Plenty at stake for host - July 15 2008
Plenty at stake for host
July 15 2008
Shepparton News
Shepparton's reputation as host for soccer events will go on the line this weekend as state champion Preston takes on Australian Institute of Sport.
Shepparton Soccer Club president Chris Davkovski has targeted a 1000 crowd as a pass mark for the Saturday evening fixture.
The Victorian premier league game will kick off at Mercury Dve at 5pm as Shepparton plays host to state league action for the first time since the 1980s.
Shepparton's division one men will take on Tatura in a North Eastern Soccer League curtain raiser at 2.30pm.
Davkovski said it was critical the Goulburn Valley soccer community came out and supported the one-off event.
``We need a good crowd to show that Shepparton can host matches like this again in future,'' Davkovski said.
``Fans need to embrace this game and ensure we get opportunities in the future.
``With the indications we are getting from Melbourne about travelling fans, I would hope the crowd will break 1000.''
Australian Institute of Sport is a Canberra-based team and has not managed to raise a following playing in the metropolitan Melbourne competition, prompting the move to play some of its home games in district centres.
Preston secretary Chris Terpos said his club was averaging about the 1000 mark for its home games so far this season.
``The early indicators are that there will be about 200 travelling fans,'' Terpos said.
A free coaching clinic featuring players from both teams will be held at Mercury Dve on Sunday morning, with Football Federation Victoria to set the age limit for participants this week.
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