The Importance of Truth & Accountability

 In recent years, a series of incidents and unresolved issues have brought us to this critical juncture—where a clear line has been drawn. It began with retaliatory efforts to revoke the license for the female representative program, a move that would have impacted 230,000 local residents, including 19,000 active players. This action came in response to a straightforward inquiry about missing team-raised funds, which were meant for essential items like an electronic scoreboard. Instead of transparency, the leadership responded with hostility when the issue was raised.

Time and again, when concerns have been brought to the attention of the association, they’ve been met with either outright hostility or simply ignored. Even the most serious issues have been dismissed as “gossip” or the complaints of “disgruntled parents.” Yet, we ask: where is the truth in these dismissals? The fact remains that the core issues raised in this petition—accountability, transparency, and responsible governance—have never been properly addressed. Despite claims to the contrary, there has been no attempt by Laura or Jeff to open dialogue with us or respond to our concerns, they are simply passed off as attacks and gossip. 

We are not just a group of unruly parents gossiping behind the sheds, as some would have you believe. We are players, parents, coaches, officials, and volunteers—over a thousand of us—who are united in our demand for change. The very people who have been disregarded are the lifeblood of this community. Dismissing our voices does not erase the very real issues we face.

Many of us have been personally impacted by the lack of care and leadership shown by the association. Some of us have had to move out of the area to find teams, others have been blacklisted from trials, told we are no longer welcome. Volunteers and officials, disheartened by the toxic atmosphere, have walked away from the sport altogether. Businesses have pulled their community sponsorships after seeing their contributions mismanaged.

Who suffers in the end? Is it those in positions of power, who seem more concerned with advancing their political careers and maintaining control? Or is it the thousands of children we’re letting down because power and politics have taken over community sport?

We say no. No more dismissal. No more lies. No more intimidation. This is our community, and we deserve better. It’s time for truth to be at the forefront of this conversation. We demand transparency, accountability, and leadership that genuinely cares about the future of soccer in the Sutherland Shire.

We will not be silenced. We will not be ignored. This is about our children, our players, our sport, and our community. Truth matters—and we will not stop until it is honoured.