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Much has been reported about the concerns of the AFL surrounding the impact of hosting the World Cup during their season. The Herald Sun reports on another aspect of the bid that is equally worrying to all taxpayers: Government lobby groups.
The lobby group, Hawker Britton, which boasts a former state Labor minister, has been engaged by the FFA to lobby the state governments.
According to the Herald Sun, Hawker Britton is a major donor to the Rudd Government, to the tune of $177,000.
So, we have the highly unpalatable scenario of a lobbyist being a major donor to the Government; the taxpayer funding the FFA up to $100 million for the purposes of the bid (with no strings attached, no accountability, no transparency); millions of dollars of taxpayer money finding its way back to that same lobbyist, who in turn is going to use it to lobby state governments and convince those very same taxpayers of the virtues of the world cup!
If I didn’t know any better, I’d say that is just one very small step away from depriving the taxpayer and being a sham designed to line the pockets of a specific football code.
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January 18th 2010 @ 7:10am
Chuq said | January 18th 2010 @ 7:10am | Report comment
I used to read these articles and get angry, but these days I read them and laugh. AFL fans are facing the reality that for the first time, their codes governing body is unable to kick around one of their competitors – and they are going into full blown panic mode. Smell the fear, etc etc.
January 18th 2010 @ 8:28am
Al said | January 18th 2010 @ 8:28am | Report comment
I would love to see that creature Demetriou and his vicball cronies’ faces when Australia is announced as host nation for 2022. Association football will give one back (and a huge one at that) after taking it for so many decades from the vicball nationalists and their propoganda machines in the media.
January 18th 2010 @ 10:45am
Jay said | January 18th 2010 @ 10:45am | Report comment
I disagree. From what ive read, I think Demetriou should be applauded (I am not an AFL fan, I take little interest in it to be honest). The FFA demanded Ethihad and MCG – the stadia where the majority of the games are played in the AFL for the confeds cup and WC. They did not inform the stadium management nor the AFL about this move. Total disrespect. They assumed that it would be ok becuase they have a generous government backing.
Demetriou has every right to be pissed at the arrogance shown by the FFA.
January 20th 2010 @ 7:06pm
Mister Football said | January 20th 2010 @ 7:06pm | Report comment
Jay
thanks for a very well thought out and considered post.
January 18th 2010 @ 10:51am
Forgetmenot said | January 18th 2010 @ 10:51am | Report comment
Yep, you guys can be busy getting back to your long history of name calling and inner-politics, while Demetriou can get on with his job and continue to grow football.
If Australia lands the rights to the Soccer World Cup, you can bet your mother that no-one involved in the AFL will be sitting around crying. They will try and get the best possible outcome for football out of the event.
January 20th 2010 @ 7:07pm
Mister Football said | January 20th 2010 @ 7:07pm | Report comment
I think that’s probably right – in the meantime, they will do what’s right for their 16 (soon to become 18 ) clubs and their 600,000 members.
January 20th 2010 @ 10:53am
Anthony said | January 20th 2010 @ 10:53am | Report comment
The soccer missionaries are out in force!
January 20th 2010 @ 7:08pm
Mister Football said | January 20th 2010 @ 7:08pm | Report comment
you can say that again!!
January 20th 2010 @ 7:05pm
Mister Football said | January 20th 2010 @ 7:05pm | Report comment
Chuq
I’ve said before that you are perhaps the most reasonable soccer fan on Big Footy.
I’ve canvassed two related issues in this thread:
1. use of taxpayer funds; and
2. accountability, transparency and scrutiny thereof.
In doing so, a I have made something abundantly clear: soccer fans do not care for either!
This has been demonstrated on this thread in a real and practical manner – never before has such a form of group think been exposed as I have managed to do right here on this thread!
January 18th 2010 @ 7:51am
Michael C said | January 18th 2010 @ 7:51am | Report comment
Chuq – I’d have thought the reality thus far is that the AFL in standing their ground (in part – as, they’ve offered up most everything. Other than Etihad), so, the AFL in partially standing their ground is seen to be derailing the FFA – - is ‘standing’ defined as ‘kicking’??
Now if the FFA can’t get all the Govt’s together and work out a way to do it (the bid) without Etihad (and we know the Swan St stadium is sitting there smelling like a baby white elephant……the Roof looks like a grouped huddle of baby elephant rrrrr’ses), then are we to read that as the AFL kicking around the FFA?
Probably what this article illustrates is that the FFA have recognised from early days that they can’t do it themselves – - – fine, we’ve been saying that for some time. And that the FFA needs desperately to have Govt ‘onside’……but, even then, there’s only so much Govt can do without draconian legislation or major, major expenditure – - because at it’s heart, this is a flimsy bid – it doesn’t mean it’ll fail, just, that it’s flimsy.
January 18th 2010 @ 8:32am
mahony said | January 18th 2010 @ 8:32am | Report comment
Even if there was an AFL World Cup – no sporting administration could “do it on its own” – why are the FFA held to a higher standard than previous ‘carpet baggers’? Why did we not as the AOC to do the Olympics “on their own”. Why did the ARU receive so much government patronage for their (relatively small) event instead of being asked to do it “on their own”. Nothing of national significance (least of all the biggest sporting event in the world) can be done in this federated nation without the involvement of government.
January 18th 2010 @ 8:37am
True Tah said | January 18th 2010 @ 8:37am | Report comment
How much government support did the ARU receive? I didnt see the IRB banning the Melbourne Cup or the International Rules games during the same time the Wallabies-Irish games in the 2003 RWC? Or the IRB making a similar demand.
The only reason why this is an issue is because FIFA does not want major sporting events played in the same cities as FIFA WC games. If this impediment is removed (and I suspect it will be), then the AFL will not stand in its way.
January 18th 2010 @ 10:24am
Mr said | January 18th 2010 @ 10:24am | Report comment
Look the AFL and the NRL are not major events. The State of Origin perhaps, and all Super Rugby and Tests are considered major events. But both NRL and Rugby will ultimately benefit from the improved rectangle fields nationally.
January 20th 2010 @ 7:10pm
Mister Football said | January 20th 2010 @ 7:10pm | Report comment
Jointly the AFL and NRL have about 1 million members – so that’s major enough.
January 20th 2010 @ 9:33pm
Mister Football said | January 20th 2010 @ 9:33pm | Report comment
Actually, might be closer to 950,000.
January 18th 2010 @ 5:00pm
Beast-A-Tron said | January 18th 2010 @ 5:00pm | Report comment
“How much government support did the ARU receive? I didnt see the IRB banning the Melbourne Cup or the International Rules games during the same time the Wallabies-Irish games in the 2003 RWC? Or the IRB making a similar demand.”
Very true.
Even if, as some others have argued, that the NRL & AFL are excluded from this clause, I still think it is incredibly arrogant and incredibly anti-competitive on FIFA’s behalf. It disgusts me; for this is not what the spirit of sport is about.
January 20th 2010 @ 7:11pm
Mister Football said | January 20th 2010 @ 7:11pm | Report comment
Yes – it’s an attitude that disgusts me as well.
January 18th 2010 @ 8:51am
Michael C said | January 18th 2010 @ 8:51am | Report comment
Agreed – in the main,
the primary dilemma is what the FFA asks for or expects or petulantly demands without proper consideration or recognition.
The Govt should’ve been a key organising partner from the outset, rather than just the main ‘sponsor’.
The FFA only managed to put noses out of joint. The FFA have done more damage to their bid domestically by trying to effectively go it alone. They engaged this lobby group, but, now – Kate Ellis and the Fed Govt have effectively taken a far greater lead role – - that, should, as per your comments too – should have been put in place from the outset.
January 18th 2010 @ 1:52pm
Lazza said | January 18th 2010 @ 1:52pm | Report comment
You’re assuming that AD was telling the truth. The Melbourne Age had it right – this was just an ambit claim so AD can get more ‘compensation’ out of the government.
Look at the financial statements that just came out and see how many Melbourne clubs were getting government assistnnce to help prop them up. Every AFL stadium in Australia bar one or two have been built with taxpayers money.
January 18th 2010 @ 2:06pm
Mister Football said | January 18th 2010 @ 2:06pm | Report comment
Care to do an anlysis of how every major stadium in Australia has been built?
People might actually be surprised by the result of such an analysis.
January 18th 2010 @ 3:10pm
Lazza said | January 18th 2010 @ 3:10pm | Report comment
Mike Cockerill spelt it out with facts and figures. Some 450m of taxpayers money spent on stadiums where the AFL is the main beneficiary.
Without this money the AFL would be playing on sub-standard stadia or, heaven forbid, have to fund their own stadiums around the country.
January 18th 2010 @ 4:07pm
Beaver fever said | January 18th 2010 @ 4:07pm | Report comment
Well spell it out then, so we can have a look at the figures.
January 18th 2010 @ 4:25pm
Mister Football said | January 18th 2010 @ 4:25pm | Report comment
Lazza
Please put the link up if you’re so confident.
But just for starters, on the AFL side:
1. Etihad – paid for by private money, 100%, the impetus for which came from the AFL selling its ground at Waverley, which it had build with its own money (asset worth at least half a billion dollars and which the Victory use).
2. MCG – a billion dollar asset to which the State Govt has contributed some $77 million – shared with Cricket, used for other events – but the it gets 80% of its revenue from hosting AFL matches.
3. AAMI – developed and owned by the SANFL.
January 20th 2010 @ 7:12pm
Mister Football said | January 20th 2010 @ 7:12pm | Report comment
For starters, on the AFL side:
1. Etihad – paid for by private money, 100%, the impetus for which came from the AFL selling its ground at Waverley, which it had build with its own money (asset worth at least half a billion dollars and which the Victory use).
2. MCG – a billion dollar asset to which the State Govt has contributed some $77 million – shared with Cricket, used for other events – but the it gets 80% of its revenue from hosting AFL matches.
3. AAMI – developed and owned by the SANFL.
January 19th 2010 @ 9:24pm
Michael C said | January 19th 2010 @ 9:24pm | Report comment
Lazza -
facts and figures and Cockerill in the same sentence has zero credibility,
remember how he claimed the $453 million FEDERAL funds to the AFL,
and, his primary example was of $77 million to a Cricket Club.
His next best try was $28 million of FEDERAL funds to the AFL for Skilled Stadium? Hmmm, the breakdown of that $28 million that actually builds a venue owned by the City of Greater Geelong –
funny thing being that that $28 million included of supposed Federal funds was made up thus:
AFL $2.5 million
GeelongFC $3.5 million
City of Greater Geelong $1.5 million
Vic State Govt $6 million
and the Feds put in $14 million.
So, he was 50% off on that one, but, again, the AFL contributed to the project which is owned by the City of Greater Geelong.
The next best example was $5 million (apparently) to the SANFL (does he realise these guys are as much ‘the AFL’ as QLDRL is ARL??) for – - – god forbid – - – ‘community projects’, in a state where……Australian Football is number one!!! Oh, the travesty!!!!
So, please, give it a rest quoting Michael Cockerill, ‘cos, remember, Cockerill has claimed that the MCG recieved massive public funding because of the soccer tourney at the 2000 Olympics. Nuh!!! Missed on that one, by 8 years one way, 6 years the other way and $77 million out of project cost of $456 million doesn’t really sound like ‘massive’ to me.
So, seeing that you have run with Cockerills crap as truth, when clearly it isn’t and we’ve gone to pains to illustrate this a few times on theRoar,
it is a bit galling for you to go with a line like “You’re assuming that AD was telling the truth”
well – mate, why the heck not. It you’re assuming that Cockerill is telling the truth when we’ve illustrate so clearly that he has both his facts AND his figures wrong!!! Demetriou’s got 1000 times the credibility of soccer loving journo Michael Cockerill. And Don’t forget, it was Fairfax stable mate (soccer luvin’) Michael Lynch who kicked of the ‘fear and misinformation’ by proclaiming back on Oct 23 that the AFL and NRL would have to shut down for 8 weeks, that venues would be claimed for training and that AFL and NRL would be host city excluded anyway!!!
Demetriou – and I live in Melbourne and have heard him on the radio – has always indicated that if the AFL retained Docklands that they could probably get by. The in principle support stood right through pending details. Why would we doubt the AFL and Demetriou on this front??
The word around was that Demetriou had briefed club chiefs after the AFL had stumbled upon the costed plan of the $130 mill reconfig and min 16 wk exclusion for the MCG – and, that on top of the FFA proclaiming Etihad as theirs – that changed things. I’m sure you can understand why that would change things. Surely??
January 20th 2010 @ 7:13pm
Mister Football said | January 20th 2010 @ 7:13pm | Report comment
Well said.
January 20th 2010 @ 10:33pm
bever fever said | January 20th 2010 @ 10:33pm | Report comment
Dont think you will hear from lazza, have seen him post plenty of negative things about Australian football since then, would like to see him back up his claims.
The guy did not even link the article.
January 20th 2010 @ 9:31am
Michael C said | January 20th 2010 @ 9:31am | Report comment
Lazza -
“Every AFL stadium in Australia bar one or two have been built with taxpayers money.”
what, except the SANFL owned/built AAMI stadium (50K capacity)
the $460 mill Etihad stadium (56K capacity) inc. $30 mill of AFL funds
the $576 mill MCG was $499 mill from MCC funds tied to AFL usage/generate revenue,
…yep, bar one or two.
Show me the other venues for soccer/rugby built in Australia with even a minimum of 50% private/non govt equity??
January 20th 2010 @ 10:41am
Michael C said | January 20th 2010 @ 10:41am | Report comment
Lazza -
I’m waiting for your facts and figures?? or even you defence of Mike Cockerill.
January 20th 2010 @ 7:13pm
Mister Football said | January 20th 2010 @ 7:13pm | Report comment
Soccer fans aren’t really good with facts and figures.
January 18th 2010 @ 4:57pm
Beast-A-Tron said | January 18th 2010 @ 4:57pm | Report comment
“the AFL in partially standing their ground is seen to be derailing the FFA ”
Apparently looking after your stakeholders is considered ‘derailing the bid’. What a world we live in.
January 20th 2010 @ 7:14pm
Mister Football said | January 20th 2010 @ 7:14pm | Report comment
That’s right – it has become illegal all of a sudden to manage your business.
In the meantime, the FFA contributes nothing and expects the world.
January 18th 2010 @ 8:15am
Tommy said | January 18th 2010 @ 8:15am | Report comment
Chuq is right – this article is completely paranoid
There’s no big scary Government conspiracy at play – lobbyists have an important role to play in helping Governments make decisions, and helping business gain access to bureaucrats – and the FFA isn’t paying them “millions of dollars”.
Also — there are Labor and Liberal lobbyists. They donate to parties, not governments, and they’ve been around since sliced bread!
It’s time for Mister Football to face reality – there’s more footy codes flexing their muscles in the marketplace
January 20th 2010 @ 12:54pm
Axelv said | January 20th 2010 @ 12:54pm | Report comment
Sliced bread hasn’t been around that long!
It’s since 1928
But good point
January 20th 2010 @ 7:16pm
Mister Football said | January 20th 2010 @ 7:16pm | Report comment
As I said, I’ve canvassed two related issues in this thread:
1. use of taxpayer funds; and
2. accountability, transparency and scrutiny thereof.
In doing so, a I have made something abundantly clear: soccer fans do not care for either!
This has been demonstrated on this thread in a real and practical manner – never before has such a form of group think been exposed as I have managed to do right here on this thread!
January 18th 2010 @ 8:17am
andrewMc said | January 18th 2010 @ 8:17am | Report comment
Part of me used to actually enjoy reading The Roar. It would have insightful articles by informed writers.
After reading this, all other contributors should be angry at The roar co-ordinators for letting this piece of uninformed dribble make it through to publication.
January 18th 2010 @ 5:06pm
Beast-A-Tron said | January 18th 2010 @ 5:06pm | Report comment
Care to make a valid criticism then?
That’s what I thought…
I’m astonished at how many people feel the need to comment on the quality and partiality of Roar articles, yet they appear to have failed Year 12 English. If you think it is a bad article fine – spell it out then (you know loaded language, mudslinging, logical fallacies).
January 20th 2010 @ 7:18pm
Mister Football said | January 20th 2010 @ 7:18pm | Report comment
The Roar editors explained that this isue was covered in the mainstream press, and furthermore, since when should we not question:
1. the use of taxpayers’ funds; and
2. the accountability, transparency and scrutiny thereof.
January 18th 2010 @ 8:19am
andrewMc said | January 18th 2010 @ 8:19am | Report comment
Mister Football,
Some questions were posed to you on 442, but you have not yet answered them. In case you missed them, here they are again (and I should acknowledge girtXc):
1.Please set out in full the $6 billion dollars of spending that will exclusively benefit football and only football in this country as a result of a successful World Cup bid.
2.Please give a full list of sporting competitions that have ceased operation for their complete season because of the FIFA World Cup being hosted in that country.
3.Please give evidence from the past of AFL exclusive rights over the MCG where no other sporting activities have taken place for that 365 day period.
4.Please give a full account to the breakdown of the AFL claims of a 3.4 billion dollar annual industry.
5.Please list all Governments-State and Federal that the AFL has not lobbied in the past 18 months since the World Cup bid was announced
6.Please list all Governments -State and Federal that have not been given millions of dollars in funding that will benefit the AFL or its clubs in the past 18 months.
7.Please list all sporting bodies that have had more the 10% of the Government funding to the AFL over the past 10 years and detail those claims.
8.An average of 2.7 million (a peak of 3.62 million ) watching the AFL Grand Final in 2009 representing between just 12.2% and 16.63% of our population of 22,118,178.Of this number a vast amount support the world cup bid.Why should such a small percentage(most likely under 1% of our population-221,181)get to decide whats in Australia’s interest?
9.Explain why 100,000 jobs,a projected cumulative global audience of 50 billion and a turnover of between $125 billion for 2018 and $180 billion for 2022 is bad for Australia?
January 18th 2010 @ 9:21am
Mister Football said | January 18th 2010 @ 9:21am | Report comment
This particular issue is not about me.
January 18th 2010 @ 9:40am
MV Dave said | January 18th 2010 @ 9:40am | Report comment
The problem is that you have been so paranoid and unbalanced in comments concerning the world cup bid that now whenever you do post it on the topic it has become all about YOU…your loss of credibility on this issue!
January 18th 2010 @ 10:26am
Simmo said | January 18th 2010 @ 10:26am | Report comment
When it comes to making arguments the credibility of the person making the argument is just as important as the substance of the argument itself.
You’re so nakedly partisan about the WC bid that you have no ability to persuade people who are inclined to think differently.
January 18th 2010 @ 2:43pm
Springs said | January 18th 2010 @ 2:43pm | Report comment
I would say more people know nothing of the world cup bid than those that actually support it.
January 18th 2010 @ 2:53pm
Mister Football said | January 18th 2010 @ 2:53pm | Report comment
To be honest – there is nothing to know.
England and the US – all the info is out there – all publicly available – in the case of the US we know the 18 potential host cities and the 21 massive stadiums ready to go.
Here in Australia – the only thing we know is that taxpayer money has made its way to an ex Labour Minister as part of the bid process.
January 18th 2010 @ 5:54pm
andrewMc said | January 18th 2010 @ 5:54pm | Report comment
So you know where the US is getting its money from? Please inform the rest of us
January 18th 2010 @ 6:28pm
Mister Football said | January 18th 2010 @ 6:28pm | Report comment
No, I don’t know, and to be honest, what’s happening in the US is none of my business.
My interest is what’s happening right here in Australia.
People often ask: if the WC is such an economic disaster area, why do so many other countries bid?
And my obvious response is: doesn’t matter what other countires wish to do with public money, what matters is what we choose to do.
January 18th 2010 @ 7:45pm
andrewMc said | January 18th 2010 @ 7:45pm | Report comment
Hang on a minute. You said “England and the US – all the info is out there – all publicly available”
And I asked you to inform the rest of us.
If it is all publicly available, why don’t you know????
Stop making stuff up on your personal (and unaustralian) campaign to stop the world’s biggest sporting event coming to Australia.
January 18th 2010 @ 8:10pm
Mister Football said | January 18th 2010 @ 8:10pm | Report comment
Well, here’s the US list of host cities and stadiums – and let me warn you – it’s an impressive list!!
Metro Market/City Stadium Estimated Capacity for FIFA World Cup
Atlanta Georgia Dome 70,868
Baltimore M & T Bank Stadium 71,008
Boston Gillette Stadium 73,393
Dallas Cowboys Stadium 91,600
Dallas Cotton Bowl 89,000
Denver INVESCO Field 75,165
Houston Reliant Stadium 76,000
Indianapolis Lucas Oil Stadium 66,500
Kansas City Arrowhead Stadium 75,364
Los Angeles Rose Bowl 89,000
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 93,607
Miami Land Shark Field 80,240
Nashville LP Field 75,000
New York/New Jersey New Meadowlands Stadium 84,046
Philadelphia Lincoln Financial Field 69,111
Phoenix/Glendale University of Phoenix Stadium 71,362
San Diego Qualcomm Stadium 67,700
Seattle Qwest Field 68,056
Seattle Husky Stadium 72,500
Tampa Raymond James Stadium 75,000
Washington, D.C. FedEx Field 89,690
http://www.ussoccer.com/News/Federat…World-Cup.aspx
18 host cities and 21 stadiums with capacities of between 66,500 and 93,600 – now that’s what I call a serious bid!!
January 18th 2010 @ 8:44pm
andrewMc said | January 18th 2010 @ 8:44pm | Report comment
And once again, the original question. Where are they getting their money from. According to you, all the info is out there – publicly available
January 20th 2010 @ 7:19pm
Mister Football said | January 20th 2010 @ 7:19pm | Report comment
There is not too much to know.
England and the US – all the info is out there – all publicly available – in the case of the US we know the 18 potential host cities and the 21 massive stadiums ready to go.
Here in Australia – the only thing we know is that taxpayer money has made its way to an ex Labour Minister as part of the bid process.
January 18th 2010 @ 8:27am
mahony said | January 18th 2010 @ 8:27am | Report comment
Chuq – spot on. The feigned concern for democratic principles and transparency in government patronage is little short of vomit inducing from these long-term ‘carpet baggers’ from the AFL. So the point of this article is that the FFA hired lobbyists with links to Labor. NEWS ALERT – there is only one Liberal government in Australia and the whole point of lobbyists is to influence government thinking. All this proves is what we all know already – Lowy, Buckley and co know exactly what they are doing and will play hard ball until the World Cup is on its way. Money well spent IMO – even if the AFL gets some stadium upgrades as a result.
January 18th 2010 @ 8:32am
AndyRoo said | January 18th 2010 @ 8:32am | Report comment
The feigned concern for democratic principles and transparency in government patronage
Mahony
This particular lobby group has also been employed by the AFL. So it’s very much “feigned” concern.
January 18th 2010 @ 8:41am
Al said | January 18th 2010 @ 8:41am | Report comment
The AFL will stoop to any level to destroy football. They are such an amoral, despicable organisation.
January 18th 2010 @ 8:59am
Michael C said | January 18th 2010 @ 8:59am | Report comment
Al – you’re spurting rot again.
The AFL has previously started their season early in 2000 to make way for Olympic soccer at the MCG,
the AFL has worked hand in hand with the MCG and Docklands during their (AFL’s) period of exclusivity to allow Soccer/Rugby U and Rugby L matches to go ahead during the footy season, we’ve even had cricket at Docklands in August.
and the AFL has indicated they would make the MCG available for no more than 10 weeks and that they want to retain Docklands. The AFL has got the SANFL and SACA together to allow Adelaide Oval to be redeveloped into a landmark venue that would be FIFA WC ready.
How is that going to ‘destroy soccer’????
Get the FFA, Vic Govt and Docklands management together in a room (the AFL needn’t come into it) – and get Swan St bubbledome stadium ramped up to 43,000 or 50,000 or whatever and let the AFL keep Docklands no questions asked!!! Simple.
January 18th 2010 @ 10:06am
MV Dave said | January 18th 2010 @ 10:06am | Report comment
“Get the FFA, Vic Govt and Docklands management together in a room (the AFL needn’t come into it) – and get Swan St bubbledome stadium ramped up to 43,000 or 50,000 or whatever and let the AFL keep Docklands no questions asked!!! Simple” = Agreed! Dont let them out until it happens!
January 18th 2010 @ 10:11am
Redb said | January 18th 2010 @ 10:11am | Report comment
This is the only real issue between the FFA and AFL – Etihad v Bubbledome.
January 18th 2010 @ 10:18am
Michael C said | January 18th 2010 @ 10:18am | Report comment
I’ve said for quite some time that the Victorian Govt is the real stumbling block here. (and the AFL does NOT have a great ‘history’ with the Vic Govt – which no doubt surprises a few).
And, in all likelihood, it’s just the highest profile example of where State Govt’s will appear unwilling to fund major projects in the hope of securing Federal Funds. It’s convenient for the Vic Govt and the FFA that the AFL is being regarded as the ‘enemy’ (but, that’s just ‘true colours’ shining through of many of those with hard-wired AFL hatred).
January 18th 2010 @ 10:31am
MV Dave said | January 18th 2010 @ 10:31am | Report comment
BTW Any one want to look at some recent pictures of Bubbledome construction here’s a link: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=766888&page=8
Great website on stadia construction around the world = skyscrapercity!
January 18th 2010 @ 10:38am
Redb said | January 18th 2010 @ 10:38am | Report comment
MVDave,
Stadium looks awesome, if your coming from the Monash Freeway direction you get a real appreciation for its beauty and design. It appears to be just above the tunnel entrance – a great promo for the stadium with hundreds of thousands of cars traveling under it every week. It’s a little like Etihad which gets free publicty from the view across the Bolte Bridge.
Redb
January 18th 2010 @ 10:53am
Australian Football said | January 18th 2010 @ 10:53am | Report comment
MVDave,
well I must say that is consistent with Etihad—the goal posts are up and the 200 tons of sand in the goal mouth—the Beach Boys will revel on such a surface
Btw Chelsea unstoppable on the weekend we put 7 in against Sunderland…. What a relentless march towards the historic treble using only our reserve team on the pitch at present…
~~~~~~~
AF
January 18th 2010 @ 10:53am
Michael C said | January 18th 2010 @ 10:53am | Report comment
coming from the Monash, as I did on Friday evening around 5.55 pm and yes – - it looks fabulous.
just a shame about the political shambles around it!!!
January 18th 2010 @ 11:05am
MV Dave said | January 18th 2010 @ 11:05am | Report comment
Redb MC
With the new rectangular stadium in place (even if 10,000 less seats than should have) the entire precinct of Olympic Park looks magnificent. Surely not too many other cities in the world, if any, would have such a concentration of stadia for differnet sports in such a small area close to the city centre? Also the Tennis Centre is to get an upgrade!
AF
Probably less sand at the Bubbledome than there was at ET on Saturday night! Still have to learn to play on all surfaces
January 18th 2010 @ 11:11am
Redb said | January 18th 2010 @ 11:11am | Report comment
MVDave,
Totally agree – its a great sporting precinct.
The Vic Govt should co-ordinate a Super pass like the theme parks on the Gold Coast. When the seasons overlap between the footy, A League, rugby union and league and basketball – create a sporting Melbourne Superpass that enables you to go to all 5 events in one day.
Redb
January 18th 2010 @ 9:15am
Simmo said | January 18th 2010 @ 9:15am | Report comment
^^ that’s a bit much.
It’s merely a highly competitive organisation that is greatly focussed on developing its market share.
January 18th 2010 @ 9:20am
Mister Football said | January 18th 2010 @ 9:20am | Report comment
It’s not about whether the AFL has used them or not.
Do people really need for me to outline the issue here, draw a diagram of the money flows and explain in simple language what the problem is.
If we had a competent opposition at the moment, they would have been all over this like wildfire.
January 18th 2010 @ 9:49am
AndyRoo said | January 18th 2010 @ 9:49am | Report comment
Olympic sports seeking more funding, medicinal companies lobbying medicare change, private schools seeking funding, job placement centers, public hospitals etc etc etc etc etc…. there are a hell of a lot of diagrams you would have to draw. I suggest you use generic names so you can use a photocopier.
Since you don’t object to the use of the lobbyists or even these particular lobbyists your area of concern is that the FFA have received government money (as has the AFL for particular programs) in the past and that means you can never ever request more.
So I guess your burining your bulldogs membership right now to make a stand.
January 18th 2010 @ 1:36pm
mahony said | January 18th 2010 @ 1:36pm | Report comment
They are all over it – they support the bid and expect to kick some business the way of Crosby Textor (look it up) – if the government changes between now and 2018-2022.
January 18th 2010 @ 8:54am
Art Sapphire said | January 18th 2010 @ 8:54am | Report comment
Zzzzzzz….Zzzzzzz…Zzzzzzz…Zzzzzzz….Zzzzzzz….Zzzzzzz….Zzzzzzz…Zzzzzzz…Zzzzzzz….Zzzzzzz….Zzzzzzz….Zzzzzzz…Zzzzzzz…Zzzzzzz….Zzzzzzz….Oh, what’s this!! Oh, it’s just Pip making a nuisance of himself again. Nothing important. Must get back to sleep. Need rest after celebrating 6 goals on the weekend…
Zzzzzzz….Zzzzzzz…Zzzzzzz…Zzzzzzz….Zzzzzzz….Zzzzzzz….Zzzzzzz…Zzzzzzz…Zzzzzzz….Zzzzzzz….Zzzzzzz….Zzzzzzz…Zzzzzzz…Zzzzzzz….Zzzzzzz….Zzzzzzz….Zzzzzzz…Zzzzzzz…Zzzzzzz….Zzzzzzz….
January 18th 2010 @ 9:33am
Australian Football said | January 18th 2010 @ 9:33am | Report comment
Art,
change of fortune for Melb V—-a magnificent win now that Pippi has burned his imaginary Melb V club membership card… Well done for you “only few” remaining diehard members with Pippi now gone and his other 30k membership cards he said he had personally held, but now reduced to ashes in Demetriou’s great Melb Vic card burning in Federation Square…
But still 20k members is still very impressive… I hop to see you lot at Fortress Miron on the 29 January to give us Golden Oldies a 25k home record gate and the Premiership Plate to boot…
~~~~~~~
AF
January 18th 2010 @ 10:22am
Art Sapphire said | January 18th 2010 @ 10:22am | Report comment
Unfortunately AF, I won’t be able to make it up to Fortress Miron on Jan 29. But, I know a few mates that will be going up there to enjoy the weekend and another away victory.
P.S Thanks to your boys beating boring, boring Sydney.
January 18th 2010 @ 10:43am
AndyRoo said | January 18th 2010 @ 10:43am | Report comment
I enjoy watching Sydney and as much as it pains me to admit it, Alex Brosque is very important to them. Doesn’t mean I want him anywhere near the national team though.
January 18th 2010 @ 10:27am
Simmo said | January 18th 2010 @ 10:27am | Report comment
Mister Football = Pip?
January 18th 2010 @ 9:18am
Mister Football said | January 18th 2010 @ 9:18am | Report comment
It’s interesting that no one has looked carefully at the crux of the issue and possible ramifications.
The responses tell a tale themselves.
January 18th 2010 @ 9:34am
Michael C said | January 18th 2010 @ 9:34am | Report comment
my main alarm bell in ready about this was the name – David White.
Groan……
one thinks of Cain and Kirner, Tri-Continental, Pyramid and VEDC and a state sent to the financial brink.
A bit of brown paper bag money and a slush fund with a blank cheque and stuff all accountability,….no major surprises there!!
January 18th 2010 @ 10:39am
Simmo said | January 18th 2010 @ 10:39am | Report comment
We did look at the crux of the issue but just don’t give it the same significance as you.
Lobbying and its associated problems cut right across the spectrum of government policy. Every person, firm, industry or interest group recieves. or seeks to receive, some kind of benefit from government. It’s far from unique. It is ubiquitous.
You just spin it out of all proportion because you hate the WC bid. Pathetic really.
January 18th 2010 @ 5:16pm
Beast-A-Tron said | January 18th 2010 @ 5:16pm | Report comment
“Every person, firm, industry or interest group recieves. or seeks to receive, some kind of benefit from government. It’s far from unique. It is ubiquitous.”
I believe this is a problem, but not really concerning the WC Bid. I’m more disturbed by the lobbying done by fundamentalist groups such as the ACL.
But I suppose that is neither here nor there on The Roar.
January 18th 2010 @ 5:20pm
Mister Football said | January 18th 2010 @ 5:20pm | Report comment
No – people have had far more enjoyment today in abusing me personally, and stacking the minus votes on all of my comments (although no one appears to wish to directly argue these – and the one time someone made a legitimate attempt to discuss a point, his only response was “I don’t understand”).
January 18th 2010 @ 5:49pm
Beast-A-Tron said | January 18th 2010 @ 5:49pm | Report comment
“and stacking the minus votes on all of my comments”
Some have gone to the trouble of stacking minus points on posts of yours that are several weeks old, before the system was introduced… that’s a little bit sad hehe.
Additionally, most of them seem to be in increments of ‘-3′. Any guesses on who these three determined users are? Oh this is hilarious.
January 19th 2010 @ 11:41am
Mister Football said | January 19th 2010 @ 11:41am | Report comment
It is hilarious.
Every user has at least two votes (logged on and not logged on).
If there are people on here with two log ons, that’s effectively 3 votes.
You’d only need three such people in close contact to get 9 minus votes in a very short time period (and that’s roughly what I have been copping in quick succession).
I’m fine with it – personally, I am taking it as a small victory that people care so much about what I have said that they are going to great lengths to censor me.
Otherwise, this thread would have had no comments.
January 18th 2010 @ 9:47am
Midfielder said | January 18th 2010 @ 9:47am | Report comment
Trol Trol Trol the boat gently down the stream…
I suggest football folk ignore a baseless lot of claims meant only to inflame… Don’t give this guy the Oxygen he wants…Leaves that to those that smell the fear… as Mr Football surely does…
Therefore no more comments…
January 19th 2010 @ 11:43am
Mister Football said | January 19th 2010 @ 11:43am | Report comment
Speaking of trolls – if I didn’t know any better, I’d say you are behind this coordinated campaign to censor absolutely everything I have posted, including some of the most innocuous one liners you could ever expect to come across.
Apart from threatening the Roar editors, do you have anything useful to say?
January 20th 2010 @ 7:22pm
Mister Football said | January 20th 2010 @ 7:22pm | Report comment
At least I’m not threatening the Roar editors in the manner that you did – which is perhaps one of the lowest acts ever witnessed on the Roar.
January 18th 2010 @ 9:49am
AndrewM said | January 18th 2010 @ 9:49am | Report comment
Spell out what your concerns are? rather than let people guess? It’s just anti football nonsense.
You wouldn’t have written this article about the olympics, under the same circumstances.. So shame on you.
What you really are upset about is 100million of tax payers money.. This 100 million is an investment, because if Australia wins the bid then we will be raking in far more than 100million in return.. There are plenty of examples of where tax payers money goes to waste, when there is not even a remote chance of investment return.
So get your head out of the gutter and be open minded. It is a once in a life time opportunity to host it.. Most Australian’s are pro the WC bid… Just check the SBS ratings of the WC games at 2am.. 6 million people, thats 3 times as many who watched the AFL grand final.
There is a massive interest in football in this country and it will explode if we host the WC. So the 100 million dollar initial investment is something most Australian’s would be happy about.
Finally, AFL is a backwater sport in NSW and QLD, which holds the majority of the country’s population (over 50%).. So lets just pretend the 100 million came from NSW and QLD shall we? cos I know NSW pays taxes for just about every other bloody state including the victorians. The MCG could be called the NCG for all we know.
January 18th 2010 @ 9:55am
Mister Football said | January 18th 2010 @ 9:55am | Report comment
It’s like this:
1. Government hands over about $50 mill (but we’re no longer sure about the exact amount) of taxpayer money for the bid
2. FFA spends that money to lobby Government and the taxpayer in return!
That’s just a dubious use of taxpayer money, but it gets worse.
Millions have found their way to a close Labour mate, who happens to be a major donor to the Party.
Now if people don’t understand the import of that – I’m not sure I can spell it out any further.
Let us just say that Governments have fallen for less than that.
When you spend large amounts of public money – you better be open to scrutiny and you better be 100% squeaky clean.
January 18th 2010 @ 1:41pm
mahony said | January 18th 2010 @ 1:41pm | Report comment
It used the money to lobby State governments – not the Federal government. It did so because it knows “who pays?” is the key question and State governments will require some convincing. Your explanation, like the original “article” is based on a false premise.
January 18th 2010 @ 1:49pm
Mister Football said | January 18th 2010 @ 1:49pm | Report comment
Government is using taxpayer money for the privilege of government, and those same taxpayers, being lobbied.
That money is ending up in the pocket of an ex-Labour Minister – and I would bet it was not done with a proper competitive bidding process.
January 18th 2010 @ 10:13am
Michael C said | January 18th 2010 @ 10:13am | Report comment
AndrewM -
actually over most the history of the GST, VIctoria has had a net loss – and especially on spending such as roads etc…….and probably for good reason, VIctoria has managed to build a better network of roads given a smaller geographical area with a higher population density compared for example to QLD and NSW with lesser population densities.
Mr Bracks said for every $1 Victorians contributed in GST revenue, only 80 cents was returned to this State.
and
Victoria will get $10.5 billion under the 2006-07 grants system, but Mr Brumby said
flawed methodology would again allow taxes paid in Victoria to flow to Queensland and
Western Australia.
“When states that are riding high on a sustainable minerals boom receive subsidies
from Victoria there can be no doubt, even in (federal Treasurer Peter) Costello’s mind,
that the system is …
Your reference to “The MCG could be called the NCG for all we know” is so far off the money it doesn’t matter.
The numbers as follows :
MCG Great Southern Stand – cost $142 million. Govt funded – zero.
MCG Ponsford/Northern/Olympic stands – cost $434 million. Govt funded – $77 mill Vic State. Fed zero.
So, don’t worry. Not Federal funds have gone into the MCG other than a bit towards the national sports museum (I’m sure you wouldn’t begrudge that amount!!!). And you DO realise that the AFL doesn’t own or run the MCG – it’s state owned and MCC run.
(note too – Docklands. $460 million cost. Govt funded – zero cash – provided ~ $60 mill worth of land. AFL funded $30 million)
For whatever good points you may or may not have made in the first couple of lines of your post – you just couldn’t resist, and in doing so, rather deflated your credibility balloon.
I recommend you get up to speed and read The Mighty MCG from theRoar Dec 4, 2009.
January 18th 2010 @ 11:03am
AndrewM said | January 18th 2010 @ 11:03am | Report comment
Hang on Michael,
Your repsonse is rather simple.. Where do state government’s get their funds from?? they do not get all their funding entirely from victorian residents, as you ellude to.
What I was saying and rather cheekily so was that Australian’s as a whole pay for things all over the place. So all Australians own the opera house, the harbour bridge etc etc, it is not owned by the states tax payers.
I was just drawing the conclusion that funds raised in NSW would have definately made its way south of the border to pay for things. This is a given.. Sure the NCG comment is a strech but it was said in tongue and cheek! I would have thought you of all people would have recognised that one
January 18th 2010 @ 11:12am
Michael C said | January 18th 2010 @ 11:12am | Report comment
AndrewM -
certainly money is distributed around the country – however, post Sydney Olympics – Victoria has been a pretty strong state economy and it’s actually (and sadly) NSW that is the chain dragging state!!!! We Vics can take a joke normally……but, right now we’ve gotta stick the boot in instead!!!!
the ‘NCG’, I can understand you wanted to use it. But, just a really bad example. The 100% Govt funded venue is the new ‘bubbledome’, so, whilst 100% Vic state Govt funded – you could argue that it’s in that category.
BUt, when the MCC carries over $300 mill of debt (reducing) and services it primarily off revenue generated from long term binding and exclusive contracts with the AFL – - and soccer folk have taken a swipe at the AFL and soccer journos and the FFA have tried to claim (lied) that the AFL has benefitted from ‘massive public spending’ on venues in Melb due to the 2000 Olympic soccer tournament………well…..the MCG isn’t something to joke about!!!!
January 20th 2010 @ 3:33pm
Whatever Whoever said | January 20th 2010 @ 3:33pm | Report comment
Your original assumption that Victoria directly benefits from NSW taxpayers is false, both Victoria and NSW taxpayers are net benefactors to the rest of Australia and have been since federation. Not one single penny of NSW taxpayer money has ever been directly allocated to Victoria, or development of Victorian sporting venues through Federal government budgets. You could argue that NSW money built the Gabba or Subiaco, but not the MCG or the Docklands.
To pretend that the AFL, with the millions of attendees for over a century is not the primary reason the MCG is that stadium it is today to deny and insult the heritage of Australians. To pretend that the Docklands only exists today because of government money, is insulting to those millions of people that attended football games every week for years on end, before corporate dollars and television contracts, providing the AFL with the funds to build Waverley, which subsequently funded development of the Docklands.
The source of funding of the development Victoria’s primary stadiums has been covered here extensively, unfortunately a lot of people don’t like hearing the facts. The fact is that soccer is effectively subsidized by the AFL through use of AFL funded stadiums and directly by Australian taxpayers thanks to the construction of the new stadium. Add to that the millions upon millions of dollars of taxpayer funding that has been given to the outrageously prejudiced SBS to promote soccer over decades and the blank cheque now provided to fund the world cup, any comparison between government aid to soccer and football is absolutely laughable.
January 20th 2010 @ 7:24pm
Mister Football said | January 20th 2010 @ 7:24pm | Report comment
ONe of the very best posts on this thread – thanks.
January 18th 2010 @ 10:18am
Forgetmenot said | January 18th 2010 @ 10:18am | Report comment
Lol … there is not a massive interest in soccer. People are interested in the event of the soccer world cup. Yes most Australians are Pro-wc but most wouldnt really care if australia didnt get it.
Please don’t generalise the state of football in NSW and QLD. Its not a major sport in Sydney or Northern NSW, but in the rest of the state it is. In QLD there is a decent folllowing in the north, and pockets of support over all the rest of the state.
Im actually beginning to hope that Australia does win the rights to host a WC, so then i can tell all the one-eyed fanatical soccer fans “i told you so”.
As for the lobby groups. I find it very similar to consultancy and so have no major problems with it. However as i am able to milk something out of it, i will be chatting about with my political contacts.
January 18th 2010 @ 11:10am
AndrewM said | January 18th 2010 @ 11:10am | Report comment
You want to back that comment up?
6 million people watched the socceroos as the WC at 2am in the morning mate.. If that is not support then I don’t know what is?
The fact that at the grass roots level Football is the BIGGEST game of all around australia pretty much sqaushes your statement again.
I live in sydney and all you have to do is drive around.. Count how many AFL grounds, and RL grounds there are? basically very few.. 95% or more grounds in sydney are FOOTBALL grounds.
So there is a massive interest in football in this country and the WC will expose this.
If you are just basing it on the local league, then wait 10-15 years and see what happens! The HAL is only 5 years old and is a growing sport. But once it turns the corner in about 10 or so years.. It will be a big thing.
January 18th 2010 @ 1:46pm
James said | January 18th 2010 @ 1:46pm | Report comment
I was one of the 6 million (if that really is the correct figure – I have no idea) who was whatching. However, I care very little for soccer. I will whatch Australia again in this years world cup, but then again i also whatch the wallabies and rugby league state of origin – even though i have little interest in these sports as well.
As for participation numbers, we all know that soccer is the number one participation sport in the USA and has been for decades. Yet MLS is a poor cousin to the NFL, NBA, MLB and even the NHL. Almost half your participation rates are from womens leagues anyway. Speaking of which, I have said before that I think in Australia netball runs second to soccer – so what? Professionally it is a joke.
Which leads me to my third point. “HAL is only 5 years old and is a growing sport. But once it turns the corner in about 10 or so years.. It will be a big thing.” Well, I dare say that if last year was a plateud in terms of crowds and ratings, then this year (09/10) has really gone backwards. How can you make a ridiculous statement like “in about 10 or so years”, when the A-league has become as big as it will ever be…
January 18th 2010 @ 2:10pm
AndrewM said | January 18th 2010 @ 2:10pm | Report comment
James,
Because unlike yourself I am informed about how the game is going.. What is being done under the covers etc.. You have no interest remember? So how can you possibly comment on something you know little about?
Let me summarise the main points of the past 6-7 years for you to show you how far the game has come. If cannot join the dots then I cant help you any further.
1. Within 5 years the socceroos have qualified for their 2nd successive WC.
2. Soccer Australia, was dismantled and the NSL abloished.
3. The HAL was created.
4. National Youth league established in 2008(sic)
5. Grass roots development in 2009 for small sided games for juniors. This teaches the kids important technical skills about playing in tight spaces, and also allows them to get more touches in the game.
6. Education programs and pathways for coaches of junior football.
7. New tv deal set to be around 300million over 5 years. Will expand each tv deal.
Now.. point 5 and 6 and 7 is MASSIVE..
basically what it is saying is that the kids coming through the system in 10 years time will be of a MUCH higher standard.. The ability to retains those players, and bring in other quality players from overseas will also increase due to the funds coming in from the new tv deal, and subsequent tv deals there after.
Lets also not forget the massive boost hosting the WC will have.
So if you cannot join the dots to see where the game will be in 10-15 years then I hope you dont own any shares mate..
January 18th 2010 @ 2:30pm
Forgetmenot said | January 18th 2010 @ 2:30pm | Report comment
There was a Crawford report into the state of soccer, largely based on Johnny Warrens input.
You make a point about Youth and are trying like most soccer people to say that soccer has been behind football in the battle for youth in the past. In truth, Rale Rasic got the youth programs going for soccer way before football got theres going. Soccer has always been the youth leader, and is attempting to maintain this postion as football is growing its participation at record levels around Australia.
The TV deal soccer gets will always be much smaller than that of football. Mainly because people will only the World Cup every four years, and because soccer people would rather watch the EPL/Serie A than A-League on tv. Also because there are less advertising opportunities in a socccer match compared to a football match.
A-league will remain a feeder league as the Australian population is not large enough to support sponsors paying large amounts of money to sports, which results in larger wages.
Soccer will be in the same position in 15 years as it is right now.
January 18th 2010 @ 4:15pm
Robbos said | January 18th 2010 @ 4:15pm | Report comment
Here lies the difference, a sport with int’l flavour has the ability to attract sports fans with little interest in the sport, beacuse they are following Australia. Fo example I follow basketball in the olympics, but have little interest in this sport outside of the Olympics or if Australia is not involved.
However, a sport that has no int’l flavour has no ability to attract sport fans not interested in that sport.
January 18th 2010 @ 4:30pm
Beaver fever said | January 18th 2010 @ 4:30pm | Report comment
What ??? .. you mean like the NRL, AFL grand final or SOO
January 18th 2010 @ 4:33pm
Robbos said | January 18th 2010 @ 4:33pm | Report comment
Yep!!!! Don’t watch the AFL grand final as I have no interest in the sport. I have a similar lack of interest in Basketball as I do AFL but I watch it during the Olympics.
January 20th 2010 @ 10:11pm
Mister Football said | January 20th 2010 @ 10:11pm | Report comment
But a few million do care – that’s the important bit.
January 18th 2010 @ 10:01pm
jimbo said | January 18th 2010 @ 10:01pm | Report comment
Netball is the biggest team sport in Australia by participation rate and football is second.
Football is the highest participation rate of the football codes, so it is already the number one football code in this country.
The Second Crawford Report states that a true indication of a sports popularity is the participation rate and government funding should be matched to the number of participants.
On that basis, football is the lowest government funded sport per capita of all sports.
Archery gets the most government money per competitior.
January 18th 2010 @ 10:17pm
Beast-A-Tron said | January 18th 2010 @ 10:17pm | Report comment
“so it is already the number one football code in this country”
Kinda amusing how you frequently feel the need to let everyone know, but more importantly to reassure yourself.
It’s okay, everything will be alright, there there.
January 18th 2010 @ 10:48pm
jimbo said | January 18th 2010 @ 10:48pm | Report comment
BAT you people keep saying that football is dead because A-League attendances are down this year and so you are the ones that need reassuring.
We football folk are just here to counter this sort of grabage like its the end of the world if we play a FIFA WC in AUstralia.
There there, calm down – AFL won’t be wiped off the planet because a WC is played here.
Even if it isn’t played here, the world will still enjoy it and nothing the anti-FIFA WC brigade can do about it..
January 18th 2010 @ 11:00pm
Beast-A-Tron said | January 18th 2010 @ 11:00pm | Report comment
“BAT you people keep saying that football is dead”
When have I ever said that? It is not nice to be lying.
“We football folk are just here to counter this sort of grabage like its the end of the world if we play a FIFA WC in AUstralia.”
You were replying to no one in particular (well you didn’t indicate) and quoted no post either. You were just beating your chest.
Look I’m aware of the fact that there are people who are against the WC. But I’m also aware of the fact that there are plenty of soccer zealots who would love to see the AFL obliterated in any way possible. You can’t persuade these people (both sides), you can’t make them see otherwise.
But do I feel the need to go about shouting how ‘AFL is number 1!!!’? No, I have a little more dignity than that.
Edit: – “There there, calm down”
Get your own lines, thief.
January 18th 2010 @ 2:01pm
Forgetmenot said | January 18th 2010 @ 2:01pm | Report comment
As i stated above , people watch the soccer WC because of the event rather than the sport.
Soccer is the number one participant sport in NSW, QLD, ACT. No-where else.
I travel around eastern Australia a fair bit. Most of the rectangular grounds i see are dual rugby/soccer. And yes there a lot more rectangualr ones in Sydney. However the number of football ones are growing.
Im not naive enough to think that the HAL represents ALL the support of soccer in Australia, and you have to be very optimistic if you think the HAL will grow substantially in the next 10 years. If you look at the A-League situation pessimistically i can see it failing under crippling debt.
January 18th 2010 @ 2:13pm
AndrewM said | January 18th 2010 @ 2:13pm | Report comment
So why do more people watch the Football world cup than AFL or NRL grand finals put together??????????????????????? answer me that one.. Because you only watch it because of the “event” right.. it has NOTHINg to do with interest at all ..
YOu guys make me laugh.. your statements are stupid. My statements are at least compared against facts..
At 2 am in the morning if you have 6 million people watching the football world cup.. WHY are more people watching this than AFL and NRL grand finals put together? WHY??? ??
January 18th 2010 @ 2:23pm
Forgetmenot said | January 18th 2010 @ 2:23pm | Report comment
Sorry to do this.
Oztam ratings 2006.
AFL Football Grand Final 2006 – No.2 – 3.145 mil
FIFA Soccer world cup Italy Vs Australia – No. 16. – 2.13 mil
If people are actually interested in soccer rather than the event, then there would large tv ratings for the Asian Cup.
January 18th 2010 @ 2:34pm
MV Dave said | January 18th 2010 @ 2:34pm | Report comment
FGMT
You do understand that the Italy game started at 1am on a week night?
OZtam figures record in home viewing only so both games would have had a lager tv audience than those figures. Roy Morgan research provide the following info;
http://www.roymorgan.com/resources/pdf/papers/20060701.pdf
The Socceroos broke Pay tv records for the Asian Cup.
January 18th 2010 @ 2:39pm
AndrewM said | January 18th 2010 @ 2:39pm | Report comment
Actually asian cup wasn’t on FTA ..but it rated extremely well on foxtel. do your research before posting…
Also check the SBS site for offical ratings figures..
Roy morgan poll shows aus vs japan was watched by more than 7.1 million people!!!!!
http://media.sbs.com.au/sales/upload_media/site_77_rand_1231149215_2006_fifa_world_cup_tv_ratings_analysis.pdf
January 18th 2010 @ 2:50pm
Forgetmenot said | January 18th 2010 @ 2:50pm | Report comment
Heres a nice summary of who watches what on tv in australia. By your beloved Roy Morgan.
http://www.roymorgan.com/news/press-releases/2008/747/
Big pay tv ratings on a friday night?? Most pubs in Australia would have been showing it on at least one screen. And who would have been watching?
January 18th 2010 @ 10:57pm
jimbo said | January 18th 2010 @ 10:57pm | Report comment
Football is the number one football code nationally, as well as in those states.
The old NSL ran for 27 years and no one made any money out of it.
.
It finished with average attendances of about 2.5K – I went to a game where the crowd was announced as about 800.
Soccer Australia never made a cent in profit for the 50 years it was operating.
The FFA is making a good profit and looking at more financial growth with a second consecutive World Cup appearance.
It has growing sponsorships, a bigger PayTV deal is on offer, as well as an Australian football show on ONE which is just about to kick off.
If you look at the whole picture, the sport is doing nicely and as a football follower and player for many years the local football scene has actually never been better.
January 18th 2010 @ 11:03pm
Mister Football said | January 18th 2010 @ 11:03pm | Report comment
ONe day soon, the FFA might be able to stand on its own two feet.
January 20th 2010 @ 7:27pm
Mister Football said | January 20th 2010 @ 7:27pm | Report comment
Perhaps one day soon, the FFA might be able to stand on its own two feet.
January 20th 2010 @ 7:26pm
Mister Football said | January 20th 2010 @ 7:26pm | Report comment
People have a strange idea of what “massive” means.
January 20th 2010 @ 10:15pm
Mister Football said | January 20th 2010 @ 10:15pm | Report comment
90,000 at the G for a home and away game – now that’s massive.