Five executive members, including president Steve Gibson sensationally quit the South West Soccer Association

The South West Soccer Association has been thrown into chaos this week, with five executive members, including president Steve Gibson, walking out midway through the season. Vice president Shane Cole and secretary Isabell Evans are also among the executives who have called it quits, with their resignations effective immediately. South West Soccer Association administration manager Simone Darnell, who is a paid employee, has also resigned, and will depart the organisation on July 4. In a letter obtained by the South Western Times, Gibson said the decision came after much deliberation and was made with the “best interests of the game in mind”. “I wish to advise you that five members of the SWSA executive, including myself, along with our administration manager have decided to resign from our positions,” the letter read. Gibson said in the letter he had worked closely with the resigning members for more than two years and had the “highest regard for their commitment, collaboration and strong desire to see senior football flourish in the South West”. “Certainly as a group we have encountered a number of challenges during our tenure which have always been worked through in a transparent and professional manner,” the letter read. The South Western Times believes an emergency meeting was held on Tuesday night, at which an interim president was named. The shock resignations come almost exactly at the halfway point of the season, with seven of the 15 league rounds completed. League action paused for the President’s Cup, which took place at the weekend, but returns on Sunday with a full program.