16-05-2025
'Very frustrating': Some teams yet to play as rain deluge forces more changes
Northern NSW Football has contingency plans in place but is not yet hitting the panic button as a strong sense of deja vu settles on another water-logged season.
Wet weather is causing havoc to winter sport, but perhaps none moreso than soccer.
As the region's premier men's competition reached its halfway point last weekend, defending NPL premiers and champions Broadmeadow had only played eight of 11 fixtures after three successive matches were postponed due to rain-affected grounds.
Most other clubs have two rounds to catch up with three teams having only one.
In the community space, run by the member zones of Newcastle, Macquarie and Hunter Valley, some teams were yet to kick a ball after three rounds.
And, with more rain falling during the week and forecast for this weekend and beyond, those teams are set to stay stuck in mud, literally.
Newcastle Football general manager Chris Brain has urged players and clubs to remain patient, flexible and "to think outside the square" where possible.
He said one club, at their own expense, had booked synthetic courts at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility, Speers Point to get some of their miniroos matches played.
Other clubs were ground-sharing and some venues, such as upgraded Smith Park in Hamilton North, were being used as hubs.
"In comparison to last year, we're in better shape because we've just encouraged clubs to play where we can but be mindful of what council restrictions have in place," Brain told the Newcastle Herald.
"In the main, we're getting games played. We've got a backlog but we're crossing our fingers that we can get at least some of the backlog put away in the next couple of weeks, and hopefully we're going to get some better weather.
"We've got hubs and clubs are sharing grounds between each other and opening grounds for each other. We've just got to make sure we don't overload those grounds."
Northern NSW Football general manager of football operations Liam Bentley said the first phase of premier youth league boys competition has already been extended by two weeks.
The senior premier seasons were extended last year and that could be an option again.
"From a senior point of view, we're just continuing to monitor the situation," Bentley said.
"We've got a bunch of catch-up rounds and wet weather contingencies within that, and we do have a fair bit of this season to go. We're only roughly halfway.
"That being said, though, we're definitely not getting complacent. We really need to keep an eye on how many games are getting postponed and make any type of call that we would need to make in an emergency, earlier rather than last minute.
"But we're not quite at that point yet with senior football."
Extra "wet weather" rounds were built into premier and community soccer seasons this year after competitions had to be extended last year to accommodate a backlog of washed-out fixtures.
Broadmeadow coach Jim Cresnar was pleased to get their Australian Cup exchange in against Charlestown at Magic Park on Tuesday night.
It was the first hit-out for Magic, who won 3-0 to advance to the next round of the national knockout competition, in four weeks.
The NPL's second-placed side, on 21 points, are set to face unbeaten leaders Edgeworth (23 points) at Magic Park on Sunday (2pm), weather pending.
The top-of-the-table clash comes after three consecutive wash-outs - away games to Maitland, Valentine and Cooks Hill - for Magic.
Edgeworth, whose past two competition games have been postponed, beat Magic 1-0 when they met in round one.
"It was very nice to get a game in," Cresnar said.
"After about three or four weeks, you're trying to work out where the team is in terms of their fitness and everything else.
"The three or four weeks has been very frustrating, the inability to potentially play.
"It was a very solid performance, and it gives us a bit of a guide to see where we are as well, missing three or four weeks.
"We haven't beaten Edgeworth in three or four years. They've got some good individual players and are well-coached."
Round 12 of NPL men and women is scheduled to kick off on Friday night, depending on the weather.
Meanwhile, some of this weekend's games have already been shifted in Newcastle Rugby League due to the rain.
On Saturday, Wests' home game against Macquarie will now be played at Lyall Peacock Oval in Toronto and Souths' home clash with Kurri Kurri has been moved to Kurri Kurri Sportsground.
Northern NSW Football has contingency plans in place but is not yet hitting the panic button as a strong sense of deja vu settles on another water-logged season.
Wet weather is causing havoc to winter sport, but perhaps none moreso than soccer.
As the region's premier men's competition reached its halfway point last weekend, defending NPL premiers and champions Broadmeadow had only played eight of 11 fixtures after three successive matches were postponed due to rain-affected grounds.
Most other clubs have two rounds to catch up with three teams having only one.
In the community space, run by the member zones of Newcastle, Macquarie and Hunter Valley, some teams were yet to kick a ball after three rounds.
And, with more rain falling during the week and forecast for this weekend and beyond, those teams are set to stay stuck in mud, literally.
Newcastle Football general manager Chris Brain has urged players and clubs to remain patient, flexible and "to think outside the square" where possible.
He said one club, at their own expense, had booked synthetic courts at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility, Speers Point to get some of their miniroos matches played.
Other clubs were ground-sharing and some venues, such as upgraded Smith Park in Hamilton North, were being used as hubs.
"In comparison to last year, we're in better shape because we've just encouraged clubs to play where we can but be mindful of what council restrictions have in place," Brain told the Newcastle Herald.
"In the main, we're getting games played. We've got a backlog but we're crossing our fingers that we can get at least some of the backlog put away in the next couple of weeks, and hopefully we're going to get some better weather.
"We've got hubs and clubs are sharing grounds between each other and opening grounds for each other. We've just got to make sure we don't overload those grounds."
Northern NSW Football general manager of football operations Liam Bentley said the first phase of premier youth league boys competition has already been extended by two weeks.
The senior premier seasons were extended last year and that could be an option again.
"From a senior point of view, we're just continuing to monitor the situation," Bentley said.
"We've got a bunch of catch-up rounds and wet weather contingencies within that, and we do have a fair bit of this season to go. We're only roughly halfway.
"That being said, though, we're definitely not getting complacent. We really need to keep an eye on how many games are getting postponed and make any type of call that we would need to make in an emergency, earlier rather than last minute.
"But we're not quite at that point yet with senior football."
Extra "wet weather" rounds were built into premier and community soccer seasons this year after competitions had to be extended last year to accommodate a backlog of washed-out fixtures.
Broadmeadow coach Jim Cresnar was pleased to get their Australian Cup exchange in against Charlestown at Magic Park on Tuesday night.
It was the first hit-out for Magic, who won 3-0 to advance to the next round of the national knockout competition, in four weeks.
The NPL's second-placed side, on 21 points, are set to face unbeaten leaders Edgeworth (23 points) at Magic Park on Sunday (2pm), weather pending.
The top-of-the-table clash comes after three consecutive wash-outs - away games to Maitland, Valentine and Cooks Hill - for Magic.
Edgeworth, whose past two competition games have been postponed, beat Magic 1-0 when they met in round one.
"It was very nice to get a game in," Cresnar said.
"After about three or four weeks, you're trying to work out where the team is in terms of their fitness and everything else.
"The three or four weeks has been very frustrating, the inability to potentially play.
"It was a very solid performance, and it gives us a bit of a guide to see where we are as well, missing three or four weeks.
"We haven't beaten Edgeworth in three or four years. They've got some good individual players and are well-coached."
Round 12 of NPL men and women is scheduled to kick off on Friday night, depending on the weather.
Meanwhile, some of this weekend's games have already been shifted in Newcastle Rugby League due to the rain.
On Saturday, Wests' home game against Macquarie will now be played at Lyall Peacock Oval in Toronto and Souths' home clash with Kurri Kurri has been moved to Kurri Kurri Sportsground.
Northern NSW Football has contingency plans in place but is not yet hitting the panic button as a strong sense of deja vu settles on another water-logged season.
Wet weather is causing havoc to winter sport, but perhaps none moreso than soccer.
As the region's premier men's competition reached its halfway point last weekend, defending NPL premiers and champions Broadmeadow had only played eight of 11 fixtures after three successive matches were postponed due to rain-affected grounds.
Most other clubs have two rounds to catch up with three teams having only one.
In the community space, run by the member zones of Newcastle, Macquarie and Hunter Valley, some teams were yet to kick a ball after three rounds.
And, with more rain falling during the week and forecast for this weekend and beyond, those teams are set to stay stuck in mud, literally.
Newcastle Football general manager Chris Brain has urged players and clubs to remain patient, flexible and "to think outside the square" where possible.
He said one club, at their own expense, had booked synthetic courts at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility, Speers Point to get some of their miniroos matches played.
Other clubs were ground-sharing and some venues, such as upgraded Smith Park in Hamilton North, were being used as hubs.
"In comparison to last year, we're in better shape because we've just encouraged clubs to play where we can but be mindful of what council restrictions have in place," Brain told the Newcastle Herald.
"In the main, we're getting games played. We've got a backlog but we're crossing our fingers that we can get at least some of the backlog put away in the next couple of weeks, and hopefully we're going to get some better weather.
"We've got hubs and clubs are sharing grounds between each other and opening grounds for each other. We've just got to make sure we don't overload those grounds."
Northern NSW Football general manager of football operations Liam Bentley said the first phase of premier youth league boys competition has already been extended by two weeks.
The senior premier seasons were extended last year and that could be an option again.
"From a senior point of view, we're just continuing to monitor the situation," Bentley said.
"We've got a bunch of catch-up rounds and wet weather contingencies within that, and we do have a fair bit of this season to go. We're only roughly halfway.
"That being said, though, we're definitely not getting complacent. We really need to keep an eye on how many games are getting postponed and make any type of call that we would need to make in an emergency, earlier rather than last minute.
"But we're not quite at that point yet with senior football."
Extra "wet weather" rounds were built into premier and community soccer seasons this year after competitions had to be extended last year to accommodate a backlog of washed-out fixtures.
Broadmeadow coach Jim Cresnar was pleased to get their Australian Cup exchange in against Charlestown at Magic Park on Tuesday night.
It was the first hit-out for Magic, who won 3-0 to advance to the next round of the national knockout competition, in four weeks.
The NPL's second-placed side, on 21 points, are set to face unbeaten leaders Edgeworth (23 points) at Magic Park on Sunday (2pm), weather pending.
The top-of-the-table clash comes after three consecutive wash-outs - away games to Maitland, Valentine and Cooks Hill - for Magic.
Edgeworth, whose past two competition games have been postponed, beat Magic 1-0 when they met in round one.
"It was very nice to get a game in," Cresnar said.
"After about three or four weeks, you're trying to work out where the team is in terms of their fitness and everything else.
"The three or four weeks has been very frustrating, the inability to potentially play.
"It was a very solid performance, and it gives us a bit of a guide to see where we are as well, missing three or four weeks.
"We haven't beaten Edgeworth in three or four years. They've got some good individual players and are well-coached."
Round 12 of NPL men and women is scheduled to kick off on Friday night, depending on the weather.
Meanwhile, some of this weekend's games have already been shifted in Newcastle Rugby League due to the rain.
On Saturday, Wests' home game against Macquarie will now be played at Lyall Peacock Oval in Toronto and Souths' home clash with Kurri Kurri has been moved to Kurri Kurri Sportsground.
Northern NSW Football has contingency plans in place but is not yet hitting the panic button as a strong sense of deja vu settles on another water-logged season.
Wet weather is causing havoc to winter sport, but perhaps none moreso than soccer.
As the region's premier men's competition reached its halfway point last weekend, defending NPL premiers and champions Broadmeadow had only played eight of 11 fixtures after three successive matches were postponed due to rain-affected grounds.
Most other clubs have two rounds to catch up with three teams having only one.
In the community space, run by the member zones of Newcastle, Macquarie and Hunter Valley, some teams were yet to kick a ball after three rounds.
And, with more rain falling during the week and forecast for this weekend and beyond, those teams are set to stay stuck in mud, literally.
Newcastle Football general manager Chris Brain has urged players and clubs to remain patient, flexible and "to think outside the square" where possible.
He said one club, at their own expense, had booked synthetic courts at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility, Speers Point to get some of their miniroos matches played.
Other clubs were ground-sharing and some venues, such as upgraded Smith Park in Hamilton North, were being used as hubs.
"In comparison to last year, we're in better shape because we've just encouraged clubs to play where we can but be mindful of what council restrictions have in place," Brain told the Newcastle Herald.
"In the main, we're getting games played. We've got a backlog but we're crossing our fingers that we can get at least some of the backlog put away in the next couple of weeks, and hopefully we're going to get some better weather.
"We've got hubs and clubs are sharing grounds between each other and opening grounds for each other. We've just got to make sure we don't overload those grounds."
Northern NSW Football general manager of football operations Liam Bentley said the first phase of premier youth league boys competition has already been extended by two weeks.
The senior premier seasons were extended last year and that could be an option again.
"From a senior point of view, we're just continuing to monitor the situation," Bentley said.
"We've got a bunch of catch-up rounds and wet weather contingencies within that, and we do have a fair bit of this season to go. We're only roughly halfway.
"That being said, though, we're definitely not getting complacent. We really need to keep an eye on how many games are getting postponed and make any type of call that we would need to make in an emergency, earlier rather than last minute.
"But we're not quite at that point yet with senior football."
Extra "wet weather" rounds were built into premier and community soccer seasons this year after competitions had to be extended last year to accommodate a backlog of washed-out fixtures.
Broadmeadow coach Jim Cresnar was pleased to get their Australian Cup exchange in against Charlestown at Magic Park on Tuesday night.
It was the first hit-out for Magic, who won 3-0 to advance to the next round of the national knockout competition, in four weeks.
The NPL's second-placed side, on 21 points, are set to face unbeaten leaders Edgeworth (23 points) at Magic Park on Sunday (2pm), weather pending.
The top-of-the-table clash comes after three consecutive wash-outs - away games to Maitland, Valentine and Cooks Hill - for Magic.
Edgeworth, whose past two competition games have been postponed, beat Magic 1-0 when they met in round one.
"It was very nice to get a game in," Cresnar said.
"After about three or four weeks, you're trying to work out where the team is in terms of their fitness and everything else.
"The three or four weeks has been very frustrating, the inability to potentially play.
"It was a very solid performance, and it gives us a bit of a guide to see where we are as well, missing three or four weeks.
"We haven't beaten Edgeworth in three or four years. They've got some good individual players and are well-coached."
Round 12 of NPL men and women is scheduled to kick off on Friday night, depending on the weather.
Meanwhile, some of this weekend's games have already been shifted in Newcastle Rugby League due to the rain.
On Saturday, Wests' home game against Macquarie will now be played at Lyall Peacock Oval in Toronto and Souths' home clash with Kurri Kurri has been moved to Kurri Kurri Sportsground.
