IT’S confirmed. The Goulburn Stags will move away from the Highland Premier League and compete in the Canberra competition beginning this season.
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Canberra’s Capital Football confirmed last Friday the Stags would be granted a one year lease that will see the club compete in the region’s newly named State League One.
The move creates a mouthwatering prospect of a Goulburn derby, with the Goulburn Strikers already playing in the same competition.
Spearhead of the Stags relocation, Craig Norris, said the move was for the benefit of the club.
Specifically he said, the Canberra competition provided greater benefits for the club to grow and for both the first grade side and their reserves to play side by side, rather than be split over two separate competitions.
“We had been talking with the Highlands about taking our reserve grade there in future years and we weren’t too comfortable with what was being said,” Norris explained.
“So initially it was just a general enquiry to Capital just to see if they would take us, and it got more traction than what we thought.”
Norris explains the club met junior development expectations. Capital football was also aware of the club’s recent success, being the reigning Highlands premiers.
A formal application was then submitted a month ago.
“It’s a good 10 team comp. The travel will probably be about the same, and we can play as a big squad now. We can put two teams (1st grade and reserve) who can travel together and play together,” Norris said.
“It’s important because we want to be the best we can be, our guys are very young, mostly around that 20 to 21 age mark, who will only get better.”
Norris admitted initial reaction from the playing group was mixed, with players wanting to defend their present title, but the benefits of the move far outweighed remaining in the Highlands.
Stags will now be able to field a first grade side and a reserve grade side in Canberra’s State League One and Two comps with an expected two lower grade sides to contest the local Workers Championship in Goulburn. All four squads will still play out of Cookbundoon, and will have the support of the STFA.
It is also believed the club will be dual registered with NSW, allowing it to contest the NSW Champion of Champions competition, which the club reached the semi finals in last year.
With a month to prepare for a new competition, the Stags will kick things off with a trial game against Belconnen United in Canberra this weekend.
Coach David Jones said he was excited for a change of scenery.
“I’m 57 and this has renewed my spark,” he said.
“It’s a new level, it’s exciting for our juniors and it’s something new to aim for.
“The trial against Belconnen United this weekend is a good gauge of where we’re at.
“I expect this competition to be on par with the Highlands, but with all the clubs being more even rather than two or three standouts.”
The stage is now set for the tantalising prospect of a Goulburn derby.
Fellow Goulburn Club the Strikers happen to be the competition’s premiership winning side in 2014.
Stags captain Aaron Swanson said it would be the hottest ticket in town.
“I think it’ll be good for Goulburn. It’s very exciting,” he said.
“I know a lot of the Strikers guys and they’ll want to win, so friendships may be put on hold.”