Merge a win for Cobram, but a loss for league

Matthew Galea

July 25 2014

Shepparton News

The merger between Cobram and Cobram Victory makes perfect sense.

In a town of dwindling players and resources, it simply defied logic for Cobram to house two soccer clubs.

Members of both clubs have expressed concerns about a lack of players in recent years, a struggle to find enough sponsorship between the two clubs and a general lack of resources.

That is not strictly a soccer-specific problem in Cobram — as the struggles of Cobram Football Netball Club in Murray Football Netball League has shown this year — but it was one the soccer community had to adapt to.

Thankfully, it has, but there are consequences for the wider soccer community.

The merging of the two clubs means Goulburn North East Football Association has lost a club and its primary competition — the Regional Premier League — has also lost another team.

Assuming Shepparton does not field an RPL side again next year and Kyabram chooses to stick it out for another season, the RPL will be down to five teams.

Cobram president John Ventre has already said the new entity would be open to moving leagues — with Albury Wodonga Football Association as a potential taker — making for an alarming worst-case scenario.

The RPL could potentially be left with four teams.

At the moment, the best-case scenario would be six teams — as there is at the moment — should the Reds return after a one-year absence.

Neither is ideal, meaning GNEFA may have to look outside the box if it wants to reinvigorate the competition.