The FFA's next big challenge

State Leagues provide an important yet
unappreciated service

The recent announcement of the FFA’s $160 million deal has satisfied fans and guarantees the financial sustainability and media interest of the game for at least another four years.

Many people are happy to see the FFA get their top order prime product in order in the A-League and the Socceroos, but what about the rest of their operation?

Working down the pyramid leaves us in the awkward world of state leagues... and yes, we really do mean awkward.

Not only do many teams feel disillusioned by the Soccer Australia’s negligence and the fall of the NSL but many are fighting for financial stability and relevance in a world that sees A-League teams poach their top talent for free if they aren’t ignored completely!

The rise of Victory cult hero Andrew Nabbout is a high profile example of the potential riches that lie hidden in the murky waters of State Football so what can be done to bridge the gap between Australia’s First and (technically) second tiers?

I think the FFA is onto a winner with the Australian Premier Leagues system.

The basic ideas of minimum levels of professionalism and national uniformity will allow every player in Australia to watch and potentially play for quality football teams with a clear pathway to A-League football.

But where there is hope there is also fear.

The truth is uniformity is rarely adhered to and I can expect wealthier football associations in particular that of NSW to receive better FFA financial support.

The truth is many fans and clubs are confused about the APL implementation and role.

Here is my proposal to the FFA.

The APL

Each state and territory should have a 12 team competition with the top 4 teams making the finals series to be crowned state champions.

The state competition will run from March to August over 30 weeks

The 8 champions will than compete in a 3 week knockout tournament to decide champions of the APL.

The National finals will run in September, the month prior to the A-League season kick-off.

The national finals series will provide an excellent television product that would produce 7 games and that could be sold for an estimated $500,000-$1,500,000

All money earned by the APL will be pooled into a travel find for all teams to access.

Womens’ League and Youth League

Youth matches to be curtain raisers for all APL matches and run the same fixture minus a finals series.

Team restrictions to mimic those of National Youth League.

Womens’ League will run as a separate competition and to have a state finals series.

FFA Cup

The FFA Cup has been wanted for quite some time now.

It’s implementation is not a question of yes or no, but instead of when.

I believe it will best work if states are allocated places based on the number of teams they have state wide.

Each state placing will be won via a knockout tournament with the winners progressing to a national knockout competition including A-League competitors in the round of 32.

The host of each game will be drawn out of a(metaphorical) hat and the final is to be played in a professional venue.

A television package can comprise of 25 games with an estimated value of $2,000,000-$4,000,000

There is no doubt the FFA must unify state leagues nationally and bridge the gap between state leagues and the A-League.

The execution of these initiatives will result in the long term foundations of grassroots football, so the FFA must be careful with this pivotal task.