So the World Cup is in full swing and Australia have performed admirably again, getting generally positive and favourable reviews.
Lots of neutral sports fans have been captivated by the events in Russia. The Australian media, who usually focus on the AFL and NRL, have given great coverage of the ‘greatest show on earth’.
Yet where is the FFA promoting Australian football? This was a great chance for Australia’s football governing body to promote our own local leagues.
This tournament, especially during the group phase, when the Socceroos are on show, is the perfect platform for the FFA to release its 2018-19 A-League and W-League draw as well as promote membership for the various clubs.
It is also a great chance, while football interest is at fever pitch, for the A-League to launch their two new clubs.
The FFA knew eight years ago that this World Cup was going to be on and the decision was made a while ago to create two new teams, so why wait until 31 October to announce them?
(Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Doing it in June during the World Cup would create wonderful exposure to traditionally non-football fans. People who won’t give a hoot come October may have their interest piqued if they knew a new A-League club close to home was around the corner. Yet the A-League hasn’t even released the shortlist of bidders that was due two weeks ago.
There have been numerous shows on the World Cup, and if the draw for the upcoming A-League and W-League seasons was released, the fans watching, especially the ones who don’t usually follow local football, may be captured and at least discuss going.
Why not have A-League and W-League players on various TV shows too just to give the local competitions valuable exposure?
The round of 32 FFA Cup draw will be released prior to our last game against Peru on Tuesday. That is at least something. But the A-League and W-League are the bread and butter of local football.
If the Socceroos progress through to the second round, even more interest will be generated. Let’s hope the FFA do something about it and link our local competitions to the biggest show on earth.
Brenton Ray
Roar Rookie
i've been informed that the 2018/19 Hyundai A League fixture release is due early part of July (this month) to mid part of July (this month). No real panic stations yet with season start delayed 2 weeks (season begin - weekend of October 19/20/21) to help with FIFA international window introductions for 2018/19 Hyundai A League season. Also another point World Cup, Football Federation Australia want clear air for fixtures/marketing
Janakan
Guest
Does anyone know when the A League draw is to be released?
Onside
Guest
Googled all that Nick , because I didn't know. You've made my day. I look forward to moment when I can read Semolina Pilchard. The observation Nick ,"The lyrics were designed to confound those who attempted to offer rational explanation " perhaps fits my convoluted post.
Onside
Guest
just make sure you don't get caught by the laughter police
Nick Symonds
Guest
Are you the Walrus? - Semolina Pilchard Climbing up the Eiffel tower Elementary penguin singing Hare Krishna Man, you should have seen them kicking Edgar Allen Poe
BA Sports
Roar Guru
Exactly. You don't try and speak when the rest of the room is yelling - you will never be heard. If anything, wait till the the week leading into the Final (assuming Australia are not in it). There is still some noise about football, but it will have died down enough that you can speak and be heard.
Onside
Guest
The FIFA World cup is to the A-League what The Melbourne cup is to horse racing, The Commonwealth games is to didgeridoo playing,The Rugby Union World Cup is to understanding why a tight end went the blind, Royal Show sheep dog trials are to pluto pops and kelpie sales , and so on (pick a sport) All are world class carnivals that feature the best talent available, attract huge crowds and media coverage, but once the fat lady has sung, it's back to chook raffles and sausage sizzles. The best time to release the names of the new clubs is on a quiet sporting news-day.
MQ
Guest
The flaw in this argument is that the FIFA World Cup swamps absolutely everything, and it would swamp anything the FFA tried to do. Just because the FFA happens to administer the same sport counts for nothing right now. It's all about the World Cup.
At work
Roar Rookie
Why would they release the draw now, if anything it will just get lost in the hype and media attention of the world cup, then we lose that media opp later on. Even moreso with announcing the expansion teams, that will be huge news and generate a lot of media focus, so why do it within the world cup for it to be swallowed and forgotten about in a month. I do agree that the FFA should be using this opportunity other ways though, starting the membership drive for clubs now couldn't hurt, etc.
peeko
Guest
you really think releasing thedraw now woud make a big difference. Midfielder wrot a much better article on this subject last week.
Pistol Pete
Guest
Far too much common sense in this article. Ffa don’t have that though.