A-League season launch (AAP Image/Dean Lewins)
The much-anticipated buildup to the seventh season of the A-League culminated this morning at the season launch, and the message was literally spelt out by fans, players and coaches: ‘We Are Football.’
The FFA’s ‘We Are Football’ campaign has steadily gained momentum over recent weeks and with the AFL and NRL seasons concluding over the weekend, the timing for the season launch couldn’t have been better.
With an obvious intention to reconnect with football’s grassroots community, the FFA invited fans to the Sydney Football Stadium this morning to interact with players and coaches, and spread the message prior to the competition’s kick-off on Saturday afternoon.
The signings of Harry Kewell and Brett Emerton have already boosted the prospects of a league crying out for a boost, and CEO Ben Buckley was bullish about the season ahead.
“It is fair to say that this is the most anticipated start to the season since the buzz of the inaugural season back in 2005,” he said.
“The homecoming of Socceroos stars Harry Kewell and Brett Emerton has proved what we’ve always said – that the A-League is fast emerging as one of Australia’s top competitions.”
Gold Coast boss Miron Bleiberg, the only surviving coach from the inaugural season, was also optimistic about what lay ahead, comparing the buzz to the hype that surrounded the A-League during its inception in 2005.
“The anticipation for this season is very similar to the first year, no one knows,” he said.
“Preparation and team recruitment is a bit of a mystery.
“If you add the effect of marketing, with Brett Emerton and Harry Kewell, it looks even better than the first year.”
Criticisms have been levelled at the FFA in recent years of failing to properly address the needs of the A-League while preparing Australia’s 2022 World Cup bid, and the fan focus at the launch was evident.
While the ‘We Are Football’ campaign has been reminiscent of the initial A-League marketing campaigns that worked successfully, it will be the quality of the on-field product that ultimately decides the fate of the competition.
For 22-year-old Sydney FC fan Tom Jensen, the ability of Sydney FC coach Vitezlav Lavicka to get his team playing attractive football was the biggest hope for the upcoming season.
“We need to get the swagger back to bring our fans back, and hopefully ‘Emmo’ will help us do that,” he said.
“If this season is to be successful, the A-League needs us to be doing well.”
The FFA has carefully laid the foundations for the reinvigoration of the A-League, and it is a test for the game to see how well it performs in terms of support and quality of football on offer.
It starts this weekend with the Newcastle Jets at 4:30pm (ADST) on Saturday, and the big clash between Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC at 6:30pm (ADST).
seanoroo
Guest
Unfortunately dont have foxtel, and with the AFL wraped up Im an excited for the victory but restricted to news highlights, IMO the next TV deal they need to get smart and demand at least 1 FTA game a week, It may initially cost them a little with foxtel not having exclusivity but with the free advertising of the league to all australians will more than make up for it. But just the opinion of a guy who doesn't have luxuries like pay TV who wants to watch a decent local sport over summer.
BigAl
Guest
Pete ! . . . was your guy Kasey wot started it !
BigAl
Guest
You've got me here Maynard ! - there can be no comeback to such a well argued and substantiated point.
David Heidelberg
Guest
I don't know either, but who cares, as long as they are playing cricket I will watch.
Peter Wilson
Roar Guru
Here we go again - the all encompassing, compassionate, worldly AFL - the organisation who stringently opposed an international football competition being played in AFL Melbourne. The hollowness and emptiness of the AFL's claims to fairness ring very loudly forever more. Hey BigAL, AFL has even embraced the land of the felafel - just ask non-racist Eddie Maguire, the worldly wise president of the country's biggest AFL organisation.
matty1974
Guest
Public thank you to the FFA. I , along with my family were amongst the lucky few to be part of the season launch. A great initiative, well organised and am looking forward to seeing the socceroos play next week. This is the first year I have been a member of any professional sporting club (Sydney FC) and will be the year that the A league takes a step to the next level.
M1tch
Guest
lol Cleary on the mind, lol not only wayne bennett, but he wanted the best, who is the best available football coach? He will be the man for Jets
NF
Guest
I wish A-League and association football the best in there endeavors I will be watching the occasional game since even since the Fury died my commitment to the A-League diminished but I will support the Australian national football team also hopefully you guys understand and fussball too. To have a team with so much potential take away from you is heart-breaking and disillusioned me from the FFA who screwed them over. But that's the past here's the future and I expect the A-League to flourish I may be an rugby league fan also but I will always have a place for assassination football. May the best team win and have a excellent time too. Peace.
apaway
Roar Guru
Mitch The Broncos fired Ivan Henjak. Ivan Cleary just coached his side to the Grand Final. But you're on to something: Look for Wayne Bennett to take over as Newcastle Jets head coach, thereby giving Tinkler a 2 for 1 deal!
Maynard James Keenan
Guest
BA don't be ridiculous, this statement of yours shows you're really not all there. It's delusional fools like you that turned me off Aussie Rules years ago.
M1tch
Guest
Possible masterstroke by Tinkler? Broncos fired Ivan Cleary before round 1 and finished 3rd! This is Sydney FC's year!
BigAl
Guest
Bondy - just managed to connect to that HUN story! - had a real good chuckle !
BigAl
Guest
@Fussball I understand that ...'diversity – cultural, ethnic, and religious – is the norm! ' in soccer, and has been for 60 years or thereabouts. However, I will have to rely on you to advise when ( or whereabouts when) you expect ... 1.) HAL to become a major sporting comp. - and I mean mainstream, FTA major; 2.) HAL to appoint first Muslim CEO. regards...
stabpass
Guest
Big Al, you are correct, and BTW how about this for a initiative ........ 13 Israelis, and 13 Palistinians playing together in a team at the Australian football International cup. http://www.peaceteam.com.au/
Brad_O
Guest
Hmmm you know what Im the same. I too could not tell you who was coming out this summer.
BigAl
Guest
Plenty of Muslim fans of the AFL, and a few Muslim players, going all the way back to John Ibrahim of North Melbourne in the 1960s - there's even a Muslim womens team playing aussie rules in Sydney. And, the guy currently running the show and doing a marvelous job, sounds a bit . . . 'forrin' !!!
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
@ BigAl How do you come up with such stuff? You reckon all those Muslims currently involved in AFL - playing and administration - have opened the flood gates?! Fair dinkum, you AFL guys live in some fantasy land. You have a special week to showcase diversity in your comp. In the HAL, on the ground, in the stands, at club level and at HQ level, diversity - cultural, ethnic, and religious - is the norm!
Rellum
Roar Guru
Cricket has been a massive part of my life but I may be alive to see it disappear from the Australian sporting landscape the way it is going.
Kasey
Guest
Actualy BigAl my tip would be the NRL, once the IC takes over, they've already had a star muslim player(El Mazri) (sp?) and the Bulldogs have a sizeable following/presence in the area of Sydney with a high concentration of Islamic Aussies. If an Islamic Aussie became the head of the 'dogs and did a good job, he'd be odds on to ascend to the top job one day.
BigAl
Guest
. . . frankly Kasey, I'd say there's more chance of this happening in the AFL than any other major sporting comp. in this country !