Granville District Soccer gets tougher

by Steven Deare
Granville District Soccer gets tougher

GRANVILLE District Soccer officials have introduced a demerit points system for all teams in a toughening of the association’s ``zero tolerance’’ approach to player behaviour.

Under the system, teams lose points for red and yellow cards which can result in a one-match suspension.

Team officials and spectators can also lose points for their team, which puts the onus on peer pressure to encourage good behaviour.

Granville association secretary Steve Crowe said the system would make teams accountable for their players.

``This throws the onus on team members to take responsibility for players who are loose cannons,’’ he said.

``They know who they are, but the club might not. So the teams are the rulers of their destiny as to whether they stay in the competition.’’

Crowe said the demerits points system was already used by the Blacktown and Bankstown associations.

While it is another reason for players to behave, few teams are expected to test the rules this season. For example, teams from under-15s to all age must lose 14 points before they are suspended. One offence deducts only two to four points.

Crowe said it was the accumulation of offences that teams had to consider.

``(Under the demerits system) your team won’t be stood down if three of your players are sent off in one game,’’ he said.

``But it’s a gradual process. You’ve had plenty of warning to take stock of where you are at.’’

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