Football Federation SA (FFSA) is pleased to announce three clubs will join the FFSA Men’s Competition in 2016 in Fulham United Football Club, Mount Barker United Soccer Club and Vipers Football Club. 

In their maiden season, the three clubs will compete in the newly formed State League 1 Competition.

The State League 1 will comprise of 6 current State League sides determined at the completion of the 2015 season as well as the new entry clubs. 

Fulham United FC currently compete in the FFSA Women’s and Juniors Competition, Vipers FC have teams in the Junior Competition while Mount Barker United SC compete in the FFSA Women’s, South Australian Collegiate League and Adelaide Hills Junior Soccer Association competitions. 

Fulham United President Arthur Labrosciano stated that joining the Men’s competition is the next step for the Western suburbs side. 

“The Club has grown from 2 amateur teams, Senior and Reserves, some 45 years ago and today it fields 30 teams every weekend – made up of 3 Men’s and 2 Women’s (competing in the FFSA Women’s Premier League) and the remaining 25 teams are a mix of Junior Boys and Girls.

“The excitement for us is that we are now able to provide a pathway for the boys that enables them to remain at our club and give the opportunity for them to play Senior football at Fulham United FC.”

Vipers FC President Adrian Moore lamented Fulham’s thoughts on the importance of providing a pathway for Junior footballers at their club. 

“We recognise that we have attracted a great deal of interest and gown as a club over the past 3 years and it is up to us as a club to offer our Junior players the necessary avenues to proceed to where they want to go in their football careers.

“To be a part of the Premier Competition in the state and to provide the opportunity for our Juniors to be a part of that competition moving forward is important to us. We don’t want to close the door on any of our Juniors at age 18; we still want them to play for Vipers should they wish to.” 

General Manager of Mount Barker United SC Andrew Marshall told that entering the competition is integral for the rapidly growing township.

“Mount Barker has been working towards providing pathways into soccer for this rapidly growing district for over 5 years now: providing soccer to all levels from children to women's soccer, through to 6 senior men's teams.

“Our entry into the FFSA competition allows the Mount Barker community to partake at the highest level within South Australia and provide opportunity at every level from social through to the elite Senior men's competition.

“The club, its players and its many supporters are genuinely excited about next seasons entry into the State League 1 Competition and are proud to fly the Mount Barker badge into this esteemed competition.”

FFSA Chief Executive Officer Michael Carter stated that bringing new clubs in to the Senior Men's Competition is an integral part of expanding opportunities for players, coaches and volunteers. 

“The FFSA is very pleased to welcome three established clubs to the Senior Men's competition. We are committed to expansion and achieving a consistent competition structure." 

FFSA are inviting Clubs looking to take their club to the next level in a National Competition, to join the State League 1 in 2016. 

For more information on the State League 1 minimum competition requirements, benefit guide and nomination form please contact Wendy Carter: wendy.carter@ffsa.com.au or 08 8340 3088.