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Football Federation Australia (FFA) Chairman Frank Lowy AC and CEO Ben Buckley. AAP Image/Tracey Nearm
For football to grow in Australia, it needs a strong local domestic competition. In every country in the world that has a dominating sport, they also have a strong domestic league.
FFA have made a number of blunders along the way, chief of them being the expansion of teams. Why North Queensland were allowed in at the expense of a second Sydney team in Western Sydney was the most glaring.
Okay, I understand it was a money, thing but the better decision was to wait until the Western Sydney team was ready.
The World Cup bid also seemed to draw management’s attention away from the local domestic competitions.
There are many reasons to complain, many people to blame. The ongoing issues with stadium management are another as yet unsolved story within themselves.
Towards the end of Hal 6, things looked bleak to say the least.
The brightest star, as I see it, is that FFA understood they had problems on numerous fronts. This acceptance by FFA that they needed to lift their game is fundamental in driving through change.
Along the way, the clubs also have taken upon themselves to be more proactive within what they are allowed to do.
The Mariners’ partnership with its local association is another. I am sure there are more.
Lyall Gorman has made, since his appointment, a number of changes to the running of the domestic competitions, and by and large, his re-organisation of the competitions is light years ahead of what was before.
Both the A-League and the W-League should benefit.
FFA’s appointment of Kyle Patterson to do many of the media things, is another move in the right direction as this is BB’s big weakness.
Arguably, the best appointment by FFA has been of Holger Osieck as the Socceroo coach. He has been an outstanding success.
The clubs, aside from the Nix, seem to have stronger squads and are better coached than they have ever been.
Into this mix, Harry and Bret have arrived, and they are very welcome, and I also think they will help make a bigger turnaround than if they weren’t here.
As I see, FFA have made some big steps in the right direction and have set the foundations a lot stronger. Still not without issues, but much stronger.
The clubs have, by and large, also responded and are saying all good things and pulling in the one direction. Huge credit is due here to Clive Palmer for also changing his previous stance.
The media still a work in progress but I can see improvement.
Now it’s up to us to get out and help. Even if you want the NSL, to return or can only bring yourself to watch Champions League, this is the season for us to unite, because at the end is a media deal that will solve most of our problems.
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