League Review Begins
Newcastle Herald
Wednesday April 30, 2008
AN independent review panel will begin its assessment this weekend of submissions from 14 clubs for the reduced 2009 Northern NSW Football State League.
The competition will be streamlined from 10 teams to eight in 2009 to improve the quality of local soccer on and off the field.All 10 current state league clubs Azzurri, Broadmeadow, Hamilton, South Cardiff, West Wallsend, Weston, Edgeworth, Lake Macquarie, Toronto-Awaba and Valentine Phoenix have entered submissions. First-divisions clubs Adamstown Rosebud, Lambton Jaffas and Maitland Magpies, as well as inter-district one club Kahibah FC, have also tabled submissions.The criteria for the new competition, outlined by NNSW, is based on quality referee, player, spectator and ground facilities, club administration and finances.Under the new system, clubs will be required to field first-grade, under-23 and under-18 sides, replacing reserves and youth grades.NNSW operations manager Alan Nisbet said clubs could expect visits from the review panel throughout the season before a decision was announced on September 1, the day after the grand final.On-field performance in 2008 will not be taken into account, meaning this year's champions could conceivably exit state league."They [review panel] will conduct their assessment between now and August, and I would imagine there will be interviews and ground assessments," Nisbet said."Their judgement will then go to the board of NNSW."Nisbet denied the rumour that there was a push to include the Maitland Magpies due to the club being positioned in the fastest-growing area in the Hunter."Geography will not be taken into consideration," he said.Nisbet also said that, because the submissions period had elapsed, mergers would not be accepted for 2009.Any clubs who are eliminated from the state league will automatically be considered for first division.
© 2008 Newcastle Herald