Last week, The Armidale Express revealed five Armidale-based soccer clubs had signalled their intention to break away from the sport's governing body in favour of a new, independent competition this year.
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public meeting was held on Wednesday night to explain the newly-formed soccer competition. Key points raised by the panel:
Why has it started? Issues with administration over the past two seasons. The sport got to the stage where it "wasn't fun anymore" and they wanted to make it fun again and attract new people to the sport.
Who will be running it? Graham Parsons and Alan Gray are the new administrators as well as a committee. Competition as far as juniors go won't change.
Fees and insurance: Insurance for training and playing will be covered by the university's insurance scheme and is covered by registration fees. Council fields will be booked. Sport UNE have registered to become a provider for the Active Kids voucher. Senior fees will be $60 to $70 cheaper than last year. The university has its own platform for registration.
Pathways: The new venture won't be sanctioned by Football Federation Australia which means there won't be the same pathways but there have been discussions with the Northern Inland Academy of Sport to develop a pathways program. Children who are talented or aspire to play at a higher level have to travel to train in Tamworth or Newcastle. The university is aiming to introduce a pathways program for under-11s through to under-15s with a selection panel brought in and clubs will have the opportunity to put names forward. There is also talk of coaching and refereeing pathways programs. Futsal programs and competitions could be a possibility in the future. Children who currently play Northern Inland Football programs every second weekend will be able to play the local competition as well, from UNE's perspective.
Women's: There were queries around expanding the women's game. Director of UNE Life Dave Schmude advised the university's football club has run a women's competition for 40 years but it is currently a social tournament. If the interest is there, it could come into the new venture. There is hope to bring in all-girls competitions from under-12 and up.
Start date: A rough date of May 2 was given to coincide with the school term.
Ezidi participation: There were teams of Ezidi refugees playing in the competition last year and there is hope to incorporate those teams into the competition for the players to practice speaking English. There are 55 Ezidis who have already commenced training.
Junior carnivals: There are plans to conduct junior carnivals and if the clubs are willing to organise them, then they will happen.
Other points: Members of the speaking panel as well as the audience cited in past years they felt the clubs were played off against each other by administration but they are enjoying working together now. Once they sat down in the one room together, all concerns were brought forward and they formed a united front, wanting the same thing - a good experience. Discussions on 15-year-olds playing in senior teams were brought up and it will be allowed as the aim is to encourage participation.
