Pictured: The 2016 Tursa Employment and Training Summer Youth League Champions. Lismore Richmond Rovers (male competition) and Lismore Thistles (female competition)
Lismore teams have emerged as the winners of the 2016 Tursa Employment and Training Summer Youth League competitions that were completed last Friday evening.
Lismore Richmond Rovers won their second Summer Youth League title since 2013, finishing clear of nearest rivals Byron Bay in the male competition. The win suggests that the club has another group of talented young lads coming through to the top grades very soon and is a positive way for the club to finish the year.
Lismore Thistles collected the female trophy ahead of perennial league heavyweights Bangalow and Lennox Head, who continue to build momentum. Thistles undefeated run over nine rounds was needed to secure the title, confirming how close the competition was.
While most of the almost 7000 local players put their boots away back in September, such is the popularity of the game that the Summer Youth League competition attracted ten teams in each of the male and female competitions. Football Far North Coast General Manager, Steve Mackney, highlighted the introduction of a female SYL competition in 2015 that was embraced by clubs and participants when seven teams nominated and grew in popularity this year.
A male Summer Youth League has operated successfully since 2008, with clubs using the opportunity to blend talented young players with a few seasoned players in a competition that gives a taste of how higher football is played. The demand for a Summer Youth League female competition confirms the popularity of the game and the introduction of a competition format that sees each club having both a male and female team, has proved successful.
Tursa Employment and Training will again be the marquee sponsors of both the ANZAC Cup and Summer Youth League competitions in 2017, continuing their long term commitment to the community through their investment in our sport.
As domestic football goes into recess for a few months, participants are reminded that registrations for next season will open on 1st February.
Players and parents interested in playing opportunities can refer to our website, where contact information for each of the 24 member clubs can be found.
