Clubs positive about SI league
THE proposed South Island league has got past its first hurdle with the region’s clubs generally accepting it would be a step in the right direction, Football South chief executive Chris Wright says.
Last week Football South and Mainland Football revealed they were teaming up to help reestablish a South Island league.
The proposed tournament would provide a bridge between the premier league and the national league.
Football South met delegates from the clubs on Wednesday night and Wright said it was a positive meeting with the general mood receptive towards change.
‘‘We wanted them to go away and discuss it but there was general agreement that that is what is required,’’ Wright said.
‘‘The gap between our premier league and the national league is widening and we want an aligned pathway for our players.
‘‘We want our best players to have the option to play against the best opposition available in the region.
‘‘It is about how do we make it happen.
‘‘The South Island league has history going back 50 to 60 years and has been on and off for various reasons.
‘‘We need to make sure, if we do it, that it is at least sustainable for a concrete period of time.’’
Football South will meet the clubs in a month or so to see if its members want to proceed.
It has been suggested the league could start as early as next season as an extension of the South Island Championship with just one round of games. But the ambition is for an eightteam league and two full rounds.
The tournament would be played during the club window. ‘‘We will have another meeting fairly soon and get an indication from them what they would like us to do as the next step,’’ Wright said.
If the clubs give the concept the green light, Football South will work with Mainland Football to get the proposed league up and running.
There are some challenges ahead with Wright suggesting finding enough quality referees would require some work.
Getting access to the best facilities and developing players to ensure the premier league remained at a high standard were other obstacles which would have to be negotiated carefully.
There is also a financial barrier with Wright revealing the clubs would need to find a $14,000 entry fee. That sum would cover all the travel and facility hire costs, though.