Wollongong and Shellharbour city councils confirmed the Illawarra Amateur Football Association would be eligible to use grounds this year despite not being affiliated to the newly formed Football South Coast.

The IAFA - which boasts more than 1000 registered players, second only to the mammoth junior association - aired its concerns yesterday, three weeks before the scheduled start of its season.

However, both councils were quick to assure the IAFA it would be eligible to use the same fields as in the past, provided they produced proof of public liability insurance.

"The IAFA will have the same opportunity as in past seasons. Council will accept their booking as they are an incorporated body and have public liability insurance," Wollongong City Council recreation services manager Mark Bond said.

A Shellharbour City Council spokesperson added the IAFA and its clubs had to follow the same process to secure grounds as in previous years.

"Council will be operating under the same arrangements as last year regarding the booking of the fields," the spokesperson said.

"Any fully insured club that booked a field with council in 2009 will not be prevented from continuing that booking throughout the 2010 season."

IAFA officials also feared nationally affiliated groups from other codes would snap up football fields. Wollongong City Council, however, is expected to give first preference for sporting facilities to traditional users.

"This is not true. The only area where council liaises primarily with a code's 'peak' sporting body is when it comes to future strategic development of football facilities across the city," Mr Bond said.

In December, the IAFA opted out of the unification process that led to the formation of Football South Coast to oversee the game on behalf of Football NSW.

Football South Coast chairman Eddy De Gabriele said he would lobby on the IAFA's behalf if it was denied use of council grounds.

"If there is a ground that cannot be used simply because they are not affiliated with Football South Coast, I will go in there with them," De Gabriele said.

Meantime, the Wollongong United vs South Coast friendly scheduled for tomorrow at Macedonia Park has been cancelled because of heavy rain.

It is hoped the showdown will be moved to next week.