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Football NSW recently announced their decision to reallocate the NSW Premier League season from the traditional autumn/winter competition- formerly March to August to a spring/summer transition, which is set to kick-off in September 2011 and run through to March 2012.
There has been mixed feelings among the football fraternity surrounding the decision made by the NSW football board. Let’s look into some of the benefits and disadvantages this new horizon could bring to football in NSW and around Australia.
It is evident that footballer’s plying their trade in the spring/summer months will undoubtedly have some positive outcomes. With the improved weather conditions, pitches will be in much better shape in comparison to the cold, wet and on occasion’s miserable surroundings we often witness throughout the winter months.
With the superior pitch conditions this will hopefully enhance the standard of football on display. Improved pitches should encourage a better brand of football, a faster paced game and a better spectacle for fans attending the fixtures.
Footballers who are accustomed to experiencing the chillier conditions will undoubtedly find it more difficult acclimatising to the more demanding temperatures, however the warmer conditions should assist players with their fitness, mobility and endurance levels.
Accordingly, this will only aid them in their development stages to become better footballers.
With the transition to the warmer months it is believed that an abundance of fans will be encouraged to attend NSWPL fixtures. The friendlier weather conditions and the lack of competition available from the other football codes should be an encouraging sign for the league.
Although, I don’t believe attendances will be dramatically increased. Yes, gate receipts may be slightly higher; however clubs at state league level need to try and engage with their local communities more so in order to have a more beneficial impact on crowd figures.
Time will be the telling factor for this scenario.
The NSWPL could now become a feeder league towards the A-League. With the seasons being played simultaneously, NSWPL clubs will be able to provide A-League outfits with fit, match ready players whenever they are required. A positive none the less, however let us examine the other side of the spectrum.
Players not being able to play active first division football throughout the usual autumn/winter period can be seen as a major disadvantage for aspiring footballers. A-League franchises will not be able to scout the local NSWPL squads during the A-League off-season. Consequently players will regrettably miss out on the opportunity to impress scouts and win contracts for the upcoming A-League season.
This will not be beneficial for football in the NSW region.
The option for footballers wanting to play throughout the traditional autumn/winter interval would be to ply their trade in the well renowned Victorian Premier League or partake in the NSW Super League, the second tier of football in the NSW region.
Some may suggest this is giving Football Federation Victoria a free kick, I for one agree.
It will be an increasingly difficult assignment to impress oneself in a 2nd division structure (NSW Super League) rather than participate at the elite state level in Victoria. Playing with superior and more coherent footballers around you not only makes the game more attractive however it lifts the standard of particular individuals.
Generally footballers do not get the best out of themselves when playing at an inferior level. The supply and ball movement doesn’t allow for this to happen. Consequently, it may be more difficult to get noticed by scouts.
The concept of featuring the NSWPL season throughout the spring/summer months is an ambitious move by Football NSW; however I don’t believe the structure put in place is correct.
Football NSW must have the other divisions throughout the state play in conjunction with the elite Premier League competition. Having the different tiers play at opposite stages of the year seems farcical. This will only cause headaches and often misfortune for some clubs.
For instance, if a Premier League team is relegated to the Super League competition, they will have to back up for another season almost instantly. With the Premier League season concluding in March and the Super League commencing it late Match/April it doesn’t give teams who are relegated adequate preparation for the new season.
Not only will it be a stressful transition on the players both physically and mentally it will also be an unnecessary financial strain on clubs having to pay players for 12 months straight.
A similar and possibly worse case scenario will be evident for clubs who are promoted to the Premier League from the Super League. A one month period between seasons is ridiculous. These clubs will have a major disadvantage and will more than likely find it a strenuous battle to be competitive and/or avoid relegation.
Another concerning issue is the prospect of several footballers not playing any high level competitive fixtures for an entire year. Some player’s may try their luck in other state federations like the Victorian Premier League.
However with players being semi-professional, holding full-time jobs and having other commitments outside their football obligations, the opportunity to play elsewhere is not always a realistic option.
Could this harm the development and progress of aspiring footballers? Hopefully not, nevertheless it isn’t an ideal situation to be in.
It is apparent that Football NSW has an ambitious project ahead of them; however I don’t believe the processes put into place will have the desired benefits for football in NSW and throughout the nation.
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