Huge interest as new breakaway football competition kicks off

THE new football season kicking off on Saturday will be the start of a new era in the Hills.

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THE new football season kicking off on Saturday will be the start of a new era in the Hills.

The breakaway Sydney Hills Football Association, which has the backing of The Hills Council, will run its first competition in several age groups, from six years to over-45s.

One of the new clubs is Rouse Hill Rangers, whose president Mimmo Scavera is confident the new association will get eventually get sanctioned from Football NSW.

“We have around 280 kids but would like many more to join us,” Scavera said.

“There was a need for a new club in Rouse Hill and our goal is to meet the football needs of the kids in the area and grow as a club.

“Our main challenge is getting all the facilities we need, like more grounds.

“I think our association will be sanctioned by Football NSW in the near future.”

Scavera, whose two teenage sons are playing for the Rangers, has been involved with football, boxing and martial arts for many years in the area.

“I will be coaching three sides and playing for the over-35s,” Scavera said.

For Rouse Hill Rams, there won’t be any changes as they decided to stay with Granville and Districts Soccer Football Association and not join the new body.

“Rouse Hill Rams were very supportive when the initial proposal (from SHFA),” president Rob Watson said.

“However, as investigations went further, concerns about the non-sanctioning and lack of support from FNSW led the club to maintain its alliance with GDSFA, and all the mechanisms that support clubs, players, officials in football.

“So while we support the concept of the hills association, we value the relationships we have established with our current association.”

Watson said if Football NSW sanctions the Hills association, the Rams will join them. He said the club have a record 900 players for the competitions this season and will enter teams in every age group to senior this season.

“Our club is a grassroots club and we open our doors to all players and provide a safe, learning environment,” Watson said.

Meanwhile, Sydney Hills Football Association president Craig Gough said they are looking forward to seeing their teams in action.

“We have 14 clubs involved in the competition across several grounds in The Hills and probably got more than 1000 more players than expected,” Gough said.

“We have more than 7000 registered players and will be running a separate girls competition too.

“The number of players acknowledges that players in the Hills have got behind the association. A lot of players have also returned to play in the Hills after playing in other associations.

“One of our biggest growths is referees as we have more than 150 ensuring that all matches will have a ref, unlike in the Granville comp where 50 per cent may not get a ref.

“We also have a junior referees program with around 120 signed up.”

Other local clubs:

Granville & Districts SFA: Kellyville Kolts

Sydney Hills FA: Kellyville United

Blacktown & Districts SFA: Quakers Hill, Riverstone Schofields, Oakville United

New season

■ The 2016 season starts on April 2

■ Details: GDSFA: granvillesoccer.com.au

■ SHFA: sydneyhillsfootball.com.au