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With all the talk in the media of a relaunched National Soccer League, little time or effort has been dedicated to assessing the benefits of regional teams competing in Australia’s premier soccer league. The involvement of regional teams such as Wollongong, Newcastle and Gippsland is paramount in ensuring that the world’s most popular sport achieves exposure beyond the capital cities of Australia. Regional team participation also provides a gateway for the wealth of soccer talent in those regions to participate at the highest level in this country.

Gippsland Falcons is one club the many in the media have been quick to target for exclusion from the league, yet few of the so called experts have ever ventured to Gippsland or could tell you where it is for that matter.

So where is Gippsland? The Gippsland region of Victoria is situated east of Melbourne and covers the coastal and mountain ranges through to the NSW border. It’s most notable landmarks being the coastal regions of Wilson's Promontory National Park through to the Lake’s district encompassing the popular holiday destination of Lakes Entrance. Nestled within the Gippsland region, 150 km east of Melbourne is the Latrobe Valley. The source of Victoria’s power supply, the Latrobe Valley covers a 50 km radius with a population approximating 100,000. Situated at the heart of the Latrobe Valley is Morwell, the home of Victoria’s only regional National Soccer League club, the Gippsland Falcons.

The Gippsland Falcons since their inclusion in the National Soccer League back in 1992/93 have predominantly recruited players from the metropolitan district to ensure competitiveness. Only 16 out of a total of 92 players that have taken the field for the Falcons since it’s inclusion in the National Soccer League have come from the Gippsland region. Of these 16 players, 6 are currently in the 20-man squad assembled by Jeff Hopkins. A significant statistic that further supports the argument for regional representation in the National Soccer League.

The "Boys from the Bush" include the experienced defender Manny Gotis, the exciting midfielder come striker John Hutchinson, the tenacious Adrian Savage, the skilful Juan Nilo and promising youngsters Jonathan Buhagiar and Ben Cassar. Another product of the Gippsland region that is playing in the NSL is the ex- Gippsland Falcons and Carlton defender, Marcus Stergiopoulous, currently with the Football Kingz in New Zealand.

Manny Gotis at 30 years of age is one of the seasoned campaigners and leaders in the Gippsland Falcons squad. Having played for the Falcons as a youngster in the Victorian Premier League, Manny returned to the club in 1996 under Frank Arok following a stint in the Victorian Premier League with Port Melbourne. Making a late debut into the National League at 26 years of age, Manny spent many seasons dominating the local Latrobe Valley competition while also playing senior level Australian Rules football in the Gippsland Latrobe Football League with Moe. Manny has since established himself as one of the most consistent defenders in the National League. To quote Jeff Hopkins "Manny is 100% behind the club in everything he does and is well known and respected in the local community. He is a very influential player, not only with his ability but with his strength of character and personality".

John Hutchinson at 20 years of age is an exciting prospect with huge potential. A product of local club Morwell Pegasus, John represented the Latrobe Valley at all junior levels before joining the Gippsland Falcons youth squad. Making his debut during the Frank Arok era as a 17-year-old schoolboy, John recently reached his 50 game milestone with the club. An elegant left-sided midfielder come striker, John has become an integral part of Jeff Hopkin’s senior squad. When asked Jeff was full of praise for his young star; "John is having an outstanding season, he has taken a huge step up from last season and his consistency, hard work and considerable ability make him a contender for our best player of this season".

Juan Nilo like Manny Gotis, has returned to the Falcons this season after spending several years in the Victorian Premier League establishing himself as one of the top strikers in the competition. A naturally gifted player with abundant skill and speed, the diminutive striker of South American heritage has been a regular feature in the Falcons lineup this season. At 25 years of age, Juan has a promising future with the Falcons and Jeff Hopkin’s when asked emphasised that "Juan has done everything he could to make himself a success this season, he has probably been the most unlucky of all our players in front of goal. I still feel that once he scores his first there will be plenty of goals from him this season".

Adrian Savage, a 20 year old utility has come to the fore this season under the guidance of Jeff Hopkins. Making his debut in the opening round last season against South Melbourne, Adrian has this season establish himself as a regular fixture in the Falcons’ lineup. Playing in the Latrobe Valley junior leagues with Moe City, he progressed to the Falcons’ youth squad and then spent a season with South Dandenong in the Victorian premier League before returning to establish himself in the senior squad at Falcons. Used mainly in a stopgap utility role to date, Adrian’s speed, strength and tenacious attitude all adds up to a promising future. Adrian’s adaptability has been his strength according to Coach Jeff Hopkins, "Adrian has shown his versatility this season playing in five different positions and adapting to each one easily. He has been very unlucky not to play more games and has a big future at NSL level".

Jonathan Buhagiar is one of the younger members of the Gippsland Falcons squad at 18 years of age. Jonathan made his full senior debut against South Melbourne in the pre-season Tynan-Eyre Cup competition and has been with the club since he was 4 years of age. Jonathan represents the future of the club and further emphasises the benefits and opportunities that regional teams bring to the wider community. Jonathan made his NSL debut coming off the bench against the Parramatta Power in Round 17 gaining praise from Jeff Hopkins, "Jonathan is one of many talented young players that have come through the youth squad. He is hard working, dedicated and determined to push himself into first team contention".

Ben Cassar at 20 years of age is an example of the exceptional young talent in the Gippsland region. A skilful midfielder, Ben progressed through the VIS and Falcons youth squad to make his senior debut for the Falcons late last season under Stuart Munro, before being struck down with a serious knee injury. Having recently resumed training and gaining match fitness with the youth squad, Jeff Hopkins believes it is only a matter of time before Ben features in the senior squad again at Gippsland. "Ben has shown great character, determination and hard work to come back so quickly from a knee reconstruction last season. He is a very talented central mid-field player who can dictate play with his clever and accurate passing".

When those with influence at Soccer Australia finally sit down to assess which clubs remain in the NSL next season, all I ask is that they venture beyond Sydney and Melbourne to the regional areas of our great nation. There they will appreciate that it is not the politics and numbers game that matters, but the exposure of the world game that counts. Ask yourself not what a regional club can do for Australian Soccer, but what can Soccer Australia do to promote the game we all love to all Australians!

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