Association to combine grades for 2015 season
The Midwest Soccer Association men’s division will play in a single open competition this year.
After the confirmation of just three A-grade clubs, the MSA have decided to combine the A and B grades for 2015.
It’s unknown whether La Fiamma will field a local side.
Clubs will still nominate teams either as A or B-grade, with both grades to have a competition champion award.
Teams will play each other twice, with matches on Saturday afternoons and Tuesday evenings, starting from Saturday, April 11.
MSA president Greg Lumley said with just three clubs certain to play in the A-grade, it was the most practical way to run the competition.
“It’s the best we can do — obviously you can’t run a competition with three teams in A-grade, it would mean you’d have a bye every second week, ” he said.
“After speaking with the clubs and the teams in the open forum, the best option we could come up with is to go with the open competition, but still incorporate an A and B-grade into that.”
In the new competition players can move between A and B-grade teams on the basis only three players who take the field in an A-grade game may take the field in the B-grade game on the following playing date.
Teams will be locked in for the final four rounds.
Lumley said the association was working with Batavia United to have a men’s A-grade side in the future.
“They’re working towards it and I’ve been talking with them — it is in their plans, ” he said.
“The completion rules are such that you must field an A (grade) team before a B, but at the same time you’ve got to do what’s best for the competition.”
The women’s league will kick off on May 4, with all matches to be played on Monday evenings.
Lumley said the women’s league was still strong and would field eight teams again this year.
He encouraged anyone thinking about taking up the world game this year to check out the website www.midwestsoccer.com.au.
