As the FFA released its blueprint for the future of Australian football, chief executive James Johnson highlighted an opportunity to revamp youth development and create a rock-solid domestic transfer system.
The FFA released its XI Principles for the Future of Australian Football discussion paper on Thursday, which focuses on underpinning the sport’s growth and development.
The principles, developed after consultation with stakeholders, include building Australian football’s identity, youth development, driving participation and optimising the A-League and W-League.
There is currently no domestic transfer system in the A-League, only a restricted loan system for young players and Johnson said now was the right time to fall in line with FIFA’s reformed transfer system.
“There are areas of the (FIFA) transfer system that would allow us to sit down with clubs, players and talk about how those flexible FIFA principles could be implemented in Australia in a way that addresses our local needs,” Johnson told reporters on Thursday.
“We need to put in a framework and we need to go through a consultation process around what a transfer system is and what the opportunities are.
“We haven’t done the numbers but there would be millions of dollars that have been lost to the game simply because we don’t understand how the system works,” Johnson said.
“There’s been players moving overseas and transfer fees and training compensation fees not coming back in.”
A reformed transfer system would also incentivise clubs to sign and develop young players, with the potential to sell players to their domestic rivals, along with international suitors.
The document also confirmed the 2020-21 A-League season will coincide with the winter grassroots season and be played from December to July.
It also touched on future plans for a second tier, with a focus on promoting “competitive balance and tension” throughout competitions.
Johnson said it was important to look beyond simple promotion and relegation, citing Japan’s J.League and Mexico’s Liga MX as examples of alternative competition structure models.
“I don’t think it’s a case of only having a licensing system or promotion-relegation system,” he said.
“I think what’s important is you need to create recognition for clubs in the pyramid if they perform well on and off the pitch.
“That could be creating some kind of criteria in an expansion process that focuses on the sporting achievements.”
The FFA will release several online surveys from Monday so the football community can provide feedback on the discussion paper.
Rodger King
Roar Rookie
It's Rodger by the way, but you missed the whole point. The FFA have not dismissed P/R altogether, but what they have stated is that there has to be more than on field effort to be promoted. That's what I agree with, a club with little finance or a history of avoiding paying players on time, shouldn't be allowed to enter our professional A League regardless of their playing strength. You it appears, think the opposite, gung ho for P/R at any cost. We have tried that in the past and it doesn't work. remember what a failure it was during the NSL era?
lesterlike
Roar Rookie
The $250,000 p/a sky sports pittance is as worthless as every other part of NZ's "contribution" to Australian football. It doesn't matter how small CCM and WU or flawed are, they are Australian teams that engage Australian communities who contribute to the Australian TV deal and bring in Australian sponsors and fans which helps the overall game. Even if sky sports NZ offered far more money, they still offer none of these fringe benefits and are simply a drain on our game. Frankly Wellington other nothing to Australian football than whinging fans and wasted opportunities.
NoMates
Guest
We bring in $250,000 more then any other club via Sky Sports money that goes to the FFA. So we pay our way. What the hell does CCM bring to the HAL? Or even worse Western United?
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
Rodney Apart from previous statements from the Chair on P&R, you only need to read this latest statement carefully to see there is no intention of introducing P&R any time soon. Not really sure why you would believe otherwise. Just for starters, a statement like "competitive balance" is something you say in defence of retaining current equalisation policies, and is the complete antithesis of a real P&R system. Anyone who really wants a proper P&R system would see that immediately. Anyone who wants prefers the current equalisation policies would be happy with such a statement.
lesterlike
Roar Rookie
Hardly surprising that a fan of the parasite NZ club thinks his club should be able to continue leeching off Australian football more whilst paying nothing into it.
Rodger King
Roar Rookie
I think you have a chip on your shoulder Roberto. If you don't want to believe in that statement about PR why do you believe in any of the other points they made? I think what you want is a simple PR but you have no idea how it would work, in fact I doubt you have given it any serious thought at all. If you have, tell how you see a club from one of the state leagues gaining promotion and tell me where the bottom A League team goes? This is assuming you want a fair and balanced system for all clubs.
NoMates
Guest
NPL clubs should not get a cent! But HAL clubs deff need to get some coin for transfers
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
Or put another way: absolutely everything will be done to protect the investments of current owners. So, reading between the lines, it's pretty clear that the FFA is not interested in implementing P&R.
Rodger King
Roar Rookie
Roberto, the article did in fact state that they are working towards a PR system. One that doesn't rely on a pure licence fee but one where a clubs performance on and off the field are taken into account. To me thats a sensible approach, what we don't want are local clubs buying up the best local players, just to win A League promotion and not have a sustainable business model for long term survival.
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
It's good to introduce a transfer system, although it's worth noting that A-League clubs have always been able to seek transfer fees in selling players overseas. If on occasion A-League clubs have missed out on transfer fees, it's because the majority of players are on one year deals. Reading between the lines, it's pretty clear that the FFA is not interested in implementing P&R, which is a shame.