Northern NSW Football has made the decision to move several men’s premier competition fixtures to Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility ahead of expected significant rainfall this weekend.
Forecasts indicate the Hunter region is likely to experience a deluge of rain, with predictions of between 100mm and 120mm of rain expected.
NNSWF’s Football Operations department has been proactive to ensure as many matches as possible go ahead this weekend given it is the penultimate weekend of the NPL Men’s NNSW and HIT106.9 Northern League One competitions.
The vast majority of first grade fixtures, and as many reserve grade matches as possible, have been moved to the synthetic pitches at LMRFF.
NNSWF GM Football Operations Liam Bentley acknowledged the outcome was not ideal but said the decision had not been made lightly.
“We fully understand and appreciate that clubs value their home fixtures from a footballing and financial perspective. But the reality is that very few matches will be playable on natural turf under the current and forecasted conditions this weekend,” Bentley said.
“Given the already saturated condition of many grounds and with this being the penultimate week of the regular season, with several clubs also scheduled for midweek fixtures next week, it is imperative we take proactive steps to ensure as many matches as possible proceed.
“We understand the disruption that moving times and venues causes for players and coaches at this level, as well as the lost revenue from a home club perspective in having a home match relocated.
“With recent experience, we believe moving as many games as possible to the synthetic fields in the face of more significant rainfall will ensure that these matches go ahead at such a critical point in the season and reduce the impact of the weather on premiership races, finals qualification and relegation battles.
“We thank our players, clubs and supporters for their understanding.”
FIXTURE CHANGES
All games at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility
NPL Men’s NNSW Round 21
Friday 1 August
Broadmeadow Magic v Valentine FC (first grade) – 8pm – LMRFF 1
Broadmeadow Magic v Valentine FC (reserve grade) – 6pm – LMRFF 1
Saturday 2 August
New Lambton FC v Newcastle Olympic (first grade) – 4pm – LMRFF 1
Maitland FC v Belmont Swansea United (first grade) – 4pm – LMRFF 2
Maitland FC v Belmont Swansea United (reserve grade) – 6pm – LMRFF 2
Weston Bears v Edgeworth Eagles (first grade) – 6pm – LMRFF 1
Weston Bears v Edgeworth Eagles (reserve grade) – 8pm – LMRFF 1
Sunday 3 August
Cooks Hill United v Lambton Jaffas (first grade) – 4pm – LMRFF 2
Cooks Hill United v Lambton Jaffas (reserve grade) – 2pm – LMRFF 2
Charlestown Azzurri v Adamstown Rosebud (first grade) – 6pm – LMRFF 2
Charlestown Azzurri v Adamstown Rosebud (reserve grade) – 8pm – LMRFF 2
HIT106.9 Northern League One Round 17
Friday 1 August
Lake Macquarie City FC v West Wallsend SFC (first grade) – 8pm – LMRFF 2
Lake Macquarie City FC v West Wallsend SFC (reserve grade) – 6pm – LMRFF 2
Saturday 2 August
South Cardiff FC v Toronto Awaba FC (first grade) – 8pm – LMRFF 2
Sunday 3 August
Kahibah FC v Singleton Strikers (first grade) – 12pm – LMRFF 2
Kahibah FC v Singleton Strikers (reserve grade) – 10am – LMRFF 2
All other HIT106.9 Northern League One matches to be played as scheduled on Squadi.
There are no NPL Women’s NNSW fixtures this weekend due to a designated catch up round in the draw.
