We are coming up to budget time! Has anybody ever played with one of those budget calculators, where you get to be the Treasurer on your lunch break? You’ve got to balance the budget and keep the nation happy.
It makes you realise how difficult (and thankless) the job is.
After reading yet another over the top, doom and gloom article about the state of the A-League, I was just appalled by the lack of a broader view of the game.
Crowds were down, yes, but the standard of football was way up on previous years. The FFA/A-League are at least doing something right.
For seasons one to three, all we did was complain that the league was just flash in the pan, a marketing exercise, but not really taking the football to the next level.
There was a conscious decision by the administration to focus on the structure of the game from the bottom up.
The national curriculum was developed, and better pathways for young players (and have we all forgotten that we are one of the few leagues in the world that actually has a minimum wage?), the NYL is sparkling success, and the junior national teams are starting to feel the full effect of all of this.
The move into Asia is also opening doors; more “full” or “competitive” matches for the Socceroos, which more often means that fringe players are needing to be called up, and need to perform.
We are also seeing good players, albeit not good enough for the big European leagues, move on to the next tier in both East and West Asia – all good for the game.
So wouldn’t it be great if there was an iPhone or Excel app thingy that allowed you to try and balance the FFA budget, in the same way that the Federal Budget shows you the impact on taxes and votes?
Imagine if you could adjust the budgets and forecast attendances, youth development and Socceroos rating, etc.
More importantly, asking questions like: which is the most important for Australian football in the medium to long-term? Where is the FFA’s money best invested? What will have a bigger impact on A-League crowds?
Marketing levels maintained where they are, or the standard dropping and the Socceroos plummeting down the rankings, failing to qualify World Cups?
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
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