Clubs on the north and mid-north coasts are considering a new World Cup style competition this year, giving players more opportunities to play in a higher-level competition and against new rivals.
The tournament allows teams from different towns and cities to compete against each other in addition to their regular in-season winter competition.
The Coastal Club Shield would be held on one Sunday a month between March and June, ahead of a grand final in Coffs Harbour in early July.
The inaugural competition is for clubs in the North Coast and Mid-North Coast football zones and may be expanded north and west in 2023.
Like the World Cup, teams would be grouped in pools of four, with pool leaders selected to take part in the semi-finals.
Clubs in both zones have been invited to nominate teams from 12 and up to seniors in female and male divisions. Participation isn’t compulsory.
Matches will be played in five cities (Grafton, Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie, Kempsey and Taree) with finals held in Coffs Harbour in the middle weekend of the winter school holidays.
Cities, dates and divisions (sample)
The dates and locations may change depending on entries. The following is provided for illustrative purposes only. The 27/3 matches in Coffs will be held on 2/4 on the synthetics and other suburban grounds.
Comments by Andrew Woodward, General Manager, North Coast Football
We put the idea to North Coast clubs over the new year period and received solid support.
There’s a definite want amongst some in football for more and different competition each year.
It is for clubs and teams that want more football and or higher-level football and to play against clubs they wouldn’t usually encounter.
The CCS integrates with existing winter football schedules and allows teams to compete in the challenging FIFA World Cup style format.
The tournament fills a gap in football’s offering. There’s inter-zone competition with the Coastal Premier League and FFA Cup, but there was nothing for other senior and youth clubs and teams.
The Coastal Club Shield allows every club to play more football every year.
Download prospectus: Link.
ENDS
