Clubs back state league
JULIUS ROSS | July 20, 2011 12.01am
CLUBS from throughout Tasmania have reacted positively to plans for a state league soccer competition but finances remain the major issue for a viable model.
Club presidents from across the state met in Campbell Town on Sunday to discuss Football Federation Tasmania's plan to reintroduce a statewide league which was formed in 1978, but disbanded in 2000.
Many within the soccer community, including the federation, believe the former state league produced a higher level of competition than the current regional northern and southern competitions.
"A state league will provide a tremendous opportunity to have our best players playing against each other, week in week out," FFT chief executive John Boulous said.
"It will provide a level of competition to cater for the many talented players we have in this state and be a competition for youngsters to aspire to play in."
Reintroducing a state competition, likely to be branded the 'T-League', is high on the federation's priority list with 2013 earmarked as the launch year.
But whether the league comes to fruition will be based on FFT establishing a feasible funding structure.
"All clubs would like to see a state league established in Tasmania providing the financial modelling is appropriate," Boulous said.
"The concept for a state league is reliant on FFT securing the necessary funding and sponsorship to keep the costs to clubs as low as possible and maintain their financial security.
"A state league will not be implemented should the necessary funding not be secured to make the competition work effectively."
The federation will now consolidate feedback and prepare a business case.
http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2011/07/20/246781_soccer.html