The Shepparton Super Sevens competition, founded by Ali Naveed, features 12 teams competing on the Shepparton hockey pitches, with numerous traditional soccer rules adjusted to suit a helter-skelter, fast-paced, entertaining style of game.
Matches are less than half the traditional 90-minute game at 40 minutes long (two 20-minute halves) but extended to 60 minutes (two 30-minute halves) for the knock-out matches.
Corner kicks are not used - if a team accrues three would-be corner kicks, it is gifted a penalty.
A penalty is not traditional either, rather a ‘run-up penalty’, where the attacking player starts with the ball at the halfway line and can dribble the ball to shoot around the goalkeeper. This must be done within 10 seconds.
Throw-ins are replaced with kick-ins, where the player inbounding the ball back into the field of play must place the ball on the ground and kick to a teammate, while there are also no offsides.
It’s all in hopes to create wild, unpredictable outcomes to engage supporters across every minute of every game.
“With seven players on each side and smaller pitches, we’re expecting a much faster game with plenty of attacking football,” founder Naveed said.
“I think spectators will really enjoy it because anything can happen.”
The plans to launch the competition has been worked on behind the scenes for a couple of months, Naveed’s days rarely not busy preparing the show.
But it will all be worth it when the first whistle is blown.
“We’ve been organising this tournament for about two months now,” Naveed said.
“Being involved in football myself, I wanted to bring something different to Shepparton that players and the wider community could enjoy.
“There’s been a lot of work behind the scenes, from securing the venue and sponsors to organising teams, referees and everything else.
“It’s been a busy couple of months, but it’s great to finally see everything coming together.
“What started as an idea is now becoming a reality, and we couldn’t have done it without the support of our sponsors, teams and everyone who’s helped along the way.
“For me, it’s not just about football. It’s about bringing people together and creating something the Shepparton community can look forward to each year.”
A lucrative cash prize is on the line for the 12 teams involved, and when the first kick of the ball arrives on Saturday afternoon, Naveed expects fierce competition at a quality level.
“I’m expecting a pretty high standard of football,” he said.
“A lot of these players already know each other from playing around the region, so there will definitely be some rivalry and bragging rights involved.
“Every team wants to win, and I think we’re going to see some really good football.”
Twelve matches are to be played on Saturday, October 17 at Shepparton Hockey Courts, the first pair of contests kicking off at 1pm.
The action continues on Sunday at noon for another six group stages fixtures.
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