THE bold new era promised for football in regional Victoria and the Riverina has finally arrived with the long-awaited handing down of the Country Super League (CSL) guidelines this week.
Extensively covering all aspects of how the proposed competition will be governed for the next two years, the 32-page document should answer most questions fans and administrators of the game have regarding the CSL.
With details finally coming to light regarding the merger between the Goulburn North East Football (GNEFA) and Griffith District Football associations, GNEFA president Frank Trimboli was excited about the future of the game.
"This is the major opportunity for GNEFA and the GDAFA to deliver a truly elite, dynamic and commercially viable football competition that provides a genuine career pathway for players," Trimboli said.
"It is time to take affirmative action and develop initiatives such as the CSL which will invigorate regional football competitions and provide players, coaches, referees and fans with a higher standard of competition and further enhance the participation pathway."
The CSL will be home for up to 12 teams from next year onwards, with the report saying there is room for wider interest other than Griffith and GNEFA-based teams.
The first two years the competition will be governed under the existing administration and financial framework of the GNEFA, with a review in 2014 as to a possible independent board being established.
Joining fees for perspective clubs will be $3000 with significant prize-money to off-set the initial investment to be involved with the CSL.
In 2012 the competition will focus on a single senior men’s competition with scope to include a women’s and youth grade in 2013 and 2014 respectively.
Each club involved with the CSL will be expected to maintain a certain level of standards in relation to all aspects of their clubs from facilities to marketing, with
an annual review setting up possibilities for promotion to and relegation from the CSL.
A point of contention leading up to the plan’s release is how players will be able to register and potentially move between the CSL and the remaining teams in the localised Griffith competition.
Next year 25 players, with no less than seven under 21 years-of-age, will able to register for the CSL with players able to drop back to the local competition should they comply with all revelevent rules.
The report also stressed regular and open communication between clubs, the governing body, media and other stakeholders in a bid to create a competition regarded as the best outside of the A-League and state premier leagues.
The CSL competition plan also suggested looking at broadcast rights for games in the future and other high-profile marketing opportunities as a way of broadening its appeal.
Clubs must submit their application by January 16 with notice of admission to be given by January 31.
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