WHAT does 2010 have in store for the South Coast AFL?
According to SCAFL president Katy Daniel, the season ahead is shaping up to be one of the biggest for a number of years.
“If everything goes to plan it will be one of our biggest seasons for a number of years in terms of teams,” she said.
“At this early stage we have nine sides confirmed for first grade and at best case scenario eight in reserve grade.
“The first grade sides are all committed and we are just waiting for confirmation on the reserve grade make up – but at this early stage everything is looking good.”
First grade for 2010 will include Kiama, Bomaderry, Albatross, Northern Districts, Port Kembla, Wollondilly, while the Nowra Blues and Ulladulla Dockers are returning to the top grade and will be joined for the first time by the University of Wollongong who are stepping up after a couple of successful seasons in reserve grade.
A new club is also set to join reserve grade, with Figtree keen to build on its big Auskick base and after fielding under 17s teams last year there is plenty of interest there and they want to tap into that and will entered a senior side.
“It’s fantastic to see the league growing” Daniel said.
“Great to see Nowra and Ulladulla back into first grade and Uni stepping up.
“It will be interesting to see how Uni goes – they have certainly been dominant in reserve grade over the past couple of years and they are now ready to make the step up to the top grade.
“They will always have trouble with players, it is hard because so many of their players are transient and often come and go, but they will look to be consistent.
“The league gave them time to establish themselves and now is the time for them to step up.
“It’s great also to see Ulladulla back into the top grade, they played reserve grade last year and in 2010 have a very strong committee behind the club now they just need players to step up.
“And even though Nowra is still in a rebuilding phase I think they will be competitive.
“It will be interesting to see how Kiama bounces back after winning both first and reserve grade titles last year.
“They have worked long and hard to achieve that success and word out of the Power is that they are keen to build on that and perhaps try and emulate Bomaderry’s success.
“Of course the Tigers were gunning for four straight titles last year and went down to Kiama in the grand final and that is sure to reignite some fires within the Tigers.
“Albatross will always give you a good battle and they are looking to build up this season, Norths have been so close for so many years - will they break through this year?
“And Port will be looking for a better showing than last year.”
Representative football will also be a major focus in SCAFL in 2010.
“We have really reinvigorated rep footy over the past couple of seasons and we want to build on that,” she said.
“We will again be taking part in the NSW AFL Carnival in Wagga Wagga in June.
“The clubs seem to be supporting rep footy and that’s certainly a positive.”
The umpiring ranks within the SCAFL are also going well.
“We are one of the few leagues to actually increase umpiring numbers in the past couple of years,” Daniel said.
“We have recruited well and our numbers continue to grow.
“And that’s down to the great job by umpire co-ordinator Joe Tatnell.
“In fact Joe and Craig Daniel will be attending the national coaching and umpires conference in Adelaide this weekend.
“And later in February we will have a field umpire and possibly a goal or boundary umpire coming to the area as part of the AFL Road Show,
“I’m really looking forward to season 2010 – the indications are it’s going to be one of our biggest and best seasons.”
At this stage it is tentatively planned for the SCAFL season to kick off with the now traditional Tom Smith Round Robin on Saturday, March 27, at Tom Smith Oval Albatross, while the season proper is scheduled to start on Saturday, April 10.
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