Club Statement on NPL Review

The Committee of West Canberra Wanderers Football Club joins with other clubs to request a pause on implementation of the NPL Review.

Football offers great things to its participants and it has enormous potential to grow and develop both in Canberra and in Australia. It can be nurtured to bring out the best in players, coaches and supporters.

Capital Football's NPL Review seeks to develop our sport and make it more sustainable in the longer-run. It puts a welcome and clear emphasis on development and on pathways through which players, coaches and clubs can grow and reach their potential. It rightly seeks commitments from clubs and participants to deepen their programs and support their players. Big changes take time to implement and time for participants to adjust.

At the youth levels, a system of promotion and relegation runs counter to those directions. It disrupts pathways, undermines investments and reduces enjoyment. A system of promotion and relegation means some clubs each year face uncertainty and anxiety from the start of the season, not just at the end. The clubs will be different each year, but every year some clubs will go through the same issues - to what benefit?

Young people do not need that additional stress and football does not need it either.

West Canberra Wanderers has been committed to development since the beginning. We value the growth of our players as footballers and as people, in an environment that extends them and supports them. We are committed to a male program that works to NPL levels.

Let's focus on developing our young people and on valuing the commitments they, their coaches and all the volunteers make each week and all year. Value commitment and growth through football more than the league tables. 

We ask Capital Football to PAUSE THE REVIEW