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A message to all Under 6 - Under 16 players and families:
Unfortunately your Management Committee has again called off all Junior games to be played on fields 2,3,4 & 5 over the weekend. We know that this is very frustrating and causing some angst for all who would like to display their skills during the weekly game. (You’ll note that on the FBI website over half the clubs in Brisbane have taken similar measures.)
We believe as a committee that we should at this time provide some background to the decision making process after wet weather.
It is obvious that this week the grounds received more rain than many of us have seen for a long time, and this has flooded our fields for a couple of days. An inspection today (Friday) has revealed that number 1 field has drained quite well, and with no further rain, should be passed fit to play by the Senior Referees tomorrow afternoon.
However, the remaining fields are quite different. Unlike field 1, which was purpose built only one season ago and is on a 150mm base of sand, the remainder of our playing area has been around since the 1960’s. Although we spend plenty of money on these fields each year these pitches are not up to the standard of field 1. The grass is a different variety, and the surface soil does not drain well.
As a committee we have a responsibility to try to maintain playable fields throughout the full season. Remember that as well as being used for matches on weekends, these fields are very heavily used for both junior and senior training 5 nights a week. History has shown that if Fields 2,3,4, or 5 are damaged early in the season they do not repair. If we were to play on them this weekend and cause deep ruts and surface tears etc. when they dry they will probably remain that way for the remainder of the season.
A rough pitch such as this is not only a challenging surface on which to learn and practice football skills, but it can also be dangerous to ankles and knees etc.
At Souths our biggest challenge is the limited field space available to our large membership. Managing the use of this space is therefore an issue that your Management Committee takes very seriously. When we get wet weather as we’ve experienced this week, there is considerable pressure on us to make early decisions as to what games can and cannot be played. Sometimes our early decision proves to be spot on; on other occasions by the time match day comes around we find that perhaps we could have played some matches. Unfortunately once the decision is made and Football Brisbane advised we can’t go back.
This season to date, unlike most other seasons, has been very stop start due to the weather and some strange quirks of the junior draw. We can only hope that we have no more rain and that the remainder of the year goes well.
As a committee we will be looking at ways to ensure that all games missed so far are played later in the season, and will let you what is planned due course.
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