Stirling FC women STATE and RESERVE divisions

[Ash527]

Stirling Districts FC are looking for new players for the 2016 soccer season.

Stirling has exciting news this year with it's two teams seeing promotion into the STATE and RESERVES divisions within the FFSA competition. This exciting new change allows for Stirling to become the first ELITE women's football team registered within the Adelaide hills.



We at Stirling would like to invite players to join for the upcoming season to help be a part of this new adventure.



The STATE and RESERVES division is being deemed as an "elite gateway" into the possibilities of future promotion into the NPL Premier league division and from there selection into higher division clubs.



This new structure within the FFSA is a first step towards an ELITE pathway for all women's teams within the Adelaide hills and we at Stirling Districts FC would love for you to be a part of this new and exciting opportunity.



Currently the 2016 season is due to commence on the 3rd April 2016 - subject to change.



Training for the women's teams are currently held every Wednesday night at Bradwood park, Bradbury 6.30pm-8pm.

** Sunday sessions are occasionally held also.


For more information please contact:

Luke Hancock 0423 233 027

Roy Mather 0409 119 211

[Black Hawk]

Very exciting news for Hills football

[United We Stand]

Good luck Stirling for the upcoming season. Great to see a Hills team moving in to the State League. It would be nice if they could reach the NPL one day.

[united92]

Apparently dropping back down to Div 1 now? Interesting for a team that has won the League/Cup double for the last 2 years. Would have thought they'd be right up there foghting for promotion into the NPL for 2017

[the barbarian]

if true a real shame and sorry to hear

[SwandelPark]

What a joke!

Surely this decision could have been made weeks ago!

[united92]

What a joke!

Surely this decision could have been made weeks ago!

Would have made sense. If FFSA had any balls they'd make them play in it. Throws the whole structure out the window now.

[themagnet]

Real shame to see these guys drop out. Very strong A team for the last couple of years, and their 2nd team (div 2/3 I think last year) were good at that level too. I know they had juniors as recently as a couple of years ago so it's surprising to see how quickly it's dropped off to only having one team. Surely this team is a pathway for the girls coming through the Adelaide Hills association?

[snow white]

What a joke!

Surely this decision could have been made weeks ago!

It's the inevitable outcome when an organisation allows clubs to self assess whether they make the criteria or not, without any independant assessment.

Most likely we will have WNPL clubs kick off this weekend, who will not meet the WNPL criteria, but by then, it will all be too late, and the respective clubs will be allowed to carry on as is, even though the issues were obvious to all for many months.

[Journeyman]

What a joke!

Surely this decision could have been made weeks ago!

It's the inevitable outcome when an organisation allows clubs to self assess whether they make the criteria or not, without any independant assessment.

Most likely we will have WNPL clubs kick off this weekend, who will not meet the WNPL criteria, but by then, it will all be too late, and the respective clubs will be allowed to carry on as is, even though the issues were obvious to all for many months.

Credit to Stirling for making the tough call, albeit quite close to the start of the season ( post the Sth Adelaide / FFSA game )

If the pig headed WNPL club had the same amount of balls as Stirling and admitted that they will not meet the criteria come the beginning of the first round on Friday, I suspect almost all of this could have been avoided by simply dropping back to the State League, consolidating their position and allowing one of the clubs in the State League who clearly DO meet the criteria to enter the WNPL...might have saved part if not all of this headache.

[snow white]

What a joke!

Surely this decision could have been made weeks ago!

It's the inevitable outcome when an organisation allows clubs to self assess whether they make the criteria or not, without any independant assessment.

Most likely we will have WNPL clubs kick off this weekend, who will not meet the WNPL criteria, but by then, it will all be too late, and the respective clubs will be allowed to carry on as is, even though the issues were obvious to all for many months.

Credit to Stirling for making the tough call, albeit quite close to the start of the season ( post the Sth Adelaide / FFSA game )

If the pig headed WNPL club had the same amount of balls as Stirling and admitted that they will not meet the criteria come the beginning of the first round on Friday, I suspect almost all of this could have been avoided by simply dropping back to the State League, consolidating their position and allowing one of the clubs in the State League who clearly DO meet the criteria to enter the WNPL...might have saved part if not all of this headache.

Agree 100%. Unfortunately, the only thing the clubs were required to do, to prove they met the criteria, was merely just state they would!!!! Absolutely ludicrous situation, especially given now we have a club pulling out on the eve of the start, putting into jeopardy the entire State League comp.

What makes this unforgivable is that this issue has been robustly debated in public since last year, but has fallen on deaf ears to those who make the decisions.

Does anyone know what are the penalties (if any) are under the national WNPL guidelines for clubs who break the criteria requirements?

[Journeyman]

Credit to Stirling for making the tough call, albeit quite close to the start of the season ( post the Sth Adelaide / FFSA game )

If the pig headed WNPL club had the same amount of balls as Stirling and admitted that they will not meet the criteria come the beginning of the first round on Friday, I suspect almost all of this could have been avoided by simply dropping back to the State League, consolidating their position and allowing one of the clubs in the State League who clearly DO meet the criteria to enter the WNPL...might have saved part if not all of this headache.

Agree 100%. Unfortunately, the only thing the clubs were required to do, to prove they met the criteria, was merely just state they would!!!! Absolutely ludicrous situation, especially given now we have a club pulling out on the eve of the start, putting into jeopardy the entire State League comp.

What makes this unforgivable is that this issue has been robustly debated in public since last year, but has fallen on deaf ears to those who make the decisions.

Does anyone know what are the penalties (if any) are under the national WNPL guidelines for clubs who break the criteria requirements?

I've heard everything from a 3 point deduction for each age group that they fail to register ( ie. 3 points deducted for no U13 plus a further 3 points for no U15 = 6 points TOTAL ) to an "Awww, you guys tricked us didnt you. Scalawags, now be off with you"

[snow white]

Credit to Stirling for making the tough call, albeit quite close to the start of the season ( post the Sth Adelaide / FFSA game )

If the pig headed WNPL club had the same amount of balls as Stirling and admitted that they will not meet the criteria come the beginning of the first round on Friday, I suspect almost all of this could have been avoided by simply dropping back to the State League, consolidating their position and allowing one of the clubs in the State League who clearly DO meet the criteria to enter the WNPL...might have saved part if not all of this headache.

Agree 100%. Unfortunately, the only thing the clubs were required to do, to prove they met the criteria, was merely just state they would!!!! Absolutely ludicrous situation, especially given now we have a club pulling out on the eve of the start, putting into jeopardy the entire State League comp.

What makes this unforgivable is that this issue has been robustly debated in public since last year, but has fallen on deaf ears to those who make the decisions.

Does anyone know what are the penalties (if any) are under the national WNPL guidelines for clubs who break the criteria requirements?

I've heard everything from a 3 point deduction for each age group that they fail to register ( ie. 3 points deducted for no U13 plus a further 3 points for no U15 = 6 points TOTAL ) to an "Awww, you guys tricked us didnt you. Scalawags, now be off with you"

Are they one off point's deductions or every time a team forfeits? To cop a 6 point penalty (over 21 rounds) but get to stay in the WNPL is a joke.

[Rightside]

Stirling have decided to keep their spot in state league

[themagnet]

Stirling have decided to keep their spot in state league

Magically found a whole team

[scipio africanus]

Seriously, what a farce.

No doubt serious pressure was brought to bear on Stirling to reverse their decision. Where they find the players they didn't have yesterday is the next question.

If only clubs had had their claims that they meet the criteria, independently verified by the governing body, we wouldn't be in this situation on the eve of the season starting.

Looks like the penalties for non-compliance will be mere slaps on the wrists. Its pays to openly lie about meeting the criteria it seems and just cop weak penalties.

[united92]

Seriously, what a farce.

No doubt serious pressure was brought to bear on Stirling to reverse their decision. Where they find the players they didn't have yesterday is the next question.

If only clubs had had their claims that they meet the criteria, independently verified by the governing body, we wouldn't be in this situation on the eve of the season starting.

Looks like the penalties for non-compliance will be mere slaps on the wrists. Its pays to openly lie about meeting the criteria it seems and just cop weak penalties.

Perhaps they already had the players and were trying to drop to win easy trophies?

[scipio africanus]

Seriously, what a farce.

No doubt serious pressure was brought to bear on Stirling to reverse their decision. Where they find the players they didn't have yesterday is the next question.

If only clubs had had their claims that they meet the criteria, independently verified by the governing body, we wouldn't be in this situation on the eve of the season starting.

Looks like the penalties for non-compliance will be mere slaps on the wrists. Its pays to openly lie about meeting the criteria it seems and just cop weak penalties.

Perhaps they already had the players and were trying to drop to win easy trophies?

Perhaps, but given this thread was originally created in Feb (refer first post) by Stirling actively advertising for new players, I think your scenario is highly unlikely.

[Black Hawk]

Unfortunately Stirling do not have enough players for 2 teams.

They were threatened that if they did not play in the FFSA SL they may not get any team in any league. Faced with what seems no choice Stirling have relented but as the numbers stand this week there will be forfeited reserve games when there are not suffice numbers.

The club clearly recognises it has a duty of care responsibility to the players and would not be doubling players up for 2 games a day as 18 available players would soon be 17, 16 ,15 as injury toll hits.

Any new players are very welcome.

[Rightside]

So that threat was only put to them after the announcement went public Tuesday and not during initial discussions?

[scipio africanus]

So that threat was only put to them after the announcement went public Tuesday and not during initial discussions?

Excellent point.

Official email went out saying Stirling out of State League.

Powers of be must have read the forum and backtracked furiously thereafter.

Policy on the run ..... Cue the Benny Hill music

[Danny Way]

Unfortunately Stirling do not have enough players for 2 teams.

They were threatened that if they did not play in the FFSA SL they may not get any team in any league. Faced with what seems no choice Stirling have relented but as the numbers stand this week there will be forfeited reserve games when there are not suffice numbers.

The club clearly recognises it has a duty of care responsibility to the players and would not be doubling players up for 2 games a day as 18 available players would soon be 17, 16 ,15 as injury toll hits.

Any new players are very welcome.

So in the best interest of their own club and players and also knowing that they do not have enough players to meet the FFSA criteria for teams, Stirling make the very tough and brave (knowing the flack that they will receive for doing it so late) decision to pull out of the State League competition no doubt with the intention of dropping back into the social league, allowing their players to still be able to continue playing the game, possibly rebuilding numbers and having having another crack at the State League down the track.
The FFSA ( whose prime directive I would think is to promote this great game and make it accessible to as many girls/women as possible) when faced with some work to do, take the option of making the point to Stirling that may not be accepted into any of the social leagues, let alone div 1,and thus basically, executing the club and denying how many girls the opportunity to play the game.
The interesting point is that, they apparently suggest that there is no spot in the social leagues for them but although Stirling admit that they cannot meet the FFSA criteria for teams in the State league, and FFSA know that Stirling cannot meet the criteria that has been set for the State League, there is a spot there and Stirling are effectively being forced to play there, apparently against their wishes, if their girls are to play this great game.
I feel so sorry for the Stirling Womens Football club.
I guess it gives the opportunity for the FFSA to fine Stirling every second or third week when they cannot field a reserves side

[the barbarian]

oh dear if this allegation is accurate further Sh...t will hit the fan, obviously does not matter if you meet the criteria or not?? stirling did the right thing to accept could not meet criteria, advised ffsa , now it seems/alleged are forced to play in wsl? that being said if fined for no reserves, forfeits they should refuse to pay the fine. as technically they are forced to play in a comp they do not meet the criteria to play in. So what happens after easter when WNPL junior comp starts some teams do not have some age groups?
Just another thought for stirling perhaps ask to play either prems or reserves on wednesday/tue/thurs nights and the other sunday? then perhaps less total number of players required. if no of players available is the issue?

[snow white]

Unfortunately Stirling do not have enough players for 2 teams.

They were threatened that if they did not play in the FFSA SL they may not get any team in any league. Faced with what seems no choice Stirling have relented but as the numbers stand this week there will be forfeited reserve games when there are not suffice numbers.

The club clearly recognises it has a duty of care responsibility to the players and would not be doubling players up for 2 games a day as 18 available players would soon be 17, 16 ,15 as injury toll hits.

Any new players are very welcome.

So in the best interest of their own club and players and also knowing that they do not have enough players to meet the FFSA criteria for teams, Stirling make the very tough and brave (knowing the flack that they will receive for doing it so late) decision to pull out of the State League competition no doubt with the intention of dropping back into the social league, allowing their players to still be able to continue playing the game, possibly rebuilding numbers and having having another crack at the State League down the track.
The FFSA ( whose prime directive I would think is to promote this great game and make it accessible to as many girls/women as possible) when faced with some work to do, take the option of making the point to Stirling that may not be accepted into any of the social leagues, let alone div 1,and thus basically, executing the club and denying how many girls the opportunity to play the game.
The interesting point is that, they apparently suggest that there is no spot in the social leagues for them but although Stirling admit that they cannot meet the FFSA criteria for teams in the State league, and FFSA know that Stirling cannot meet the criteria that has been set for the State League, there is a spot there and Stirling are effectively being forced to play there, apparently against their wishes, if their girls are to play this great game.
I feel so sorry for the Stirling Womens Football club.
I guess it gives the opportunity for the FFSA to fine Stirling every second or third week when they cannot field a reserves side

The circus continues.

This topic has raged publicly since October last year, when it was evident that some clubs were granted WNPL status on the basis that they stated they would meet the criteria, at the expense of clubs like Comets and South who had legitimate senior and youth set ups and were ready to go.

I get the point that you need to give time to clubs to recruit and build over the summer, but surely at some point, the powers that be, needed to validate player registrations with the clubs admitted to the WNPL. Not too hard given registrations are on-line and FFSA can see with a touch of a mouse how player rego's are going.

The competition now starts tonight and it appears that at least one WNPL club will not field all the required teams. The consequence?? Perhaps a minor points penalty and small fine but they maintain their WNPL status having not told the truth about their position (at least publicly anyway).

Surely the powers that be, are aware of this, but are more than happy for a fine and points penalty to occur and all is merry.

If I were Comets or South, I would be filthy.

We have all been played for mugs.

The rules never mattered. It's who you know which does.

Feel sorry for Stirling. At least they owned up to being in player difficulty and offered to withdraw from the comp, which was originally accepted by the powers that be. Now they are forced to play in a comp which they don't make the criteria by the very people who make the criteria!!!!!

[Rightside]

Which WNPL clubs don't meet the criteria? What junior teams are they short, is there confirmation?

[snow white]

Which WNPL clubs don't meet the criteria? What junior teams are they short, is there confirmation?

No confirmation. Implicated clubs have been noted on forum previously. Just rumour and observation. Stand to be corrected of course, but the writing on the wall has there for some time and from multiple sources.

[neatsta]

United 92: Your comment about dropping players to win trophies is pretty insulting to the players, the Club and every team they played against. Do you think Stirling remained in Div 1 by choice to win easy trophies such as the Cup and League back to back? I can assure you that they faced some decent opposition week in and week out, fighting every step of the way for those trophies. Do you think Salisbury Inter or South Adelaide felt they were playing teams which took it easy on them? That both teams on the pitch weren't fighting just as hard as each other for the win? PLEASE...

Fact: they are still looking for players
Fact: in 2015 (last year) they were struggling for players throughout the majority of the season, with a number of the Div 3 team having to participate in a second game to field teams, even carrying injuries, to pull together and get the Club through the season.
Fact: in 2014 they had sufficient players to field 2x teams, which is why they introduced a second team.
Fact: every girl that sets foot on the pitch from that Club doesn't want anything they haven't earned. I'd like to think that is the same across the board with other clubs.

I'm not sure how your comment is useful to the larger issue at hand?

I think instead of assuming the worst of people and making completely unfounded accusations, everyone should put their energies into trying to find a solution to the problem(s) that are identified. The only way anything will improve is if Clubs support each other and work together.

AND... if anyone is keen on returning to the game, taking up the game, or looking for a team that has a really good bunch of girls, please contact Stirling. You will be welcomed with open arms! It's about a 20 - 25 minute drive from the bottom of the freeway, and parking is free and not an issue!!

[Lucas Leiva]

The only way anything will improve is if Clubs support each other and work together.

I think the statement is the one everyone should take away from this topic.

If clubs work together to strengthen the competition, then we'll all have a sustainable competition for decades, not just seasons.

Too many times the teams I coach are frustrated by other clubs withdrawing on the eve of the season (the last 3 seasons), reducing the number of games we play and the opportunities to improve as a team. These clubs then reappear in lower divisions either that season or the next, to the frustrations of the division they exited and the division the entered (which the inevitably tend to compete well in). And the cycle continues because nobody is willing to push their club through the hard yards.

It is these clubs that should focus on creating a longer term structure and plan to sustain their womens teams. Start with an U13 and U17 team, and grow from there. The former enables an opportunity to feed a senior team in years to come, and the latter creates an instant conveyor belt to sustain that senior team. It is this lack of foresight that has seen many clubs fall short in the past.

Having said this though, one by one the clubs doing the right things grow. We should take the positives from the WSL - there are now two clubs growing at a fast rate in Inter and South Adelaide. There is another club in Comets trying to implement the right long term structure. And half of the clubs in the WNPL - Metro (2), PHK (2), Uni (5) - have now started to establish multiple community division teams to grow the club even deeper and create multiple pathways for their juniors.

Another great example is Vipers FC. They played in Division 5 last year and rarely fielded 11 players, but after a hard first year they now have a bigger squad and have entered Division 3. This is a great example of sticking with a vision. That's grafting hard and reaping the longer term benefit.