Match fails kick-off

Tuesday September 05, 2023

DUE to a tight turnaround in a short timeframe, the A-League Women's Football showcase will not be heading to Mount Gambier/Berrin despite Mount Gambier City Council and Grant District Council committing funding to the proposal.

Recently, Gambier Central Soccer Club put forward a proposal to both councils requesting funding to assist with securing an ALeague soccer game between Adelaide United and Western United to be played in Mount Gambier/Berrin.

Grant District Council committed to provide up to $10,000 either in-kind or in cash while Mount Gambier City Council committed $6700 in-kind and $5000 in cash.

The proposal included the game to be played in December as well as school visits for up to 600 children, an open training session, free soccer clinics for up to 100 children and a local dinner for guests and supporters of the players.

The game was also expected to be broadcasted to an expected audience of between 3000-4000 viewers on the day.

It was announced on Monday the game would not go ahead in Mount Gambier/Berrin with Gambier Central president Shane Dycer expressing his disappointment in the decision.

Speaking to The Border Watch, Mr Dycer said he was disappointed it was not able to "get over the line" and that it "fell at the last hurdle".

"We had fantastic support from both local and governing bodies as well as the Limestone Coast Football Association and Football South Australia for the event to happen," Mr Dycer said.

"Gambier Central put a lot of work into this proposal and to see it fall short is disappointing for us and the soccer community."

He said he had hoped there was a chance for a game to come to the region next season.

"There is a chance it will be revisited now that we have come this far," Mr Dycer said.

"The second time around it will be less of the unknown."

He said he hoped both councils would continue to support the event should it occur in the future.

"Both councils have been 100 per cent behind this from the minute I have walked into their office," Mr Dycer said.

"They have given unanimous support and everyone knows how good this would be for the region so there is no doubt they would support it again.

"We do want to thank everyone for their interest in the event even though it did not get over the line or was ever officially announced but we are happy to bring it to the region next season."

Grant District Council Mayor Kylie Boston and Mount Gambier Mayor Lynette Martin both expressed disappointment about the outcome stating both councils would likely support the proposal in the future.

Ms Boston said it was disappointing for Gambier Central considering the amount of effort put into the proposal and hoped there was the opportunity for it next season.

"We would look at supporting it again next year and we would hope it would come back bigger and better as the proposal was fantastic and it would be a great thing for the region," Ms Boston said.

"It would be great to still have that opportunity." Ms Martin said the game was an exciting event and council would be pleased to support it if it were rescheduled to next season.

Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell also expressed significant disappointment in the outcome stating he "did not find the reasons given as legitimate".

"I think this is very much the case of when these things get hard, we need to double down and push through, not take the easy option and pull out," Mr Bell said.

"I am still trying to see if there is anything we can do to get it back on track but it does not look like it at the moment."

Mr Bell said he was informed the reason behind the backflip decision was regarding the visitor change room facilities.

"I think there are ways we can accommodate that and with the time available between now and December there are lots of options which could be explored," he said.

"This is so important not just for women's sport but in terms of bringing major events to Mount Gambier.

"We do need the State Government assistance to make sure our facilities can attract major events."

Mr Bell also expressed his disappointment in state parliament last week stating he was confident the event would attract between 4000 and 6000 people in the region.

"I do thank the government for the support around that and I will be looking for it next year as well," Mr Bell said.

"It is pleasing to see so much money going into female sport and, obviously not forgetting the regions, making sure that some of the $18 million goes into our regional areas."

Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing Katrine Hildyard said the State Government "remained committed" to working with all parties to secure a future A-League Women's match while the Adelaide United chief executive Nathan Kosmina said due to the short timeframe the club was "unable to confirm the match" for this season's A-League Women's schedule.

"Mount gambier, given its rich football history, remains a key focus for Adelaide United," Mr Kosmina said.

"Proactive discussions have already commenced for how we can increase our presence in the South East region both in the short and long term."

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