NNSW outlines state league changes

BY JOSH LEESON
08 Jun, 2012 04:00 AM

NORTHERN NSW Football has taken the first step on a potentially painful journey to restructure the state league in line with Football Federation Australia’s wishes.

Chief executive David Eland addressed state league and first-division clubs on Wednesday night at their Hexham headquarters to outline the FFA’s National Competitions Review.

This includes a player points system, the introduction of under-20s, 18s and 16s teams under first grade and A-licensed accreditation for coaches.

The implementation of FFA’s plan will undoubtedly place greater financial burdens on clubs.

Eland has already publicly stated the changes would not be enforced until 2014 at the earliest.

And he said it was important to keep clubs involved in the process.

‘‘What the FFA and Northern NSW Football are trying to achieve were appreciated and overall they were very well received,’’ Eland said yesterday.

‘‘What Northern has committed to is comprehensive consultation, and last night’s meeting was just the initial step.’’

Clubs have been given the opportunity to give written feedback of the review by August 1 and NNSWF will meet with individual clubs on request.

The first part of the review likely to be introduced will be the player points system (PPS), which aims to curb excessive match payments and force clubs to concentrate on youth development.

Eland said the NNSWF will apply the PPS to some clubs next season to test its appropriateness.

However, there would not be penalties for clubs who exceeded the PPS.

‘‘I think it will be very interesting to see where the clubs come out,’’ he said.

‘‘Those clubs that perhaps have secured players rather than developed players, I think the points systems will show that their approach will have to change.’’

Under the PPS, all clubs will be given 200 points to cover a 20-man first-grade squad.

All players will be initially worth 10 points, and their value will be either increased or reduced depending if they are purchased from another club or are local juniors.

Overseas players will be worth an extra 10 points, while a recruit signed from a rival club will increase by eight.

Players will be worth one point extra for every year they exceed 25.

For example a 29-year-old would be valued at 14 points. If that player was signed from another club then he would cost 24 points under the PPS.

Three points are deducted for an under-18 player promoted to first grade, and local juniors under 25 will be worth nine points.

http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/sport/football-soccer/nnsw-outlines-state-league-changes/2583898.aspx