NOW LAUNCESTON CITY JUMPS SHIP

THE Women’s Super League will go ahead with only six teams this year, after Launceston City confirmed it would not be fielding a team in the competition.

Launceston’s withdrawal because of a lack of players comes just days after Taroona was forced to pull out for the same reason, and leaves the WSL with just one team — Ul- verstone — in the north of the state. Hobart Zebras, Olympia, Kingborough, Clarence, South Hobart, and Ulverstone have committed to a six-team model for the competition, which is scheduled to start next month.

Selina Steventon, who was Launceston’s WSL coach, said the club had no choice but to withdraw.

“It wasn’t a decision, to be honest,” Steventon said.

“I literally had 11, maybe 12 Super League players, so obviously you’re not going to enter a state league team with that, it’s just not enough.”

Steventon said she was “gutted” by the outcome, but hopes Launceston can return to the top flight next year.

Ulverstone coach Mal Gorrie said he wasn’t too worried about the additional travel.

Football Federation Tasmania chief executive Matt Bulkeley said while he was dis- appointed by the withdrawals, he respected the clubs’ decisions to step away from the WSL and look to rebuild.

“It isn’t just about raw playing numbers when it comes to the Super League, but about having players capable of playing at the top level in the state,” Bulkeley said.

“The challenge has always been having the development pathways in place so we have enough players to ensure the WSL is sustainable. It’s a technical game and you can’t just walk into the top level having never played before, which has made it hard for the likes of Taroona and Launceston City to replace the players they have lost and it’s clear that there is more for us to do in this area.”

Bulkeley said FFT would work closely with Ulverstone to minimise the impact of the extra travel.