AuthorJeffEyesRimmer We have often discussed our ideas on how to improve the game generally and even improve the English Premier League but there is a league much closer to home that needs improvement and that’s the A-League. The A-League has gone from strength to strength over the past 10 years, this season has seen some wonderful football (especially from Sydney FC) but there seems to be a consensus among fans that this season has been a bit flat and bit stale. So what are some of the changes that could and in my opinion should happen to improve the game in Australia: Expand the A-League It is the obvious first choice to improve the league really. Currently the league is a ten team league with six of those teams going into the playoffs to play for the championship. Putting aside the sheer farcical result that a team coming 6th in the regular season, maybe only winning half of their games at best, can be crowned champions for a minute, having that many sides qualify makes a mockery of the majority of the season for me. Another two teams need to come into the fold in the next few years at least, with, in my view another two teams by 2022. That would take the league up to 14 sides and then getting into the playoffs would at least mean you are better than average. For me, it is ridiculous that Australia’s capitol city, Canberra, does not have a side to support in the A-League. The funny thing is that the ACT has a women’s side, Canberra United, playing in the women’s premier competition, the W-League. So there is already a side that it can be paired with that would get support. There has also been plenty of coverage of a team in Wollongong wanting to be registered, the Wollongong Wolves showing considerable interest. Personally, I would like to see a side in Tasmania. Finally another side in Brisbane would be justified as well. Cheaper Tickets This goes for most leagues in the world but how clubs can justify charging over $40 for a ticket is beyond me. For a sport that is trying to usurp the established order of codes here in Australia charging more than any other code is a sure fire way of driving fans away. Cheaper away tickets are needed. While we are at it, how about Football Federation Australia (FFA) and the A-League speak with airlines to try to cut a deal for away fans to get to grounds cheaper? Salary Cap increased Sports here in Australia have this love of the salary cap, all codes have it here and it is designed to prevent clubs spending beyond their means and to ensure a level of competitiveness. There are certainly merits to salary caps but it is time for this to be increased. There is plenty of money in world football and the A-League needs to keep up with the trend. Increasing the salary cap would help clubs attract better talent and compete with their Asian counterparts. Better coverage of the National Premier League (NPL) Anyone know where you can watch the NPL? Nope, I don’t either. The NPL main sponsor is Sonys PS4 console and you can watch the final series on your PS4 (if you have one). It is ridiculous that the second tier of Australian football is not readily available to watch and this needs to be addressed. Better TV scheduling is needed to showcase at least some of the big games, it might prompt more people to attend lower league games and support their local sides too. It also brings more attention to players at that level that could make the step up to A-League and potentially the national side. Make the Cup a route to Asian Champions League I enjoyed the introduction of the FFA Cup back a few years ago, it was about time there was a knockout competition here in Australia. The timing of it needs to change though, being played early in the season is not appropriate when the majority of all other cup competitions are played throughout the season; it would give supporters something to enjoy during the season and would improve attendances. There are plans to make the winners qualify for the Asian Champions League but this needs to happen to give the competition more appeal, how great would it be to see someone like Heidelberg United or Brisbane Strikers win it and get into Asia?! New FFA Board and separation from FFA and A-League
Put simply new leadership is required at the top. The recent FFA congress about how the sport is run in Australia was a farce with the FFA and clubs not reaching agreement around expansion of the board. It meant that FIFA were/are within their power to scrap the FFA board and assume control over Australian football. This would put Australia’s participation in the World Cup in jeopardy and also put the Women’s World Cup bid in jeopardy. It’s just a stupid position to be in, but that’s the way it is when people want to hold onto power. Separation of the FFA from the running of the clubs and A-League and the removal of the ‘old boys’ network that run the game is needed and long overdue. New ideas and leadership is required to lead the game in this country. Promotion and relegation This will happen one day, just not for a long time. It is one of the key issues that FIFA have placed at the FFAs door. FIFA see promotion and relegation as an important part of football leagues structure and so it is something that will have to be dealt with one day. What else would you like to see change? |
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June 2018
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