Clubs discuss state of play

All first division teams were invited to attend the meeting, which had hoped to provide a constructive forum for clubs to help improve the league.

It is understood a common concern from several of the league’s biggest clubs is with the lack of consultation and transparency from Football South Coast about issues impacting the competition. 

That view is not shared unanimously around the league. 

Football South Coast were contacted by the Mercury the day before the meeting and were aware it would be taking place.

”From our perspective it is healthy for the clubs to get together and discuss aspects of the competition,” Football South Coast chief executive Ann Marie Balliana said.

Balliana said FSC maintains an ‘open door policy’ for clubs to discuss issues in the league. FSC will be given a list of findings from the meeting by the clubs.

Clubs elected to make no comment of the meeting after it was held. 

The meeting comes on the heels of news that four members of the Men’s Council have stepped aside in the past month. Paul Morgan, John Whiddett and Manny Paniagua all opted to leave earlier in the month. 

Tom Clark is understood to have departed in the past fortnight, leaving just four members remaining to operate the Council.

Clubs nominate members to sit on the Council, who oversee the operational running of the competition. 

There also remains frustration from clubs about the governing body’s decision to bring in the South Coast Flame in the off-season and its impact on youth competitions in the Illawarra.

Illawarra Premier League clubs are required to field a first grade, under 23s and youth grade teams for the 2018 season.

Previously clubs in the top division were only required to have first and youth grade squads, with the option of an under 18s side in recent years.

Meanwhile, round five of the FFA Cup draw on Friday afternoon saw Wollongong Olympic draw APIA Leichhardt Tigers.

Albion Park face SD Raiders, Tarrawanna play UNSW and Bulli will meet  St George FC.