GRIFFITH OFFERS OPEN INVITE

20 Dec 2014

Shepparton News - Matthew Galea

CLUBS FROM DEFUNCT GNEFA OFFERED OPPORTUNITY TO RETURN TO PLAYING AGAINST NSW COMPETITION

Griffith and District Amateur Football Association president Mathew Curran has extended an open invite to clubs in Shepparton and its surrounds to join the NSW-based competition.

Curran had planned to attempt to sit down with Goulburn North East Football Association ahead of the new season to discuss the possibility of bringing the competitions together on some level.

However, GNEFA folding in anticipation of a Football Federation Victoria-run competition next year has lead Curran to extend an invitation to all clubs who might be interested in joining his competition.

‘‘We’re putting it to the clubs to give them the opportunity to come and play with us,’’ Curran said.

‘‘I can’t go and sit and talk to an association that’s not there.

‘‘We have a very proactive, independent executive committee that wants to grow the game in all areas, so we just want to throw it out to clubs that we’d like to offer them a spot with us.’’

The link between Shepparton and Griffith soccer is a long one.

Most recently, Yoogali Soccer Club, Yoogali Football Club, Hanwood Football Club and West Griffith Soccer Club played in the defunct GNEFA Regional Premier League in 2012.

Before that Yoogali SC and Hanwood played in the North East Soccer League from 1992-2007.

Before Curran’s invitation, the involvement of Griffith clubs in Shepparton competition has been club initiated, but Curran is hoping Sheppartonbased clubs might be interested in joining a Griffith-based competition in the interest of better competition.

‘‘We’re prepared to go to any club. We think it’s for the betterment of the game,’’ Curran said.

‘‘We hope there is some interest because we think it’s a good opportunity for both parties.’’

Yoogali SC president Paul Fisher said that a renewed link between the regions would be the best thing for the sport going forward.

‘‘The bottom line is we both need each other and unfortunately it means travel,” Fisher said.

‘‘Shepparton is down to four or five teams and somewhere along the line, personally, I think we need to take it back to a strong regional competition.’’

Curran said direct contact had been made with Cobram Roar, but Roar steering committee chairman Greg Ryan said the possibility had not been put to members yet.

‘‘They called the day after we got knocked back from (Albury Wodonga Football Association) and they just made an approach to let us know it was an option,’’ Ryan said.

‘‘We haven’t really thrown it out there yet.’’

Shepparton South president Gino Cirillo said the move would be of no interest to his club, particularly if it led to a split of senior and juniors.

‘‘We want a good competition here and there is potential for that,’’ Cirillo said.

‘‘As long as I’m here, it won’t happen.

‘‘We’ve got no interest in travelling two and three hours every second week.

‘‘What we’re doing with FFV and the potential for different conferences with ourselves and Bendigo is exciting and we want to pursue that.’’