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In relative terms, I am new to the game of football. Until a November’s day in 2005, I had never watched an episode of the beautiful game in my life.
I had never heard of any of the players and was unaware of the importance of that famous playoff against Uruguay. I developed an emotional attachment to the game, and as John Aloisi smashed the ball into the back of the net I was on my feet in joyful bliss.
Since that game, I have been swept up by the emotion and passion which was unequivocally shown by all involved. From that moment on, I was hooked.
When watching several A-League matches, it is impossible not to notice the sparsely populated stands which plague several clubs. It is a shame that only a mere few thousand were willing to come and watch the best Australian football could provide.
But why is this? And more importantly, what can be done to rectify this? There are only two ways to fill the stands, both of which require a partnership with the media.
There is off course, the Melbourne Victory solution. Bring in an Australian football legend whom transcends all sporting codes. This generates significant interest and provides a well-needed shot in the arm for the league.
Whilst this has been successful in reaching some within the Australian sporting public, it is not the long term answer. This caused me to reflect on myself as a football follower.
Until the previously mentioned game, I was uninterested in football. I had never been exposed to it, mainly due to the fact that I was 11 and living in an AFL household.
I then realised, people like I are should be the target audience for football. We don’t only need patrons who solely follow football, but we should aim at those who can embrace several codes.
The FFA changing the dates of the season to the summer is such a fantastic move, as people who are never going to give up following AFL do not have can be enjoy the game during their off-season.
But why don’t more people embrace it as part of a balanced sporting diet? The answer is limited access. I wonder how different I would have been had I not watched that game on SBS.
Had it been on pay-TV I would never have stumbled upon one of the greatest moments in Australian sport.
So we must wonder, how will people become interested in the game if they are not able to watch it?
Many people cannot afford to subscribe to Fox Sports and watch their coverage of A-League and Socceroos clashes, and don’t have an interest in attending a game they know little or nothing about.
To bring the people to the game, we need to bring the game to the people. Young kids who could become lifetime football fans are not able to see the game, and as such, it will not be able to blossom.
The next TV rights deal is crucial for football. There are three options which could make or break the future of the sport in this country. They are:
1. Accept a big money deal from Foxtel for both A-League and international fixtures.
2. Split the A-League and international games, awarding the Socceroos games to free-to-air viewers.
3. Award both A-League and international games to free-to-air.
For my perspective, the second option is the only logical path. I was won over by the national team. The Socceroos can act as an advertisement for the game, winning over hearts and minds for the country to watch on free-to-air, whilst still allowing the FFA to make some good coin by selling the ever improving A-League to pay-TV.
As a consequence, more people would watch and attend games due to greater interest, as seen with the increased coverage of Harry Kewell’s return. I call upon the FFA to make an investment.
Sacrifice some of the short term funds generated from TV rights to allow the game to grow, meaning higher attendances and gate takings, as well as a boost in future agreements to televise games.
All it takes is the FFA to take a risk. Imagine seeing the bigger crowds this would result in, and the greater atmosphere this would provide. This would take the game in the country to a new level.
The ball is at your feet, Mr Buckley.
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