Football Federation of SA says pitch shortage leaves kids on sidelines Salisbury United junior players Blake Freer, Harriett Rivera, and Ethan Cox at their club's ground. Picture: BIANCA DE MARCHI Source: adelaidenow TELL US: Is your club facing this problem? HUNDREDS of junior soccer players are being turned away from elite clubs because of a lack of pitches and floodlights, the Football Federation of SA says. The federation has called on the State Government to scrap planned cuts to grassroots sports clubs and work with councils to help fund more grounds. The plea comes after the Sunday Mail revealed that briefing notes from the Office of Recreation and Sport said clubs were a "key component to delivering" economic and health outcomes for the community. Federation chief executive Michael Carter said most of the association's 30 clubs were struggling to find places for players once they turned 12 and progressed to playing matches on full-sized pitches. The situation is expected to worsen because of a surge in players aged six to 11 since 2009. "Almost all clubs have trials for their junior teams, because a lack of pitches means that they are only able to field a certain number of junior teams," Mr Carter said. Those that don't make the teams are turned away. FFSA clubs will field 260 teams this year for players aged six to 11. There were 220 teams last year and 164 in 2009. Salisbury United club secretary Peter Lockett said his club was "screaming for more space." In two years, the club has tripled its junior intake from about 20 to 60 players."At the moment we have one full-sized pitch, and the small modified pitch we use actually belongs to the club next door," Mr Carter said. He supported Messenger Community News' Save Our Clubs campaign, which opposes a government plan to slash the Community Recreation and Sports Facilities Program from $7.3 million in 2013-14 to $3.8 million by 2015-16. "Any reduction in grants and funding will significantly impact on local clubs and the important role they play within their local community," Mr Carter said. We need to partner with local and state government and clubs to upgrade lighting at venues and source lighting for additional pitches. Sports Minister Leon Bignell said recent funding for the FFSA included $1.5 million towards two state league pitches which will be built at the new Parks Community Centre redevelopment. "Also, $700,000 has been provided towards lighting and a new synthetic pitch at Adelaide Shores," he said. with Holly Petersen