Northern NSW Football "have extended an olive branch" to Armidale clubs after they opted to depart the organisation to join a new, rebel competition run by UNE Life. Armidale-based clubs South Armidale, Norths United, East Armidale, Armidale City Westside and Demon Knights became disgruntled with Northern Inland Football and have chosen to leave the organisation. Prior to their decision to breakaway from NIF, Northern NSW Football, who look after competitions across the top-half of the state, stepped in to listen to the disgruntled clubs and acted. The clubs had other ideas and proceeded with formally putting in their interest to join the rebel tournament and plan to take their juniors with them. THE STORY SO FAR: NNSWF chief executive officer David Eland said much of the discussion centred around senior competitions. With the clubs disaffiliating with Football Federation Australia, NNSWF and NIF, they lose everything that goes with being part of it, including pathways programs for juniors such as Mini Roos, insurance for training and games at council facilities and grants received via the governing body. Eland doesn't want to disadvantage the up-and-comers in the game and has invited all clubs across the region to enter their juniors in sanctioned competitions, even if their seniors want no part of it. "There's a couple of reasons why we have gone down this path, the first one is we want to maintain relationships with the clubs which have chosen to play at UNE this season," he said. "We want to continue to communicate with them and hopefully reunite the game in the near future. "The other reason is we need to the think about the game and we need to think about the best interest of junior players and the participation of the Armidale clubs is vital to the sustainability of junior competitions. "We are extending an olive branch saying, as an interim measure, we will select entry into mini roos and junior competitions from all clubs, regardless of whether they are going to register seniors or not. "Juniors have been swept up in this, this was never about juniors, it was always about senior competitions." Eland sent the proposed ideas out to clubs on Wednesday morning and said he had already received inquiries South Armidale president Joe Campbell and Norths United president/ UNE Life deputy director Ash Clee. "I spoke to Joe this morning [Wednesday] before I sent the letter, and he was appreciative of the offer," Eland said. "There was no commitment but he appreciated the offer. "He received my call in good faith and he indicated that is what the clubs were after in 2020 anyway. "I sincerely hope Joe's response is reflective of the response of other clubs. "I have already had an email from Ash Clee asking if the fees are the same for 2020 and they are. "Hopefully him asking those sorts of questions is reflective that Norths are considering entering their junior teams. "We have extended the olive branch and we hope that it is received in good faith."
NNSWF have left the door open for clubs to register their juniors in sanctioned competitions.
Northern NSW Football "have extended an olive branch" to Armidale clubs after they opted to depart the organisation to join a new, rebel competition run by UNE Life.
Armidale-based clubs South Armidale, Norths United, East Armidale, Armidale City Westside and Demon Knights became disgruntled with Northern Inland Football and have chosen to leave the organisation.
Prior to their decision to breakaway from NIF, Northern NSW Football, who look after competitions across the top-half of the state, stepped in to listen to the disgruntled clubs and acted.
The clubs had other ideas and proceeded with formally putting in their interest to join the rebel tournament and plan to take their juniors with them.
NNSWF chief executive officer David Eland said much of the discussion centred around senior competitions.
With the clubs disaffiliating with Football Federation Australia, NNSWF and NIF, they lose everything that goes with being part of it, including pathways programs for juniors such as Mini Roos, insurance for training and games at council facilities and grants received via the governing body.
Eland doesn't want to disadvantage the up-and-comers in the game and has invited all clubs across the region to enter their juniors in sanctioned competitions, even if their seniors want no part of it.
"There's a couple of reasons why we have gone down this path, the first one is we want to maintain relationships with the clubs which have chosen to play at UNE this season," he said.
"We want to continue to communicate with them and hopefully reunite the game in the near future.
"The other reason is we need to the think about the game and we need to think about the best interest of junior players and the participation of the Armidale clubs is vital to the sustainability of junior competitions.
"We are extending an olive branch saying, as an interim measure, we will select entry into mini roos and junior competitions from all clubs, regardless of whether they are going to register seniors or not.
"Juniors have been swept up in this, this was never about juniors, it was always about senior competitions."
Eland sent the proposed ideas out to clubs on Wednesday morning and said he had already received inquiries South Armidale president Joe Campbell and Norths United president/ UNE Life deputy director Ash Clee.
"I spoke to Joe this morning [Wednesday] before I sent the letter, and he was appreciative of the offer," Eland said.
"There was no commitment but he appreciated the offer.
"He received my call in good faith and he indicated that is what the clubs were after in 2020 anyway.
"I sincerely hope Joe's response is reflective of the response of other clubs.
"I have already had an email from Ash Clee asking if the fees are the same for 2020 and they are.
"Hopefully him asking those sorts of questions is reflective that Norths are considering entering their junior teams.
"We have extended the olive branch and we hope that it is received in good faith."
