Competition Secretary Report

This season we maintained the numbers of open ladies teams playing in this year Competition. Unfortunately we saw a decline in junior numbers in all age groups but from talking to other sports they also saw a drop in numbers.

The under 6’s, 7’s and 8’s played their competition and we have to start to encourage a more structured format in developing skills but this is hampered by the lack of available coaches. The players enjoyed their competition and the mini carnival type finish to the season was greeted by most parents as they went off happy and slept well that night. Some parents said it was a long day but the smiles of players receiving their awards made it worth vile.

The older age groups showed that any team could win on any day whether they were running last and playing first. There was one area of concern the reduction of numbers in the under 16’s boys and girls. If numbers are small again next year then we should look at playing a combine (Boys and Girls) competition in all age groups so there is no small sided competitions.

The semi-finals arrived and the number of close games that was played amazed me all teams stepped up to the mark but every team put in a good effort and it showed in the results.

On Grand Final day there were 4 games that went to extra time and two of those games went to penalty shot out. This showed that the competition was close and hopefully will encourage many teams/players to play again next year.

The format of all competition will again be dependant on numbers of players in each age grouping. In the open ladies there could be 14 to 18 teams next year plus the ladies starting early next year will be a question teams will have to address at meeting in March and April next year. If team Reps don’t attend those meeting then they will have to live with the decision made by the few.

Overall this season was successful in that Forbes Clubs had four teams in the Grand Finals but unfortunately they were not successful.

I wish to thank the help I received from David Parker Cameron Stone and most all from the Forbes Club Debbie Maitland who sent me many of the results from the Forbes fields each week.

Victor Gaidzionis
Competition Secretary
Parkes & District Amateur Soccer Associatioin Inc.