Forty-four Expressions of Interest (EOI) for the National Premier League Victoria (NPLV) have been submitted to Football Federation Victoria (FFV) before the deadline expired two weeks ago.
Nine of the EOIs have come from regional areas with the remaining 35 from within metropolitan Melbourne, including the majority of current Victorian Premier League clubs.
But the measure hasn’t been met with complete support by some clubs. A few clubs have voiced their concerns with the new model and most are waiting for more information, especially about the new points system and youth development program.
FFV on the other hand expressed its enthusiasm about the great interest in NPLV that Victorian clubs showed.
The new second tier format allows consistency throughout the top leagues around Australia, which will give the best opportunity to showcase local talent, raise overall standards in club management and improve the financial and commercial position of state leagues and clubs. With 44 clubs’ EOIs submitted, it is expected that Victoria will get the best possible competition for development, entertainment and competitiveness.
Victoria being the only state to have included women and girls in its NPL model is something that FFV President Nick Monteleone is very proud of.
“In keeping with the FFV board’s strategy the NPLV is about creating premier clubs with opportunities for men, women, boys and girls,” Monteleone explained.
“Now the business end of the process is about to begin and FFV will assist clubs to prepare their applications.”
As was stated in the FFV media release, while the NPLV is exciting, FFV’s main priority is still grassroots football.
“Whilst the launch of the NPLV and application process is highly pleasing, we remain strongly focused on our community football.”
“99 per cent of our players are involved in community football and we will continue to work hard to make season 2013 successful and work towards making the 2014 season even better.”
NPLV competition is expected to commence in 2014.
