Zone wants southern clubs to join Zone Premier League

The ZPL kicks off this weekend with five clubs involved in first and reserve grades. All are from the Hastings-Macleay area.

Football Mid North Coast was forced to resurrect the ZPL following the collapse of the Coastal Premier League (CPL) late last year when North Coast Football clubs withdrew support.

The CPL started in 2020 and initially involved 10 clubs from Football Mid North Coast and North Coast Football. Two more were added last year. However, due to pandemic lockdowns and restrictions 2022 was the only year a full competition was completed.

Taree played in the Coastal Premier League but has nominated for the zone's one grade Southern League this season. A total of 12 clubs play in the Southern League and all except Gloucester are from the Manning-Great Lakes.

"Taree did all the right things in the CPL and at the end of the day they suffered for trying to do the right thing,'' Mr Fletcher said.

"(Club secretary) Michael Wallace did everything possible to make sure they met their commitments in the CPL. I've been around the Taree club for 50 years and I know they'll rebuild.

"Their teenage teams are starting to rebuild and I'm sure they'll be at the top of their game more sooner than later.''

The Wildcats and Tuncurry-Forster both played in the former FMNC Premier League that was in play before the start of the CPL. Wingham and Wauchope were represented in some seasons.

Wingham won the Southern League premiership last year.

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Mr Fletcher said Port Macquarie club Iona is another possible contender for the ZPL. Iona nominated for this season, but pulled out citing a lack of players for two grades.

Four of the five clubs in the ZPL - Port United, Port Saints, Macleay Valley and Kempsey Saints - also played in the CPL. The fifth, Camden Haven, has dominated the Northern League in recent seasons.