PORT Macquarie FC and Port United will tackle the inaugural 2010 Solo Cup, which kicks off this month.
Northern NSW Football officially launched its Solo Cup competition in Port Macquarie on Thursday at Dixie Park, home ground of United, one of the 56 teams competing.
The draw was released by leading football commentator and ex-Socceroo Andy Harper and Northern NSW Football CEO David Eland, along with representatives from Schweppes Australia and local sides.
And, Eland is pleased with the response for the Solo Cup in its debut year.
“The competition is a state-wide knockout designed to further develop the rich football culture throughout Northern NSW and is a unique opportunity for clubs to compete against clubs from outside their regional competitions,” he said.
“The success of this year’s Solo Cup will certainly lead to women’s and also over 35’s knockout competitions.”
Northern NSW Football would like to work towards the winner of the Solo Cup progressing to compete against the winner of Football NSW’s equivalent competition.
The Solo Cup will culminate in finals, to be held at Coffs Harbour’s BCU International Stadium, in July.
The state-wide competition with a total prize pool of $10,000 has attracted 56 teams from across Northern NSW Football’s seven zones.
Joining Port Macquarie FC and United from Football Mid-North Coast are Pacific Palms, Kempsey Saints, Great Lakes United, Old Bar Barbarians, Macleay Valley Rangers and the Taree Wildcats.
Port Macquarie FC opens its account against the Byron Bay Rams on Saturday, March 27, while United hosts Kootingal District SC at Dixie Park on the same day.
The Solo Cup launches a new partnership between Schweppes Australia and Northern NSW Football with both organisations excited about the opportunity to develop the game at grassroots level, starting with the inaugural Solo Cup.
Schweppes has an association already with Football Federation Australia at a national level and is looking forward to now working with Northern NSW Football on grassroots initiatives with clubs located on the Mid-North Coast.
“Schweppes is thrilled to announce its new partnership with Northern NSW Football, and proud to be a partner of football in Australia,” said Phillip Flanagan, account manager, impulse and convenience for Schweppes Australia.
“Connecting our iconic brands like Solo with the rapid growth of football in Australia represents a genuinely exciting opportunity for us, and we have been delighted with the response of the football community to date.”
Due to the expansive area covered by Northern NSW Football, the competition is divided into two pools, the Northern Pool and Southern Pool, to determine quarter-final placings.
The Northern Pool will comprise of club teams from Football Mid-North Coast, North Coast Football, Northern Inland Football and Football Far North Coast.
Launched on the Mid-North Coast due to the most nominations (nine) from any of the Northern zones, the Solo Cup is expected to be received well-throughout the region.
Apart from the Football Mid-North Coast outfits, Mid-North Coast is represented by the Bulahdelah Soccer Club.
Round one of the competition takes place on Saturday, March 27.
Clubs will be drawn against sides from another northern zone.
The winners from round one will then progress into knockout heats until the Northern Pool quarter-finalists are determined.
A state knockout was first held in 1884, however encompassed only the southern corner of Northern NSW, along with Sydney and Central Coast teams.
The first Northern NSW side to win the competition was Hamilton Athletic in 1887.
But, the Solo Cup represents the first state-wide knockout to include all of Northern NSW’s seven zones.
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