Image courtesy: Sydney Low
Football Federation Victoria (FFV) would like to congratulate those who competed in the Under 18 Boys and Open Women’s divisions - which finished up prior to Christmas - on another successful summer of football.
For those participating in one of the junior age divisions of the Champions League, FFV hopes you’re looking forward to your trip to Shepparton for week one on 30 and 31 January, and the Semi and Grand Finals the following weekend in Melbourne.
As you get back into training for 2010, please note the following important information regarding the VCL Championship Series and Gold Medal Night.
Gold Medal Night
The VCL Gold Medal Night is selling out FAST! Some Zones have already exhausted their allocation of seating. For more information about the VCL’s night of nights at Etihad Stadium on Friday 5th February, please click here.
If you haven't booked your tickets yet, please ensure you contact Georgie Herbert via email (vcl@footballfedvic.com.au) with your booking requirements.
It’s shaping up to be a great night, with awards presented for all our Best & Fairest players, Top Goal Scorers and the Premiers (top of the League) in each division. Melbourne Victory players will be in attendance and the VCL participants recognised on the big screen during the Victory’s game against the North Queensland Fury.
And... every attendee will receive a limited edition commemorative VCL Yearbook which features photos from throughout the home and away season and acknowledges the participation of every rostered player. Coming along to the Gold Medal Night is the only way you can get your copy!
Championship Series
Extreme Weather Conditions
The Championship Series is currently scheduled to take place over the weekends of 30 & 31 January (Shepparton) and 6 & 7 February (Epping/DISC). Given the time of year, FFV is well aware of the potential for any or all of these dates to be days of extreme heat. The weather conditions will be closely monitored by FFV Competitions Staff and Referees, and necessary action taken to introduce additional drinks breaks, or postpone matches should the need arise.
Given all teams are travelling to Shepparton for week one of the Series, every effort will be made to ensure that all scheduled games take place over that weekend at times which are safe to do so. Your cooperation and patience is appreciated should the need arise to alter fixture times. FFV may need to reschedule your match to an earlier or later time of the day.
Given that there is a huge volume of matches to be played throughout the Championship Series, postponement of games may force some age divisions’ finals to mid-week evenings or subsequent weekends. Participants and parents should be aware that matches may be ‘caught up’ during the week or over the weekend of 13 & 14 February. Once again, your cooperation and understanding is appreciated should FFV need to re-fixture any matches affecting your team.
Remember to bring appropriate sun protective clothing, including a hat and sunscreen to all VCL Championship Series matches and ensure you are adequately hydrated before, during, and after each of your matches.
Format
Players are reminded that they will compete over the first weekend of the Championship Series in ‘pool’ matches. The teams that you will play against have been placed in your pool because of yours and their ladder positions at the conclusion of the home and away series.
The points earned from playing within your pool will determine which teams you play in the following round of matches. Those with the highest points (or goal difference if necessary) will progress through to play the other teams with the highest points, those with the middle ranking of the three teams after the pool games will play other teams ranked in the middle and those with the least points play the other sides with the lowest points. The final games will be played according to the results of these second round games, with all teams playing in either a Grand Final or a classification match on the final day.
No extra time will be played in any of the matches of the Series. Draws will be permitted in the pool round of the Series, however in the subsequent two rounds of the Series, where the result is a tie, at the conclusion of normal time the game will progress directly to penalties to ensure a result. No matches are ‘knockout’ and therefore all teams will progress through all rounds of the Championship Series.
State Squad Selections
Participants should remember that the four matches over the Championship Series will be their last opportunity to impress State Coaches and their selectors who will be keeping a close eye on the performances in these games.
Building on their pre-Christmas monitoring of you and your teammates’ performances, those responsible for talent identification will be on the look out for players who display a number of qualities, not only with regards to football skill and ability, but also attitude, behaviour and teamwork.
FFV hopes that you are fortunate enough to catch the attention of our State selectors, but if not, please don’t be discouraged as the feedback FFV is receiving from all VCL coaches this season is that all of their players have improved considerably as a result of participating in the Victorian Champions League. Plus, simply making your Zone team is a fantastic achievement in itself as the Zone team you’re in is truly representative of the best players in your area and something you should be very proud of!
State Squad announcements will be made in the weeks following the Championship Series once all information is collected and considered, and players involved will be notified accordingly.
Good luck over the coming weeks of the VCL!
Last updated: Monday January 25, 2010 8:07PM
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