FC Windermere bounce back

out of action since 2009.
Their proposed merger with How Mine in 2010 hit a brick wall with the Zifa Southern Region management not blessing it. It was too late for the club to assemble a team to participate in the championship.
It was then agreed that they take a break until they are ready to be part of the league.
A majority of the clubs agreed that they be allowed back and that took the number of teams to 17.
This then drew another debate before clubs agreed that Sao Paulo of Victoria Falls who had been relegated return to the league. The Victoria Falls club did themselves a favour by paying their dues from last year with the league in advance.
After Sao Paulo were admitted that brought the number to 18 and a resolution was then passed that next year there be 16 clubs. The number of teams will depend on how many teams in the Southern Region are demoted from the Premier Soccer League.
“FC Windermere are back in the league. Sao Paulo will be the 18th team and the clubs have agreed that we have 16 teams from next year in line with other leagues,” said Brian Moyo, the region’s secretary.
Also resolved was the issue of the provincial leagues.
From this year the promotional division will have one league each in Bulawayo and Matabeleland North.
“We have done away with the two Division Two Leagues in the provinces. We want the best from the provinces in our league. The fact that we had two leagues compromised quality, the best from Division Two deserves Division One football,” said Moyo.
Moyo also disclosed that the region had decided to cut affiliation and registration fees by 37 percent.
He said last year they had raised the fees because of legal costs from cases during the previous executive.
“We had some legal costs which were pending from the previous executive. To offset those and remain viable we had no choice but to get the money from the clubs. This year they will pay 37 percent less,” said Moyo.
The fees were pegged at $2 400 for old clubs with newcomers paying $2 600. This will leave new clubs to pay $1 638 with old comers’ fees set at $1 512.
Moyo disclosed that Rufaro Rovers and Project FC had been promoted from Matabeleland North while Bulawayo had provided the league with Tsholotsho and Sizani Fruit and Vegetable.
The Southern Region disclosed in their report that there was marked improvement in terms of discipline from 2010.
“We had a few disciplinary cases last season and we hope it stays so,” said Moyo.
There were however concerns from clubs that some cases appeared to get preferential treatment, rendering them less severe than others.