- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
The FFA has today announced it has formally commenced proceedings to expand the A-League by two teams in 2019, and has invited “all interested parties” to submit expressions of interest in obtaining an A-League license.
FFA CEO David Gallop said the organisation had “done a lot of work on the fundamentals behind successful expansion” and was confident of receiving “high-quality bids”.
“The game is right to be aspirational and confident and this is an exciting opportunity for interested parties to get on board in a competition that has produced outstanding growth in its short history,” Gallop said.
“With football booming in Asia, the largest participation base in Australian sport and our national teams competing on the world stage, this is the right time to be expanding the Hyundai A-League.”
The FFA has asked all bidders to address a number of points in their expressions, including their approaches to fan engagement, youth development and player pathways, their understanding of the local football community, as well as evidence of their financial capacity to run an A-League club.
Bidders will have until Thursday, May 24 to submit their expressions of interest to the governing body, with a shortlist of potential licenses to be revealed in early June.
Shortlisted bidders will then have until the end of August to submit their more detailed requests for proposal, before a board announcement is made on Wednesday, October 31 on which groups, if any, have been issued licenses.
The FFA have pledged any decision to grant a license will be made “in the best interests of football in Australia”, with Gallop adding that “Australian sport has seen expansion produce both hits and misses over the last few decades.”
“In short, we are determined to be one of the hits.”
Gallop also promised existing clubs and grassroots organisations wouldn’t be forgotten during the expansion process, saying the FFA will “will continue to work with the existing clubs, our broadcasters and other partners to build the League for next season.”
This expansion process will, as of now, not include the W-League or Y-League, with the governing body citing a “separate and dedicated focus” as how to best manage their growth.
However, bidders will be asked about their aspirations for the W-League as part of the expression of interest process.