FFA Cup can bridge gap between new football and old soccer
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Travis Dodd celebrates a goal with Steven McGarry during the round 23 A-League match between Perth Glory and the Central Coast Mariners at Perth Oval AAP Image: Tony McDonough
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The introduction of the Football Federation Australia Cup appears to have been placed firmly on the back burner with the governing body focusing on building the A-League. But should the creation of a cup competition be a matter of urgency?
And what role could it play in bridging the gap between A-League clubs and grass roots football?
It has been part of a the long term plan for the sport since the beginning of the A-League, but as the curtain comes down on version seven of the competition the FFA Cup appears to be no closer.
The reason is money, be it being spent elsewhere on a failed World Cup bid, propping up struggling A-League franchises or fears that the sport is not generating enough to establish a cup competition.
All of these offer valid reasons as to why it so far has not been possible, it would cost a considerable sum but few other options offer the same opportunity for growth as a cup competition.
Many will point to the need to stabilise and grow the A-League before a cup competition is introduced. This is a valid point, however the introduction of a cup could play a role in doing so.
With clubs having recognised the need to form closer links with grass roots football a cup competition offers the perfect opportunity for doing so.
Since the inception of the A-League some fans from the old National Soccer League have felt locked out from ‘new’ football.
A cup competition would offer the chance for fans of clubs such as South Melbourne and Sydney Olympic to see their clubs back on the top stage.
It would also offer an opportunity to welcome these supporters to the game by creating a more inclusive environment by uniting the top tier of football with local competitions.
A cup competition would also offer a huge financial opportunity for clubs outside the A-League. If a television deal was secured a cup run for a state league club could provide vital funds as well as important exposure for the country’s lower leagues.
Just as lower league teams in England dream of a cup tie with one of one of the Premier League’s heavyweights, state league clubs throughout Australia would no doubt relish taking on an A-League side with the chance of causing a famous upset.
Having struggled to implement an effective expansion model a cup competition could provide a means of growing state league clubs so that in the future they may be able to make the step-up to the A-League.
Even if this were to prove unlikely any strengthening of the state leagues across Australia would no doubt have a positive impact on the A-League, both in terms of bringing in more fans to the sport and developing players.
A cup competition would also give football the opportunity to offer something that no other code can. This could prove an important selling point with a new television deal for the A-League being sought.
There is much that can be done to improve the health of A-League clubs off the pitch but an inward and overly cautious approach may not be what is needed.
If the FFA were to wait for the league to be in a strong financial position before a cup competition is introduced it is unlikely to be anytime soon.
Can the game afford to wait? And perhaps a cup can play an important part in easing some of the A-League’s problems. Only time will tell, but at the very least it an offers an opportunity that is unlikely to be found elsewhere.
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March 21st 2012 @ 7:06am
Football United said | March 21st 2012 @ 7:06am | Report comment
yeah we all knew that it was a great idea ages ago. In fact, some were so convinced of the immediate benefits a cup competition could bring to victoria that they were proactive and started their own one with state teams given the opportunity to take on melbourne and hearts. but the ffa got scared that this comp would take off which it would with all the renewed local derbies. so BB killed it before his non existent comp would become irrelevant to Victorians.
March 21st 2012 @ 8:13am
Kasey said | March 21st 2012 @ 8:13am | Report comment
I’m sorry Beau,
if your intention was to write an article to bring people like me around to the idea of an FFA Cup then with me you failed. In my experience (both online here and on other forums) is that the people that follow ex-NSL clubs (which I gather are the principle inhabitants of planet ‘Old Soccer’ have been nothing but dismissive, disruptive and insulting towards the fans and teams that make up planet ‘new football’. Incredibly some even allude to and infer that the lack of ethnic tensions on the terraces of HAL stadiums equates to less passion for the game of football. I distinctly recall many in the football community giving the new ‘plastic’ league a lifespan of 3 years max….we now have put almost 7 exciting seasons of football into the bank with hopefully many more to come.
The A-League hasn’t been a run away success (how many new football leagues in sports-saturated markets are?), but it is very apparent that the League has the potential to be great and greater still. It is a work in progress and much needs to be done to continue the steady rise in playing standards and to improve the solid attendance numbers to be even better. These improvements are likely to come from an improved media rights deal leading to an increase in the Salary cap.
By any stretch of the definitions, the new structure for football has brought many new people to the game of football. People that felt unable to connect with the game at domestic level prior to 1995 have connected with their HAL clubs in numbers approaching 9 million (over 7 years). The lack of funds at FFAHQ is the principle reason the recent Smith report recommended no further expansion and no FFA Cup amongst other things until the existing structure is deemed stable and able to support the disruption that introducing both new teams and a cup competition would bring to the system. So my question to you is why should the FFA put at risk the competition (by spending money it doesn’t have) to please a bunch of noisy keyboard warrior-malcontents** who are likely the noisy minority? I fail to see how spending more money the game doesn’t yet have will lead to potentially ‘easing some of the A-League’s problems’ Money IS the answer, but I feel your method for getting there is flawed.
In an ideal world I think an FFA Cup has the potential to add something to the domestic football landscape, but given the experiences in the blogosphere, were the FFA to rush things and perhaps not get it perfectly right the first time, the damage to the image of the game could be immense. One mistake in the structure of the comp and the noisy malcontents who for 7 years have taunted new football with insults and derision about the FFA and its creations being plastic and anti-football would just have another reason to bitch and moan about the game.
**akin to South Australians still bitter about the fact hat the VFL becoming the AFL has entrenched inherent inequalities in that league)
March 21st 2012 @ 8:17am
Lucan said | March 21st 2012 @ 8:17am | Report comment
The sooner the better.
I’m not trying to beat the drum for “more football people at FFA”, but I honestly don’t think Buckley sees what a benefit this would be to football at all levels in Australia. If it is expensive to run, so be it, this is the sort of endevour that is worth copping a few years of losses over.
Bridge the gap with an FFA Cup, stop widening the divide by continually putting it off.
March 21st 2012 @ 8:57am
Kasey said | March 21st 2012 @ 8:57am | Report comment
More football people at FFA sounds good in theory, but what the game needed in 1995 was businessmen with the ability to professionalise the running of the game. Of course football is not purely a business; it is a curious meld of business and passion. What would help more so that just adding more football people would be the opening of the ears of the businessmen at FFA to the voices of the most important football people – the fans. They FFA have made small steps in this regard, but like that crazy ex that goes off the handle the ‘one mistake’ you make and sets you back to square one, the FFA have an amazing ability to undo a lot of their good work by one or 2 boneheaded(or unexplained) decisions. I am sure that a lot of the bad will in the football community could be salved if the FFA were proactive and actually released information/press releases explaining their decision making rationale instead of just unilaterally making decisions and perhaps reacting later on to any negative remarks with a defensively worded presser.
March 21st 2012 @ 8:21am
Savvas Tzionis said | March 21st 2012 @ 8:21am | Report comment
One of the arguments against the older ethno-cultural teams is that no-one is watching them in the State Leagues.
I suspect however that one reason for this is that there are many dormant supporter’s who would attend matches IF they were part of a better competition (like a FFA Cup).
I think, however, that these dormant supporter’s (like me) would be even MORE enthusiastic about attending if a natiion wide league was started for the best clubs outside the A League (yes, another NSL).
But I wonder if the old clubs’s have, like slaves used to, internalised all the negativity hurled towards them, and are frightened to be pro-active.
March 21st 2012 @ 8:58am
Lucan said | March 21st 2012 @ 8:58am | Report comment
Pro-activity is certainly there.
See last year’s Mirabella Cup in Victoria, renewed and already underway this year as the “State Cup” even without a naming rights sponsor.
South Melbourne have also participated in the 2010 and 2011 Singapore Cup as one of the invited sides. Not the most prestigious competition in the world, but clear evidence that there is the desire and pro-activity for such a comp domestically.
March 21st 2012 @ 8:58am
Wasp said | March 21st 2012 @ 8:58am | Report comment
I am an old NSL supporter who welcomed the A League. I support Blacktown and Sydney Olympic int he State comp as well watch Sydney FC in the A League. Those who felt threatened by change will never come across, they are sour grapes and will stay that way. Get over these people as many people from all backgrounds support football at all levels. Many don’t wabt to support Sydney FC (Can’t speak for other centres) due to locality, aspect that they cater for more the Eastern Suburbs and for many just too far. A second team in the west will bring many to the game, I would certainly support a new venture in the west, closer and I want to see the growth of our game and see great derby matches alongside all of our mixed society.
The Cup I feel since it was run ceased back years ago is a great idea. To have teams like my old club in Lismore winning the local comp or ANZAC Cup there and progressing to play say Brisbane Roar at Oaks Oval, a huge crowd would roll up to see a little club playing a big boy.
We saw this in Victoria with a small country tem who I now forget doing well last season in their Cup against city semi pro sides.
Most people want to see the game progress and work alongside other codes in this country, let the sulkers drift back to their narrow world and try to live in the past. Change is always occuring, it may hurt some, but get over it and get behind FOOTBALL.
March 21st 2012 @ 9:00am
SportsFanMelb said | March 21st 2012 @ 9:00am | Report comment
Have to agree with Kasey here, you cannot expect the FFA to introduce a Cup competition until the A-League is functioning really well, is stable and financially secure. Trying to start this competition now at a time when the League could very well contract to 9 teams (after having 11 just 2 years ago) is just nonsense.
Lets focus all energy on the A-League at the present time. IF in 5-8 years we have a viable and financially sound competition with 10-12 clubs going then and only then should we consider something akin to an FFA Cup.
Savvas – The NSL is done and dusted mate, time to move on. The reason that competition failed is because there was no money in the league and no one was watching the competition either. The NSL clubs are suburban clubs in their respective states and thats the way that it will stay.
March 21st 2012 @ 9:06am
mds1970 said | March 21st 2012 @ 9:06am | Report comment
It’s a nice idea in theory, but the travel costs would be prohibitive.
March 21st 2012 @ 9:10am
Lucan said | March 21st 2012 @ 9:10am | Report comment
For all the accusations of self-interest and exclusivity (well justified in many instances) thrown at “old soccer” over the last 10, 15, 20 years, the constant circling of the wagons to protect and benefit 9-10 privately owned franchises does a disservice to “new football” and football overall, IMO.
March 21st 2012 @ 9:18am
Savvas Tzionis said | March 21st 2012 @ 9:18am | Report comment
Here is the irony….
‘Old’ Soccer was seen as exclusionary…. yet accepted new teams such as Perth Glory, Northern Spirit. And included a relegation system where State League clubs played off.
‘New’ Soccer is seen as inclusive….. yet refuses to allow a divisional system that allows all teams an opportunity to play at highest level.
March 21st 2012 @ 9:56am
Lucan said | March 21st 2012 @ 9:56am | Report comment
Divisional play isn’t feasible, IMO. Unfortunately, in Australia, the people putting money in want that guarantee that their investment is top flight football.
That’s no excuse not to run an FFA Cup, though.
March 21st 2012 @ 9:34am
Titus said | March 21st 2012 @ 9:34am | Report comment
Savvas, “New Soccer” accepts new teams like Melbourne Heart, Western Sydney.
Did the NSL have promotion/relegation?
If we brought in a divisional system you could kiss goodbye any money from a TV deal, any money from crowds, and any money from sponsorship because average crowds of <1000 is park football. How would clubs support themselves? By jacking up rego fees.
You guys aren't dealing with reality, it's a nice dream but it isn't a reality.
March 21st 2012 @ 9:29am
jbinnie said | March 21st 2012 @ 9:29am | Report comment
Most contributors have talked about the ” FFA Cup ” and “expense” but no one has asked the most important question, that is “What format would such a competition take?” . This has always made me wonder, for it appears Smith,in his examination of the code,more or less dismissed the “idea” as totally unworkable at this point in time. I may be unusually cynical but I wonder how an “idea” can be classed so quickly as “unworkable” unless of course the format presented to Smith was that of the English FA Cup which could not possibly be copied in this country for various reasons, (1) Distances involved. (2) Our football is played all year round with 2 different “seasons”.
Now it has never been made clear what format was presented to Smith for his perusal but I would like to know why a format set up in each state during the winter seasons allowing their own “cup competition’s” winners (and perhaps runners up) get automatic entry into a “national trophy” could not be started. These teams would be coming off seasons, so would be fully fit and able to play the early rounds of any “national trophy” with the HAL teams just starting their seasons. For the life of me I cannot see how this format would be hugely expensive although I do agree it would not be “the perfect all in- draw” type of competition (which I agree is too expensive to consider at this time) but it would allow for some common ground between States and the HAL national competition and surely that is a highly desirable aim for football’s fathers. jb
March 21st 2012 @ 9:49am
Lucan said | March 21st 2012 @ 9:49am | Report comment
The Vic State Cup is a good model.
The Premier League and State League 1 teams get byes through to the later rounds. The opening rounds are regional so the “lesser” teams can eliminate each other and minimise the overall travel aspect. You still have the “romance” of a Provi3 club getting the chance to knock off SL2 sides before travel kicks in for the round of 32.
March 21st 2012 @ 9:56am
pete4 said | March 21st 2012 @ 9:56am | Report comment
Exactly right! The argument isn’t about new or old soccer or whatever. There is a gulf of difference between the setup in Australia and England namely (take money out of the equation) that any future FFA Cup would need to be scheduled over the winter months to accommodate State League teams participating or they’ll have no hope.
These State sides are amateur or semi-pro at best. There is a host of issues for the them if the FFA Cup isn’t played during their season around player availability, scheduling, travel etc
March 21st 2012 @ 10:04am
Futbanous said | March 21st 2012 @ 10:04am | Report comment
jbinnie
Agree an FA cup format per se won’t work in Australia for the reasons you gave.
Also agree with the second part about the format.
Seemed the FFA originally could afford a pre season comp for the A-League clubs ,why not just adjust that slightly to be a cup comp including the winners of each State Cup.
That state cup could involve clubs from lower levels in much the same way the FA cup does nationally in England.
Thus there’s a football connection from top to bottom.
Most senior clubs run juniors, so even the mums dads & kids will get to feel involved .
Isn’t that another step in providing the much vaunted connection between grassroots & professional football ?
Doesn’t seem much rocket science or indeed great expense to me.
March 21st 2012 @ 10:10am
Lucan said | March 21st 2012 @ 10:10am | Report comment
Correct, it isn’t rocket science, and of all the FFA expenses this one is very justifiable as it benefits so many stakeholders.
March 21st 2012 @ 10:17am
Kasey said | March 21st 2012 @ 10:17am | Report comment
Its still an expense, what benefit does FFA derive from the expenditure. Does anyone think the goodwill which may or my not be generated is worth the expenditure – gee we football fans have always been good at spending other people’s money haven’t we.
March 21st 2012 @ 10:37am
Lucan said | March 21st 2012 @ 10:37am | Report comment
Firstly, it would bring the football family closer together.
Secondly, it would tick one more box on the AFC’s list of requirements.
Thirdly, it would be recognition of a game that has been in Australia 100 years prior to the introduction of the FFA.
Fourthly, it could be a precursor to a promotion/relegation system (granted it is likely that would be 20 or 30 years away).
March 21st 2012 @ 10:57am
Kasey said | March 21st 2012 @ 10:57am | Report comment
Of those 4 points, only the point relating to ticking an AFC box is actually a measureable metric. The other points are pure guesswork and feel-good maybes.
The football family has been hopelessly divided ever since before I became a football fan.
In the 40s and 50s it was the anglos game and the ‘dirty immigrant wogs’ set up their own teams as the elitist anglos wouldn’t let them join the established clubs. These community clubs became successful and formed the basis of the NSL, but their very structure as ethnic community based built a perception that ironically prevented many new non ethnic football fans from feeling that they were a part of thee clubs if they lacked the ethnic heritage of that club. The solution was to scrap the structure and start again based on the Perth Glory model of broad based clubs. This created a divide between the torchbearers who felt (and still feel) completely disregarded and disrespected.
And you think a cup competition will unite the game.
Frankly the only time in my life the game has been close to united has been behind the Socceroos in 2006. Even then there were some pockets of Italian descendent Aussies who felt unable to support the Socceroos. Given the history of division in football in A cup competition is a huge risk for the FFA and they are right to defer the risk until they put out some other spot-fires first IMO.
FWIW, I would be 100% in support of an FFA Cup organized along the lines of the consensus here, state based feeding into a more national model.
March 21st 2012 @ 11:19am
Nathan of Perth said | March 21st 2012 @ 11:19am | Report comment
Hey, if accountants figure out ways to put “goodwill” on their balance sheets, we can figure out a way to determine if its been a success
Inevitably though we have to create the links from our top tier to our lower tiers, particularly so we can stop gifted players (the Herd and William boys come to mind) from departing our shores before we have a chance to get them through the domestic top-flight.
March 21st 2012 @ 10:45am
Lucan said | March 21st 2012 @ 10:45am | Report comment
FFA are hardly the poster organisation to hold up against spending “other people’s money”.
For the record, I was a big backer of the WC bid and devastated at the result, and I don’t feel any apology is necessary for the money spent on that venture. I feel the same way about a domestic cup competition.
March 21st 2012 @ 10:58am
jbinnie said | March 21st 2012 @ 10:58am | Report comment
Kasey – A strange retort form one who normally comes up with reasoned discussion.What should be remembered is that only months before the Smith Report it was the FFA ,in the personages of Buckley and Gorman, who toured the country, assessing in public forum, the idea of a national trophy.
You say it is still an expense but do not attempt to put a value on it, why, the word expense can cover everything from a dollar to a million dollars.
Benefits to be had?. I would have thought the club interest at State level and the interest it would add to their own State competitions could not be measured until tried. The “cross seasonal “interest would be maintained for the clubs good enough to make it to the final stages with HAL clubs given meaningful competition in their lead up work to their season.It could, in an indirect way, finally get the message over that we have a very active football league going on in summer and with “cross-competition” it might just generate interest in a “new” area of support. Another aspect is that it would give young hopefuls playing at State level the chance to see and be seen playing in a higher standard.The list of possible benefits goes on and on and the negatives pale in comparison.
As I see it, this is another way to “cross the bridge” from “top” football to “grassroots” football , and is that not a much trumpeted aim of the FFA?. jb
March 21st 2012 @ 10:06am
Fussball ist unser leben said | March 21st 2012 @ 10:06am | Report comment
Totally agree, jb
This could happen this season (i.e. next season for HAL teams) if the FFA had the motivation.
I would have each State/Territory federation organise its own knock-out cup competition that is open to every registered senior football team. The format is based exactly on the English FA Cup – knock-out competition, teams randomly drawn; first name drawn is the home team.
Then for the FFA Cup the format would simply be a 32 team knock-out competition with the 32 teams comprising:
a) top 4 teams (i.e. Semi-finalists) from the Cup competition of NSW, VIC, QLD = 12
b) top 2 teams (i.e. finalists) from the Cup competition of WA, SA, TAS, NT, ACT = 10
c) 10 HAL teams = 10
The format could start with “seeding” – i.e. the HAL teams cannot play against each other; and/or teams cannot be drawn to play against a team from the same State/Territory, etc.
As I said, if the FFA were motivated, they could make this happen right now.
March 21st 2012 @ 10:15am
pete4 said | March 21st 2012 @ 10:15am | Report comment
I agree running the FFA Cup with top 32 teams, 5 match days for TV over the pre-season window (August-October) as mentioned above would be very workable for all concerned…
Now FFA only needs to find the $ to pay for the travel
March 21st 2012 @ 10:56am
Fussball ist unser leben said | March 21st 2012 @ 10:56am | Report comment
Well, the FFA’s major partner is … an airline!
The Qantas Football Australia Cup sounds good to me.
March 21st 2012 @ 11:41am
Nathan of Perth said | March 21st 2012 @ 11:41am | Report comment
People keep mentioning travel costs and I keep trying to point this out to them! And corporate group travel rates are far lower than what the public pays and Qantas has its own budget airline we can work with (I doubt State League teams would complain over-much at having to use the budget carrier).
March 21st 2012 @ 12:57pm
PeterK said | March 21st 2012 @ 12:57pm | Report comment
Perhaps the QANTAS FFA Cup, Fussball?
I agree that it really does not need to be delayed, if it’s designed correctly — your outline sounds great to me. Perhaps though we need to recognise that Nthn NSW is (I believe) a separate mob from NSW, or am I way way behind the times? (I live in NQ.)
Another thought which wouldn’t raise much money, but would raise some, is for State entrants to pay a $100 entry fee each, and HAL clubs to pay $200 (for the benefit of not having to be involved so early as the others). I don’t know how many “State Clubs” there will be, nor how many might be put off by the entry fee, but I feel that it would be a reasonable thing to ask. Next would be to consider what the entry fees should be spent on!
In the meantime, I’m wondering if FFA is playing cards close to its chest till after the TV deal, which need not mention the FFA Cup, and then after the deal is done, an FFA Cup can be announced and extra TV rights be negotiated — perhaps even with a FTA Channel (hopefully SBS).
March 21st 2012 @ 1:21pm
Lucan said | March 21st 2012 @ 1:21pm | Report comment
I think the entry fee for the Vic State Cup is closer to $500, so a simple entry fee for an FFA Cup wouldn’t deter many participants.
March 21st 2012 @ 1:26pm
Nathan of Perth said | March 21st 2012 @ 1:26pm | Report comment
League entry to Football West State Premiers League is in excess of $5,000 so its not like these clubs don’t have some financial resources to call upon!
March 21st 2012 @ 1:38pm
PeterK said | March 21st 2012 @ 1:38pm | Report comment
Thanks for that Lucan and Nathan. Why are we so worried about “affording” this FFA Cup then?
Perhaps that comment I read elsewhere about FFA not being able to boil two billies at once (especially if on different campfires) might be the case?
March 21st 2012 @ 12:58pm
asanchez said | March 21st 2012 @ 12:58pm | Report comment
Good call, but due to big Clive trademarking the business name ‘Football Australia’ I don’t think that name would be possible. The Qantas FFA Cup is a goer I reckon!
March 21st 2012 @ 10:51am
TomC said | March 21st 2012 @ 10:51am | Report comment
Seems like a sensible model to me, Fuss.
Unfortunately I think the FFA might have bigger fish to fry. The ’10 HAL teams’ in your own analysis is the elephant in the room. Or the spanner in the works. Whichever cliche works better.
March 21st 2012 @ 11:34am
Nathan of Perth said | March 21st 2012 @ 11:34am | Report comment
Most of the states probably already have that sort of a Cup. FootballWest runs not just the State League Cup which draws in all of the three divisions of the semi-pro league and some of the Amateur teams, running through the season. Also has the Night Series which is a pre-season cup so there’s two options there depending on scheduling. Would love to see Perth (Azzuri) SC go toe-to-toe in the A-League, would be a good experience for all.
Also, lol, the FootballWest calendar specifically mentions AFL Grand Final Day and doesn’t schedule anything on that day. Ah, what a state…
March 21st 2012 @ 10:17am
Roarchild said | March 21st 2012 @ 10:17am | Report comment
I think that’s the best model.
Keep it all in state to save on costs until you have 8 champions (6 states and 2 territories) and then the FFA can call their competition something lofty like “Cup Winners Cup”.
March 21st 2012 @ 11:02am
Lucan said | March 21st 2012 @ 11:02am | Report comment
jbinnie, I wouldn’t be surprised if the model (if any) provided to Smith was the “group stage” model originally floated by the FFA. Designed to give the strongest teams the best chance of progressing, but at the expense of having to play so many extra games.
That was a pretty nonsensical and convoluted model, to be polite, but it the only model we’ve actually seen to come from FFA HQ.
March 21st 2012 @ 11:06am
Kasey said | March 21st 2012 @ 11:06am | Report comment
What was this group stage model you talk of please? Was it a model based on the UEFACL format? Less chance for romance of the cp situations because a loss doesn’t end the tournament for a ‘big’ team.
March 21st 2012 @ 12:46pm
Lucan said | March 21st 2012 @ 12:46pm | Report comment
Pretty much the UEFACL setup. FFA was talking about it when the league was only 8 teams. 4 groups (2 HAL sides + State League champ + SL runner up, I think).
Was a terrible compromise. Now that the HAL sides are more established a shock upset, however unlikely, won’t ruin their reputation.
March 21st 2012 @ 1:03pm
Griffo said | March 21st 2012 @ 1:03pm | Report comment
jbinnie your last few sentences are what I have been saying on this topic previously – most if not all states have their own competition and rather than the FFA taking over and re-inventing the wheel, use the cup winners and even state premiere league winners as the entrants to play HAL teams in preseason. Most cost effective for the FFA at least initially.
I see that there are probably a number of ways to bridge the gap between amateur/semi-pro and professional clubs: either wait until some amateur clubs over time professionalise their operations and infrastructure to the point of being nearly ready to mix it in the HAL with existing A-League clubs, or gaining exposure via a cup comp sooner.
Much could be done now that doesn’t require as much resources as starting from scratch, and allows room for growth and change as exposure and experience becomes embedded in the sporting calendar.
March 21st 2012 @ 1:16pm
Nathan of Perth said | March 21st 2012 @ 1:16pm | Report comment
Our own little ACL!
March 21st 2012 @ 9:30am
Futbanous said | March 21st 2012 @ 9:30am | Report comment
Having followed both NSL & now an A-League(Roar fan) I see no real distinction between Old & New.
The game the skills are exactly the same,so wheres the problem?
The problem lies in perception.
What perception,lets be blunt tell it like it was, that old Soccer(NSL) was a game for Wogs.
In other words it was never seen as mainstream by the majority of sports fans in Australia,including many football fans both at junior & senior level. A major reason IMO that Overseas football has such a stranglehold on the hearts of Australian fans.
No competition in any country in any sport can ever hope to reach its full potential if it is perceived(rightly or wrongly)as an exclusive club,for certain sections of the community.
Some may see more than a hint of racism in this,they may be right,in reality it doesn’t matter,the perception is there, it holds back the game.
Hence the A-League is born a competition for everybody if they want it. Its main drawback also being a perception of inferiority compared to the Overseas leagues many fans have been following over the last 30 years or so.
But that unlike the first perception it can be changed by better play on the park.
What you see is what you get.
However to exclude the former followers of the NSL is IMO an insult to those organisations,fans,players administrators etc who produced many great Socceroos in the past.
How can you build a future if you ignore part of your past?
So for me its imperative that there is a means of including all football supporters in Australia.
That can only come from a cup competition. There is no other way to do it.
If there is let us know,because I can’t see it