NORTH Companions' preparations for the upcoming soccer season remain in limbo while the club awaits clarification on the competition's new format.
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Northern Inland Football (NIF) announced in November its Premier League format would be replaced with new north and south conferences.
Under the new format, clubs that competed in the Premier League in 2019 would retain their places for the new season.
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However, Northies coach Jackson Zifodya said the restructuring had left him unsure of "a lot of details".
"To be honest, we're a bit up in the air at the moment," Zifodya told the Leader.
"In terms of planning for the season ahead, we aren't too sure when the season starts, how many games we will be playing, or who we will be playing against.
"There are a few unknowns, but our club has a meeting on Thursday night, so I'm hoping we will get a bit more information then."
NIF general manger Julia Farina said more details regarding the make-up of this year's competition would be known in the coming weeks.
"Registrations open on February 1 and that is when we are expecting clubs to start nominating for what they are looking to do this season," Farina said.
"As soon as those doors open, everyone should have a fair idea of how the season will look.
"It is still pretty early days yet, but it is shaping up to be a pretty exciting year."
As well as the current clubs, the new conference system will also allow for Tamworth first-grade clubs to step up into Premier League.
"We have had some pretty positive feedback so far," Farina said.
"Some clubs have already indicated to us their interest and I'm confident more will come forward once registrations open.
"Until then, I know a lot of clubs will be preparing for the annual Johnson Cup on April 5, I know Quirindi FC will be taking part in the six-a-side Viking Challenge in Forster and we should know in the coming days which teams will be competing in the FFA Cup."
As for Northies, Zifodya said his side would look "very different" in 2020.
"For us it's the same old story in terms of half our team is moving away for university," he said.
"We have had some interest from people wanting to come to the club, so hopefully it evens itself out.
"At this stage, we will have to wait and see, so hopefully we will know more in the next couple of weeks."
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
