with players in their mid teens all season.

Tatura in particular has been committed to youth this year after the club decided to invest in its future and move on senior players who had failed to bring it success.

Cobram caused a stir a week ago when it refused to promote its teenage reserve players to senior grade and forfeited against Hanwood.

Tigers coach Domenic Tedesco said the decision was based on protecting young players from early exposure to senior soccer.

But league president Frank Trimboli said responsibility for teenage players would be encouraged in senior ranks next year.

"If you look at the average age of Tatura's senior team it's probably not much older than what Cobram would have put on the field as its reserves last week," Trimboli said.

"It's no good playing your reserves as reserves if it means your seniors don't even play.

"For Cobram to say that they could not compete isn't necessarily true; Tatura may not have won a game but they have been competitive."

At the yet-to-bescheduled annual meeting a proposal of under-16, under-14 and under-12 divisions will be tabled to replace under-17, 15 and 13.

Trimboli confirmed proposals to make it impossible to forfeit seniors without forfeiting reserves and increased fines for forfeiting at any level would also be tabled and voted on by clubs.