Southern Expansion has appointed television identity and former Matildas player Amy Duggan as a board member, as part of the bid for A-League inclusion.
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As one of the six bids remaining in the expansion process, Southern Expansion has committed to play one-third of home games at WIN Stadium if gain entry to the competition.
After rivals the Wollongong Wolves were cut in the last round – and since aligned with the Canberra bid in the hope of gaining entry in the future – Duggan said Southern now provided the best path to an A-League future for the Illawarra.
“This bid has been put together really well,” she said.
“They’ve put a lot of time and a big investment into this bid to make sure that it’s right for football in the region. This is the way forward.
“There are promises of games here and lots of games, not just one or two, we’re talking our fair share.
“It provides the stepping stones needed from the grass roots to the elite level.”
Duggan played for the Matildas and Illawarra Stingrays and is a W-League commentator for Fox Sports, as well as being a presenter with WIN Television.
Last month, Wollongong and Ipswich were excluded from the process, leaving Canberra, Southern Expansion, South West Sydney, Western Melbourne, South Melbourne and Victorian bid Team 11.
The expansion process has been delayed following governance changes at Football Federation Australia, leading to the expectation the successful bids will enter the A-League in 2020-21, instead of 2019-20 as originally planned.
Tim Barrow
When it comes to sport - at professional and community level - in the Illawarra, I'm here to provide insight, context and opinion, as well as the latest news you won't find anywhere else.
When it comes to sport - at professional and community level - in the Illawarra, I'm here to provide insight, context and opinion, as well as the latest news you won't find anywhere else.
