SUTHERLAND Shire could be the home of a new A-League franchise representing Sutherland, St George and the South Coast as early as next season.
There are also ambitious plans for a football school of excellence in the shire to help nurture young players and create a production line of talented players for future A-League teams.
As reported by Fairfax Media last week, several meetings have taken place in recent weeks between Football Federation Australia (FFA), Sutherland Shire Council, NRL club Cronulla Sharks and Sutherland Shire Football Association.
The association is the largest in NSW and potentially Australia, with several players already representing the shire in the A-League, national youth teams and overseas.
A Sutherland-based club would play the majority of its home games at Remondis Stadium, Woolooware, with games also played at Jubilee Oval, Carlton, and WIN Stadium, Wollongong.
The club would be built from the grassroots up, with community consultation and input directly assisting in the make-up of the club’s colours, name and logo, much like the successful FFA plan to create the Western Sydney Wanderers franchise three years ago.
Sutherland Shire Football Association general manager Jeff Stewart said it was exciting news for the area.
‘‘It’s phenomenal. In Sutherland you’ve got the biggest [football] association in this country,’’ he said.
‘‘Add to that Football South Coast, [which] has so many passionate footballers similar to ourselves and the St George area, which is one of the homes of football in this country.
‘‘You’ve got everything there, there’s the appetite for it.
‘‘The question is, how do you build it from the grassroots and give the community a grassroots-based A-League club.’’
Stewart said there had been discussions between the FFA and football associations representing the shire, St George and South Coast, along with Sutherland Shire, Wollongong and some St George-based councils to discuss the potential plan.
The FFA is actively researching three markets for a potential new club franchise
A second Brisbane team and a third in Melbourne are among the options.
