Somerset are back to back premiers and final champions

Today's game was played in perfect conditions and one may have thought summer had come early. With the sun out and no wind Somerset kicked with the sun in the first half.
The game started pretty evenly and riverside playing a controlled passing game to somersets more direct play.
The more direct play proving more effect with somerset missing three easy goals at the 15, 19 and 20 minute mark with Smith, kyrone Johnson and James Nettelton missing easy goals which would have given somerset and early buffer.
A corner by somerset saw a flick to the top of the box seeing billy Mathews blast one home from the edge of the box into the top of the corner. Not long after jimmy (the great white buffalo) Nettelton made it 2-0.
Riverside had a great chance but a fine block then a big mitt from Steven Treloar prevented Riverside making it 2-1.
2-0 half time.
After the break somerset come out controlling the game and a brace to the buffalo and a goal right on the whistle by young gun Matty Jordan made it 4-0.

And The Winner Is ???

This week sees the wrap up of the NPL and what a way to finish in style. I was only thinking at the start of the year how will i cope with such a long season and having withdrawals. But boy has it gone quick.
It couldn't have worked out better for this finals series as the two run away clubs now have the chance to battle for the holy grail and the big winners cup. Also bragging rights to be crowned the finals champion.
Its always been about winning the league but the finals series is also starting to become a big thing as well.
Somerset host the game again for the second year strait and will be full of confidence going into this game.
Nigel Brown said this"Somerset Sharks are eagerly awaiting our opportunity to take another bite at Riverside Olympic. There has been a lot of discussion about how Olympic should have been premiers as they went through the season undefeated, however facts show that we won more games, therefore earned more points, and the team with the most points wins.

There will be no excuses this week, both teams no doubt will have forced changes due to player unavailability, however both clubs have good depth and I'm sure they will bring a more than competitive and hungry side down to Shark Park.

The Sharks will be missing only two players from their normal squad, but they are big losses. 2013 George Dale winner, Kaimon Johnson is out until 2016 after having a shoulder reconstruction prior to the Burnie game 2 weeks ago. Our captain and midfield general, Keegan Wells, has work commitments which he cannot avoid, and indeed had last weeks game been on the Saturday, he would have had to miss that one.

We welcome back the experienced Garry Hamilton and I imagine that youngster Matty Jordan should hold his spot after a great debut last Sunday. Matty turned 16 on the Saturday prior and was promoted straight into the first eleven where, after the usual settling in period, really played well and managed to grab 2 goals for himself at the same time.   

We have injury worries with Astyn Johnson and Elliot Stewart both coming off early last week, however I believe they will both be right for Saturday's clash.

No doubt we will play this game no different to all the others over the past 2 years,that is to settle into a fast and strong passing game with emphasis on attack and scoring more goals that the opposition. It was noticable last week that the main difference between us and Rangers was their inability to score goals, Olympic have a reasonable forward line and no doubt will test the pace of our defensive line. However we now boast a four prong scoring attack with Johnson, Nettleton, Smith and Jordan all capable of scoring multiple times.  

I am hoping to see a high scoring, free flowing final, something like 6-3. Plenty to entertain the crowd and ensure a memorable match for all concerned and a great reward for a club that has worked its butt off for the past two years to rebuild itself.

  On the other hand Riverside will be out for redemption after leading the pack only to have the title swept from under their feet in the last round.

Coach Wayne Penfold said this"There are a couple of little niggles after the Semi Final clash with Devonport, but otherwise the squad won’t change from that game.

 Somerset are the Champions so they are obviously a very good side. They haven’t conceded a lot of goals, but have scored plenty. In the two contests we had with them this year though we had a win and a draw, each time with only 10 men. Other teams seemed to struggle against Somerset, but certainly gave us a run for our money on a few occasions. I'm not sure if it’s because we match up well against Somerset and didn't hold any fear going into those contests or what it is, but we were the oThere has been a great rivalry between the two clubs this year as we separated ourselves from the rest of the pack very early in the season. This made it a two horse race and provided a great finish to the NPL season. We weren’t quite good enough to take the title off their hands and they have

proven to be worthy back to back winners. You have to respect any club that is able to achieve that only team to take points of Somerset this year.

The Final is an opportunity for us to get some reward for the season we have had. It wouldn’t be a common occurrence that a team that finishes the season undefeated misses out on a title. That in itself is motivation to play well. Like I previously stated though, we aren’t intimidated by Somerset and we will go into the game looking to take the contest to them and try to play the good brand of football that we have shown all season. Possession football is what we are about and we will not change our approach for this game. I think there are some areas in Somerset’s play that we can take advantage of and if we can execute those then we will get the result that we want.

It would obviously mean a lot for the players and myself to win the Final. We will have a bus load of supporters down to watch the game so we will want to give them something to cheer about at the final whistle also. The title was the main focus for the year and we  fell just short, so we really want to take out the Finals series.

If we can play to our strengths and maintain possession of the ball and take our chances in front of goal then that will be key to our success. We have been creating plenty of chances but not capitalising on them. Somerset have proven to be a good defensive side, so if we have limited chances, we need to be clinical and put them away. Limiting the opportunities for Somerset’s lethal strikers will also be critical. They have scored close to 100 goals this season which is a huge tally so we need to be very tight defensively.

The same squad will turn out for the match on Saturday. The final line-up won’t be decided upon until our final training session or on the morning of Saturday.

This will be a great game and are expecting a large crowd

SHARK PARK 2PM SATURDAY

James Nettelton makes sure Somerset go back to back champions

Somerset have now made it two on a trot after securing a convincingly win against Burnie at Montello on Saturday.
James Nettelton had a day out to remember after scoring 5 of Somersets 8 goals. This has put him second in the goal scoring only 3 behind team mate Kyrone Johnson.
Kyrone had the chance to put the champions up a goal 3 minutes in when the Sharks were rewarded a penalty on to put it about 3 meters wide of the up right.
Not long after the Nettelton show begun with him opening the scoring.
Somerset continued to attack and looked very dangerous and created attack after attack.
Bill Mathews put the sharks up 2-0 just before half time and when United's Captain Andrew Gibbson was subbed off injured United's day turned worse.
After the restart there were goals galore with Nettleton bagging another 4 along with Keegean Wells and Captain Chris Smith getting one each.

                                                Somerset celebrate their win Saturday

Somerset Can Make It 2 In A Row

This week will actually see who is crowned 2014 NPL champion.
With a big crowed expected at Montello Where Burnie United host Somerset Sharks in the final catch up game.
Somerset have to win this game as they are 2 point behind Riverside and a draw is not good enough.
Somerset will be with out Kaimon Johnson this week as he goes under the knife for shoulder surgery which has seen him hang up the boots for this year and next. (all the best K).
Elliot Stewart should be back this week after having a few weeks off with a broken toe. Jimmy Nettleton and Kyrone Johnson have been a great combination over the last few months and scoring a bag full and will be looking to do the same again this week.
Somerset have scored a massive 86 goals for and only 10 against so the United's defence will be under fire this week.
Ray Parke would be having night mares about this game as he would NOT want the Sharks to win and celebrate the title at Montello this Saturday as there would already be a big wound, as out of the starting 11 for Somerset at least 6 have played for Burnie at some stage.
Connor Parke has had a fine year and combined really well with Captain Andrew Gibson and this may be the link for United to get across the line this week and especially with Somerset missing KaimonJohnson.
Stuart Batt has had a quite year and will be looking too show his old club the Sharks how much he has improved over the last few years.
This game will be a very physical game and one not too miss.
2:30 pm Saturday Montello (BURNIE)

Saturday 16th August result

Somerset 6 def Devonport 0

Current Northern Premier League Table and Catch Up Games.

 

Top Four is sorted, with Riverside needing Somerset to now drop some points to receive the NPL title, in their two remaining catch up games.  Devonport and Rangers are locked into 3rd and 4th spot.

FFT have released the catch up fixtures and dates for the finals:

16^th of August.

Somerset Vs Devonport @ Cardigan St Kick off at 2:30pm

(Under 18s and Reserves play at standard times prior)

If Devonport can grab a win or even a point, then Riverside will be handed the title.  Devonport will remain in third spot regardless of any other results.

Launceston City Vs Ulverstone @ Mitsubishi Park, Kick off at 2:30pm.

Dead rubber for Ulverstone, though City could still move off the foot of the table if they win their remaining three games.

23^rd Of August.

Burnie Vs Somerset @ Montello, kick off @ 2:30
Reserves kick off at 12:30, U18s has already been played.

Devonport Vs Launceston City @ Valley Road, kick off @ 2:30pm.

(Under 18s and Reserves play at standard times prior)

30^th of August.

Northern Premier League 1^st Semi Final (1^st Vs 4^th)

Northern Premier League 2^nd Semi Final (2^nd Vs 3^rd)

Launceston United Vs Launceston City @ Birch Ave, kick off @ 2:30pm

(Under 18s and Reserves play at standard times prior)

6^th of September.

Northern Premier League Final. 

 

The race for the title is still on (Saturdays results)

Riverside 3 drew with Rangers 3

1-0 half time.

Rangers scorers Hayden Vanderveld and 2 to Dan Cristy

Somerset 11 def Launceston United 0

Ulverstone 1 def Burnie 0

Prospect 3 def Launceston City 1

THIS IS IT

Come 4:30 pm tomorrow there could be a new NPL champion. Riverside will be looking to take out the championship for the first time in a long time. But they will have to host and beat a determined Rangers out fit before they can even think about celebrating.
With conditions easing over the week, Windsor Park should be prime and ready to play on. Its fair to say that both clubs play attractive football and play the same European style of football.
Riverside have had a great year and have not lost a game yet and will have to go into this game as strong favourites considering the last statement and home ground.
Wayne Penfold will have it drummed into his players heads how much tomorrow means as he has tasted success over his football time as well.
He had this to say"It’s a simple equation for us this weekend. Win the game and we win the League. However, we take on an unknown quantity in Northern Rangers. You never know what side Rangers will put out each week due to their Victory League sides requirements, so we will just prepare ourselves to play to our best. If we do that, then that should secure us the win.

Rangers NPL team is never a settled side as they have to cover the V-League injuries, suspensions or unavailability’s. They have always had a lot of depth though, so they will have some good players at their disposal to cover these losses. The constant changes though are unsettling for any team and can affect cohesion and consistency.

 We just need to dictate the tempo of the game. If can control that then we can then play our possession football. If we allow Rangers time to play, then they will relish that as they like to play possession football also. Our teamwork has been outstanding all year and I expect that to continue in this game.

No team changes this week. Matthew Chapman is still out with a Hamstring strain. He will hopefully be back for the Finals series, but he won’t be rushed back. Otherwise we have a clean bill of health.

 Rangers will also be looking for a win as this game means as much to them as it does to Riverside.

Rangers are in the 4 by the skin of their teeth and need to win this game to cement their spot in the 4.

Litchendonk will also have his troops up and about and will want the win to and said this"This week is a massive game for our Premier League side for a number of reasons, for us its a chance to almost cement our spot in the top four and play finals, if we win, Burnie would need to win their two remaining games by more than 11 goals to over take us, if we lose, we are completely reliant on them not accumulating four points in their final two games to stay in fourth.  Secondly if Riverside win, they will win the Northern Premier League Title, that will be a bitter sweat for me personally, I wish Riverside all the best, and earlier in the year I spoke to Wayne Penfold and expressed my best wishes for them to complete this task, as I believe it would be just reward for their hard work, but we don't want to lose any game we play.

We know what it is like to win a premiership on your own turf on the last game of the year, I am sure Riverside are excited and up for the job and there is sure to be a big home crowd at Windsor Park for this occasion.

Given the complexity of the situation at 2:30 on Saturday, we will focus only on our own game and deal with the result in a sporting and respectful way following the final whistle, regardless of the result.

This week we will be short staffed with the Victory League in Hobart at the same time, as a result we lose the services of Stefan Hamilton who has been in our best three in nearly every game he has played in the last couple of months, and consequently he has been called up to the next level, he deserves it too.  We will also be without Alex Fulton, Gabe Tams, Dylan Headland and Chris Collins who are all either injured or returning from injury and Adam McIntyre who is suspended.

We still have a strong line up and welcome back into the squad this week Josh Burk who has had a stellar year at premier league level, Mohammad Alkhazraj is nearly back to full fitness and is explosive and creative, John Wani is in fine form up front also, and really applying himself to his role well now, having Ash Fisher this week will also give us composure through midfield, so our spine is solid, and our wide players are more than capable of matching it with Riverside, so I am sure we will give a good account for ourselves, it could be our last game this year, so I know the boys will give everything the have got.

This weeks training has been really positive, and if we can apply ourselves to our game plan, there is no reason why we cant upset Riverside and give ourselves every chance of playing in the final series this year.

Riverside are a super side, quick and creative and well organised, hard to break down at the back, and their keeper Jason Kruska is a rock for them, our boys will need to be clinical in front of goal if we are going to topple the league leaders this week.

Other games are 

Somerset v Launceston United 2:30 Shark Park

Ulverstone v Burnie United 2:30 Ulverstone Show Grounds

Prospect v Launceston City 2:30pm Prospect Park

Saturday the 26th July results

NPL @ Valley road

NPL:
Devonport Strikers 2 Gleason, Denehey) def Northern Rangers 1 (J.Wani)
HT 2:0

Lg1:
Devonport Strikers 7 def Northern Rangers 2

U18s:
Devonport Strikers 2 lost Northern Rangers 3

Launceston city 1 lost to Somerset 9 ( Nettelton 4,Hamilton 2,Kyrone Johnson 2, Bill Mathews 1)

Ulverstone 1 lost to prospect 3

Riverside 3 def Launceston United 0

Saturdays and Sundays results

Somerset 2 drew with Riverside 2

Prospect 2 drew with Devonport 2

Launceston United 2 def Ulverstone 1

Sundays results

Todays Results at the NTCA.

NPL:
Northern Rangers 2 (A.Fisher, J.Harrison) def Burnie United 1.
HT 2:0

NL1:
Northern Rangers 1 (J.Ower) def Burnie United 0
HT 1:0

U18s:
Northern Rangers 1 lost Burnie United 4.
HT 0:3

Friday night result

Final Result Norther Rangers 2 (A.Rigby, S.Brassington) def Launceston City 0.  HT 0:0.

John Mckenna medal winner - Aidan Rigby, 13 votes.

Some Cracking Games This Weekend

Firstly the game between Launceston City V Rangers V League game has been changed to NTCA due to Mitsubishi Park being closed.
Does this mean that Prospect Park is also closed for the Knights V Devonport game tomorrow???
Conditions up on the coast over the last 24 hours has been so windy that the grounds are all bone dry and will need watering tonight to keep green.

Somerset V Riverside 2:30pm Shark Park
This is the game of the round by far. Alot say that this is the game will decide the title but i disagree as there are still alot of games left and there are a few other clubs out there that could match it with these guys come end of the season.
Both clubs will know what is at stake tomorrow and a loss will make Riverside's last part of the season very hard due to 2 draws and Somerset have 2 games in hand.
Somerset will be with out a few big names this week and will no doubt have enough talent in their camp to cover these people.
Kyrone Johnson who missed last time is playing and with him and Chris Smith who is now playing on the feild will be looking to demolish Rivers defence. Smith who is in great form and has scored in all games since he has been on the field.
Nigel Brown said this" This week is the match of the season so far when we host ladder leaders Olympic at Shark Park.
We will be missing our centre back, Elliott Stewart who is suffering a broken toe and may miss a few weeks. Captain Keegan Wells has work commitments and he may also miss this week.
We managed to train on the pitch this week and it should be right for the weekend now the rain has stopped. Championship teams have a habit of winning both the difficult games and the games when things aren't going well, Olympic have proved this all year and while last weeks 1-0 win over City probably wasn't pretty they still got the 3 points, similar to the match I watched at Montello several weeks ago.
They certainly won't roll over and let's us win, we will need to be at 100%.

Wayne Penfold  would be looking forward to this clash and have his troops fully firing and said this"The much anticipated Top of the Table clash against Somerset awaits us this week. Its a crucial game in the title race and a win from either team puts them in a commanding position to win the Premiership.

We welcome back Chris Wademan this week, as he returns from suspension after collecting 5 yellow cards. Nic Lunnon is the unlucky player to miss out.  Especially considering he had an outstanding game last week. Otherwise there are no changes.

There are some people questioning our results and wondering how we are undefeated after watching a few of our games. I think all of the players will agree that we haven't perhaps been playing to our full potential. But sometimes you have to win ugly and grind out victories.

Somerset have been winning, and winning well, but we don't fear them. We beat them with 10 men earlier in the year and are the only team to really test them. They have some good players with Stewart, Smith and the Johnson boys. In saying that though, we also have a team of really good players. We have a belief within our squad that we can get the right result. Its a tough challenge to play at Cardigan St with their vocal crowd. Lets just hope we can keep them silent.

Launceston United V Ulverstone 2:30pm Birch Ave

After coming of a massive win away last week United would be firm faveroutes at home this week against the Reds. Have United found the form that on paper they should be acheiving?

Ulverstone have had an up and down seeason and due to lack of numbers it has shown this year, Connor Meanie has had an up and down season through injury and suspension and will need to fire this week to have a hope of the Reds getting a win. Ceddric Cox-Haines was sent of last week and that will fill a big hole in the Reds defence.

Knights V Devonport 2:30pm Prospect Park

Nathan Balym celebrates game 300 this week and this should be eough to get the Knifghts up and about for the win. Also in the back of their minds they still will b e thinking of finals and will be pressing hard to try and topple Devonport to get closer to the 4 and to knock Devonport out.

Ray Heald said this"Rhys Kinslow and Mitch Duffy out this week, from the senior squad both have work commitments, the wet weather hasn’t been kind  having no access to our grounds for training.

Round 1 Match against Devonport was not a good day for the club, we will be looking for a much better commitment from the players tomorrow  

 

Nathan Balym plays his 300 games this week, congratulations Nathan a player that works just as hard behind the scenes as he does on the ground.

Rangers V Burnie United 2:30pm Sunday

This game is just as important as the Somerset V Riverside game due to this game and a loss to Devonport will start shaping the top 4.

Burnie have been in great form as of late and lead by their skipper Andy Gibson. Ray Parke will have his boys all tuned in and will be looking at keeping their run going and positioning them selves come finals.

Rangers also are keeping their final alive and this week have a few more senior players returning to strenghten thier squad.

Coch Litchendonk said this"Another big game for us against Burnie at the NTCA on Sunday.  We were able to get over Burnie earlier in the year at Montello which is a tough game to win, but this game will be crucial, lose it and its curtains for our season, win it and we are in with a big shot of the finals, our boys know it, we just have to win each game in front of us at the moment, and if we do that we will play finals.

Burnie are a tough physical side, and we like that, and feel we will match up with them well, but might have a little more pace and legs around the ground on a bigger pitch than what they will be accustomed to.

We again wont know our final line up until after the Victory League match on Friday night, but either way we should have a strong team on the park.

We need to be really careful with our Victory League list at the moment, with probably three of our most promising under 20 players on the side lines with injuries that will rule them out for the year, Alex Fulton, Dylan Headland and Chris Collins are all gone after taking big hits against big strong sides this year, so we will make sure we have bodies on the park that can both play football and handle themselves physically too.

I don't care what anyone says, this idea of developing your best young players against full grown men in their twilight has balls on it.

Adam McIntyre, Stef Hamilton and Mohommad Alkhazraj are all back in the starting line up, these boys were sorely missed against Prospect, they all play high pressure football, throw everything they have at the challenge and leave nothing to chance, for McIntyre and Hamilton particularly coming up under Andrew Brown from Clarence, epitomise a pressing physical style of play, and they drag the rest of the team with them, Mohommad combines that with finesse and he can be unpredictable in the final third, I'm looking forward to seeing these boys back in our side and combing with the other lads and executing some fast paced passing football.

What ever side we have for the match, we know we will get a battle, Andy Gibson, Stuart Batt and in particular Burnie's keeper Brad Ryan are quality players, and Ray Parke demands a lot of his players, and they seem to have responded well this year, pushing out some terrific results for the Burnie United Football Club, we certainly respect them, but we know if we stick to our style of play, we can match it with the best in the league.

Nathan (GRANDPA) Balym Hits 300

PROSPECT Knights' stalwart Nathan Balym's first game of soccer for the club was as a nine- year-old goalkeeper for Launceston Croatia's under-18 side.

On Saturday, the defender will play his 300th game for the club.

"It used to be on a Sunday and we had a mixture of football players, hockey players and soccer players and I'd rock up and they'd be short and Brian Davidson, who was coach, would say to go in goals because there was no age limit back then," 

Balym recalled.

"I went no good, I was just a fill-in."

Balym has found his career come full circle, lining up in goals once again for Knights in the Northern Premier League after playing several years in defence.

"I've got a lot slower as I'm aware," the 38-year-old said. 

"I was only planning to play reserves this year but [coach] Ray [Heald] needed a goalkeeper and I've kept in the past so I said to Ray, 'I haven't done it for a while but if you're looking for someone, I will do it'."

Balym started playing soccer at Launceston Croatia, which merged with Western Suburbs to become Western Knights and later Prospect Knights.

The 300 games is a figure that would be higher too had he not played 100 games for Launceston United and spent five years away in the army.

"Us older people have to stick around for this club to keep going," he said. "Hopefully some of these young kids can look up to that and think one day they can reach 300 as well."

Balym said the highlight was winning the premiership in 2011, the first for the club in its then 51-year history, but he was also very lucky to have played with his son Jye and stepson Mitchell Chugg.

Knights' president Marco La Palombara said Balym's contribution to the club was enormous.

"He's one of the rocks of the club, a stalwart of the club, and he's respected by all the players we have from the juniors, through the reserves and to the seniors," La Palombara said.                                 

"He's been a coach, a committee member, a players' representative, he's worked for this club since he was a young man in every position, so he's a very valued member and we're proud to have him play his 300th game here."

Also having played along side the fossil for a year i would also like to congratulate Grandpa on the milestone!!!

The Inaugural John McKenna Medal is up for grabs this weekend

John McKenna Medal on the line for Rangers and City players in Cup Clash!

When Launceston City host Northern Rangers in the third game of the Launceston Mitsubishi, Launceston Mazda Derby Cup, The John Mckenna Medal will be up for grabs for the best player across the three game series.

While the game its self is a Victory League fixture and counts for points for the league, the cup has been won by Rangers after they won both game 1 and 2 during the year, but the John McKenna medal is yet to be decided.

Each game a member from each club plus a third party observer submits their opinion for 3-2-1 votes for the best player on the ground, these votes will be collated after the match and the player with the most votes will be named the John McKenna Medal winner.

John McKenna has been a long servant of the game and Launceston City, and through his partnership with the Launceston Motor group, has sponsored both clubs over the years.

As for the Victory League season, the match is very much a live fixture, with both Rangers and City desperate to accumulate more points for the season, for City its an opportunity to knock off their cross town rivals for the first time and try to move off the bottom of the table, while Northern Rangers must win at least one more game than Olympia in the third round to be able to take third place, and need to keep the buffer between them and Devonport Strikers in 5th place.

The match kicks off at 7pm at Mitsubishi Park on Friday night.

Saturdays results

Ulverstone 0 lost to Somerset 4

Launceston City 0 lost to Riverside 1

Burnie United 3 def Prospect 1

Devonport 2 lost to Launceston United 4

Round 13

Sorry Guys did not have time this week hope the weekend is a good one for every one

1	Riverside	11	10	1	0	42	11	31	31
2	Somerset	10	9	0	1	53	7	46	27
3	Devonport	10	6	1	3	33	26	7	19
4	Nth Rangers	11	4	2	5	26	27	-1	14
5	Burnie	10	4	0	6	14	19	-5	12
6	Prospect	10	4	0	6	14	32	-18	12
7	Ulverstone	10	3	2	5	19	18	1	11
8	L'ton United	10	1	1	8	10	40	-30	4
9	L'ton City	10	1	1	8	9	40	-31	4

L'ton United  vs Burnie  

2:30 PM / Sat 5 Jul

Birch Avenue (Map)

  

MATCH CENTRE

Somerset  vs Devonport  

2:30 PM / Sat 5 Jul

Cardigan Street (Map)

  

MATCH CENTRE

L'ton City  vs Ulverstone  

2:30 PM / Sat 5 Jul

Mitsubishi Park 1 (Map)

  

MATCH CENTRE

Nth Rangers  vs Prospect  

12:30 PM / Sun 6 Jul

NTCA 2 (Map)

  

MATCH CENTRE

Riverside have the bye.

Presidents meeting report

Here is a break down of the last president meeting held last week. I have studied this pretty hard and from my point the NPL will suffer.
Its great to see the women's competition is starting to grow and maybe another thing to add to the list for them is they should play on Saturdays and follow their men's teams which gets more people through the gates of the homes teams and creates a better club vibe on game days?
For the men's competitions im not to sure.
We go back to a six team competition is that sustainable?
What happens when the V League folds are these teams welcomed back with open arms or is it time if it does happen that the die hard-hard working people make their own board and we finally go independant because there in no support from FFT?

Have a read and feel free to have your comment as the presidents do get on this site as well.....

These are issues that were brought to the table for Presidents to take back to their clubs for discussion and decicion at the next meeting:

 

Womens Premier League-- it is the likely that it will split into 2 divisions next year with the top 6 teams becoming Division 1 and the remaining 4 becoming Division 2. This will have several benefits…top teams playing each other each week therefore maintaining a higher level of standard. Division 2 will be aimed at a more social league allowing say under 16 teams to enter and providing an opportunity for clubs in situations like Burnie, this year, who are rebuilding and with several players new to the game it will allow them to play similar standard teams. It will be proposed that the bottom team in Div 1 will play off against the top team in Div 2 at the end of each year to see who gets into Div 1 the next year. It will also allow existing clubs to enter another team as a feeder to their top side. Roster likely to be 3 rounds of 5 matches with finals and promotion/relegation games at the end.

 

Victory League clubs are looking at a proposal to add an Under 20 Victory Development League team to travel with the senior team. This will mean that the 3 Northern clubs will pull out of NPL seniors and reserves only resulting in a 6 team NPL series. They would still be able to enter a team in Under 18's.

 

Possible change to club eligibilty rules to allow clubs to not enter either a Ressies or under 18 teams for 1 year to allow them to re build and lessen the stress of players having to play 2 matches each weekend.

 

Change to the VL rules regarding the under 20 rule for NPL senior teams, allowing VL clubs to play whoever they wish without the age rule being applied.

 

FFT dinner is 20th September, preferably on the coast, probably a similar setup as last year, but all agreed it needed to be a bigger room and more seating/viewing.

 

Proposal to have all leagues play finals next year in a similar format as this years. However the ressies and unders would play whereever they match to where the senior match would be. This could mean that a club could have teams playing at different venues in the semi finals.

 

THIS COULD BE NEXT YEARS CLUBS!!