Too often, it feels as though there is a lot of talk around achieving the unachievable when it comes to growing football in Australia without actual action implemented by the FA and now new governing body, the Australian Professional Leagues (APL)
In February last year, APL chief executive Danny Townsend remained confident that the trajectory of the code would trend upwards.
“We’re in a situation now where there shouldn’t be any concern around the game moving forward. We’ve gone through the well-publicised capital raising with [investment firm] Silver Lake, we’re well-capitalised and we’re here for the long haul.
The A-League Men competition is about being the number one men’s competition in Australia – of any code – by 2030,” Townsend said.
Every football fan in this country wants to believe that the sport can one day reap the full rewards of its untapped potential. In reality, any realist will tell you that these comments only fuel desperation, which in turn creates false hope.
Let’s begin with the smallest contributor to the code’s immobility, the fans.
(Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)
Memories will haunt many regarding those ‘fans’ of Melbourne Victory who disgracefully stormed the pitch during the Melbourne derby in December. That tarnished the reputation of the league, but it was a small proportion of idiots.
The first 12 seasons of the A-League produced an average crowd of 12,382, with the highest coming in the 2007/08 season totalling 15,348.
Sure, the hype around the new competition was immense and it was a period where the code was buzzing, but the league has experienced a drop off in attendance since the 2017/18 campaign, averaging a disappointing 8,194 fans, albeit with Covid playing a part in the disruption.
Even this season, with an average crowd of 7,474, the crowd discrepancy between best and worst is far too big. Using Sydney as an example, 34,232 and 9,714 is the difference between their best and worst turnout for home matches. It can’t just be that large crowds are experienced in derbies but not the remainder to grow the game.
Imagine if we could achieve the same consistent enthusiasm, interest, and passion as what was displayed during the World Cup at Federation Square and all around Australia into the A-League.
Yes, the World Cup is held once every four years and it’s the biggest sporting event on the planet, but the fans have their part to play and at the end of the day it’s their decision. It’s not just them though – the product needs to also be attractive and worth the money which is why I stated that it’s the smallest part of the issue.
To make this code the biggest in the country by 2030 is an incredibly tough ask. Have the APL done enough so far to suggest they’re on their way to hitting that target? I wouldn’t say so.
On Saturday night, the fixtures for the AFL and NRL were not the biggest marquee matches, and the A-League had an opportunity to once again exploit this. Instead, their scheduling continues to baffle many.
The clear change that needs to occur is scrapping the 3:00 time slots and pushing it back to a later time, especially during the summer heat.
A drinks break in between each half doesn’t cut it for the players and more importantly, the spectators, because enhancing the product through producing better entertainment and quality on the pitch is only going to keep the interest growing.
Adelaide’s brilliant performances this season were deservedly rewarded by performing in front of a sell-out of over 14,000 at Coopers Stadium, but why was this fixture not scheduled for Saturday night? Surely, you’d think a 7:45 kick-off during primetime Saturday would make more sense than a 5:00 kick-off on Good Friday?
With all due respect to Macarthur, they haven’t marketed themselves to the point of attracting big crowds, and despite the exciting 2-2 draw against the Wanderers accompanied by late drama, Adelaide-Sydney was another missed opportunity for the league to capitalise on.
Of course, there was the debacle that unfolded late last year surrounding the hosting rights of the Grand Final, as the APL thought it was a great idea to not consult the majority of the stakeholders associated with the code and take the $10 million reported deal to see Sydney host the next three Grand Finals.
Some will fairly argue that unpopular decisions are sometimes within the best interests of the game, but what is the end goal exactly? Yes, the A-League will become financially better off having executed the deal and I don’t think anyone is disputing that.
However, using one of the biggest clubs in the world in the form of Manchester United as an example, their owners have successfully made consistent revenues and marketed the club on a global scale like never before, if only the results on the pitch could also justify that.
So, if one of the APL’s long-term visions involves improving the wealth of the competition through hosting rights and investment firms that Townsend mentioned, how will that money be utilised to tackle issues such as grassroots and youth system development and affordability of junior fees?
It wouldn’t hurt to also try and push a tad more emphasis and attention on the advertising and promotion side of the game.
I’m truly astounded by the number of people I know who are unaware of what is happening in the A-League regarding fixtures, news, and updates.
(Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)
The partnership with Channel 10 and Paramount (you would think) opened up so much potential to advertise a code desperate for some kind of exposure and limelight. What’s more disappointing though, is the decision to cut broadcast matches from airing on free-to-air altogether this season and switch to only 10Bold and Paramount (a subscription that has experienced its fair share of frustrating technical errors.)
To even consider becoming the number one code in Australia by 2030, this basic fundamental step is pivotal and is non-negotiable.
This leads to my last point, the fault of the media.
While I was casually flicking through the channels, I came across Fox Sports News where they had prioritised the EPL highlights over the A-League which I found incredibly disappointing.
Australia is associated with the Commonwealth, but does our alliance tie so strongly that we care about English football over our very own? Honestly, it’s complete rubbish.
2030 is a difficult target because it’s going to take a substantially long time to earn the respect of many media outlets. What have the likes of Channel 10 and the APL done to make the A-League more visible? It continues to be a frustrating but ultimately sad reality.
Channel 7 hosting the Women’s World Cup in a few months is also a disaster waiting to happen. Increased non-football advertisements, poor coverage, along with an unwillingness to promote the tournament more than it should wouldn’t be crazy predictions.
Of course, other problems run deeper to the core of the issue which are separate discussions to be had.
For now, most of those points highlighted are frustrations stemming from what occurred last week.
All of those hurdles seem simple to overcome, right? Apparently not.
Garry
Roar Rookie
wow deja vu :happy:
Grem
Roar Rookie
Nick, You have the potential to be an interesting contributor to the football posts. I believe you like many sports, as do quite a few of us. However, not all contributors need to like many sports, it’s OK to like one only. You have some interesting points to make that are worth discussing. If you were GP or Grand Panjandrum then that’s OK and we can forgive you. We football supporters are a forgiving and inclusive bunch, but we have a rule or two to follow. Rule 1: Stop lecturing us on what we should do. Rule 2: Stop lecturing us on what we should do. Rule 3: Repeat after me – I hate AFL. (just a joke). Look forward to reading more of your thoughts, but you need to behave yourself. Just one question for you – Para wants to know if you agree with air conditioning in stadiums?
Grem
Roar Rookie
Nick, You have the potential to be an interesting contributor to the football posts. I believe you like many sports, as do quite a few of us. However, not all contributors need to like many sports, it’s OK to like one only. You have some interesting points to make that are worth discussing. If you were GP or Grand Panjandrum then that’s OK and we can forgive you. We football supporters are a forgiving and inclusive bunch, but we have a rule or two to follow. Rule 1: Stop lecturing us on what we should do. Rule 2: Stop lecturing us on what we should do. Rule 3: Repeat after me – I hate AFL. (just a joke). Look forward to reading more of your thoughts, but you need to behave yourself. Just one question for you – Para wants to know if you agree with air conditioning in stadiums?
Christian Montegan
Roar Pro
I'm all for setting ambitious goals but the problem people have is hearing too much talk and not looking at little action
c
Roar Rookie
2030 more like 2230 somebody should be held accountable for these reckless statements
Beach
Roar Rookie
All true. Ground Zero for the A League is the expiry of the the current tv deal. It is difficult to imagine how the APL will possibly attract a new backer. There is simply no commercially viable audience.
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
Simon Hill has written an article on the SEN website. He makes the point that compared to when the A-League was first established, there is hardly any media today covering the Australian game. Now many will put that down to the Australian media being biased towards the game, and there might be a tiny bit of truth in that. However, consider what existed for around the first decade of the A-League's existence: - SBS had long covered football, almost exclusively of any other sport - The Age, for a period, were one of the Victory's major sponsors (which is highly unusual for a daily) - Fox used to run two mid-week chat shows - 442, both the magazine and the online edition, dedicated much space to the A-League - Sen radio, anytime there was a Friday or Saturday night home Victory game, would have a dedicated football show which ran for hours None of that exists any more. all of that has disappeared in the last six to nine years. The A-League is more invisible now than at any point in its 18 year history.
chris1
Roar Rookie
And Roberto knows exactly what I'm talking about. If you want to get sucked in by his comments go right ahead.
chris1
Roar Rookie
Nick old chap, the more you comment the more you expose yourself as just another sokkah basher. The genuine football people on here criticise the game where it's warranted whereas people like you just like to bring it down with never a positive word. You keep telling us to be quiet. Do you really love the AFL organisation that much that any criticism of it is seen as some personal attack? Or an attack on AFL as a game. Do you get all righteous when we people criticise FIFA? Or the APL? Or do you just have a glass jaw for AFL? Ie you can't take it.
Goodesmeister
Roar Rookie
To me this is one of the major contributing factors to lack of promotion for the A League. A monopoly on media is exactly what was predicted 20 - 30 years ago as Newscorp etc started buying up big. The ABC has a charter of fairness and equality in reporting however it to seems to have a negative bias on football as well. Incredible resistance however, we need to keep attending / supporting, keep talking to friends and family and promote organically as much as possible. I love watching the A League and am very lucky to be an Adelaide United member / supporter with the best pitch and the best crowd.
Goodesmeister
Roar Rookie
To me this is one of the major contributing factors to lack of promotion for the A League. A monopoly on media is exactly what was predicted 20 - 30 years ago as Newscorp etc started buying up big. The ABC has a charter of fairness and equality in reporting however it to seems to have a negative bias on football as well. Incredible resistance however, we need to keep attending / supporting, keep talking to friends and family and promote organically as much as possible. I love watching the A League and am very lucky to be an Adelaide United member / supporter with the best pitch and the best crowd.
Grem
Roar Rookie
You certainly change other people’s arguments to suit your point. I never once indicated any rugby league follower supported Hayne or an AFL supporter condoned racism. I did indicate those issues were glossed over by the media compared to the media’s all out attacks on football when anything unsavoury happens. I don’t usually visit other tabs unless I have an understanding of the topic and I certainly don’t go on to barb others – can’t be bothered. I just wish certain AFL and NRL followers played by the same rules. They have quite a few trolls who appear regularly on our tab to provoke. I disagree about football followers being the least inclusive – that’s not been my experience at all.
Nick
Roar Rookie
Hahaha. So predictable. Someone says something measured and insightful and you immediately start making the cheap barbs. Blaming anyone but yourself...You're part of the problem, Chris. What a pity.
Nick
Roar Rookie
I’m a newer football supporter who comes from an NRL and cricket background and I can’t believe how many people deliver so many negative statements about football and think it’s OK. Yeah same. Agree. But the comments coming from the zealot football fans are worse. I'm genuinely shocked by it. The baiting by AFL/NRL people is generally just more petty. (their football is the game where the ball is in the hands for 99% of the game – go figure) A needless and pointless barb, Grem. Does it really matter what the name is? As to the latter half of your passage - 50% right and 50% wrong. Perhaps you should spend some time on the other forums to see how self-critical the fans are of the actions by rogue fans and players. I think you are sticking to crass stereotypes and not truth to be honest. There is no one on the NRL tab supporting Jarryd Hayne. There are NO people on the AFL tab defending the racism. It's just fiction to suggest otherwise. And this is my point. People get so defensive, instantly and reach to fabrications for defence. Just watch the games and enjoy them, and let people enjoy multiple sports. Life is way too short to hate other sports for the sake of hating them, Grem. If people barb you, just move on. Biting back makes you a lot worse. I will say football is by far the least inclusive of the fan bases in Australia.
Nick
Roar Rookie
I take your point as read for politics. No doubt there. But in sport, I think the news casters don't really have an agenda and are just presenting according to demand.
The Ball Bobbled
Roar Rookie
My old grandma once told me that way back in the 1960's she watched on tv a show called Coronation Street every week day. Apparently it was the highlight of her days and she was right into it. I believe its still running in England today. One day the channel announced they were going to stop showing it anymore. She penned the most passionate plea to the stations management. She received a nice reply thanking her for her past interest and support. However, they explained, the show in Australia, unlike in England, had a small but loyal audience and after a long run and many attempts to make it pay they could not afford to prop it up any longer.
AR
Roar Rookie
"I know that everything can’t be reported on, but priorities should be organised..." I think that's what is happening. They prioritize the sports that most people want to hear about.
AR
Roar Rookie
"how about the APL spend dollars with advertising on Ch 7 & 9 to promote the game?" Completely agree. They should.
Christian Montegan
Roar Pro
It's a brutal reality and I'm with you on that. Could it be that media outlets such as fox sports and others focusing more on the EPL than the A-League actually be part of the problem? I know many who’ve had it shoved down their throats and have this perception that no other league matters. Why? Well yes obviously the quality makes it the best in the world, but the amount of media coverage it gets in Australia is ridiculous. Forget about that 2030 objective if that trend continues
Randy
Roar Rookie
is anyone taking notice of channel 7 or 9 or newspapers anymore and are under the age of 55? Is the AFL and NRL really benefitting from promotion coming from these sources anymore? If they are then they are in trouble because they must have a seriously aging fanbase….