Riverside Olympic quits statewide leagues as costs eat into junior funding
Riverside Olympic withdraws from the NPL and WSL in 2027, citing rising costs that drain resources from 650 junior players.
Riverside Olympic will exit both of the statewide leagues next year, despite its men's team posting its best ever season. The club cites unsustainable costs and the burden on volunteers.
Club president Stuart McCarron said gate and bar revenue fell about 35 percent due to the roster structure. This makes it impossible to continue.
While the move affects only about 50 top-tier players, McCarron said the club has a duty to its 650 junior members. The club now plans to redirect those costs into junior development.
This includes sending young players to tournaments run by A-League clubs. Communication between Riverside and Football Tasmania has broken down.
McCarron says the relationship is fractured completely over how the leadership handled clubs' concerns.
- 650 players
- Junior members at club
- About 50 players
- Top-tier players affected
- About 35 percent
- Revenue drop
- Stuart McCarron
- Club president
Why it mattersJunior soccer players will get better funded development pathways, though Tasmania's top leagues lose a competitive team.
AustraliaTasmanian football will have fewer established clubs competing at the highest state level, affecting the depth of the leagues.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 9 d ago
