THE South East Women’s Football Association spurs into gear this Saturday, but it will be running at half strength, with three senior teams missing from the 2020 competition.
Of those the most surprising is the absence of reigning premier United, which will not field a senior side this year.
Portland was an expected casualty for 2020 due to the current COVID-19 situation in Victoria, while Wanderers has folded entirely for reasons not related to the pandemic.
That leaves a four-team competition in the senior grade, with Gambier Centrals, Inter CFC, Apollo City and Millicent still in the mix.
Speaking to The Border Watch yesterday, SEWFA president Frank Wilcox expressed his disappointment in losing the 2019 champions this year, putting it down to the uncertainty of the current health climate.
“A lot of that is due to this weird world we are living in,” he said.
“I think it is also people have found ‘oh look I could be doing that on a Saturday instead of running around on the soccer field’.
“I think that is affecting not only the women’s soccer, but also the men’s soccer to a certain extent.”
United will still field both Under 16 and Under 13 teams, while the option for senior players to look elsewhere for a once-off club exchange has been put on the table.
“What we have done this year is if there are any senior players for example who would normally have played with United – and want to stay United players – if they would like to play for another team, SEWFA is happy for them to effectively go on loan for the season,” Wilcox said.
“We spoke to FSA and they do not have a problem with it.
“They still stay United players, but for the season they play for another club.
“We are hoping a couple of girls take that up – we would like to keep them playing so we do not lose them.”
It is also hopeful former Wanderers players will look for a new club, rather than hang up their boots for good.
While the timing of the club’s disbandment is in line with the challenges of COVID-19, Wilcox said it was an outcome which had unfortunately been a long time coming.
“It was even before COVID – they were having problems getting players,” he said.
“Wanderers used to be very tightly connected with Sharks and when Sharks disappeared (from the Limestone Coast Football Association), Wanderers were sort of left out on their own and they did not have a men’s club to be associated with.”
Wilcox said it was a shame to lose a club entirely, but he believes several players will remain in the association, albeit with a different club.
Despite this season’s losses – which also includes Millicent’s Under 16’s – the main aim of the year is to keep players in the game.
“We have four senior teams, four Under 16’s and five Under 13 sides,” Wilcox said.
“It is a compressed season, but at least we have the girls out on the park running around and kicking a ball.”
The grand finals will be held on Saturday, September 26, following nine minor rounds and the semi finals on September 19.
A tight contest can be expected in seniors regardless of the situation and all four clubs should be competitive.
While it is a testing time for all sporting organisations, Wilcox said he was sure of one thing – SEWFA is determined to be back “bigger and better than ever” in 2021.
This weekend’s senior games will be split between two venues, with Inter CFC and Centrals playing at Blue Lake Sports Park at 2pm, while Millicent hosts Apollo City at 3pm.
