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Joined April 2010
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Wellington Phoenix will remain a part of the A-League picture until at least 2016, FIFA decided today, as the executive committee met in Johannesburg.…
The importance of sport in Australian society was clearly not lost on Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan when he handed down his ‘no frills’ budget…
Since Cameroon knocked over Maradona’s Argentina in the opening match of Italia ’90, African football has been the next big thing. Twenty years later…
Aussie, Jy Bond, could be the latest punter from Down Under to take on the NFL following the retirement of 22 year veteran Jeff…
Could June 26, 2010, be the biggest day in Australian sporting history? The Americas Cup win in 1983, Cathy Freeman’s run at the Olympics…
The AFL is apparently struggling to decide just how it will structure the 17-team 2011 season, with some worried that the ‘one day in…
Its all well and good to say FTA broadcaster will increase exposure but on top of the fact that someone has to be willing to pay for it, the A-League is still in its infancy and its too soon to for such a deal.
The league needs to attract an audience and then sell itself to TV, not the other way around. A classic example of this is the NASL (North American Soccer League), the predecessor to MLS in the US. They pushed for a TV deal and despite attracting huge crowds to the games (up to 80000) during the Pele era, no one wanted to watch on TV. The TV deal failed and this spelled the begining of the end for the league.
The other problem with all the games being live and free to air is that many people will prefer to watch from the comfort of their own homes rather than attending the games. Which is why even the AFL often delays FTA broadcasts in the market where the game is played.
One positive avenue for the league might be to present a weekly highlights/discussion program on a mainstream free to air station, perhaps on a monday night, to raise interest from the general public.
Six ways to improve the A-League competition
Great looking line-up. The starting 11 will be a perfect mix of youth and experience.
Despite loosing thier first choice goalkeeper to injury, the Germans will certainly be a formidable contender – as they always are at World Cup time.
As Ben mentioned; if nothing else, this will put the German side in a great position for the next two world cups [Brazil 2014 and Australia 2018 ; ) ] with all these youngsters getting valuable experience.
CANT WAIT FOR JUNE! Early-onset World Cup Fever has struck….
Die Mannschaft 27 full of exciting youngsters
Looks like a great movie.
You guys should check out a movie called ‘In the Hands of the Gods’. A great film about a group of English ‘freestyle’ footballers who attempt to busk their way (using football tricks) down the Americas on a journey in search of their hero: Maradona.
Wierdest Place (Probably not that wierd, but great fun)
At the Fanfest in Munich (huge screening areas set up during the World Cup attracting in excess of 50,000 fans for the big games) during the Brazil v Australia group match. After plenty of good hearted banter with our Brazilian rivals and with the game drawing to an end (also after well lubricated with jugs of German beer – it was a hot day so we had to stay hydrated) we created a bit of a clearing in the crowd and played some ‘pick up football’. Just a kick around really, but awesome fun and great memories.
Video: The spirit of football
Thanks for the link – A really good in-depth piece highlighting some of the deeper issues at play when it comes to the inconsistency of African football.
Who will lead the way for Africa in 2010?
Certainly good timing for the AFL though. Should be enough to wrench the back pages of the newspapers back from the NRL and the Melbourne Storm scandal.
Couldn't Rivalry Round be fixtured a bit better?
Four years of waiting and now its just hours away. I remember walking out of the Berlin Olympic stadium in 2006 – the screens in the stadium said ‘see you in South Africa’. Four years seemed a lifetime away…
Can’t wait for kick off!
Itching to be there though.
An intriguing World Cup with three clear favourites