The Illawarra football community is pushing back against the decision to axe the South Coast Flame, with thousands of people signing a petition calling for the region’s development pathways to be protected.
Football South Coast announced on Wednesday night that the South Coast Flame would cease operations at the end of the season, sparking concern among players, families, coaches and supporters about the future of elite football in the region.
The community has also organised a rally at Ian McLennan Park in Kembla Grange on Saturday from 8am, with supporters encouraged to wear their club colours in a show of unity for football in the Illawarra.
Petition organiser Loreto Medina said the response has been overwhelming.
“It really shows how much the club means to the football community and how deeply people have been affected by this decision,” she said.
“For us, this is much bigger than losing the club. We’re concerned about what this new structure means for the development pathways for our kids and what opportunities they’ll actually have moving forward.”
An action plan is now being developed, with players and families encouraged to complete a survey to help gauge the impact of the decision across the region.
