FFA's next big challenge

The recent announcement of Football Federation Australia’s $160 million deal has satisfied fans and guarantees media interest and financial sustainability of the game for at least another four years.

Many people are happy to see FFA get their top order prime product in order in the A-League and the Socceroos, but what about the rest of their operation?

Working down the pyramid leaves us in the awkward world of state leagues… and yes, I really do mean awkward.

Not only do many teams feel disillusioned by the old Soccer Australia’s negligence and the fall of the NSL but many are fighting for financial stability and relevance in a world that sees A-League teams poach their top talent for free, if they aren’t ignored completely!

The rise of Victory cult hero Andrew Nabbout is a high profile example of the potential riches that lie hidden in the murky waters of State Football. So what can be done to bridge the gap between Australia’s first and (technically) second tiers?

I think FFA is onto a winner with the Australian Premier Leagues (APL) system.

The basic ideas of minimum levels of professionalism and national uniformity will allow every player in Australia to watch and potentially play for quality football teams, with a clear pathway to A-League football.

But where there is hope there is also fear.

The truth is uniformity is rarely adhered to and I expect wealthier football associations, in particular that of NSW, to receive better FFA financial support.

The truth is many fans and clubs are confused about the APL implementation and role.

Here is my proposal to FFA:

The APL
Each state and territory should have a 12 team competition, with the top four teams making the finals series to be crowned state champions.

The state competition will run from March to August over 30 weeks.

The eight champions will then compete in a three week knockout tournament to decide champions of the APL.

The national finals will run in September, the month prior to the A-League season kick-off.

The national finals series will provide an excellent television product that would produce seven games which could be sold for an estimated $500,000-$1,500,000.

All money earned by the APL would be pooled into a travel fund for all teams to access.

Women’s League and Youth League
Youth matches to be curtain raisers for all APL matches and run the same fixture minus a finals series.

Team restrictions to mimic those of National Youth League.

Women’s League will run as a separate competition, to have a state finals series.

The FFA Cup
The FFA Cup has been wanted for quite some time now. Its implementation is not a question of yes or no, but instead of when.

I believe it will best work if states are allocated places based on the number of teams they have state wide.

Each state placing will be won via a knockout tournament, with the winners progressing to a national knockout competition including A-League competitors in the round of 32.

The host of each game will be drawn out of a (metaphorical) hat and the final is to be played at a professional venue.

A television package can comprise of 25 games, with an estimated value of between two and four million dollars.

There is no doubt FFA must unify state leagues nationally and bridge the gap between state leagues and the A-League.

The execution of these initiatives will result in the long term foundations of grassroots football, so FFA must be careful with this pivotal task.