Click on the link to read the full story: HILLS FOOTBALL KICKS OFF
The Sydney Hills Football Association officially commenced last week with nine confirmed clubs and an expected 15 before the season starts.
SHFA expects to have 10,000 players when it begins competition in April.
Three new clubs – North West FC, Rouse Hill Rangers FC and Kellyville FC – have been created to cover the areas left vacant by the Rouse Hill Rams and the Kellyville Kolts, which have decided to stay in the Granville and Districts Soccer Football Association.
North West FC has hired the grounds at Hills Sports High School for use in 2016, while fields are yet to be finalised for the other two new clubs.
SHFA president Craig Gough said the association was working “very closely” with The Hills Shire Council to acquire fields for 2016.
“The council has assured us they want our people playing on our fields in our Shire, so it’s a lot better position than an association that is spread across a number of Shires,” he said.
Hills mayor Michelle Byrne said the SHFA had the council’s support.
“The allocation of grounds has always been a difficult issue and council is working to ensure we can allocate as many grounds as possible,” she said. “It is important that every child in the Hills who wants to play sport locally is afforded the opportunity to do so.”
SHFA has yet to be sanctioned by Football NSW.
Without Football NSW’s backing, the association will need its own insurance, registration and disciplinary process, along with coach and referee training.
Not being part of the “Football Family” means SHFA players cannot take part in Football NSW-run competitions or its pathway programs.
Mr Gough said the association would continue to work towards endorsement from Football NSW.
“It’s our goal to become sanctioned,” he said.
“We want to be part of the Football Family.”
Mr Gough said the new association would provide football for all age groups in juniors, mens, ladies and special needs divisions.
“We are about 95 per cent ready now,” he said.
“We are just crossing the T’s and dotting the I’s.
“We’ve had working groups working on all the bylaws and the mechanics, we have our insurance organised, we have our computerised registration systems organised, everything is pretty much underway.”