On Sunday, I spent a day at Hong Kong Football Club, watching the Hong Kong Soccer 7s, an event that has taken place almost every year since the early 1990s.
While I was sitting in the shade of the southern stand, looking at the high rises that surround Happy Valley Racecourse (that HKFC sits inside) and poured myself an icy cold beer from the two litre jug that I had bought not moments before, I wondered if such an event could work in Australia.
It is my sincere belief that, if structured correctly, it could.
As my friends and I talked about this, and other various other things, as the beer flowed, we got some rough ideas down.
Firstly, it’s a 7s tournament. That means seven on the pitch at a time, seven minutes per half. You can pump through teams fast.
In the knockout stages, extra time was four minutes, four players, golden goal – no goals in that time meant penalties.
Our collective heart rates went through the roof as the Hong Kong Football Association Under 23s put Rangers through the wringer but still couldn’t find the goal they wanted, but then lost on penalties.
Secondly, the HK Soccer 7s had 16 teams in the main draw, each playing three games on Saturday, and then the knockout stage was on Sunday. This means that ticket packages can be sold for individual days, or for the whole weekend.
Thirdly, it was a fun convivial atmosphere around the ground. There were sponsor areas, children were easily able to get autographs from players and generally it was a lovely day in the sunshine of Hong Kong.
One area that the three of us discussed was where to host it. As West Australians, we felt that it was inappropriate for one city to permanently hold the hosting rights.
The idea I settled on was an 12 year rotating schedule among cities that currently have an A-League side, plus an additional venue inside that 12 years that do not. Our thoughts considered places like Canberra, Cairns, Townsville, Hobart and Auckland.
The rough schedule I came up with was:
– three in 12 years in Sydney
– three in 12 years in Melbourne
– two in 12 years in Brisbane
– one in 12 years in Perth
– one in 12 years in Adelaide
– one in 12 years in Wellington
– one in 12 years in a separate city (no idea about the bidding process).
We felt that Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane should not be able to hold their tournaments in consecutive years.
We also agreed that it had to be flexible enough to allow for changes for new cities to come into play, and for the number of years in a certain city to change. For example, Newcastle is not listed – there is a reasonable question about whether they should have a separate year, or bid in the separate city category.
Many readers might say that this is just a sideshow, and these tournaments don’t matter – and to some extent that is correct. But if the A-League was serious about creating some buzz about the competition with a one weekend blast, covered live on social media, that could get other teams from Australia to get involved, then why not?
Wellington Phoenix have been up to the Hong Kong Soccer 7s over the last few years, and the Central Coast Mariners came second in 2007 – a fact that had completely escaped me until I saw it in the program.
So instead of just saying ‘No, it’s stupid’, why not consider it as a way to attract people to the game, and if you don’t like it, how would you make it better?
Nick Symonds
Guest
In the words of Johnny Warren, “I told you so”. http://www.theroar.com.au/2017/01/04/thunderball-footballs-answer-twenty20-cricket/ Even golf is getting in on this sort of thing with the new golf sixes format which will have amphitheatre seating around the tees and greens as well as music and pyrotechnics. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/golf/2017/02/11/european-tour-schedule-golfsixes-tournament-golfs-answer-twenty20/ On a serious note the Hong Kong Soccer 7’s has been around since 1999 so if it hasn’t taken off yet it might still take a while. But maybe it could work at the Commonwealth Games or the Olympics.There’s already 7-a-side at the Paralympics so it’s not that unthinkable. They do seem to be attracting good teams though and HKFC is where rugby sevens gained its profile so maybe just give them some more time. Here’s a few highlight videos: Shield Final - West Ham United v Cagliari Calcio https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dq7EnCicPLU Plate Final - Bayer Leverkusen v Wellington Phoenix (you don't see that too often!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxFzDSbEHww Main Cup Final - Aston Villa v Leicester City https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShjIBu7rJrM As for soccer 7's in Australia I think that Sydney would always host it like they want to with the grand final. Maybe with the top 8 A-League teams versus the top 8 from the EPL.
Ken Spacey
Guest
One of the risks of all faster cut down versions of sports is that you turn fans into ADD kids. You have to wait another few years to see if the BBL fans remain hooked. BBL fans are not necessarily total cricket fans who go to ODI and longer forms. In the rise of 20/20 the Sheffield Shield has become even less relevant. Despite the hype from CA, the stats suggest that cricket juniors are solid but not booming. Football has proven that a low scoring,ebb and flow game can hold people's attention and in most cases is a contest to the end. Both ODI and T20 were designed to create more action but also tight finishes decided in the last over or two. Football has that potential in it's main format. Football has to hold its nerve and not pander to the myth that low scoring/no scoring equals boring. That is a line pushed by the game's detractors.
marcel
Guest
I can imagine coaches would see this as having zero benefit for pre season preparation
saul
Guest
Having played in seven a side football i agree that holding a preseason tournament would be good for the A league. The game is fast,free flowing, high scoring which makes entertaining football. Maybe the way to go about it would be to have a state based competition in the style of State of Origin, two twenty minute halves and golden goal if it's stuck on nil all after full time. The women's could also play before or after the men's teams that way it will promote the W league more and bring more people through the turnstiles. Tickets, food and drink cheap of course.
punter
Guest
Exactly, we already have friendlies both clubs & national teams which provides the sideshows attracting the non diehard supporters & drawing crowds much bigger the BBL. No thanks.
Grobbelaar
Roar Guru
Agreed LTS. That was my immediate reaction.
Kaks
Roar Guru
Spot on.
Kaks
Roar Guru
We already have an F-league that is highly competitive. Slap in the face of every single player who sacrifices so much of their life to compete in the F-league to see A-league and NPL teams compete in a crash and bash competition for 'fun' while presumably making a lot more money than they do.
Josh Barton
Roar Pro
I wouldn't be totally against it if you rolled it into some sort of national football fan day. Much in the same vein that individual clubs hold their own fan days, you could have this competition run alongside other events. Entry would have to be totally free though to get any sort of meaningful crowd. I cannot see it enticing new spectators to the game. And I doubt it would have any significant impact on the existing football fans. Add in the risk of player injury and the costs of running such an event, I can't see there being enough positives so warrant it. We already have the clubs playing friendlies against European clubs, which is its own sideshow. Do we really need more?
Nemesis
Guest
Depends whom you are trying to attract? Who is your target audience. If your target audience is people who don't watch Aleague, then I've got no idea if it'll work. I'll listen to those who don't watch ALeague to give their input. But, as an ALeague fan and Member, I can tell you I won't be going to watch any Football Circus. I'd rather spend my time watching 2nd Division NPL that week end.
Wayne
Roar Guru
It's a two day tournament that would fit nicely in the pre-cursor to the main season. Its a bit of fun
Fadida
Guest
Agree totally
AR
Guest
I like it actually. Though with the FFA Cup and other sports humming through winter, I think it would be a tough sell in a crowded winter market.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
I have thought similar but not like what you've described Chris. I'm thinking of a nationally televised indoor futsal tournament comprising any clubs coming from A-league or state NPL teams. Futsal is popular in Oz and I'm thinking of a short season that brings the game into peoples living rooms and can be played conveniently in basketball arenas around Australia. It's just another vehicle to promote the game and it would have TV appeal I'm sure.
League table speaks
Guest
These types of tournaments just dont fill any purpose in football. There is futsal and beach soccer as distinct variants of the game already. And fans of eleven a side are satisfied with what they get and are happy with pre season games in that format. I appreciate the desire for them in some sports but ...except for those in australia who just dont seem to like football as it is....there just isnt the interest in it. It seems the game here is still the plaything of those who find "the soccer" boring.... Hey maybe one day the game here will embrace a football style format in the league for starters. Getting that right would be preferable...