With the new season steadily approaching, The Fraternity Cup acts as a curtain raiser to the season proper and it allows clubs to try out their new combinations and players. We are proud to once again have the Fraternity Club sponsor this event.

This year, the competition is divided into two divisions (Premier League and District League). Clubs will be placed in three groups of four within their respective divisions and the top team in each group with progress to their conference semi-final together with the best second placed team across the rest of the conference groups.

The groups are as follows:

Premier League
Group A – Cringila, Woonona, Picton and Shell Cove
Group B – Wollongong Olympic, Port Kembla, Albion Park White Eagles and Tarrawanna
Group C – Bulli, South Coast United, Wollongong United and Kemblawarra Fury

District League
Group A – Bellambi, Thirroul, Helensburgh and Berkeley Sports
Group B – University FC, Oak Flats, Kiama and Fernhill
Group C – Wests Illawarra, Corrimal, Balgownie and Warilla

In the Premier League conference, Group A will see an early season derby match between Cringila and Shell Cove whilst newly promoted Picton will be out to prove themselves against Premier League opponents. Woonona is under a new coach and will be looking to getting the team firing early. It will be a tight group one suggests with the first few group games pivotal to the teams’ progression.

Premier League Group B is another tight group with four teams with very different playing styles pitted against each other in what will be a test particularly for the new coaches at APWE and Tarrawanna. Albion Park White Eagles will probably start as favourites to progress but don’t be surprised if any of the other three teams start the season strong.

Premier League Group C is probably the “group of death” so to speak. Bulli, Wollongong United and the newly formed Kemblawarra Fury all have strengthened their teams whilst South Coast United is mixing some youthful exuberance with their experienced players. SCU had some wonderful preseason results last year and they will be no pushovers in a group that features key matchups each round. This will certainly make interesting preseason viewing. The Fury will be looking to go back to back in this competition under their new affiliation.

 

In the District League conference, Group A will probably see Thirroul and Helensburgh battle it out for top spot with Berkeley Sports and Bellambi looking like they are going through a rebuilding phase. Helensburgh made the Frat Cup semi-final last year and will be looking to at least replicate that again in 2016.

District League conference, Group B sees some interesting match ups although one can expect Fernhill to progress from this group (based on last year’s form) although University progressed through to Quarter Finals last year as well and have a decent record in this competition. Don’t discount Oak Flats who are capable of surprising everyone in this group. Kiama will need to get off to a good start in order to give themselves a chance at progression.

District League conference, Group C is a tough group and is probably the District League “group of death” with each of the teams on their day capable of beating one another. Corrimal should start favourites although Wests Illawarra made the final last year and Warilla are always tough. Balgownie will be no pushovers as well. This is a finely balanced group that should make interesting watching.

The Fraternity Club Cup kicks off on Thursday 18 February with the complete draw released over the coming days.

Photo: 2015 Frat Cup winners Dapto Dandaloo Fury in action against Wests Illawarra.