FSC Announces Competition Reforms to Strengthen Men’s Premiership and Enhance Youth Development Pathways
Football South Coast (FSC) is excited to announce a series of competition reforms designed to revitalise the Men’s Premiership and strengthen youth retention and development across all levels of the game.
These changes place a strong focus on players aged 16-21, aiming to improve player pathways, enhance development opportunities, and elevate the overall quality and competitiveness of the Men’s Premier League.
Our recent club 1-to-1 consultation process played a critical role in shaping FSC’s strategic direction, particularly in areas such as club unification, referee recruitment and retention, and infrastructure support.
It also highlighted several opportunities to further enhance FSC competitions, consistent with the association’s mission to provide opportunity, engagement and development in football for all ages and abilities.
FSC Chair Martin Rowney said, “Club integration was overwhelmingly supported by clubs, and recent examples have shown many positive outcomes. These changes have assisted clubs with volunteer recruitment and strengthened player pathways.”
The Men’s Premiership competition was another major focus of the review. Clubs identified several areas for improvement, noting challenges in financial sustainability, player availability, and the league’s ongoing competitiveness.
Key drivers for the upcoming reforms include the high proportion of out-of-area players – nearly one-third of players across First and Second Grade, with annual squad turnover exceeding 50%, and a declining number of players in the 16–21 age bracket.
To address these issues, FSC will implement several major changes over the coming years, including:
- A player points system/roster to encourage the development and retention of local talent.
- A club championship model for promotion and relegation, ensuring clubs prioritise development across all grades.
- 10-team competitions in Men’s Premier League 1 and 2, beginning in 2030, based on criteria to be phased in over two years.
- Competition structure adjustments, with the Premiership consisting only of First and Second Grade from 2027.
- Introduction of an U19 competition in 2026, optional for clubs with a junior base, with expansion to an U21 in 2027. The U21 competition will replace the current Youth Grade structure and be optional for all clubs to facilitate age-based football. This competition will be key to fostering development and improving player retention.
Rowney added, “We see a considerable drop-off in player numbers between the ages of 16 and 21. These changes are designed to create complete pathways for young players, allowing talented individuals to progress into Second Grade and potentially First Grade in line with the player points/roster system, which will be developed in consultation with clubs.”
These reforms follow earlier changes across other FSC competitions, including updates to the Women’s Premiership, expansion of the Women’s Community League, and the restructuring of the Men’s Community League after the introduction of Men’s Premier League 3.
“We understand clubs are passionate and will advocate for their needs, but FSC’s responsibility is to consider the entire football landscape and make decisions in the best interests of the game,” Rowney said.
“While consensus is challenging with over 50 clubs involved in our competitions, detailed data analysis has helped guide these initiatives.”
FSC’s recognition as the inaugural Football NSW Association of the Year reflects its commitment to innovation and continuous development.
These latest reforms further reinforce FSC’s dedication to strengthening football across the region.
