Narrabri’s two soccer sides will continue their Namoi Soccer League rivalry in 2020 but will do so as clubmates.
Both teams will be under the Narrabri FC banner after the Elevens, formerly Crossroads Eleven FC, came on board earlier this year.
The Elevens will play as Narrabri Elevens FC in 2020, and Narrabri FC’s three-time minor premiership-winning side and grand finalists will play as Narrabri Sporties FC.
The two sides will go head-to-head on Saturday in the first round of the season at Hogan Oval.
In the other round one match 2019 champions Wee Waa United FC will take on Moree Services FC at Cook Oval in Wee Waa.
Narrabri Sporties FC has lost three players from its 2019 roster in midfielders Toby Sunderland and Zac Lauritsen and centre back Danny Anderson.
Two of the club’s more senior players Danny Laws and Mitch Wood will still be on the team’s roster for the 2020 season but have indicated that they will play less and instead referee games throughout the season.
Meanwhile Narrabri Sporties FC has welcomed former player Jason Foxe back to the team as well as new faces Brenton Cochrane, Jess O’Neill and Matt Hall.
The team will again be coached by Neil Brayshaw who takes the reins for a third consecutive season.
This weekend Narrabri Sporties FC will be without Blake Jarrett and Nathan Trindall who are still serving suspensions after being sent off in last year’s qualifying semi-final before missing the grand final.
The pair have one and two games respectively remaining meaning Jarrett can play from round two against Wee Waa and Trindall will return in round three away from home against Moree.
On the other side of the field the Elevens have lost several players from last season’s roster including Ryan O’Neill (who will play for Wee Waa), Liam Emerton, Brianna Strickland, Chloe Myers and Josh Boyd (who have all left town) and Brent Longworth and Clariese Ryman (who have all hung up the boots).
However the side has added Matt Conroy, Bailey Campbell, Riley and Brady Jenkins and Xavier Dean.
The Elevens will be coached by Tim Hayne and Chris Simmons who will both play for the side. Simmons is also the team manager.
This year’s Namoi Soccer League campaign was scheduled to start back in March and be contested by five teams in a 20-round competition.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the season’s start and also contributed to the loss of one of Moree Services FC’s two teams.
Moree has entered two teams for the past three seasons but this year has decided to enter one due to player availability.
The 2020 competition will be battled out across 12 rounds.
Each team will play seven matches at their home ground and five away from home.
To make that possible the two Narrabri sides have adopted an extra away game against one of the other two teams.
The Elevens will travel to Wee Waa three times instead of two, and Sporties FC will play in Moree three times instead of two.
Another change will see the competition’s finals series shortened from three to two weeks.
In previous years the finals series has seen the two top ranked teams contest a qualifying semi final for the right to host the grand final, while the loser of the game played the winner of a third versus fourth elimination semi-final.
However this year the team which places first on the competition ladder after 12 rounds will gain automatic grand final qualification and will earn the right to host the decider, and the teams which place second and third will meet in a qualifying final at the second-placed side’s home ground to play off for the other grand final spot.
The team which ranks fourth on the ladder will not qualify for the 2020 finals series.
Narrabri Sporties FC’s 2020 soccer season draw:
Round One – July 4 v Narrabri Elevens FC (H)
Round Two – July 11 v Wee Waa United FC (H)
Round Three – July 18 v Moree Services FC (A)
Round Four – July 25 – Narrabri Elevens FC (H)
Round Five – August 1 v Wee Waa United FC (A)
Round Six – August 8 v Moree Services FC (A)
Round Seven – August 15 v Narrabri Elevens FC (H
Round Eight – August 21 v Wee Waa United FC (H)
Round Nine – August 22 v Moree Services FC (A)
Round 10 – August 29 v Narrabri Elevens FC (H)
Round 11 – September 5 v Wee Waa United FC (A)
Round 12 – September 12 v Moree Services FC (H)
Qualifying Final (2 v 3) – September 19
Grand Final (1 v winner QF) – September 26
Narrabri Elevens FC’s 2020 soccer season draw
Round One – July 4 v Narrabri Sporties FC (H)
Round Two – July 11 v Moree Services FC (A)
Round Three – July 18 v Wee Waa United FC (A)
Round Four – July 25 – Narrabri Sporties FC (H)
Round Five – August 1 v Moree Services FC (H)
Round Six – August 8 v Wee Waa United FC (H)
Round Seven – August 15 v Narrabri Sporties FC (H)
Round Eight – August 21 v Moree Services FC (A)
Round Nine – August 22 v Wee Waa United FC (A)
Round 10 – August 29 v Narrabri Sporties FC (H)
Round 11 – September 5 v Moree Services FC (H)
Round 12 – September 12 v Wee Waa United FC (A)
Qualifying Final (2 v 3) – September 19
Grand Final (1 v winner QF) – September 26
