Namoi Premier League clubs to team up in 2024

The 2024 soccer season will bring with it a new look and new opportunity for senior players in the Narrabri Shire as plans to field a Namoi United team in Northern NSW Football’s Northern Inland Premier League competition were recently confirmed.

The status of the Namoi Premier League competition was thrown into question late last year as defending first grade champions Inverell made their intentions of leaving to join the NIPL clear, meaning there were only three clubs left in the top grade.

Committee members from the four clubs – Narrabri FC, Wee Waa United FC, Narrabri Eleven FC, and Moree Services FC – met and then decided to approach NNSWF about the idea of them joining together and playing in the 2024 NIPL competition, while still keeping the local competition going with one grade.

Narrabri FC president Neil Brayshaw and Wee Waa United president Dean Hamblin both told The Courier they were pleased that those plans would go ahead this season, with the options providing great opportunity for local players of all skill levels and ability to commit to training and travel.

Higher-quality contests will also be beneficial for local referees who are looking for a greater challenge.

NNSWF’s Northern Inland regional football officer Mitchell O’Keefe was also pleased with the development as the NIPL comp now includes more players from the northern inland area.

A Namoi United sub-committee with members from all four clubs was formed to discuss the running of the team moving forward, however, it has been noted that the new team is not a new or separate club.

Players will still be assigned to their respective clubs, and if a player from Namoi United cannot travel to play in an away game or is not selected, they will be able to play in the Namoi League with their club that weekend.

The Namoi United team will field a side in both first and reserve grade in 2024, and both are expected to be competitive based on performances of both Narrabri FC and Wee Waa at previous Johnson Cup tournaments.

Players from Narrabri FC, Wee Waa United and Moree Services FC will form the two grades, with the Elevens reportedly having no initial interest from any of their players to make the step up, although they will have the chance to do so throughout the year.

Narrabri FC first grade coach Neil Brayshaw will coach the first grade team with Narrabri FC reserve grade coach Darren Moodie as his assistant coach, and the reserve grade team will be coached by Wee Waa United’s Mark Rottger and Moree Services FC’s Matt Urquhart, who will both play and coach the reserve grade side.

Brayshaw told The Courier that he was excited to coach the team in 2024 and was looking forward to seeing how the best players from the Namoi region could gel and match it with the Tamworth and Armidale clubs.

Most Namoi United home games this year will be played at Hogan Oval in Narrabri, and at least one home game will be played in Moree.

Pre-season training will start from Thursday, January 18, with the side to train in the gym each Thursday and on the field each Sunday for two months ahead of the regular Tuesday and Thursday night training at Hogan Oval throughout the year.

All three Narrabri Shire clubs have held their annual general meetings ahead of the 2024 campaign, and their committees are as follows:

Narrabri Eleven FC:

President – Beau Tomlinson, vice-president: Steve Lubke, secretary – Evelyn Lubke, treasurer – Phoebe Schwager, social media co-ordinator -Phoebe Schwager, ground co-ordinator – Matthew O’Meara, general committee – Chris Simmonds, Brad Cornall, Danny Anderson, Tim Hayne, Rose Lubke and Andrew Neave.

Narrabri FC:

President – Neil Brayshaw, vice-president – Colby Williams, secretary – Kerrie Brayshaw, treasurer – Kelsey Cooper, sponsorship – Rowan Keeler, Zaac Brayshaw, Lauren Brown and Ben Stride, publicity officers – Zaac Brayshaw and Kelsey Cooper, MPIO – Ben Stride, registration co-ordinator – Paula Ryan, committee members – James Stuart, Cooper Brayshaw and Amanda Brown.

Wee Waa United FC:

President: Dean Hamblin, vice- president – David Avery, treasurer – Alex Lucero, shadow treasurer – Sarah Trevaskis, secretary – Selby Harper, social media, fundraiser and events co-ordinators – Shannon Hamblin and Emily Morrison, child protection officer – Jessie Freeman, junior co-ordinators (co-role) – Penny Vella and Rachel Hamblin, general committee – Steve Phelps, Nathan Hamblin, Olivia Bray, Mark Rottger, Jordann Hobden, Matthew Freeman and Neil Harper.