It's time the FFA reconsidered its 'metrics'

By Nick21 / Roar Pro

The FFA seems to have found a new buzzword as it tries to navigate through challenging times.

‘Metrics’ is a word seemingly used ad nauseam as a kind of smokescreen that apparently needs no clarification or justification – a perfect device that perfectly reflects the attitude and workings of a governing body that is very quickly driving our beloved game into the ground.

Culture starts at the top. When management’s values, goals and sense of culture are fundamentally different from its constituents you have a problem – a problem that has ballooned in a multifaceted failure that is feeding off itself and conspiring to drag our game down.

The FFA’s strategic model is fundamentally flawed, and it is from this model that everything else flows. It is a business-driven model, not a fan or football-driven model.

Fans are not treated as fans but as customers. If the product is bad, why should they turn up?

Fans want passion, community, family and atmosphere. They don’t want to hear talk of franchises, metrics, financial targets or club brands. When suits from the FFA talk in front of a camera are they speaking to fans or to existing and prospective sponsors? Or do they think they are communicating with shareholders in a publically listed company?

The FFA’s business model therefore sets the tone for how it communicates with the game’s fans, and from the get-go it doesn’t speak the language or appreciate the values the fans hold dear. Immediately there is a disconnect.

When Craig Foster was running for the FFA board he stressed the importance of having a fan-based model. Sadly this was to his detriment. So geared is the FFA to following a business-based model that it fails to recognise football’s strengths that make it unique.

Football is a tool for change. We were the first competition in Australia to have a national league. We were the first code to have the national anthem played at an international match. We were the only code to send our team to Vietnam. We are a world game with global appeal and an unmatched atmosphere. We unite all cultures and assist in the integration of hundreds of thousands of migrants into our great nation.

Is this understood by the FFA? Comments from the FFA’s head of A-League, Greg O’Rourke, that he wants to see a more “Big Bash” atmosphere, which includes music during corners and throw-ins, shows that not only does the governing body not understand it, but they are hellbent on disrespecting our game by trying to make football into a second-rate version of the Big Bash League or the NRL. Anyone up for wearing KFC buckets on their heads?

(Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

This disconnect was further demonstrated by David Gallop’s comments during a fan forum when he stated he envisioned the Socceroos active support to be in the mould of State of Origin’s Blatchys Blues. Care to add a blue wig to your KFC bucket, anyone?

So clueless are the FFA in growing our game that the FFA expressed its surprise at the 30-plus per cent decline in TV ratings. To express surprise at this must means one is either in denial or incompetent.

So what are these metrics the FFA talks about? Well, no-one knows. These supposed metrics are applied to the Wellington Phoenix. If they fail to meet them, they are out. Well, one would assume these metrics are also applied to all teams. By that logic wouldn’t the future of the Central Coast Mariners also be in doubt?

There is no logic. ‘Metrics’ is a convenient excuse to give Phoenix the boot.

So in an environment of shrinking crowds, falling ratings and serious governance issues the FFA have opted to add two new teams to expand the league, but there are serious problems with this way forward.

Firstly, adding two new teams to a competition in decline run by an inept governing body is like trying to build a home on a base of sand.

Secondly, adding a team from Melbourne and Sydney is diluting, not expanding, the A-League. Melbourne City struggle for crowds as it is. What do we think adding a third team in Melbourne will do?

Thirdly, the two new teams are being set up in ‘growth corridors’, meaning it will be years before these respective areas have the population to sustain decent crowds. Is the FFA willing to support these teams until then?

(AAP Image/Darren England)

Again we come back to the destructive business model. The FFA, in part due to its ongoing failings, need cash. Foxtel wanted teams in our major metropolitan areas. The fans – well, their needs are down the priority list. Last I checked there weren’t tens of thousands of fans in Campbelltown screaming for a new team.

Is it any wonder fans are turning their backs on the game? Active support, one of the greatest assets and attractions for new fans, is struggling to survive. Football fans are not just spectators; they are supporters. They are socially conscious, active and not customers who will sit down, shut up and just buy merchandise. We are losing rusted-on fans in the FFA’s failed attempt to bring on ‘events fans’ who will leave for the next big thing.

Our junior system, the lifeblood of the game, is in tatters. Exorbitant fees is the first problem, and another is the FFA-imposed rigid 4-4-2 system that is raising a generation of youngsters who don’t understand other systems and are deficient in tackling and defensive work – and, as we have seen, lack the ability to score!

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The strategy is flawed and the problems are many, yet they will continue to multiply and worsen until we have a fundamental shift in not only how the game is run but how it is appreciated in this country.

We don’t know what metrics the FFA are using but by the metrics used by the fans to measure the FFA our governing body is clearly failing.

The Crowd Says:

2019-01-07T00:25:46+00:00

Max power

Guest


You work in politics Fuss? You seek to be able to distort and spin any stat in the beautiful games favour ? Stay strong brother

2019-01-06T23:19:04+00:00

peeeko

Roar Guru


its not a rugby league model

2019-01-06T19:20:52+00:00

Frans

Guest


Wrong! People in this country would enjoy Football much more if we had the European model. But people need to DEMAND it first! And to demand the right thing you need to COMMUNICATE it. That means telling the truth, no matter how much it hurts. I prefer the bitter truth over a sweet lie every time! That's the ONLY way to get forward. A Football league without promotion - relegation is a sweet lie. It's NOT competitive. It stops progress, it's slow and boring. Accept the bitter truth and stop lying to yourself and others!!

2019-01-06T06:31:31+00:00

stu

Guest


Ok....so the author wants the NPL front and centre rather than the A-League. Let's see how that works in taking the sport forward. Professional sport is a business, full stop.

2019-01-06T05:50:19+00:00

Nemesis

Guest


Kayo Sports can be used on all traditional devices that have internet connectivity: PCs, laptops, tablets, mobile phones. For PC/Laptop you access it via KayoSports.com.au. For tableets/mobile phones you have a specific app. You can either watch on the device, or you can cast it to the TV to watch in perfect High Definition on any size TV with a Google Chromecast dongle.

2019-01-06T04:35:24+00:00

Fan

Guest


4-3-3 is the preferred FFA formation, not 4-4-2. Apart from that error which unfortunately lessens the impact of your article, you make sone great points.

2019-01-06T03:24:41+00:00

Lionheart

Roar Rookie


I enjoyed your article Nick21. Much of it is quite close to home, especially for readers here at The Roar. What does it for me though is that you pull no punches. You don't muck around, no dribbling around issues - straight to the point, straight up the centre and shoot for goal. And that's how to write you other pussyfoots who get published here on Roar. Straight for the jugular with all the passion you can muster. Please write some more for us Nick 21.

2019-01-06T03:15:10+00:00

Lionheart

Roar Rookie


You should not get confused Jordan. BBL has nothing at all to do with cricket. The games are miles apart. Cricket requires skill, concentration and endurance. The other game merely requires you to swing a bat and hope for the best.

2019-01-06T02:48:42+00:00

Lionheart

Roar Rookie


JB, I love your comments on how our game has evolved, its history. The sad fact is that I have to look for your comments, scattered over a number of articles through the week. I'm asking, why don't you write a series of articles for us to read about the game? I think we'd all enjoy them.

2019-01-06T02:47:50+00:00

Rodger King

Roar Rookie


Mark, is KAYO sports app only for use on your phone or ipads?

2019-01-06T02:41:03+00:00

Lionheart

Roar Rookie


Good comment Nemesis. It's time for the rest of us to catch up, and time for MV and the other clubs to pay fees for players developed by other clubs.

2019-01-06T02:31:05+00:00

Jordan Klingsporn

Roar Guru


"Low skilled giggle fest". That's a good one.

2019-01-06T02:29:21+00:00

Jordan Klingsporn

Roar Guru


Maybe it's just my age. I've never been to a test, been to 2 one dayers and about 10 or 11 Big Bash games.

2019-01-06T02:13:19+00:00

Kangas

Roar Rookie


“ you got tonnes of sixes and stuff “ How could I not be interested in a game that has stuff . I appreciate the real game of sport which has a diverse range of skills played with amazing hand eye skills and patience and the ability to set up an opponent tactically over time like test cricket or grand slam tennis . If I want to watch top quality foot eye skills and tactical and spacial awareness I will watch soccer If I want to watch brutal hard tacking tactical games I’ll wstch rugby league, union or nfl . As for bbl . .. well if I wanted to watch a low skilled giggle fest for 3 hours, I would choose Aussie rules over bbl .

2019-01-06T01:45:45+00:00

Nemesis

Guest


And, you'll still writing your daily comments to try to make people miserable about a sport they want to enjoy.

2019-01-06T01:39:12+00:00

Punter

Roar Rookie


Love cricket, Test Cricket, never seen a BBL game in my life.

2019-01-06T01:17:58+00:00

Mister Football

Roar Guru


You'll be a very old man by the time that happens.

2019-01-06T00:56:08+00:00

Frans

Guest


I will start watching the A-League when promotion-relegation is introduced and the finals abolished. I only accept the European master model. I despise the cuckby league model.

2019-01-06T00:44:44+00:00

Nemesis

Guest


"The A League seems to think it has to chase after fans from other codes." Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. The fans of other codes think A-League should chase after them. That's why they suggest: "bigger goals, more goals, no offside, etc. etc." A-League is not, never was, never will be, a sporting competition for causal fans, or fans of other codes.

2019-01-06T00:35:00+00:00

Cugel

Roar Rookie


"4 top level, professional football leagues... with Football being on the bottom of the pile" Wouldn't football then be at the top of the pile as well? Also filling 2nd and 3rd slots?

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