SOUTHERN Branch Football has been rewarded for its wonderful consistency in both the women’s and girls divisions with the announcement a number of teams will be promoted to the NSW Arrive Alive Premier League competitions.

The under 12s, 14s, 16s and the reserve and first grade teams will all make the step up into the top league in the State in 2010.

The elevation into one of the country’s most elite competitions is a huge boost to Southern, which now has high hopes of luring some former players back to the area.

“We have a very busy time ahead, recruiting players, maintaining our current crop of young players and trying to entice some of the better players back to the area, but it’s just great news for Southern Branch,” said Southern Branch administrator Phil McColl.

The Premier League is expanding from eight to 10 teams, with the Southern girls making the cut after finishing third in the club championship this season.

“The club championship was won by the Inter Lions on 193 points, the Western NSW Panthers (Western Branch) came in second with 179 and Southern Branch was third with 177 points,” he said.

Despite the presence of several State players involved in the local sides, McColl knows the increase in opposition class is significant.

“We do have a number of State players in our side and a very good crop of young players, but if we can finish mid-table in that league, that would be absolutely fantastic,” he said.

Draws are expected to be released in the near future and a keen eye will be placed on first round match-ups.

“It may be a little while yet before they’re finalised but we should have a draw by the end of the month,” he said.

“They’ll all need to step up and take that next leap of faith, as they say.”