Wee Waa’s first forfeit in both grades of the Northern Inland Premier League was regrettable but understandable.
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The second instance was pushing the boundaries, but for the club to forfeit twice in the same month, and the third time this season, was the last straw for the league’s committee.
Yesterday Northern Inland Football (NIF) chairman Steve Griffith announced that Wee Waa had been removed from the competition this season, effectively immediately.
It comes in the wake of the club’s most recent forfeit at the weekend against North Companions – a rescheduled washout game.
“The Wee Waa club was asked to provide written assurance to the NIF Board that they would fulfil their commitments to the NIPL competition, in at least first grade, for the remainder of the season,” Griffith said yesterday in a statement.
“This assurance was given but with the club being unable to field any team for Sunday’s rescheduled washed out fixture against North Companions, the NIF Board was left with no alternative than to remove Wee Waa United from the competition (in accordance with competition regulations).”
The real problem however could rest with neighbouring clubs including the Gunnedah Imperials, who have a number of points already accrued from two matches played against Wee Waa which will now be ruled null and void, again, according to the regulations.
“Under the competition rules, all completed results and remaining fixtures against Wee Waa will be recorded as a bye result (0 points, 0 goals). Additionally individual players goal scoring tallies will have goals scored against Wee Waa deducted from them,” NIF executive and competition manager Dino Perizzolo said.
The result puts the Imperials two points shy of fourth-placed United on the first grade leaderboard and just one point off United in the reserve grade competition.
It is expected Wee Waa and Narrabri will explore options for a combined outfit next season due to the limited playing roster of both clubs this year.
Amended NIPL leaderboard (Southern Conference)
First grade: Tamworth 29, North Companions 29, Oxley Vale 27, Gunnedah United 10, Imperials 8, Narrabri 3, Wee Waa – gone!