• Football Federation SA is pleased to announce today that we are taking the World Game to Regional South Australia.

• Football Federation SA is pleased to announce a 3 Year Partnership with the City of Whyalla, Mount Gambier and Roxby Council that will see each of the regional centres host a National Premier League fixture for points on Saturday May 17, 2014.

• The National Premier League is the flagship state competition in South Australia

• Strategically one of Football Federation SA’s priorities is to support regional South Australia and in turn expand participation.

• Local National Premier League Clubs have embraced a new concept and the opportunity to forge closer links with our Football partners in regional South Australia.

• Game details are as follow;

• Adelaide Blue Eagles v Raiders - Saturday May 17 3pm, Whyalla Croatia Soccer Club

• Para Hills Nights v Cumberland United - Saturday May 17, 3pm Mount Gambier Centrals Soccer Club

• Birkalla v Comets - Saturday May 17, 7.30pm Roxby Downs Sport & Leisure Centre

• BHP Billiton are major partners for the Roxby Downs event and I would like to acknowledge their support for Football Soccer and we look forward to developing closer links with them over the coming 3 years.

• The 3 year partnership worth $180,000 will ensure that transport and accommodation for players, club officials and referees are covered for each of the 3 years.

• Football Federation SA has effectively bought the home games from competing teams.

• Funding will also support each club in conducting participation clinics in each regional centre leading up to the regional round.

John Mundy – Football Federation SA Game Development Manager provided more detail in relation to Regional Development initiatives.

• Football Federation SA Game Development has an obligation to support and service all areas of South Australia and these high profile games highlight our intentions

• In the lead up to these games, school clinics and Coach Education sessions will be conducted, by some of SA’s favourite players, Cristiano Dos Santos (World Club Championship Goal 2008 of the Tournament, Richie Alagich ex AUFC and Australia Olympic team. Carl Veart originally from Whyalla and created for himself a wonderful career overseas.

• These visits will enhance the game day experience which will involve having local kids as mascots and the regional roll out of the MiniRoos program which is a smaller version of football that provides boys and girls aged 4-11 with a fun introduction to the world game.

• I believe that we are also sending a clear message in world cup year to our young players that there is a meaningful pathway that geographically isolated areas such as Roxby can access and could lead to the world stage for the more talented ones.

• The local associations in these areas will also be invited to have a hands on role during match day

Football Federation SA Chief Executive Officer concluded;

Key Outcomes of the Regional Round

1.         Close partnerships between Football Federation SA and regional Councils

2.         Focus on Participation in the Regional Associations

3.         Create an event for the local community to attend.

4.         Create a fundraising event for the Local Soccer Association

5.         Create close links between local National Premier League Clubs and regional players

6.         Promotion of Football in Regional South Australia.

Football Federation SA is proud to be supporting Regional Football/Soccer in South Australia through the NPL Regional Round and we look forward to expanding the initiative in 2015.

ENDS