Soccer Club Faces Changes
ABC South East SA
Topic: Sports
Lily Izzo and Lauren Potter say their club should be able to play without a men's team.
In short:
Millicent United Soccer Club needs a men's team to compete next year.
The men's team has struggled, but the women's and junior teams are strong.
What's next?
Football South Australia must consider other clubs in the competition.
Lily Izzo is hopeful for the women's team this year.
The team is based in South Australia and has 18 players.
A ruling from Football South Australia could hurt the women's team.
The club has the most players it has ever had.
Lily Izzo is excited for the season.
The club struggled to field a senior men's team last year.
The team prepared to play in a lower division, but most players quit.
The club was allowed to play in junior and women's leagues.
If the club can't field a men's team, it can't play at all.
Lily Izzo says it's unfair to the female players.
The club's first team played in 1958.
The club is thriving, but might shut down.
League balancing fixture
Football South Australia knows regional clubs struggle.
The organization must balance participation and competition.
The league has a club-versus-club format.
Allowing some teams but not others creates problems.
Football SA has worked with Millicent United.
Football SA will continue to support the club.
Encouraging junior participation
Millicent United's situation is like others in Australia.
Rules promoting strong competition have a place.
Providing opportunities is key to addressing shortages.
Sam Elliott hosts a podcast about local sport.
Clubs and leagues must work together.
The goal is to promote opportunity and development.
Millicent United's women's team has strong player numbers.
The women's team is under pressure and under-resourced.
The club faces a shifting landscape of participants.
Fears over futures
The club can enter a men's team part-way through the season.
The town is 40 kilometers from the nearest club.
Stuart Nuske and Marcus McGrath want to encourage participation.
Many junior players would be lost if the club pulls out.
The club has a strong Mini-Roos competition.
Most kids won't play soccer in Mount Gambier if the club shuts down.
ABC South East SA has local news.
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