Local soccer season starts full of hope

Nick Wade

April 8th, 2010

AFTER a summer dominated by protracted wrangling over the long-overdue reform of soccer in Geelong, the focus finally turns back to the pitch this weekend as the 2010 season begins.

The sport undoubtedly kicks off its season in better shape than it finished in 2009, with the disbanding of the GRFA in favour of a takeover by the Football Federation of Victoria (FFV).

The move, long supported by local clubs, appears to have dampened down the political infighting that has, at times, dogged the sport. A new spirit of co-operation has taken hold among the clubs.

There remain issues to confront, not least the parlous state of the women's game in Geelong and the vexed topic of player payments. But there is good reason to think that the 2010 season could be a positive one for most clubs.

North Geelong Warriors once again lead the way, with the club's welcome return to State League 1. There is a significant gulf in on-field quality between Warriors and Geelong Rangers, Geelong, Bell Park, Corio and Surf Coast, but there are young emerging players at every local club who will hope to stamp their mark on 2010.

The recent state country championships in Geelong were a visible reminder of the importance of youth development. Several clubs look set to embrace this ethos in 2010, with many teams taking on the look of decent youth set-ups rather than a parade of veterans keeping their spots based on weighty reputations.

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