Western United set to expand their presence in Tasmania

Photo:  Western United CEO Chris Pehlivanis (left) and Football Tasmania CEO Matt Bulkeley at yesterday's announcement at North Hobart Oval. [PlessPix] 

The A-League will be back in Hobart in January after a long absence.

A-League champions Western United, who have made Tasmania their second home, will play Sydney FC at North Hobart Oval on 21 January 2023.

The match will be preceded by a W-League game between Western United and Brisbane Roar, which will be the first W-League game ever in Tasmania.

The game was announced yesterday at North Hobart Oval by Western United’s CEO, Chris Chris Pehlivanis and Football Tasmania CEO Matt Bulkeley.

Western United will also play another A-League match, against Wellington Phoenix, at Launceston’s UTAS Stadium on Friday 17 February 2023 at 7.45pm.

Western United have played in Launceston now for three years running (four games for three wins and a draw) and this will be their first trip south to the capital.

Photo:  Former Tasmanian David Clarkson poses with excited Western United youngsters at North Hobart Oval. [PlessPix]  

Pehlivanis said his club was keen to promote the A-league in Tasmania and also fully supported Tasmania having its own A-League team, which would provide a great opportunity for a regular ‘derby’ between Western United and a Tassie A-League side.

“After fantastic experiences in Tasmania over the last two years, it was crucial for us to bring even more elite football to the football community in Tasmania,” Pehlivanis said.

 

“We are very excited to bring professional men’s and women’s football to new fans in Hobart, but we also wanted to make sure we continue to thank our supporters in Launceston and provide them with more opportunity to feel part of the Green and Black.

 

“A big thank you to Football Tasmania and the Tasmanian Government for all of their support.

“We can’t wait to be back next year and look forward to seeing all of our fans across the two venues.”

Football Tasmania CEO, Matt Bulkeley, was excited by the prospect of Western United playing games again in Tasmania.

“Western United’s presence in Tasmania has provided a great boost for football in the state, giving fans a taste of top-flight competition,” Bulkeley said.

“It’s fantastic to, not only have them return to Tasmania, but to be also coming to North Hobart Oval for a men’s and women’s double-header in January which promises to be a huge day for Tasmanian football.”

Photo (L-R):  Western United FC CEO Chris Pehlivanis, Football Tasmania CEO Matt Bulkeley, Football Tasmania Coach Development Manager David Smith and Western United General Manager Community and Government Relations Darren Harris. [PlessPix]

Photo:  Darren Harris (left), Western United's General Manager Community and Government Relations, pictured with former Tasmanian, David Clarkson, who is Western United's Community Football Ambassador, at North Hobart Oval. [PlessPix] 

Olympia Warriors miss out on NPL and WSL

Photo:  Football Tasmania president Bob Gordon (left) and CEO Matt Bulkeley at today's media conference to announce the NPL and WSL teams for 2023. [PlessPix] 

Olympia Warriors have missed out on the NPL Tasmania and the Women's Super League competitions for 2023.

Launceston United have been granted an NPL licence and will take Olympia's spot in the competition.

Nine clubs applied for licences  -  the eight clubs from the 2022 NPL season, as well as Launceston United from the Northern Championship.

Olympia was adjudged not to have met the required criteria for 2023 and have been replaced by Launceston United.

This means there will be four northern teams and four southern teams in the 2023 NPL.

The teams are:  Devonport Strikers, South Hobart, Kingborough Lions United, Glenorchy Knights, Launceston City, Clarence Zebras, Launceston United and Riverside Olympic.

Playing performance is not a criterion, but facilities, qualified coaches and sufficient number of players are, and this is where Olympia fell short.

Their artificial pitch at Warrior Park is not deemed to be up to standard.

Some of the club's coaches were adjudged not to have the prerequisite qualifications for their roles, and with the requirement for four youth teams  -  one of which will be the Under-21 team that underpins the NPL senior competition  -  the club was considered to be short of players.

Football Tasmania intend to work with Olympia and the Clarence City Council to address the problem with the club's facilities.

It is believed that an artificial pitch that meets FIFA's minimum standards could cost up to $1 million.

The Women's Super League will be reduced to six teams with the exclusion of Olympia.

The 2023 competition will consist of Clarence Zebras, Devonport Strikers, Kingborough Lions United, Launceston United, South Hobart and Taroona.

Again, Olympia were stripped of their licence because they failed to meet the criteria, which include a requirement for youth teams, which Olympia did not have.

Football Tasmania would like to expand the NPL to 10 teams by 2024 and will work with Olympia to help the club return to the NPL and the WSL as soon as possible. 

While the decision must be disappointing for Olympia's players, coaches and fans  -  they have recently announced the appointment of former Australian Under-20 captain Kurt Reynolds as senior coach  -  the situation is not unique.

Olympia were relegated from the State League in 1979  -  ironically, together with Launceston United.

When the State League ended in 1981 and regional leagues were reintroduced in 1982, Olympia were included in the Premier League South, the top-flight competition.

There is a way back for them, but it will take time, money and a concerted effort by everyone involved with the club.

Glenorchy Knights showed it is possible.

They were dropped from the NPL and won the Southern Championship three years in a row before finally being readmitted and winning the NPL title in 2021, their first year back in the top flight.

Launceston Church Grammar Boys beat reigning champions Guilford Young College in 2022 SATIS Boys' Final

Photo:  Aidan Featherstone, the Guilford Young keeper, cuts out an attack. [PlessPix] 

Launceston Church Grammar are the 2022 SATIS Boys’ State champions.

They beat reigning champions Guilford Young College 4-3 in a nail-biting final at Guilford Young College in Glenorchy today.

Photo:  Launceston Church Grammar goalscorer celebrates. [PlessPix]  

The Launceston Church Grammar marksmen were Oliver Jacobs, captain Lochie Dean, and Sebastian Gardiner, who netted twice.

Josh Divin, The Guilford Young skipper and a senior NPL player with South Hobart, replied with two goals, while Ethan Medhurst grabbed the other goal for the home side.

Photo:  Action from the Boys' final. [PlessPix]

Photo:  Launceston Church Grammar on the attack. [PlessPix]

Photo:  Guilford Young keeper Aidan Featherstone is beaten. [PlessPix]

Photo:  A Guilford Young player shows his ball skills in front of his team's supporters. [PlessPix] 

Photo:  A midfield tussle. [PlessPix]

Guilford Young College take out 2022 SATIS Girls' Final

Photo:  The winning Guilford Young College Girls' XI and their coach, Rochelle Hoare, with the trophy. [PlessPix] 

Launceston Church Grammar School Girls relinquished the SATIS State Soccer title when they were beaten by Guilford Young College Girls at Glenorchy today in an exciting final.

The sides were level at 2-2 at the end of normal time and the game went into extra-time.

Photo:  Guilford Young score from the spot. [PlessPix]
 

Both sides scored in the extra-time period to make it 3-3 and take the contest to a penalty shoot-out.

Guilford Young College won the penalty shoot-out 4-2.

Photo:  Principal Mr Messer presents Guilford Young captains Eve Swain and Bronte Gadon with the trophy. [PlessPix]

Bianca Anderson gave Launceston Church Grammar a 1-0 lead at half-time, but Charlotte Butler equalised early in the second half.

Anderson restored Launceston Church Grammar’s lead, but Butler again equalised for the home side.

In extra-time, Jade Freeman appeared to have scored the winner for Launceston Church Grammar, but Guilford Young College earned a penalty in the final minute of extra-time.

Photo:  A successful Guilford Young penalty, watched by referee Tyson Barrett. [PlessPix]  

Eve Swain netted the spot-kick to make it 3-3 and take the game to a penalty shoot-out.

Swain took the first penalty but the visitors’ keeper saved.

The home side’s goalkeeper saved Launceston Church Grammar’s first penalty to even things up.

Guilford Young College then gained the upper hand and scored all four of their remaining penalties, while Launceston Church Grammar were only able to convert two of theirs.

Photo:  Meg Goscombe scores for Guilford Young in the penalty shoot-out. [PlessPix]

Photo:  Guilford's Bronte Gadon (left) in pursuit of an opponent. [PlessPix]
 

Photo:  Guilford's Charlotte Butler (right) tries to catch up with an opposing attacker. [PlessPix]

Photo:  Guilford's Eve Swain gets a pass away. [PlessPix]

 

Photo:  The two goalkeepers show great sporting spirit and respect between penalty kicks. [PlessPix]

Photo:  Guilford Young rifle home another spot-kick. [PlessPix]