In a decisive move to secure the future of the beautiful game in the Illawarra, Football South Coast (FSC) has unveiled a bold series of competition reforms aimed at fixing what it describes as an "unsustainable" model for local soccer.
Addressing a System Under Strain
The governing body's latest announcement, made on December 16, 2025, follows an extensive consultation process with its member clubs. The reforms are a direct response to critical challenges threatening the health of the Men's Premiership, including financial pressures, inconsistent player availability, and concerns over long-term competitiveness.
FSC Chair Martin Rowney stated the changes were driven by detailed data analysis. "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.
The data revealed two particularly alarming trends: a high proportion of out-of-area players, making up nearly one-third of first and second-grade squads, and an annual squad turnover rate exceeding 50%. Compounding this is a worrying decline in registered players within the crucial 16 to 21-year-old age bracket.
The Five-Point Plan for Change
To tackle these systemic issues, FSC will implement several major changes phased in over the coming years:
1. Player Points System/Roster: A new framework will be introduced to encourage clubs to develop and retain local Illawarra talent, aiming to reduce reliance on imported players and high turnover.
2. Club Championship for Promotion/Relegation: Moving away from a first-grade-only focus, promotion and relegation between leagues will be determined by a club's overall performance across all grades. This incentivises clubs to build strength throughout their entire structure.
3. Streamlined Competitions: By 2030, the Men's Premier League 1 and 2 will be condensed into 10-team competitions based on criteria phased in over two years. Furthermore, from 2027, the Premiership will consist solely of first and second grade.
4. New Youth Pathway: An under-19 competition will launch in 2026, expanding to an under-21 league in 2027. This optional U21 competition will replace the current Youth Grade and is designed as a key bridge to senior football, directly addressing the player drop-off.
5. Holistic Club Integration: Reforms will continue to encourage stronger links between junior and senior clubs, a move already shown to aid volunteer recruitment and strengthen player pathways.
Building a Sustainable Future
Rowney emphasised that the core goal is to create complete pathways for young local players. "We see a considerable drop-off in player numbers between the ages of 16 and 21," he noted. "These changes are designed to allow talented individuals to progress into second grade and potentially first grade."
These latest measures for the Men's Premiership follow other recent FSC reforms, including updates to the Women's Premiership, expansion of the Women's Community League, and the restructuring of the Men's Community League.
The overarching mission is clear: to revitalise the top-tier competition while strengthening the foundations of the game across the Illawarra region for generations to come.
