Future of Griffith-based teams to come under microscope - July 20 2007
Future of Griffith-based teams to come under microscope
July 20 2007
Shepparton News
The future of Griffith clubs Hanwood and Yoogali in North Eastern Soccer League is open for debate with candidates running for Victorian Football Federation presidency.
"Football For All" ticket leader Nick Monteleone said that his board would "unite Victorian football under one roof" should it be elected.
"We need to find common ground, I think the Australian federation would take the initiative in bringing Victoria and NSW together to resolve these cross-border issues," Monteleone said.
"My understanding is that the Australian federation's stance is quite clear; there are exceptional circumstances for state jurisdictions."
Teams from Shepparton have to travel a six-hour round trip for away games in Griffith and Monteleone agreed for a country league the distance was excessive.
"It's a long way to go for a kick," he said.
"It will need a difficult solution, Griffith is a huge town and if the game grows in the region and there is funding then it should be able to maintain itself.
"The Australian federation's first preference is that a club participates in its jurisdiction, its state."
"Football First" ticket presidential nominee Chris Nikou said he was not informed of the intricacies of Griffith teams Hanwood and Yoogali's involvement in the North Eastern league.
On the question of whether it was feasible that country teams travel a sixhour round trip for league matches Nikou said it was "logistically difficult" and that "frank discussions" would be needed with Soccer NSW.
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