Adelaide United youth team admitted to SA State League

STATE League soccer clubs fear Adelaide United’s inclusion in the local competition will create an uneven playing field — just like the Crows and Power joining the SANFL.

19/04/14 Western Strikers walk off the pitch after their win with Frank Tibaldi (Co-Coach). Premier League Soccer. Campbelltown v Western Strikers, at Steve Woodcock Sports Centre. Picture Stephen Laffer

STATE League soccer clubs are concerned Adelaide United’s inclusion in the local competition will create an uneven playing field and drain them of their best young players.

Football Federation SA last month announced the Reds’ youth team would play in the second tier in 2015.

But several club chairmen, including Western Strikers’ Aggie Giannini, said the move would have a detrimental effect on the league.

“There’s potentially three Strikers boys in that (Adelaide United youth) system and it’s great to produce players to go on to the elite level,” Giannini said.

“But when that young player comes back and plays against your club it’s taking away from what we’re really here for.

“We like to think that all clubs play by the same rules, but unfortunately this isn’t going to be a level playing field.”

Adelaide United will have a first team in the State League, comprised mainly of players from its National Youth League squad, and a reserves side, featuring under-20 players.

FFSA’s National Training Centre side will play as the Reds’ under-18 team.

Clubs have likened the move to the SANFL which last season featured reserves teams from AFL clubs Adelaide and Port Adelaide for the first time.

Playford City chairman Shane Hillman said United’s inclusion made it tough for clubs battling on tight budgets.

“Like a lot of clubs we haven’t got the money to be paying big dollars to get players to come in, so we hope our juniors can come through and play for our first team,” Hillman said.

“But now we’ll be playing against paid players who have got the best-of-the-best coaching, trainers and medical staff.”

Seaford chairman Terry Wraight said clubs had hoped for more say on the addition of the Reds.

“It’s totally unfair — we can’t compete against them,” Wright said.

“We never got to vote on it.”

FFSA operations manager Wendy Carter said United’s entry in the State League followed a Football Federation Australia directive for A-League club’s youth sides to play in local competitions.

“The clubs have been well informed all along of the process,” Carter said.

“This allows those players (selected by Adelaide United) to remain in the competition and like any competition, players will always move to where they can progress their careers.”

Carter said the Reds, who would use the new Parks Football Centre as their home ground, would be treated like other clubs in terms of promotion and relegation.

Adelaide United chief executive Michael Petrillo said the chance for SA players to develop in the club’s State League sides would help more local youngsters progress to professional ranks.

Adelaide United opens it State League campaign away to Adelaide Hills on Wednesday, February 18.