North Pines may not field team in Adelaide Footy League because of lack of numbers and players owing fees

A NORTHERN suburbs club could withdraw its senior men’s teams from the Adelaide Footy League this season because of a lack of numbers and being owed more than $10,000 in fees.

Para Hills' Lynton Power is tackled by North Pines' Justin Wakefield in a game last year. Picture: Bianca De Marchi

• North Pines avoids expulsion from Adelaide Football League
• $2000 fine could finish us, says North Pines Sports Club

NORTH Pines could withdraw its senior men’s football teams from the Adelaide Footy League this season because of a lack of numbers and being owed more than $10,000 in fees.

Club president Chad Buchanan said not enough players had registered to be able to field two teams.

Buchanan, also a Salisbury councillor, said the club was yet to receive payments from some players dating back to two years.

The Parafield Gardens sports club, which also has cricket, soccer and darts teams, fielded football sides in division seven and the seventh-tier’s reserves competition last season.

It plans to field an under-9 and under-10 football team this year.

North Pines president Chad Buchanan.

“Like all clubs in the north … we are not isolated in that (lack of numbers) issue,” Buchanan said.

“The club has to ensure that we do our best to recoup fees that haven’t been paid by players for the last two years.

“The club has in excess of $10,000 worth of fees outstanding and it’s not fair for those that do pay to continue subsidising a large number of players who are essentially freeloading.”

Buchanan said no final decision had been made on the senior program and the club had

until the end of this month to inform the league if it would feature this season.

If the Redbacks do not field sides, division seven will be reduced from 10 teams to nine.

“It’s not fair for a sporting club that has sports who pay their way to continually subsidise and pay for football,” Buchanan said.

“We are like every other club in the state doing our best to meet the obligations before the cut-off period and we still have a few weeks to do that.”

North Pines ended last season in ninth spot with four wins and 14 losses.

Adelaide Footy League chief executive John Kernahan said he would be disappointed to lose North Pines from the competition but “that certainly doesn't mean there’s nowhere for individuals to play football”.

“The league is aware of North Pines’ challenges,” Kernahan said.
“However, recruiting or more to the point, retention of players is a club responsibility.

“The beauty of competition is there is always another club ready to take in new players.”