Football Federation Victoria president Nick Monteleone has praised founders of a newly formed soccer competition for ‘‘leading the way’’ in country soccer.

The Regional Premier League was officially launched at a gala function in Shepparton on Saturday night, with six teams from Goulburn North East Football Association and four from Griffith and District Amateur Football Association forming the new competition.

The RPL has been officially sanctioned by respective state governing bodies FFV and Football NSW.

‘‘I think it really demonstrates the talent that is here and I believe the Regional Premier League will be an opportunity to showcase week in and week out the best of the two regions,’’ Monteleone said.

In his address, GNEFA president Frank Trimboli said the RPL was formed because it was ‘‘time for country football, the players and the clubs, to be recognised in our own backyard’’.

‘‘It’s an opportunity for us to prove that we want the game to be played at the highest level in the country,’’ Trimboli said.

‘‘We want country football to be as exciting as the premier league is in the metropolitan areas and also the A-League, we want to bring that excitement back to regional areas.’’

Each of the participating clubs were invited to attend the season launch, with Yoogali Football Club the only club not represented on the night.

The prevailing view expressed by club representatives was one of excitement and intrigue.

Newly appointed Tatura coach David Turkovic admitted the new competition would provide a fresh challenge for the reigning GNEFA champion.

‘‘It’s a title we’re very proud of and very happy to have and we’ve obviously got a fair bit of work to do if we want to keep that cup,’’ Turkovic said.

‘‘It needs a bit of work, a bit of commitment, but the rewards are there... there are nine other teams that want to get that (winning) feeling and we aren’t going to let them.’’

Star striker from current GDAFA champion Hanwood, Jason Bertacco, said the unknown quantity of opposition clubs was ‘‘the most exciting part’’ of the new league.

‘‘Last year was a special year for us, we did end up with the premiership, but coming into a new exciting league... week in, week out you don’t know who you’re playing against and hopefully we stand in good stead and we’ll just see where the season takes us,’’ Bertacco said.

The season is set to kick-off on Sunday, April 22.


http://www.mmg.com.au/local-sport/shepparton/all-is-in-readiness-for-regional-premier-league-1.13918

Wagga soccer clubs aim for Country Super League
SIMON BRUNSDON
24 Jan, 2012 08:00 AM
FOOTBALL Wagga clubs have less than two weeks to jump on board an exciting new soccer competition.

The Country Super League (CSL) is fast gaining momentum as administrators rush to finalise the basic competition structure less than three months out from the anticipated inaugural round.

The idea of a merged league covering northern Victoria and southern NSW has been in the works for about 18 months and is expected to kick off mid-April.

The draft competition plan proposes a league comprised of select clubs from Shepparton, Griffith, Wagga and Albury associations.

The Goulburn North East Football Association (GNEFA) has confirmed six teams will join the CSL and will be joined by four clubs from the Griffith and District Football Association.

Football Wagga and Albury Wodonga Football Association have both been approached but neither has applied for a team in the competition.

Football Wagga executive officer Donna Baker yesterday said she has approached the clubs and is awaiting a response.

“I sent all the documents out to the clubs and we are basically leaving it up to the clubs to make the decision,” Baker said.

“If a club does wish to join they will need financial backing, and we will fully support it.

“I know a few of the clubs have wanted a competition like this for a long time, but I don’t know which ones are interested in signing up.

“I think it would be a great idea.”

Baker is confident if a Football Wagga club decided to enter a team in the CSL, Wagga would have the facilities and ability to host competition games.

GNEFA president Frank Trimboli has been one of the main supporters of the CSL idea and yesterday revealed he would be more than happy to welcome a Wagga club into the new league.


The application period has officially ended for the 2012 season but Trimboli says he would take on board any extra applications.

“If Wagga indicated it was interested in putting a team in, I would hold back and make it happen for them,” Trimboli said.

“I would like to have a Wagga team in the competition, and I would like to have an Albury team as well.

“I want to have the competition sorted in the next two weeks so they would have to hurry up if they wanted to apply.”

Trimboli says a Wagga and Albury team would make the CSL a more rounded competition, as well as bring the number of teams up to 10 which is what he was hoping.



Edited by gul15: 27/3/2012 01:44:28 PM

Excellent, great to hear. Good to see the country boys will get more opportunities. And from a national development perspective, every little bit helps. You don't know what 15 y/o talented kid will get his chance in a league like this.

This could potentially become part of a HAL Div 2 model.

That's great news