Following Archie Fraser’s criticisms of FFA governance, of note is an article by Michael Lynch in the Age – “Victory in bid to re-vamp the A-League” – where Geoff Lord criticised the FFA’s incapacity for innovative ideas and expressed a desire to engage powerbrokers at the top.
The sentiment was echoed by Perth Glory owner Tony Sage, who was unimpressed by FFA CEO Ben Buckley’s performance on Fox Sports FC, in an interview of his own the World Game website.
Firstly, of interest to me was the idea of Geoff Lord to have a slightly shorter A-League, which ends earlier and have a cup competition that goes on further. Some have criticised this idea, but I think it is good value and it is in line with my own idea.
The A-League should be considered as a football competition aimed at football fans and the greater Australian sports market, while the FFA Cup should be purely for the football fraternity.
While many football fans are used to ten month seasons running August to May, it has to be understood in the Australian context most sports fans are used to six month seasons for winter codes in particular.
The first reason that a similar length season makes sense for the A-League is firstly season ticket/membership cost, keeping the A-League season of similar length means that membership costs will be able to be maintained at the same level as AFL or NRL memberships and what they perceive as “fair”.
This in turn means it is easier to retain committed fans and cross-code fans and the direct revenue to clubs they bring.
The second element is that the showpiece event of domestic football (A-League Grand Final) can be staged in the void between the Cricket and AFL/NRL seasons, meaning it gets maximum media exposure and there is no competition.
For committed fans used to ten month seasons, the show can go on through an FFA Cup competition. The immediate benefits are that this competition also helps to keep teams match fit for AFC Champions League campaigns and helps to give more senior appearances for youth players.
The structure should be along the lines of the model of the late UEFA Cup, where the lower league teams play in qualifying rounds, to the point where a five team group stage consisting of a mixture of a couple of A-League clubs and State/Provisional League clubs. Matches generally being played in more grassroots or State League level venues to allow for lower costs.
Marketing can be helped via the fact that many of the grassroots are in playing season, meaning advertising to participants for A-League clubs, while on the other hand, A-League fans who don’t normally go to State or Provisional League grounds in only a single match can generate useful revenue for grassroots clubs.
The Group stage should be regionally focused in a Conference system to keep travel costs down, but to also allow for a large influx of A-League fans to grassroots grounds.
This helps with the connect between the two. 3 teams should qualify, meaning a grass roots team each season gets the chance to travel inter-state.
The post group-stage rounds should be two legged, culminating in a final in May, with even an Asian spot up for grabs to allow for the capacity for some of the lower league or former NSL clubs to get Asian exposure. This way we can also hopefully argue there is a 10 month season to fulfil the AFC requirements while not counter-productively going head to head with the AFL/NRL seasons.
The next issue is what to do with TV rights money. TV rights money is where the money really is in sport in the modern age and not attendance revenue. There are many factors but it can be expected the FFA will generate more income when the current deal finally runs out in 2013.
Much of this money, rather than throwing it down the toilet in covering the functional costs, obscure programs and excessive low value (dollar for dollar) advertising, should be spent on investing in physical capital and infrastructure.
This ranges from developing our own in house media infrastructure so the football fraternity isn’t dependant on traditional media from owning actual football infrastructure rather than being held to ransom by councils.
The national media is traditionally hostile/apathetic, but football should circumnavigate this by developing relationships with the regional media networks and develop more exposure in places such as South East Asia in particular.
An A-League based Socceroos team should compete in the ASEAN regional competition (AFF Suzuki Cup) helping to facilitate that competition in return.
In terms of infrastructure, the Mariners are leading the way here, and the Melbourne teams aren’t too far behind. Victory are based in a Boutique Rectangular stadium and football can be considered a major tenant unlike Rectangular stadiums in other parts of the country. But like the Heart, the football fraternity would do well to strike up partnerships with Universities.
Problems that have plagued the Gold Coast and now the Jets can be partially offset by having a competitive alternative.
Football can build football friendly infrastructure at what are often well placed locations well serviced by public transport with decent parking and in return can provide good sports science data, as well as fill a government funding vacuum
Timmuh
Guest
An October start to the A-League makes sense to me. The season starting is always crowded out by the finals of the dominant codes in each market. Starting in October would allow the A-League to begin with relatively clear air. International cricket hasn't started and there is only Bathurst and the Caulfield Cup. The issue then becomes would the A-League finals be swamped in the middle of the AFL and NRL seasons if there is a May finish? This would also fit in with the idea of an FFA Cup. The various state league finals will be over, and those who finish high enough can move straight into FFA Cup qualifying rounds, whether knock out or a group stage, while the A-League teams finish the pre-season preparations. I still have some doubts over an FFA Cup. If a fan of an A-League side is also a fan of a local side, and both end up in the same competition, will some of those fans drop one club or another (even if they don't play each other, they are in the same competition as one another and divided loyalties exist)? Assuming a Cup did go ahead with leading clubs from the state leagues would some states enter combined teams rather than a club side? eg there would be no point a VPL team playing the Hobart league premiers, 30-0 might be embarrassing in rugby, its even more so in Association Football. A combined side from some areas; eg Canberra, Tasmania, Sunshine Coast; might also be a pointer to either A-League expansion or teams who might make up an eventual second division. The teams, even if not clubs at that stage, could have a structure - including some of its players - ready years before joining the national league at whatever division.
roarsome
Guest
I know what your all meaning in regards to not shortening the season. But if the cup competition started before/after the regular season started/finished, it would lengthen the time available to players to play and allow more fans to follow the game etc...many possibilities. Hopefully we see it sooner rather than later.
andy g
Guest
a shorter season is the last thing we need. the players of quality would leave to play else where, because they cannot achieve their ambitions by sitting idle for 6 months. it takes time to build fan comittment and club history. true football fans must attend the A - league for the good of the game. there is no turning back as the old clubs are dead as far as national competition goes. the local football is bloody good, much better than some suggest. if you love the game, take your kids, buy them some club gear, and be involved, for the good of the game. my kids love going to Victory games, and we try to take friends with us when we can, spreading the word. there is no turning back for aussie football.
Whites
Guest
Is the A-league a league in which potential world cup starters can play in? We had the issue this year of the A-League finishing months before the world cup and potential world cup players looking for short term overseas contracts. Would not an early October(after NRL and AFL grand finals) through to April/May season be better. The NRL and the AFL aren't exactly 6 month winter codes either. The NRL has interest levels building from the All-Stars game in early FEB through the Charity Shield at the end of FEB and the start of the season in early MAR. The after the Grand Final in early OCT interest continues into the 4 nations.
Eamonn Flanagan
Guest
But if the rest of the season had big crowds and the average soared back to 12 - 15,000 I'd say let's keep the start in August. Too early to make an assessment and a six month season - ahem professional sports people and Aussie footballers will not progress as players in such a non-competitive environment. No professional would want to play in such a league. Simple fact. Keep the length - build the crowds over the August - March season. That is the problem to be solved. The season is already short enough - and clubs need revenue opportunities - so the hard work needs to be done to solve that problem, by the league and the clubs What happens if crowds don't come to a shorter season????? Besides more games mean more Fox coverage means more $$$ means more dosh for the club. An August start is fine.
Rellum
Roar Guru
I agree, with Western Sydney/Canberra making it 12, a fair 22 week home and away season should be brought in, along with a Cup to add more spice, lengthen the season and help mend broken bridges to old soccer.
phil
Guest
I agree with the FFA Cup because it's a way of joining the State Leagues and A-League together. Secondly, it would be important in showcasing new talent to the A-league. We could even get one of the royalty from Britain to hand over the cup in the final.
mahony
Guest
Agreed. Football must adapt to its context foremost - as it does elsewhere in the world.
roarsome
Guest
Totally agree, The FFA's push for 12 teams due to Asian Champions League rules has most people expecting a longer season, but its not what we should pursue...I think a short 22 round season where you play every team once home and away should be the model until the league grows further AND we should work a cup comp into the picture as well. Would be great to see some state league teams have a go at their bigger rivals! COME ON FFA! JUST DO IT!
Mister Football
Guest
NUFCMVFC at long last - some workable suggestions that fit the Australian context. Some common sense ideas. For starters, it's a no brainer that if the soccer purists keep pushing for a 38 round season that you are heading for bankruptcy. The six month season coupled with a cup comp seems the way to go all round: cutting back on the one hand what the purists would like, but giving them something else on the other hand, and best of all, it's rooted in commercial reality.
Midfielder
Guest
Further to my above post... a shorter season asks many questions pertaining to the football advantages of a 9 to 10 month season... However at a very basic level the clubs have to be able to pay the bills and loosing money on poor crowds is no way to substain the A-League...
Midfielder
Guest
I posted this in another thread but is worth posting here .. flat stick all day so will get back much latter ... but excellent article... A slightly different observation… Hal 1 to Hal 3 … growth … Hal 4 to Hal 6 .. decline… Playing in protected six month zone does have its advantages … and cost saving in regards stadium hire is no small thing… I always tho we pushed to the 27 week now 30 week and if Rovers get in next year 33 week plus finals way to early… so a 37 week comp… meaning playing about 16 weeks in the NRL / AFL seasons… and the AFL are expanding meaning they will have a longer season… with 22 rounds plus finals say 26 rounds we are somewhat protected … however having about 40% of the season in competition with the business of the NRL & AFL seasons does not make much sense to me… Now here is the delima those screaming loud and long are by and large the same people who want a long season… if we have a shorter season it may help with the figures but not with the long term goal of playing for 9 months..