Courtesy of 
Tony Bird.
CAMERON BURNELL/Taranaki Daily News
BUDDING TALENT: Ali Smith, 7, who plays for the Leopards under-8 soccer team, launches into a kick during practice at Merrilands School yesterday.
Junior soccer in Taranaki is full steam ahead, with Central Football backing down to rebel group Taranaki Soccer.
Central Football announced yesterday it had agreed to let Taranaki Soccer run junior competitions for under-10 players and below, with a permanent resolution to be worked on for next season.
The solution buys the warring factions, Taranaki Soccer and the New Zealand Football affiliated-Central Football, time to resolve the issues which led to the split.
Breakaway group Taranaki Soccer formed last season, mostly because of concerns over the cost for junior players to compete in the Central Football competition and also worries over the administration of the game.
It became so popular the number of teams entered in its competitions more than doubled this year, leaving Central Football's numbers flattened.
It received just seven entries for teams for both joint 6-7 year-old and 8-9 year-old divisions – too few to run a worthwhile competition, Central Football chief executive John McGifford said yesterday.
"What we have done in consultation with Taranaki Soccer is to encourage our junior teams to go into the Taranaki Soccer competition for 2011," he said. "We are just going to concentrate on the seniors and youth grades."
McGifford said the action taken was the sensible option for the good of the game and those involved.
"For us to put on a very watered-down competition wasn't good for anyone.
"We're obviously very grateful to [the clubs and schools] that did support us, but we would have only been doing an injustice if we'd carried on [running another competition for the junior grades]."
McGifford said team contacts of all 14 teams that entered in the Central Football junior competition had been phoned by administrator Carolyn Arthur and told of the decision.
"Their reaction was mixed," he said. "Some were frustrated by it, but also accepting."
McGifford said only teams Central Football could provide a competition for would be billed for fees.
He said he had discussed the move with Taranaki Soccer committee member Mary Burkitt and she had assured him all Central Football teams would be taken in under the Taranaki Soccer umbrella.
Taranaki Soccer spokesman Neil Smith welcomed the turnaround in attitude towards his group of volunteers.
"This is exactly what we wanted ages ago," he said. "It's good they've finally listened. I'm just so happy it's all sorted. The main thing is that, weather permitting this Saturday, we can get up running."
Smith said the draws committee were redoing the draws for the expected 128 junior teams in time for the playing of what will be the opening round of the competition on Saturday.
Smith said he still would like to sit down with McGifford and build on the relationships between the two providers.
"It's something we can fine-tune," he said.
"The main thing is that on Saturday we will be up and running."
- Taranaki Daily News
Ka pai...Ka wini mai nga tamariki ki roto te waahi o Taranaki...Tihei Mauriora, Tamariki Ma!
Football in New Zealand needs the Taranaki children however, the Taranaki children DON'T NEED Frank van Hattum or Johanna Woodward.
"When the Going Got Tough!...The Tough Stayed Put and WON! YeeHa!
Tony Bird.
CAMERON BURNELL/Taranaki Daily News
BUDDING TALENT: Ali Smith, 7, who plays for the Leopards under-8 soccer team, launches into a kick during practice at Merrilands School yesterday.
Junior soccer in Taranaki is full steam ahead, with Central Football backing down to rebel group Taranaki Soccer.
Central Football announced yesterday it had agreed to let Taranaki Soccer run junior competitions for under-10 players and below, with a permanent resolution to be worked on for next season.
The solution buys the warring factions, Taranaki Soccer and the New Zealand Football affiliated-Central Football, time to resolve the issues which led to the split.
Breakaway group Taranaki Soccer formed last season, mostly because of concerns over the cost for junior players to compete in the Central Football competition and also worries over the administration of the game.
It became so popular the number of teams entered in its competitions more than doubled this year, leaving Central Football's numbers flattened.
It received just seven entries for teams for both joint 6-7 year-old and 8-9 year-old divisions – too few to run a worthwhile competition, Central Football chief executive John McGifford said yesterday.
"What we have done in consultation with Taranaki Soccer is to encourage our junior teams to go into the Taranaki Soccer competition for 2011," he said. "We are just going to concentrate on the seniors and youth grades."
McGifford said the action taken was the sensible option for the good of the game and those involved.
"For us to put on a very watered-down competition wasn't good for anyone.
"We're obviously very grateful to [the clubs and schools] that did support us, but we would have only been doing an injustice if we'd carried on [running another competition for the junior grades]."
McGifford said team contacts of all 14 teams that entered in the Central Football junior competition had been phoned by administrator Carolyn Arthur and told of the decision.
"Their reaction was mixed," he said. "Some were frustrated by it, but also accepting."
McGifford said only teams Central Football could provide a competition for would be billed for fees.
He said he had discussed the move with Taranaki Soccer committee member Mary Burkitt and she had assured him all Central Football teams would be taken in under the Taranaki Soccer umbrella.
Taranaki Soccer spokesman Neil Smith welcomed the turnaround in attitude towards his group of volunteers.
"This is exactly what we wanted ages ago," he said. "It's good they've finally listened. I'm just so happy it's all sorted. The main thing is that, weather permitting this Saturday, we can get up running."
Smith said the draws committee were redoing the draws for the expected 128 junior teams in time for the playing of what will be the opening round of the competition on Saturday.
Smith said he still would like to sit down with McGifford and build on the relationships between the two providers.
"It's something we can fine-tune," he said.
"The main thing is that on Saturday we will be up and running."
- Taranaki Daily News
Ka pai...Ka wini mai nga tamariki ki roto te waahi o Taranaki...Tihei Mauriora, Tamariki Ma!
Football in New Zealand needs the Taranaki children however, the Taranaki children DON'T NEED Frank van Hattum or Johanna Woodward.
"When the Going Got Tough!...The Tough Stayed Put and WON! YeeHa!
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