Interview with Walter Pless regarding new League Structures

Listen in as David Wood from Ultra 106.5 FM discusses the new League Structures with Walter Pless.

http://ultra106five.com/index.php/ultra106five/interviews/2519/focus-on-the-fft30

David Wood is a presenter for Hobarts Ultra 106.5  FM and a
referee for Football Federation Tasmania



Walter Pless (if you have been hiding under a rock) is a

knowledgeable  individual with a huge passion for our sport,

running an insightful website found @ www.walterpless.com

His comments are highly insightful as a result of his experience

as player through previous state league's and now his in depth

knowledge of the game as the premier journalist of our sport

in Tasmania.

Pic -  Tilford Zebras.



2013 League Structures Released

John Boulous has relaeased the 2013 League Structures.

FFT have released the much anticipated league structures for the 2013 season, and are attached below as per the email send by John Boulous, the CEO of FFT.

The competition format is sure to raise plenty of debate and conversation, I for one have been caught a little by surprise by the look of the Southern League particularly.

From the info below, it would appear that FFT are intent on taking over control of some of the NTJSA’s work in the Launceston area, taking over U 14s and U 16s, while it would appear that the existing Under 18 format becomes a Under 20 competition, with Victory League clubs expected to field two Under 20 league side effectively, with the NPL side expected to be a semi Under 20 side, with 3 “over age stalwarts” and the 5 players in their Victory League squad not selected able to play, all other players must be U20.

I would assume that the Reserve teams become the Northern League One (Compulsory) but it is not expected that they will play prior to the NPL side as the format we have come to know in the North.

I would also expect that all sides from Victory League down to Under 20’s and Northern League One can expect to play at any time across a given weekend, meaning the traditional 10:30, 12:30, 2:30 time slots on a Saturday are now nothing but another option for kick off times.  Friday nights and Sundays should become far more prevalent in 2013 for all clubs.

I Speaking with George Kalis yesterday, and he said it was FFT’s intention to roster clubs teams at home on the same day as much as possible, but it would be hard to guarantee, and this includes Victory League games with NPL/Northern League One and Under 20s.

Another interesting point is that it is mandatory to have a Northern League One side (This year’s Reserves) if you’re in the NPL.

Have a look with an open mind, bearing in mind, massive changes are inevitable when you consider the State League and what that does to the existing format.

The Over 35s might be a stretch, perhaps FFT will consider making it a over 30s instead?  Otherwise I may have nowhere to play?

2013 League Structures.

Victory League

8 clubs

Devonport City, Launceston City, Northern Rangers, Glenorchy Knights, Tilford Zebras, Olympia FC Warriors, South Hobart and Kingborough Lions

Regional Leagues

Forestry Tasmania Northern Premier League (NPL)

9 team league

The clubs eligible for the NPL shall consist of the six existing NPL clubs not offered a Victory League licence plus the three U20 Northern Victory League teams.

The Under 20’s teams of the Victory League clubs participating in the NPL shall consist of under 20’s players plus up to three named over age players who must be recognised by the CEO of FFT as stalwart club players AND up to five players who have been named in the Victory league Squad of that club.

Northern Senior and Social Leagues

Northern League 1

Northern League 2/Over35

Northern Underage Leagues

Under 20

Under 16

Under 14

Northern Victory League and NPL Club requirements

A Victory League Club (Club with highest team in Victory League) will be required to field the following mandatory teams in the following competitions;

Victory League – one team

NPL – one team (Under 20’s with up to 5 overage players who have been named in the Victory league Squad of that club)

Northern League 1 – one team

Under 20’s - one team

Under 16’s – minimum of one team

Under 14’s – minimum of one team

Demonstrated relationship with or fielding teams in Junior Association competitions (Under 12 and below)

An NPL Club (Club with highest team in NPL) will be required to fill the following mandatory teams;

NPL – one team

Northern League 1 – one team

Under 20’s - one team

Under 16’s – minimum of one team

Under 14’s – minimum of one team

Clubs may and are encouraged to enter as many teams as possible into the Northern League 2/Over 35 competitions.

Forestry Tasmania Southern Premier League (SPL)

12 team league

The clubs eligible for the SPL shall consist of the five U20 Southern Victory League teams, plus those teams currently eligible for SPL in 2013 (based on 2012 criteria) (being NewTown Eagles, Clarence, Beachside, Taroona and Nelson Eastern Suburbs) plus the NTC.

The under 20’s teams of the Victory League Clubs participating in the SPL shall consist of under 20 players plus up to 5 over age players who must have been named in the Victory League squad of that club.

Clubs that participated in 2012 in either the SPL or Southern League One competitions that have not been identified above (being Derwent United, Hobart United, Metro, Southern FC, University) will have the opportunity to submit an application to FFT for the remaining 12th position. Clubs unsuccessful or that do not wish to submit an application for this remaining position, will nominate senior teams into the Southern League One competition and below and youth teams in to underage competitions.

Southern Senior and Social Leagues

Southern League 1

Southern League 2

Southern League 3

Southern League 4

Over 35’s

Southern Underage Leagues

Under 20 – (multiple divisions)

Under 16 – (multiple divisions)

Under 14 – (multiple divisions)

Southern Victory League and SPL Club requirements

A Victory League Club (Club with highest team in Victory League) will be required to field the following mandatory teams in the following competitions;

Victory League – one team

SPL – one team (Under 20’s with up to 5 overage players who have been named in the Victory league Squad of that club)

Under 20’s – minimum of one team

Under 16’s – minimum of one team

Under 14’s – minimum of one team

Demonstrated relationship with or fielding teams in Junior Association competitions (Under 12 and below)

A SPL Club (Club with highest team in SPL) will be required to fill the following mandatory teams;

SPL – one team

Under 20’s minimum of one team

Under 16’s minimum of one team

Under 14’s minimum of one team

Clubs may and are encouraged to enter as many teams as possible into the Southern League 1. 2, 3, 4 and Over 35 competitions.

Hingston makes it 4 in a row

The man with the BEARD Todd Hingston

Todd Hingston made it four out of four, taking home the George Dale medal on Saturday night at the casino. Todd has now gone into the history books by being the only person to take the award four times.
Other favorite Brayden Mann only finished with 14 points after scoring 34 goals.
There was a tie for second with Hingstons team mate Chris hunt and Nathan Gratton both polling 19 points each.
Also the NPL 2012 team was named on the night with Ulverstone having the most players represented.
The team was named like this.
                                                         Shannon Rumble
          Alex Sciulli             Ryan McCarragher    Nathan Gratton         Toby Omenihu

                                                       Todd HIngston
                                     Joel Stone                   Ben Foote

          Mark Ambrose                   Brayden Mann                        Chris Hunt

 

The leading vote-getters were:

Nth Rangers	Todd	Hingston	20
Devonport	Nathan	Gratton	17
Nth Rangers	Christopher	Hunt	17
Ulverstone	Brayden	Mann	14
Ulverstone	Joel	Stone	13
Devonport	Bradley	Chilcott	12
Nth Rangers	Adam	Beard	12
Riverside	Mark	Cristy	11
Somerset	Keegan	Wells	11
Prospect	Toby	Omenihu	10
Ulverstone	Benjamin	Foote	10

Nth Rangers	Todd	Hingston	20
Devonport	Nathan	Gratton	17
Nth Rangers	Christopher	Hunt	17
Ulverstone	Brayden	Mann	14
Ulverstone	Joel	Stone	13
Devonport	Bradley	Chilcott	12
Nth Rangers	Adam	Beard	12
Riverside	Mark	Cristy	11
Somerset	Keegan	Wells	11
Prospect	Toby	Omenihu	10
Ulverstone	Benjamin	Foote	10

2012 Team of the year

Brayden Mann would have to be in all coaches
strating 11.

There has been talk about there will be a team of the year announced at tomorrows FFT awards.
The answer is yes. All NPL coaches have been asked to supply their team of the year,But are not allowed to include players from their own club.
It will be interesting to see what the final 11 will be. To me Jesse Curren should be a hands down starter but only played half a year.
                                                                                   
                                                                          Will Donk get the number 1

Im not sure how coaches will approach this, Will they go on the performances of the players when they seen them twice this year or on previous knowledge. Interesting times.

My 11 for what it counts

                                                                  Brendan Litchendonk

                         Toby Omenihu   Nathan Gratton Ryan McGaragher K.Wells

                                                             Todd Hingston
                                            Ben Foote                    Bradley Chilcott

   Joel Stone                          Brayden Mann                         Chris Hunt
Natahn Gratton (middle) and Joel Stone right should be walk ins too.


                                      

Rangers are ecstatic to announce Peter Savill as head coach for the 2013 Victory League side

Peter Savill

Northern Rangers are pleased to announce Peter Savill as the coach of the 2013 Northern Rangers Victory League side.
Northern Rangers Secretary, Brendan Lichtendonk  said, “As the club embarks on a new venture in un chartered waters for us, it was important to gain someone with previous state league experience, and a sound and tested knowledge of the game, with few previously formed relationships in the club.”
“We are excited about the new Victory League, and the opportunities it will open for our players.  Peter Savill has been working with our senior side for the last 8 months, and it is great to now have him officially on board.  This has been the biggest piece of the puzzle for us as we rush to get everything organised, but we are extremely happy with the appointment, and can now get down to the serious business of planning for next year’s competition”
Northern Rangers will announce Victory League pre season plans after the club’s annual dinner on the 6th of October.
Peter McBeath will continue his development as a coach and valued member of the leadership group in 2013, McBeath will attend the FFT run “C” Licence later in the year, and will serve the club as the strength, conditioning and fitness coach, along with advising the players with regards to nutrition and medical issues, McBeath’s extensive experience and knowledge in the medical fields  will be invaluable in the coming years.
Further announcements around the coaching structure of the clubs sides in the Northern Premier League and Under 18s is expected shortly.

Peter savill pictured in the 1976-77 Leeds United Team.

South Hobart win third straight State Title.

Issa Dumbuya from Northern Rangers tackles his South Hobart
opposition in Saturday's State Final in Hobart.

After what has been a truly outstanding year, Rangers were looking to cap it all off with their first ever state title after qualifying for their second State Final in 3 years.

In fact, if Rangers could win, it would be the first State title to be won by a Launceston Club in 45 years, Launceston United the last in 1967.

Rangers had an unchanged line up from the Devonport City game, though Chris Hunt was under the weather, but keen to take his place.

South Hobart had all the finals experience, competing in each state title since the final series was introduced in 2009, and this was always going to count in their favour.

Rangers sat back and perhaps gave South Hobart too much credit in the first half, sitting low pressure and not pushing on and pressing the South Hobart back four.

Still both teams created good chances, 6 to South Hobart in the first half and 3 to Rangers, with South Hobart getting the best of them that called Pooley into action for a strong save.

Chris Hunt attempts to evade the South defense.

Hickey was in great from in midfield, and south Hobart put heavy pressure on Hingston in midfield to stem his distribution.

The sides went into the half time at 0-0 and McBeath urged the boys to go out and hit South Hobart with everything in the opening 10 minutes, but it was South Hobart that came out and scored inside the first minute of the second half to put it to 1-0.

South looked strong from here and could have had 2 or 3 goals, Pooley called into action for another two great saves and one that cleared the cross bar.

Then it seemed South had doubled the lead, but the assistant flagged for offside.  Dean Lantorus disputed the call and was shown a red card to give Rangers some hope from here.

A Strong crowd braved the conditions at KGV, Walter estimates
450, FFT 850, I say somewhere in between.

But the 10 men did little to affect South Hobart and they continued to heap pressure of the Rangers, then disaster, Luke Tuma coughing up possession at the half way line, and as many have learnt before, if you slip up against South Hobart, they will punish you, Brennan making no mistake to double the lead.

Rangers threw men forward looking for a goal to get back into the game, and in the last 10 minutes started to get on top of South, but the time was getting away.

Agele Luate had a two good chances with less the 5 minutes left on the watch, and Chris Hunt one of his own, but Rangers just couldn’t ruffle the net, but with normal time running out and 4 minutes to be added for stoppages, Hingston put Luate through and Luate slipped the ball over Ferguson in the South Hobart goal to give the Rangers a small sniff.

South Hobart are a smart team though, and hit the corners and held the ball there to run the clock down, and though Rangers built 2 or 3 more attacks, they couldn’t break South down in the final moments, and time ran out, South Hobart deserved winners, but one has to ponder, as they looked very beatable on this occasion.

Well done to all Northern sides in the State Finals Series this year, we certainly showed that the North is not the basket case the south keep harping on about.

Rangers Confident Going Into State Final.

Northern Rangers coach, Peter McBeath is confident that
Rangers can bring the State Title north.

Northern Rangers Coach Pete McBeath has spoken to the media on the eve of his sides State Title match against Tasmanian Power house, South Hobart.

Rangers go into this match in some good form, but under dogs to the most successful side in recent Tasmanian Football history, South Hobart.

Rangers last played in a State Final in 2010, missing out to a Tom Roach header in the second half to go down 1-0 to South Hobart at their peak.

In fact, if Rangers do succeed on Saturday, they will be the first Launceston based club to win a state title since Launceston United in 1967.  It has been 45 years since a Launceston club has etched their name on a State Championship Trophy.

Stewart Bain was a 17 year old striker for Launceston United back then (67), and addressed the Northern Rangers players prior to training on Monday night, encouraging them to take their chances and seize the day.

McBeath is confident of his side’s chances.



McBeath Answers questions today.



“we are  hitting some of our best form right now, our last two games have been really encouraging, and we will take that into tomorrow’s game with South Hobart”

When asked if the 7-1 loss to South Hobart in the 2011 State Wide Cup would be in the back of the players’ minds, Mcbeath said flatly “No”

“This is a different set of players, and that was in the past, the guys are in great shape at the moment, and we expect to put in a great show for the game tomorrow”

Quizzed about the reliance on Ambrose and Hunt up front for Rangers, McBeath said “Ambrose and Hunt ...and Tams, they are all a big part of the team, but not just them, we have great players across the park.  Marshall Pooley has recently returned from the UK and has played the last couple of games in goal, his conversation at the back keeps us organised and he is just as important as the next guy.”

“The bench are important, we have great quality wanting to come onto the park, and all the guys in the club have had a part to play in this, so the club as a whole, everyone is important”

The match will kick off at 5:30pm at KGV with Launceston City’s Women looking for their first state Premiership after a long dominance of Northern Women’s Football, when they take on Olympia Warriors at 3pm.

SBS video re the Melbourne Victory Visit

Cas Douglas forwarded this to me to post and thanks to him for looking out for content for this site.
Its well worth the watch.

http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/video/2274238620/Victory-takes-Tassie-by-storm

2013 Victory League Transfers

Now that all non Victory Leagues teams have finished their games for this NPL season, news and speculation of players moving will now become more prevalent.  The first big announcement involves Nick Owen along with 3 of Ulvie's best, Brayden Mann, Ben Foote and Joel Stone joining Devonport, further strengthening their squad. Share you news, and speculation here.

Who will win the George Dale medal

I know there is a bigger thing to talk about this week but the blog has gone to sleep again. I do wish the Rangers all the best and to be state champions.
But who will win this years George Dale medal?
Take a look at a few players that have been consistent this year with our being suspended.
To me Ben Foote will go close after the reds had a great year.
Chris Hunt from the Rangers has scored a few and looks good in the high lights.
Maybe even Kegan Wells may pole a few.
My gut feeling this years leading vote getter will not be valid due to suspension.
Brayden Mann would be my pick but too many yellows let him down.
So Ben Foote by 6 votes over Chris Hunt...
Have your say

Womens City V Somerset Goals

http://youtu.be/RCim6fTU1Qw

Rangers V Devonport Highlights