- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
A lot of opinions have been shared recently about a new national second division.
We have heard from those opposed to the idea. The main argument against it seems to revolve around financial considerations.
The costs of competing in a national competition are much higher, and the cost of growing into a fully professional league are significant.
Some who are opposed think that the public are not ready to support a second division. This is an argument I can well understand. Very few countries have succeeded in this.
England have. The Championship is a very competitive second tier. Bundesliga 2 is also strongly supported. These two examples show that it can be done, but the experience of many other countries show that crowds are low.
Crowds are very important for a second tier. Without interest being shown by people watching, there will be little media coverage, and certainly, no television coverage of matches. If that does not happen, there will be only small revenue from commercial sponsors.
Those who support a second division have produced a range of arguments. Some have suggested that FFA could pour in several million dollars per year out of the next A-League TV deal. At the same time we are reading articles about having an independent A-League commission that has the goal of keeping more of the A-League TV deal for the A-League clubs.
There are also those who suggest that if we do not have a national second division, we will not see promotion and relegation.
One thing I have noticed in the discussions is that many people are unaware of what we have now.
We actually have a national second division operating already. The National Premier League (NPL) is the national second tier competition in Australia.
The NPL operates in each member federation under a single national banner, with the aim to:
– Create greater consistency across the member federation top leagues across Australia with application of accreditation criteria;
– Be a development pathway for players and coaches, implementing the National Curriculum;
– Raise overall standards in club management;
– Improve the financial and commercial position of state leagues and clubs.
The NPL operates on a state conference system, which culminates in the national NPL finals Series at the end of each season involving the league premiers of each Member Federation’s NPL division.
The grand final of the National Premier League is being played this weekend on Sunday 2 October 2016.
Sydney United 58 FC v Edgeworth Eagles
Sydney United Sports Centre, Edensor Park NSW
Kick-off: 2:30pm AEDT
There is a live stream available if you cannot get to Edensor Park. Go here or watch on a Sony Playstation 4.
This is the opportunity to watch two of the best second division teams in Australia.
It may also help with any ideas you have about what can be done to grow the second tier of football in Australia.
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.