Football South mockery is the attempted monoplization of the artificial turfs that is happening already. They failed to think long term and plan for fencing and protection from the concrete slab that is exposed at the asking differs largely from thedges of the pitches, and whilst the turf is supposedly unfinished there are reportedly Southern United Academy trainings being run on them! Absolutely pathetic from Chris Wright and co - yes you may make a good amount of money with this academy but it shouldn't be at the expense of Otago senior football. It isn't just about Southern United every 4 months a year, and frankly this is what it feels like.
Oh and by the way (just in case there are any FS administrators that read this) - if the turfs are "unfinished" but you are allowing children to train on them still, have you thought about the reputational/legal/financial damage that could potentially ensue if a participant got hurt? Get it together!
Shoot I don’t think you really got your issue across at all then, in fact... I would say the point you were making differs greatly from the conspiratorial torch and pitchfork comments you actually wrote.
If you think the point of this forum is to have conversations, then don’t attack the people who have worked the hardest to develop it over the last four years or so. Open your eyes and have a look at the player oatheays, national league improvement and sustainability (without FS the franchise would have died and there’d be nothing in the region at all) coach education, community engagement. Seriously grow a pair and go and talk to them, they welcome it. Always piping up but not putting any action in yourself... the worst type.
You need to get out more if you think thevregions football is good. I thought the South Island Zlesgue highlighted that fully. The players you mentioned are first years... they’re not even from the region... hardly a successful argument.
I stand by those comments - look at other turf facilities around the country, they are enclosed both for safety reasons and to protect the longevity of the turf - this one is surrounded by grass (and muddy areas thanks to the winter weather). If it has to be continually policed for muddy boots and studs then it seems like an opportunity missed to regulate the usage in a sustainable manner. I hope that there are boot brushes erected around the facility, and I look forward to having a proper look at it myself one day soon!
Totally respect your opinion, but trying to marginalise my view because it is anonymous isn't going to get me to bite - criticism can come in all sorts of mediums and the fact you're telling me to grow a pair is exactly why I choose to remain so. So perhaps think on that.
And agree to disagree on Senior football down here. Firstly, there are some good sides here - and even some of last years SI League results can show that these sides are competitive - Tech drawing with Coastal and Nomads, Queenstown beating Ferrymead, almost beating Cashmere. And the University is a great asset to bring young footballers to the region, why does it matter where they are from? Most of them are here for 3/4/5 years - may as well make use of it.
It comes back to my previous point, incoming players have the opportunity to raise the standard of the game, which benefits us all. You moved to Mosgiel (if memory serves me correctly) and raised the standards for goalkeeping - i'm suggesting there is untapped potential from the varsity side of things - and I see the turf as a brilliant advertisement, that's why it should have been finished by now!