Northern NSW Football: Clubs throw their support behind sport's governing body

Earlier this week, The Armidale Express exclusively revealed Armidale-based clubs South Armidale, Norths United, East Armidale, Armidale City Westside and Demon Knights opted to depart the organisation to join a new, rebel competition run by UNE Life.

The Armidale clubs became disgruntled with NIF's administration and, despite Northern NSW Football stepping in to address concerns, declared they would break away from the organisation.

But fellow northern conference clubs Glen Innes, The Armidale School and Inverell, have committed to NIF for the coming season.

Glen Innes and District Football Association president Preston Parkes discussed the club's options with senior captain Rob Ferris who signalled they would remain with NIF.

He believes the Armidale clubs ditching the sport's peak body was to the detriment of the other clubs outside of the Armidale area.

"If they were to join a northern comp, exactly the same as what the New England league was last year, they would be playing against us, Inverell, Guyra and they would get a good run out of it," Parkes said.

"And it would be good for our guys because, yes they are strong teams, but we are trying to push kids through.

"We have got a lot of older guys, like Fec [Ferris], who play first grade and we are trying to push the kids through.

"Those kids that are 17, 18 and 19, coming through our ranks and stepping up into first grade this year, if they play against teams like Norths, that can't hurt them, it is only going to make them better players.

"I can't see why they would want to push this UNE thing when they can play a sanctioned comp, pay exactly the same money and all their insurances are covered."

Parkes admitted that prior to Northern NSW getting involved and listening to the clubs' concerns, Glen Innes weren't happy with NIF's changes but he now believes their updates - including open entry into senior men's divisions and clubs having the ability to enter more than one team per division - is a positive step forward.

"It would be a shame [for the five Armidale clubs to leave] because I reckon that would make a fairly decent comp, those five clubs, us three outside of Armidale and the TAS team," he said.

The Armidale School's director of co-curricular Will Caldwell also threw his support behind NIF.

"TAS has committed to staying with Northern Inland Football competition for the benefit of our junior program and believe it still provides plenty of opportunity for our senior players," he said.

"At the school we have three times as many junior teams as senior teams, who all benefit form our relationship with NIF."

The Armidale Express has contacted deputy director of UNE Life and Norths United president Ash Clee to discuss the university-run venture but he had not responded to our requests at the time of publishing.