Football Federation Australia (FFA) has confirmed its intention to enter each of their National Youth League (NYL) teams into their respective local state leagues.
The FFA’s proposed plans will dramatically impact on youth development for the nation as a whole, as well as offering a much needed boost for state league competitions.
While all signs look positive, the most important thing for the FFA is ensuring each of the NYL sides are competitive.
In the current Victorian Premier League (VPL) season we saw development side Victorian Training Center (VTC Football) enter the frame, putting up little resistance.
The side lost 20 of 24 fixtures, finishing rock bottom and conceding close to four goals a game.
This is something that must be avoided with the new format. Being demolished on a weekly basis will not help the development of Australia’s brightest talents.
When asked about the issue Football New South Wales CEO Eddie Moore said, “we want to ensure that it’s a viable option, and that the NYL side is a competitive team. I think it does need a little more work from where we are at the moment.”
A good way for the FFA to help improve squad performances and competitiveness is by allowing a specific number of overage players to play in the competition.
These players could be either players from the senior squad, players the club wants to trial or even semi-professionals who are currently playing in state leagues.
Each respective state league would expand to a minimum of 11 sides, with 15 in New South Wales, providing each competition with 20-28 rounds.
Each state league is currently run between late February with finals usually being finished by the 1st week in September.
They NYL, which scrapped its finals campaign for the 2010/11 season, would be best off starting its competition in early October, running 18 consecutive weeks, wrapping up in early February.
This gives the side roughly 10 weeks of time off for the season and at the same time the shortened NYL season saves each club upwards of $50,000 in travel, accommodation and the like.
Getting it right will no doubt be a huge challenge, but the potential for both local competitions and player development for the A-League and national side is huge.
Moore went on to say: “Building the quality coming through and hopefully the standard of the league will improve and as a result the football public’s interest will grow.”
“No doubt the task at hand is a challenging one but one that I’m enjoying. It’s a big challenge but I’m very excited about it.”
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
I know it has been discussed, within some federations at least, for some time now.
Aussie battler
Guest
Yeah, remember the AIS moved to VPL because it is a stronger soccer league than the NSW league. Better preparation for AIS.
Uh Oh!
Guest
Be afraid 'real football'
Uh Oh!
Guest
@Melb Cro, Don't worry the preverbial will hit the fan if what is being proposed happens
Evan Askew
Guest
Simon and J, I regret to inform you that my brother threw them out back in the mid 90's when he moved out from the family home unfortunately. Which is a bitch because there would have being much information about Grange THistle who we supported and played for. (not the first team) I'm guessing you have probably already tried this avenue but would it be possible to contact Channel 7, ABC and SBS to search their archives for coverage of the local football scene. Also go on youtube and create your own account and see if you can contact the guy which created this video and see what you can find out of him. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkvEtOs1SxY&feature=related Hope that helps.
Simon Boegheim
Guest
Thanks Jim for the free plug. Evan I am the person Jim was talking about and I am in the process of setting up an "Archives and Memorabilia Centre' for Queensland Lions. I am particularly interested in Go Soccers and its predecessors, because they have always given good coverage of the local football scene. Any other magazines, programs etc. are also very welcome. I am also updating the club's data base comprising former players, team officials, members and supporters to keep them in the loop, on a regular basis, with Club News and Views and we may be organizing another Reunion in the not too distant future. Can you please contact me on simonboe1 AT bigpond.com because I would love to talk to you about your Go Soccer collection.
Titus
Guest
Where would they get their players from if they are not recognised by any of the state federations, FFA or FIFA?
Realfootball
Guest
What exactly is your problem with the idea? Not being provocative, just genuinely interested to know, because I can't see what the issue is. Surely if Spain and Germany can make it work, we can?
Realfootball
Guest
Should pull a crowd of two men and several dogs. Honestly, what a joke. As if they could hope to finance it.
MelbCro
Guest
Its great how the FFA doesn't give a damn about what the clubs or the supporters in the state leagues think of this.
j binnie
Guest
Great to hear from you again Evan.I did some checking on my original claims & as early as '84 ,some weeks Lions were presenting as many as 8 local boys in their run on sides.They were not all that well performed in league table positions but the club could not be accused of not nurturing local talent.Your mention of "Go Soccer" magazines has raised another issue.As you know,between these years and 2007 B.Lions went from being one of the richest & well run clubs in Australian football to almost oblivion.The original office bearers are now trying to correct that & if you still have access to magazines of the pre NSL era, Simon Boegheim. the once club secretary,would be really glad to hear from you as he is trying to re-build their history. He is in the phone book and I believe lives in Springfield. Thanks again JB.
nordozzz
Roar Guru
i'd strike a couple from that list... would be more of a 'clearing shower' than a 'storm' LOL
Evan Askew
Guest
Thank a photographic memory and the collection of Go Soccer magazines my brother had in the early 90's.
J Binnie
Guest
Evan - Great to see someone remembers the efforts being made back in the PSL in the early 80's. As one who was involved I can add to your contribution,the Lions "reserve" team were all on white forms (amateurs) & at the same time the first team had 3 young local lads in the team every week they played in a PSL game. When Lions won the Philips Cup Calvin Daunt,Stephen Hogg, & Craig Low, all local & all under 21, played on the run on side.The substitutes were all locals, all under 21, and all took part in the game.The next year a state league was formed but Lions & City were not allowed teams in that league so many of Lions reserves were sold to State League teams with the proviso Lions could buy them back for the same fee.The aforementioned Lions BPL team were mostly 18 year old,still amateur, & finished second in that league.City did not grasp the chance & finished bottom. As an aside these teams were called Richlands Windmills &Spencer Park United.Thanks for the memories.
Chumpion
Guest
If this thing passes, expect a storm to erupt which may lead to clubs forming a rebel football league comprising; Sunshine Coast, Bris Strikers, Marconi Stallions, Sydney UTD, Sydney Olympic, Wollongong Wolves, Canberra side Sth Melbourne, Melbourne Knights, Adelaide City
Evan Askew
Guest
In the 80's when Brisbane CIty and Brisbane Lions were in the NSL they had B teams competing in the BPL so the conept is not new to Australia either. Bit I expect a bit of a shitfight from some of the clubs in the state leagues. THere was an outcry back in 2006 I think when the AIS was going to play in the NSWPL. They did end up playing in the VPL for a couple of seasons with some success but that was discontinued so it will be interseting to see what the reaction is.
Interesting to note that in Spain, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Villareal etc have B teams that can get promoted to Segunda division but no further. (Barca B came 3rd in Segunda B last season but did not take part in the promotion playoffs.) A similar thing would work here with for example Heart and Victory fielding B teams (comprised of youth, trialists and overage players) in the VPL. Its will be a win, win. More interest in the local comps, more fans attending games, etc.
Buddy
Roar Rookie
I could have gone into so much more detail, but it it would have ended up being 2000 words of rambling. Hopefully this can be the start for each Club fielding a Reserves and U21 side in each respective state league comp, then hopefully everything from U19 to U7 Ideally we need to slowly work on it over the next few years to build up the sport, having each club standing on their own to feet and ultimately having the right foundations to shift all leagues to run aligned from August to May, in conjunction with they Euro leagues.
Johnno
Guest
I think the A league should work towards a model of having a summer comp like the NBA summer league in basketball. some sort of summer style franchise maybe make the state leagues sumer comps or have knockout regional style summer comps, to give players a chance to stay match fit , and help up and coming players get opportunities. maybe have a regional knockout comp like example, NSW country vs northern NSW. Just something to get the boys more game times.
nordozzz
Roar Guru
its a good move ... once we see full setups through the youth systems ... i think that where the benefit will be seen 10 years down the track. Across the board though all levels of the game could use a longer season. A lot of players seem to achieve this by playing across club and rep teams. The ultimate aim could be to have the most promising players in the same system year round. I guess at the national level, as well as this half league season for the older youth teams, they could play some A-L round robin tournament weekends for the rest of the age groups once they are all up and running. The best part of what the Mariners are doing up here is the full system they are looking to put in place, not just the NYL level.