A December Letter

I notice on Walter’s site a lengthy debate on the merits of a State league. The views expressed are varied on the format of such a competition.

However I feel we should pause and examine previous attempts to form and maintain a statewide competition. Perhaps we may learn something.

One point of difference between the late Steve Gasparinatos and yours truly was that I believe we can profit from history whereas Steve used to say the only way was forward and history was history.

The first State League was formed in 1978. The competition was first mooted in 1976 and all and sundry poured scorn on the concept. This all changed when the Tasmanian Soccer Federation announced that the competition would commence in 1978, from then on it was a mad scramble to lodge the applications. Everyone wanted to be in it. In latter years I sighted a few, the best works of fiction I have seen for a long time. The most stunning Junior development programmes, Stadiums and facilities one could imagine.

Eventually things got under way with 8 teams. There was no reserve league, the reserves taking the place of their Senior XI in the local Divisions North and South.

Tasmanian Soccer in 1978 was similar to Caesar’s Gaul. It was divided into three parts.

At the head we had the Tasmanian Soccer Federation. They ran State teams, thought up the State League and where the contact with the ASF.

They had little or no income but employed a part time Secretary Manager.

The TSF had two members, The Southern Tasmanian Soccer Association and Northern Tasmanian Sports. The former were an association as opposed to the latter which was a limited Company.

As the TSF had no staff it delegated the day-to-day management of the State league to the STSA who incidentally employed the same part time manager but on a full time basis.

Registrations were carried out on a local basis so we had the instances where a Northern player’s fees were say $30 but a Southern player would be paying $80 to $90.

Discipline was another major difference. No matter where the player offended his regional tribunal sat in judgement. It soon became evident that there was a discrepancy over the Tribunal benchmarks. The TSF being entirely toothless couldn’t do anything, as the players were not registered with them but their local bodies.

The original plan was to expand the League in 1979 to 10 teams. You can imagine my delight when South won the league and became eligible.

In due course the great day came for us to be admitted only to learn that the league would remain at 8 but would be expanded to include reserves.

How could this happen, the TSF had made the decision, it had been published and agreed to.

After the mist had cleared it transpired the 8 clubs had overturned the decision. Unbeknown to all the TSF had allowed a club management group to be formed and they told the TSF they wanted reserves not 10 teams.

So we had a competition organised by the TSF managed by the STSA and jumping to the Club management group’ bidding.

Eventually the league was increased to 10 but folded the year after.

Why? Everyone ran out of money. The South Sea Bubble all over again

A contributing factor was that the fees increased. Same players, same referees, same grounds but as you are in the State League and it is more competitive it will cost you more. I never saw the logic.

1994 saw another attempt to manufacture a State competition. By now the TSF was on its deathbed however even though it was on borrowed time it decided to clone the National league and run a summer comp.

To start with the management was just as convoluted as the Gallic principle still applied but the concept had some merit, as summer evening games at Wellesley were an undoubted money-spinner.

Within a year the TSF had disappeared (that is an interesting tale) with Soccer Tas coming into being. Now we only had only one Master but Northern and Southern tribunals still operated. The new set up allowed for interchange of tribunal staff.
The flies appeared in the ointment when the winter came. Soccer Tas placed an embargo on STATE players preventing them from playing.
A glorified team-stacking rule was introduced; only 3 state players could be on the field at any one time. So most players just sat around.

The summer comp lasted two years as some players and every one of the administrators were worn out through operating all year round.

The final state competition, which lasted until 1999, was the simplest version of all. Seniors supported by either a youth or reserve side. Its very success led to its demise.

During the previous years a genuine promotion and relegation system had been in operation. At the end of the season there was a three-way play off made up of the 2 top regional clubs and the bottom state side.

The trouble started when the Southern sides kept winning eventually the membership became 8 south 2 north.

Another aspect was a carry over from the 1994 set up; remember at that time the local regions could set the rules for their members. It was no secret that Northern Tasmanian Sports disapproved of the State League.

It couldn’t prevent its members joining so made life as difficult as possible. Northern Clubs had to fulfil their regional obligations before they were permitted to join the state comp. This effectively meant they had to field four teams per Saturday sometimes simultaneously at either end of the island.

No such rules applied in the South

In late 1998 Devonport indicated they probably wouldn’t continue so Soccer Tas pulled the plug.

So what have we learnt?

1. Tasmanian numbers are too small to support a summer / winter competition.
2. Clubs only think of themselves and don’t take into account the aspirations of those outside their immediate group.
3. FFT should grasp the nettle firmly and simply announce the new comp and the rules. (Watch the scramble)
4. Don’t give yourselves airs and graces.
5. Make it affordable
6. Remember those who are not selected or do not apply. They are just as important as the " priveledged" few.