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General A Leagues thread (Men and Women) 2025/26 season

Not sure where to make this comment, but here goes...

Yesterday the FA announced a loss of $15.34 million, which appears to be the catalyst for a 20% cut in their staffing (which necessarily impacts the whole of the game). It received pretty widespread coverage across media outlets with the implication being as to how poor of a state the sport is in.

Today the Prime Minister was in Wollongong for the opening of the St George Dragons apparent 'high performance centre', for which the Federal Government contributed $13.6 million and the State Government also funded (the amount I am unable to identify). There was an extended speech provided by the Prime Minister at the opening. This is the same Prime Minister that did not attend one, not one, match at the Women's Asian Cup. Yet, in comparison, the Dragons website states the facility will "critically... enable increased female participation in sport, with an additional 6,000 women expected to play [Rugby League] in the region over the next decade". An increase in 6,000 female participants over a decade (or 600 per year) is apparently critical to the allocation of $13.6 million of federal funding... for some sports.

Despite this, there is still no funding for a home center for the Socceroos / Football Australia, no further funding to the FA to assist with covering the losses it has incurred in funding all the national teams that represent the Australia across the world (including all of our key trading zones) or to provide relief to families who already pay over the top fees to play the largest participation sport. Nothing.
 
Kitwally said:
Sadly, with minimal to almost zero support from the government, and very minimal coverage in the mainstream media, football in Aus is always going to struggle until these two things change.
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Song said:
Not sure where to make this comment, but here goes...

Yesterday the FA announced a loss of $15.34 million, which appears to be the catalyst for a 20% cut in their staffing (which necessarily impacts the whole of the game). It received pretty widespread coverage across media outlets with the implication being as to how poor of a state the sport is in.

Today the Prime Minister was in Wollongong for the opening of the St George Dragons apparent 'high performance centre', for which the Federal Government contributed $13.6 million and the State Government also funded (the amount I am unable to identify). There was an extended speech provided by the Prime Minister at the opening. This is the same Prime Minister that did not attend one, not one, match at the Women's Asian Cup. Yet, in comparison, the Dragons website states the facility will "critically... enable increased female participation in sport, with an additional 6,000 women expected to play [Rugby League] in the region over the next decade". An increase in 6,000 female participants over a decade (or 600 per year) is apparently critical to the allocation of $13.6 million of federal funding... for some sports.

Despite this, there is still no funding for a home center for the Socceroos / Football Australia, no further funding to the FA to assist with covering the losses it has incurred in funding all the national teams that represent the Australia across the world (including all of our key trading zones) or to provide relief to families who already pay over the top fees to play the largest participation sport. Nothing.
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Sorry guys but Im going to disagree slightly.. Grassroots football has started to get quite a bit of support, at least its equivalence to what Grassroots AFL and Netball do down here.

Every week there are dozens of grants from state and federal gov of 1/2 million here, 2 million there to grassroots clubs to improve their facilities.

footballvictoria.com.au

Avondale SC and Hume City SC announce major project funding following State Budget

Wins for Victorian football have begun to emerge from the 2026 Victoria State Budget, including bi
footballvictoria.com.au footballvictoria.com.au

When you talk about Gov funding for NRL or AFL my understanding is that most (if not all??) of these clubs operate as not for profit sporting organisations which the gov at all levels can use taxpayer monies to fund. Sure I agree its a fine line but Soccer in this country (particularly the APL clubs) has shot itself in the foot by becoming business entities first rather than sporting ones.

Australia’s major sports codes are considered not-for-profits – is it time for them to pay up? - CQUniversity

Some of Australia’s major professional sports, including the Australian Football League and its clubs, National Rugby League and its clubs and Cricket Australia, are treated as not-for-profits. CQU Laws academic Dr Matt Nichol explores the issues.
www.cqu.edu.au www.cqu.edu.au
 
Monoethnic Social Club said:
Sorry guys but Im going to disagree slightly.. Grassroots football has started to get quite a bit of support, at least its equivalence to what Grassroots AFL and Netball do down here.

Every week there are dozens of grants from state and federal gov of 1/2 million here, 2 million there to grassroots clubs to improve their facilities.

footballvictoria.com.au

Avondale SC and Hume City SC announce major project funding following State Budget

Wins for Victorian football have begun to emerge from the 2026 Victoria State Budget, including bi
footballvictoria.com.au footballvictoria.com.au

When you talk about Gov funding for NRL or AFL my understanding is that most (if not all??) of these clubs operate as not for profit sporting organisations which the gov at all levels can use taxpayer monies to fund. Sure I agree its a fine line but Soccer in this country (particularly the APL clubs) has shot itself in the foot by becoming business entities first rather than sporting ones.

Australia’s major sports codes are considered not-for-profits – is it time for them to pay up? - CQUniversity

Some of Australia’s major professional sports, including the Australian Football League and its clubs, National Rugby League and its clubs and Cricket Australia, are treated as not-for-profits. CQU Laws academic Dr Matt Nichol explores the issues.
www.cqu.edu.au www.cqu.edu.au
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Can St. George Dragons be considered ‘grassroots’ though.?
Sure NRL can claim to be ‘not for profit’ but I didn’t think football clubs were considered commercial operations (with the obvious exception of A League clubs).
 
libelous said:
Can St. George Dragons be considered ‘grassroots’ though.?
Sure NRL can claim to be ‘not for profit’ but I didn’t think football clubs were considered commercial operations (with the obvious exception of A League clubs).
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Sorry no I meant grass roots AFL clubs like the local Victorian leagues ...
 
Jetsfan said:
How can NRL be not for profit when they have a real estate portfolio, to make a profit
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I agree its laughable, read the article... but that DOES entitle them to seek governemtn grants just like your lcoal circket club or lawn bowling club.... The APL chose the WRONG path if they wanted a government handout... Thats why, I presume, the FA is getting involved again as they CAN apply for government funding.
 
Monoethnic Social Club said:
I agree its laughable, read the article... but that DOES entitle them to seek governemtn grants just like your lcoal circket club or lawn bowling club.... The APL chose the WRONG path if they wanted a government handout... Thats why, I presume, the FA is getting involved again as they CAN apply for government funding.
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I don’t think @Song was referring to the APL not getting government assistance more that it was incongruous when FA have been vocal about wanting funding for a ‘home’ for football.
 
libelous said:
I don’t think @Song was referring to the APL not getting government assistance more that it was incongruous when FA have been vocal about wanting funding for a ‘home’ for football.
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FA has a home of football in every state though?? There is one in Bundoora Melbourne for example, that wasn't privately funded.

Does the NRL or the AFL have a national "centre of excellence"?
 
Monoethnic Social Club said:
I agree its laughable, read the article... but that DOES entitle them to seek governemtn grants just like your lcoal circket club or lawn bowling club.... The APL chose the WRONG path if they wanted a government handout... Thats why, I presume, the FA is getting involved again as they CAN apply for government funding.
Click to expand...
And its why the Private Schools have their hands out for Govt funding whilst also having significant land and other assets.
 
melbcityguy said:
Absolute joke I'm losing interest honestly
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State league, local league, Australian Championship, Australia Cup, Socceroos, Matilda's and the World Cup. Football never stops.

I think you'll be ok for the off season, I mean now that the APL/FA are a couple again they'll be sure to remind people that the A League still exists like they have done so wildly successfully before.
 
The_L666ds
•
8h ago
The salary cap helps with competitiveness, but the unintended consequence is the fickle player trading market that its created. Players are moving clubs so frequently that its seriously damaging the identities of the clubs, many to the point where fans look at their rosters and see almost nobody other than players that they’ve boo’ed as rivals for a decade prior. I know that this happens to an extent in all provincial leagues but it feels noticeably more visible in a small league environment such as ours.

A competitive league isnt worth much if its been driven into virtual irrelevance by fan apathy. Something must be done so that clubs can retain their preferred players without it damaging their overall competitiveness


This geezer on reddit put it in words I probably couldn't explain. I don't want to support Melbourne victory rejects FC
 
melbcityguy said:
The_L666ds
•
8h ago
The salary cap helps with competitiveness, but the unintended consequence is the fickle player trading market that its created. Players are moving clubs so frequently that its seriously damaging the identities of the clubs, many to the point where fans look at their rosters and see almost nobody other than players that they’ve boo’ed as rivals for a decade prior. I know that this happens to an extent in all provincial leagues but it feels noticeably more visible in a small league environment such as ours.

A competitive league isnt worth much if its been driven into virtual irrelevance by fan apathy. Something must be done so that clubs can retain their preferred players without it damaging their overall competitiveness


This geezer on reddit put it in words I probably couldn't explain. I don't want to support Melbourne victory rejects FYeah but here's the thing, players going to other clubs in the same league doesn't bother me and its actually been great bfo
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melbcityguy said:
The_L666ds
•
8h ago
The salary cap helps with competitiveness, but the unintended consequence is the fickle player trading market that its created. Players are moving clubs so frequently that its seriously damaging the identities of the clubs, many to the point where fans look at their rosters and see almost nobody other than players that they’ve boo’ed as rivals for a decade prior. I know that this happens to an extent in all provincial leagues but it feels noticeably more visible in a small league environment such as ours.

A competitive league isnt worth much if its been driven into virtual irrelevance by fan apathy. Something must be done so that clubs can retain their preferred players without it damaging their overall competitiveness


This geezer on reddit put it in words I probably couldn't explain. I don't want to support Melbourne victory rejects FC
Click to expand...
When you get players like Mata or Burgess playing out of there skin for another A-League club its worth it. I cant see a problem with it.
Burgess at Newcastle has been amazing and Mata leaving WSW and going to Victory has been a blessing for him and the club. Sure there are more players like Brook leaving Adelaide for Auckland etc, but i see it as a good thing.
 
NoMates said:
When you get players like Mata or Burgess playing out of there skin for another A-League club its worth it. I cant see a problem with it.
Burgess at Newcastle has been amazing and Mata leaving WSW and going to Victory has been a blessing for him and the club. Sure there are more players like Brook leaving Adelaide for Auckland etc, but i see it as a good thing.
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What you're saying is normal and fine. Mine and my reddit friend is saying it's the stupid ones that ruin it like teague kisborbo at Sydney Fraser if he goes to wanderers. If the players don't care who they play for neither will the fans
 
melbcityguy said:
What you're saying is normal and fine. Mine and my reddit friend is saying it's the stupid ones that ruin it like teague kisborbo at Sydney Fraser if he goes to wanderers. If the players don't care who they play for neither will the fans
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I don’t think managers matter heaps. Chelsea and Spurs have shared lots of managers even though we hate each other. For players I get it but even then football these days has heaps of those kinds of switches. Arsenal and Spurs may not share many players but plenty of Chelsea players throughout history also played for Arsenal and Spurs (Kai Havertz and Timo Werner won the UCL with Chelsea and then went to go and play for Arsenal and Spurs).
 
HonestSpursFan said:
I don’t think managers matter heaps. Chelsea and Spurs have shared lots of managers even though we hate each other. For players I get it but even then football these days has heaps of those kinds of switches. Arsenal and Spurs may not share many players but plenty of Chelsea players throughout history also played for Arsenal and Spurs (Kai Havertz and Timo Werner won the UCL with Chelsea and then went to go and play for Arsenal and Spurs).
Click to expand...
Yeah I get that but epl has twenty teams and history it's just not a factor there like it is for us imo
 
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