SOCCER FOOTBALL Victoria last week gave clubs the opportunity to decide their short-term future without penalty. The state body announced that there would be promotion this year throughout the leagues but no relegation. FV’s “Guiding principles for the resumption of football in Victoria” was generally well-received and for the most part took an even-handed approach when weighing up the federation’s responsibilities as the game’s watchdog against the responsibilities of member clubs. However, while announcing that clubs choosing not to compete would not face sanctions the principles mandated that all clubs were “subject to the payment of their full, respective 2020…
Author: Craig MacKenzie
SOCCER RYAN Paczkowski could be on the verge of a sensational return to Mornington. The move relies on his current club Oakleigh Cannons not playing this season and releasing “Patch” from his contract. NPL1 powerhouse Oakleigh faces two major hurdles standing in the way of competing in 2020. The Greek-backed outfit is closely considering its duty of care to its members and has genuine concerns especially for it older supporters. It also stares into a financial black hole given that its main revenue streams have dried up with little prospect of short-term recovery. There’s no doubt that should “Patch” be…
SOCCER THE combined loss of sponsorship for 12 local clubs fielding senior teams under the Football Victoria banner will top $260,000 this year. Langwarrin, Mornington, Peninsula Strikers, Skye United, Frankston Pines, Baxter, Seaford United, Somerville Eagles, Rosebud, Aspendale Stingrays and Mount Martha have lost sponsors in droves due to the economic impact of the coronavirus shutdown. Chelsea is the only local club not to suffer through lost sponsorship while many clubs have offered carryover deals for the 2021 season. The total represents the largest ever financial hit to the local game. Each club was contacted last week and provided a…
SOCCER FRANKSTON Pines has signed off on a $3.9 million revamp of Monterey Reserve with work to start next February. The State 3 outfit is also eyeing a deal with Melbourne Victory as part of an ambitious expansion plan that could return the club to former glory. Pines has been keen to redevelop a junior program that waned and eventually shut down around 12 years ago. Enter A-League heavyweight Victory with an offer of free weekly clinics for local primary school children. It was too good to refuse and was quickly accepted by Pines president Lee Davies. “I think it’s…
SOCCER FOOTBALL Victoria hopes to get the green light to announce a resumption of training this month with the aim of starting the league season in June. In April Football Federation Australia extended the suspension of all soccer activities until 31 May but that looks likely to be lifted. Last week Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that national cabinet had endorsed the “National Principles for Resumption of Sport and Recreation Activities” developed by the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee and the “Framework for Rebooting Sport in a Covid-19 Environment” developed by the Australian Institute of Sport. The AIS document sets…