A GROUNDBREAKING new senior competition catering for All-Abilities players is set to take off in 2018 with no less than seven Geelong region clubs expressing an interest in fielding teams in the proposed non-gender specific league.

PHOTO: Surfside Waves president Kev Bowers (left), Tim Downes from Leisure Networks (middle) and Lara United secretary Kylie Grzybek (right), surrounded by a group of players wearing the Surfside and Bell Park kits, who are looking to participate in the inaugural All Abilities football competition in 2018 (picture: Tonci Prusac)

In recent months, discussion between the Geelong based Football Federation Victoria (FFV) staff and representatives from Gen U (formerly Karingal) and Leisure Networks has resulted in a proposal for a new Geelong Region All-Abilities Football League, assuming there’d be enough interest from local region clubs in forming new All-Abilities teams.

The proposal was put to the test on Monday night when the concept was presented to the clubs themselves at the Geelong Region Football Committee (GRFC) Delegates’ Meeting by Tim Downes from Leisure Networks and Glenn Snowden from Gen U.

“The response was overwhelming with the following clubs saying they were keen to come on board: Bell Park, Corio Bay, Drysdale, Geelong Rangers, Lara United, Surf Coast and Surfside Waves,” said an excited Downes.

“It’s at a very early stage at the moment but it seems the momentum is there to get something up and running in 2018,” he added.

It is envisaged that the new all encompassing competition will involve a seven-a-side format and will be played outdoors. It is likely that it would initially be a seniors’ competition and would not be gender specific.

The preferred day and time of matches will depend largely on ground availabilities at each club but that will be something that will be discussed with the interested clubs at a special general meeting to be convened shortly.

A competition launch may be held as a lightning premiership style competition event somewhere central – possibly Howard Glover Reserve in East Geelong.

All other Geelong region clubs are also being urged to seek interest from their own club members for any potential co-ordinators for an All-Abilities team at their respective club to help drive the creation of this new competition.