I’ve come up with a few points that I think FFA needs to act on to propel football onto the next level.
The recent happenings in football this season caused me to write down a few points that must be acted on to improve the game. There is a mix of short and long-term objectives.
Advertise the A-League
We must advertise the competition! Spend $1-2 million, organise a decent ad campaign, and play it not just on Foxtel, but on free-to-air TV. This is marketing 101.
It’s a responsibility of the federation to do this, and it’s unknown why they wouldn’t want to pump up their own competition. It’s the old adage, you have to spend money to make money. This season is almost halfway through, but it’s never too late.
Sort out ownership squabbles
This is the biggest issue that has the potential to derail the game, and it may take a while to get sorted. Ownership issues are not new to A-League followers, but the recent issues with the Bakrie Group, the constant Mike Charlesworth rubbish comments in the media and the non-sale of the Newcastle Jets have gone on for too long.
We’ve heard too many times that players’ super and other entitlements haven’t been paid. It’s uncertain whether it’s all true, but usually where there’s smoke there’s fire. It’s unprofessional and it has to stop, as it screws with the perception and credibility of the entire league.
The FFA has a massive part to play in this, and they need to sort this out with the owners ASAP.
Build up the FFA Cup, don’t kill it off
The FFA Cup is an awesome concept, and it has the potential to become a huge competition if run properly. But this year’s FFA Cup was a PR debacle for the governing body.
They allowed the state league clubs to play in massive commercial stadiums, like Hume City hosting Victory at AAMI Park with 6000 turning up, and then hitting Victorians with final ticket prices of $40-80.
Tickets at the previous final in Adelaide were appropriately priced at $36-47. They got exactly what they deserved when just 15,000 people turned up. Consumers aren’t stupid these days. Get a grip FFA, don’t kill the comp before it’s actually got going.
Sort out the next TV deal
Talks will have been ongoing about this, it’s been in the media for a while that the FFA are trying to double their current TV deal. I’m not sure if they’ll reach those targets or not, but the sport needs a bigger injection of funds sooner rather than later in order to guarantee the existence of some of the smaller clubs.
Despite all the naysayers, the A-League gets a quarter of the average TV viewers of AFL games on Fox Sports, and gets a third of the average crowds, so the sport’s well on its way after 11 years. It’s still growing, albeit with some pains, but it just needs another push from a keen TV partner.
More money into football would improve on-field quality and the overall hype again, which can’t be said for the other codes, but they keep doubling their TV deals. Some commercial free-to-air TV exposure is also a must in any new deal, even if that’s on a secondary channel.
They could also look at a marquee component of any new deal, separate to the salary cap, where future money could fund $1 million of a marquee wage per club per year, to incentivise clubs to dream big and lure bigger names to Australia.
The new ARU deal shows that all networks want live sport and will pay well for it.
Get to work on expansion
Work needs to recommence on this. The league needs more teams not less, in the short to medium term. Wollongong and Canberra are ready-made markets for the A-League, and Geelong could probably put their hand up in the near future, but instead the FFA are too busy looking in the southern Sydney and Sutherland area, where it would do more damage than good.
The four existing Sydney and Melbourne clubs need another five years to cement themselves and their intra-city rivalries, and then we can look at team number three in each city. And keep Wellington Phoenix, they just need to grow over the ditch, which will take a while.
Build its own bricks and mortar
Football-specific infrastructure, be it club facilities, training bases, academies and stadiums are badly needed. Western Sydney Wanderers are set to build their $20 million training base next year, and they’ll get a brand new Parramatta Stadium in three or so years. Melbourne City and Adelaide also both have their own new training bases.
But it’s not all good news.
Some clubs don’t even have a regular training ground, and the inadequate stadia issue is a massive one, particularly for Brisbane and Wellington who play in stadiums too large for their supporter bases. Hindmarsh would also benefit from a small upgrade and increasing the capacity to over 20,000, meaning Socceroos and international fixtures could be played there.
Defend the game, but don’t give the haters any oxygen
Articles like the recent one from Rebecca Wilson and the comments from Alan Jones are not news for football fans in Australia. They rear their ugly head every 12 months or so, or when the code is going well and prizing away so many youngsters from other sports.
It’s best not to pay these articles or comments any attention, as they’re intended to destabilise football and its momentum. Little do these people know what the average football fan has had to go through in Australia for the last 40 years, and things like this actually have an adverse effect, and help galvanise the sport and its supporters.
We may actually look back at these past two weeks as a turning point in the years to come.
These are my points, there are no quick fixes, but some things could be done better straight away. What do you think, Roarers?
Mister Football
Roar Guru
asanchez It's a ludicrous claim, seriously, $3 billion? The Wookie has already responded above, and he'd know more about this sort thing than anyone you'd care to mention. Allow me to repeat his post above: The AFL itself hasnt received a cent, but the major stadium infrastucture – notably mostly made up of the Perth Stadium and Adelaide oval upgrades, Commonwealth Games infrastructure (MCG and Metricon) or the World Cup (MCG, Bellerive, Adelaide Oval, SCG, Manuka).. The Sydney Showgrounds are used by wel,l the Sydney Show, and the BBL. its worth noting that the AFL pays 7 million a year (indexed to CPI) since 1988 for the Greant Southern and Northern Stands at the MCG. But hey, its free money right? In Adelaide the stadium is effectively owned by the SANFL – not the AFL – in the winter months. Kardinia Park is probably the only exception – and Geelong are putting in a lot of their own money into that facility. The AFLs problem seems to be that Governments get a return on their investment on stadiums where the AFL plays long term.
asanchez
Roar Guru
Mister, My point is, whether these stadiums, or upgrades, rebates, discounts or deals are for the AFL or not, the AFL are the single biggest beneficiary of these deals. That fact is indisputable! $3 billion dollars in funding, predominantly for 1 code is ludicrous! And you're quite right, the Metricon stadium build was given $10m by the AFL, which is a fair bit if coin. But out of that, they've secured a really long lease (have heard 99 years), and an almost rent free deal. The new stadium at the Sydney Showgrounds isn't only for AFL use, but it would never have been built without the Giants signing up to play there. GWS was also given grants and government money to build a state of the training facility, reportedly costing $20m. Mainly if not 100% tax payer funded. I don't begrudge the AFL for getting all this, they're using their financial muscle, but most importantly their contacts in both the top end of the corporate ladder and in Governemnt to get stuff done. Football needs to get its act together on this front, it has the biggest player base, more kids playing the round ball than all the other football codes combined, and yet many community clubs still turn away kids today, because of a lack of funds, but most commonly a lack of facilities. There simply aren't enough football pitches for these kids to train, play and enjoy the game. This is a huge issue for me. I'll give you a real life example, got a mate in politics who's in Canberra every 2 weeks. He says he can count on 1 hand how many times he's either seen or heard of FFA or any other Football officials visit Canberra each year, to talk to government about facilities, funding etc for the code. And when they do visit, it's always a few different people pretty high up at FFA. On the flipside he says that every month without fail, he either sees or hears of AFL or AFL club officials visiting government to discuss AFL related matters, be it facilities, funding etc. and he says that every single club sends delegates up there, not just the AFL themselves. As I said, they aren't doing anything wrong, on the contrary, they're doing the right thing for themselves and for their business, but that shows me the level of contacts and connections they have in Canberra. Football has a long way to go in this respect, but it needs to have confidence to ask for more, as the numbers don't lie, their case would be compelling.
Qantas & SBS support Australian Football
Guest
"It’s been reported “about $3 billion has been invested since 2003 by various governments” on stadiums for the AFL competition. I wish more people knew about this stunning waste of public money – 3 thousand million dollars… for stadiums used a few times each year." Thanks Fuss that is truly astonishing... A stunning waste of tax payers money.
Punter
Guest
MF, As I told Fuss, unlike you I come on the the football tab to talk football & don't care about all the Government subsides to the AFL & don't know why he cares.
The_Wookie
Roar Guru
Still assuming that its AFL exclusive infrastucture - when most of it is multi use infrastructure - AFl stadiums are almost universally shared with Cricket and have been for only about 150 years. Not to mention being used for a wide variety of other sports as needed. That said, I dont agree with Governments spending money on facilities for professional sporting organisations either.
The_Wookie
Roar Guru
Im sorry the AFL has received how much? The AFL itself hasnt received a cent, but the major stadium infrastucture - notably mostly made up of the Perth Stadium and Adelaide oval upgrades, Commonwealth Games infrastructure (MCG and Metricon) or the World Cup (MCG, Bellerive, Adelaide Oval, SCG, Manuka).. The Sydney Showgrounds are used by wel,l the Sydney Show, and the BBL. its worth noting that the AFL pays 7 million a year (indexed to CPI) since 1988 for the Greant Southern and Northern Stands at the MCG. But hey, its free money right? In Adelaide the stadium is effectively owned by the SANFL - not the AFL - in the winter months. Kardinia Park is probably the only exception - and Geelong are putting in a lot of their own money into that facility. The AFLs problem seems to be that Governments get a return on their investment on stadiums where the AFL plays long term.
j binnie
Guest
Fuss - Have just read your "apology " and realise something needs explanation.,that is how I keep my figures I have figures dating back some 5 or 6 years & I collect them by writing down all matches in table form Date,Fixture,Goals,,Crowd,Aggregate crowd figure and Average crowd figure derived from Aggregate figure divided by the number of games I do not as a rule include info re. if the game is played elsewhere or not,for as you say every team has to experience these situations during the seasons. I have found the only figures I have problems with are the derby figures ,especially out of Melbourne where there is such a large differential between Victory and City's actual supports. The 2 derby "award" to City can cause huge differentials in their "averages"from season to season but with another 12 "gates " contributing to the average it only affects these 2 clubs slightly ,but allowances have to be made when discussing them eg .Before last night City were averaging 7,370 per game. After last night that average had jumped to 10.610,but it will now level out somewhat in future figures . Cheers jb
j binnie
Guest
Fuss .Thanks for that info. No need to apologise we are talking in typed information from a long distance so sometime get "screwed up" in the words used.Cheers jb
FIUL
Guest
"Yeh, but if soccer want similar infrastructure, about time it started putting in its $10 mill rather than constantly putting its hand out for money." AFL has received $3000 million taxpayer funds since 2003. No other sport in Australia AFL would have received this magnitude of Government handouts.
j binnie
Guest
RBB- I sincerely hope you are correct in your forecasting but there are a few things you should recognise when attempting statistical analysis before making a forecast. Take your team for instance, WSW have played 5 home games this season and despite improving their position in the league their average attendance from game 1 to game 4 had dropped from14,122 to13,151,a drop in average of 1000 in those 4 games.This is quite normal for in those games are mid week matches etc but then in game 5 ,sitting top of the comp and playing Victory the best gate of the season so far 17,703 helps to lift the average back to 13,935 so the reduction from gams 1 now measures only 187per game.Now to get that average back above 14,122 WSW are going to have to get crowds above that new average of 13,935 to EVERY game. Now I admit the figures you cite at the end of your comment have me puzzled WSW's average last season was 12,520.(After 4 home games that figure was 14,554. WSW's average for the season before was 14,860,(After 4 home games that figure was 15,744 WSW's average for the season before was 12,466 (After 4 home games that figure was 11,256) As you can see in the inaugural year ,with interest constantly growing the average increased. Since then it has tended to fit in with other "longer lived" attendances and shows a downturn as the season progresses. This is perfectly normal in HAL "season long" figures for most clubs and is really nothing to worry about Still hope you are correct in your forecasts.Cheers jb
FIUL
Guest
"You didn’t think it was odd seeing the number $3 billion in one paragraph, and then $300 mill in the very next? Looks like two pretty different numbers don’t you think." You're questioning the AFL Chairman's Report? Those are his figures, not mine. It's quite simple: Since 2003: Govts have thrown Three Thousand Million dollars of taxpayer funds at AFL 2003-2006: Approx $2700 million taxpayer funds used on AFL infrastructure 2007-2014: $330 million taxpayer used on AFL infrastructure This is not complicated analysis. Anyone, who is reasonable competent at reading Annual Reports & Financial Statement, would know how to cut the data.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Yeh, but if soccer want similar infrastructure, about time it started putting in its $10 mill rather than constantly putting its hand out for money.
FIUL
Guest
My apologies, jb So the data that you quote about MVFC from last season, doesn't include the Geelong match? Or previous years you exclude the Hobart matches? That's excellent. The official data on Ultimate ALeague website includes the data from matches played 800kms away. And, for Brisbane's 2015/16 'home' average attendance, Ultimate ALeague includes the Cairns match played 1700kms away from Brisbane's home base. ALeague clubs get all the ticket revenue from home & away matches, including regional matches; and pick up all the costs. The FFA only organises ALeague finals & gets all the ticket revenue from the finals & picks up the costs for all the finals.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Punter careful you don't also become one of those unquestioning disciples. You didn't think it was odd seeing the number $3 billion in one paragraph, and then $300 mill in the very next? Looks like two pretty different numbers don't you think? Geez, I wonder what those paragraphs say exactly? The poster in question hasn't deliberately tried to mislead you? Heaven forbid! Is there a reason why he left out the bits about the AFL's significant contributions? Hmmm....
j binnie
Guest
fuss -What do you take me for, trying to lecture on what should count as a "home game" and what isn't. The figures I use do not include games where that game has been played 1200k's away from what is regarded as a "home" game. I would expect that the FFA picks up the costs for these "expeditions".Do they? Do you know? Question - Could that "Cairns" game not have been played somewhere closer to the Roar home base thus allowing ticket holders to enjoy whether they chose to attend at no expense to themselves.?.Grounds on the Gold Coast have been used before where the "rail component" of travel could still be used . Now I said last night I would not address the "crowd problem" to you again,but here is something for you to peruse. Up to game 54 last night (including the excellent Melbourne crowd) 649,071 people watched Last season over the first 54 games (derbies and away/home games included) 793,722 had watched. Now without getting too deeply into statistical analysis and it's "like for like" rules could you please tell me how we,we supposedly interested in the game, can get that "missing" 144 651 back to the game. That figure represents 6 times of the "Melbourne gate" that we saw last night. It also represents 27 times of the "gate that watched Perth beat Victory midweek That's what I.d like to hear from you ideas to beat the problem not some lecture on based on a first year economic course jb.
RBBAnonymous
Guest
@FIUL, This season is a slow burn anyway. You can already see the table taking shape and all teams are competitive with the exception of CCM. The bottom teams of AU, Perth, Adelaide are all capable of making a run and compacting the table even further. If this happens you wont get as much of a drop off as in previous season. We have also had unusual circumstances this year eg like the boycott round. You have to remember as well that Melbourne Victory have also played a lot of their matches away from home as well, they always prop up the league with good numbers. In fact I reckon by seasons end will be more than satisfied with our avg attendances, especially if the matches remain a high standard. Very happy to say that WSW average this year would be higher than previous years. If we can average 13.5 - 14k it will be a super year for the club. Below A-league average - source 442 Season Ten 12,515 Season Eleven 12,168
FIUL
Guest
jb The issue with the Roar playing in Cairns highlights the need to compare "like with like". In reality, that regional game should not be included in the Roar's average home attendance since it is Roar 'home game' in name only; not in substance. As you know, since we have an odd number of rounds in a season, every year 5 teams get an extra 'home game'. The theory is this extra match should be taken to a regional venue. MVFC has taken its extra match as far as Tasmania - a distance of around 750 kms, which is similar to MVFC playing in Sydney or Adelaide. Surely, it defies commonsense to include crowds for a match in Hobart in MVFC's 'home attendances'? It's ridiculous to think home fans will travel 800 kms for an Aleague match? Of course, Brisbane to Cairns is even greater distance - about the same as Brisbane to Melbourne. So, the match in Cairns should never be included in real analysis of Brisbane's 'home crowds', unless Brisbane decides to play a match in Cairns every season. PS: Next month, CCM will play a 'home match' in Geelong. MVFC members get free admission. The crowd could be in excess of 20k. Will this 20k crowd in Geelong be attributed to CCM, or MVFC?
j binnie
Guest
Punter - A strange comment from one as experienced as yourself."The derby" as you refer to last night's game was excellent tv viewing with little doubt it was even more so for those lucky enough to attend,but there are 5 games played in every round of the HAL and the one thing missing from most of these encounters is the atmosphere generated by big crowds. Without that atmosphere a game just degenerates into a contest between 2 teams of men,who are also affected by that lack of atmosphere. ok???? So do we just ignore the crowds that are being attracted to these other games and somehow hope the growing deficit goes away or do we recognise the fact and set about doing something about it. That is what I'm attempting to bring to notice,I don't think of them as "disappointing" ,I look upon them as something that needs fixed. Don't know whether you have noticed or not but Wellington's crowds this season need looked at. They have played 5 home games this season and the first 2 drew crowds almost 2000 below their last years average,dropping from 8,500 to 6,100.Then came the "trouble" with the FFA concerning their licence and since then the remaining 3 home games have jumped from that average of 6100 to an average of 11,500 so t would appear there has been a "rallying effect" from the "trouble" that has almost doubled their paying spectators. Is there anything to be learned from those figures???? If there is then maybe others should look and learn ,from not only Phoenix but from Victory as well Cheers jb ps -Because Roar had to play "that' game in Cairns their 4 home game average dropped from nearly 12,000.to a 5 game average of 10,600,not to mention the dissatisfaction to existing Roar fans who have not had a "home' game to attend since 20/11 and won't have until 27/12, 5 weeks.!!! Does that make sense to you as a concerned fan? It doesn't to me. As I have said elsewhere How NOT to make friends and influence people Cheers jb,
Punter
Guest
Yes Fuss, but you are trying to convince MF, you would struggle to convince him the Pope was Catholic if it didn't suit his agendas, so why bother. I think what you are trying to say is already well known.
Punter
Guest
JB, the crowds are disappointing, but I'd rather concentrate on the Derby, that was just the best game of local football I have ever seen, we should just concentrate on the football on the park, the quality in some games are just outstanding but we are not getting credit for it.