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The Australian Championship 🇦🇺🏆

Canada also have a national tier below the MLS (which functions as the top tier for the US and Canada) for what it’s worth which is probably a more comparable country to Australia, albeit historically weaker in soccer than us
 
I think we have a "people problem" more than anything. We have endless good people in our sport. But we also have too many pricks.

There are people with good intentions trying to protect the sport, but actually holding it back. Then there are people with only their own interests in mind, only caring about their own job, club, federation etc.

Everyone needs to give up something and make a sacrifice. It's times like these that I wouldn't mind a dictator type to get everyone in the room and say "this is what's going to happen, jump on or miss out". Otherwise nothing will ever get done, at least in my lifetime.
 
HappyGuus said:
I think we have a "people problem" more than anything. We have endless good people in our sport. But we also have too many pricks.

There are people with good intentions trying to protect the sport, but actually holding it back. Then there are people with only their own interests in mind, only caring about their own job, club, federation etc.

Everyone needs to give up something and make a sacrifice. It's times like these that I wouldn't mind a dictator type to get everyone in the room and say "this is what's going to happen, jump on or miss out". Otherwise nothing will ever get done, at least in my lifetime.
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speaking of the US blueprint :P
 
I've read the FA statement a number of times, and read through the discussion in this thread and elsewhere, and it is still as clear as mud to me what it all means. Are FA saying they have now shelved the idea of an NST and the so-called Australian Championship at the end of this season is all that will happen? Have they guaranteed that that format will last for 5 years? Or have they only guaranteed two years? Have the 8 foundation clubs really received their $500k back, and if so was this part of admitting that a professional second tier is not going to happen in the future?

Can someone summarise the situation?
 
Keeper66 said:
I've read the FA statement a number of times, and read through the discussion in this thread and elsewhere, and it is still as clear as mud to me what it all means. Are FA saying they have now shelved the idea of an NST and the so-called Australian Championship at the end of this season is all that will happen? Have they guaranteed that that format will last for 5 years? Or have they only guaranteed two years? Have the 8 foundation clubs really received their $500k back, and if so was this part of admitting that a professional second tier is not going to happen in the future?

Can someone summarise the situation?
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1) The third RFP was announced as "not finding new clubs" that were compliant with the criteria
2) I suspect the fact that clubs were applying without knowing if their bids were compliant means there wasn't just objective criteria (500k deposit) but subjective criteria. Adelaide city for example said on a pod they had the money and everything was ready for their bid. I haven't had anyone confirm this on the record though
3) non-disclosure agreements makes it difficult to figure out exactly what is happening, even at the level as what the criteria is in the first place. To be honest, non disclosure agreements for things that aren't trade secrets (e.g. the recipe for coca cola) are pretty unethical in my opinion. They create distrust and intimidation.
4) Mark Ivkovic and SM Pete shared leaks that claim that the RFP process was paused (possibly before the 3rd round was complete possibly after) and the second tier will be only funded for 2 years. Also shared a leak that the rfp was paused at the request of certain factions in fa
5) Football Australia released a statement saying they found no compliant bids, the CL will go up to 5 years and they are optimistic they will get compliant bids in the future
6) Mark and Pete has since doubled down saying that they aren't denying the specifics (a pause in the rfp, promise for beyond 2 years etc)
 
Monoethnic Social Club said:
Mate...... it came from the horses mouth....... 🐴🐴

www.australianchampionship.com.au

Football Australia announces outcome of third RFP for the National Second Tier

Football Australia has confirmed the completion of another milestone for the Australian Championship, with the concl
www.australianchampionship.com.au www.australianchampionship.com.au
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Um, last line is:

“I want to thank all the Foundation Clubs and Member Associations who are working very hard to establish this new competition and make sure that it is set up for continued long-term success.”
 
Kitwally said:
Um, last line is:

“I want to thank all the Foundation Clubs and Member Associations who are working very hard to establish this new competition and make sure that it is set up for continued long-term success.”
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Sure in the FA we (should blindly) trust then!!! They have a looong history of proving they have community footballs leading clubs best interests at heart!

They want to establish long term success do they? Start the h&a league with 8 teams and grow it from there or slightly lax the criteria for SA and Qld Tas sides and start it that way with more teams...mauly i remind the sceptics that 8 franchises was good enough for the A League opening seasons!
 
It's been eight years. Eight years and still no league. If everyone knew this eight years ago then they would've just formed a breakaway league back then! May not have been legit, but at least the clubs could've proven a working league in the real world.

Eight years and there's still a wall up. We need transparency right now because it's not good enough. I'd love to say I trust all involved, but I don't. We're talking about institutions with a proven track record of poor decisions. If we knew the facts then we'd quickly see what the hold up is.

BTW, I'm proud of the clubs for honouring their NDAs because this must be doing their heads in.
 
Hellenic_blue&white said:
Sure in the FA we (should blindly) trust then!!! They have a looong history of proving they have community footballs leading clubs best interests at heart!

They want to establish long term success do they? Start the h&a league with 8 teams and grow it from there or slightly lax the criteria for SA and Qld Tas sides and start it that way with more teams...mauly i remind the sceptics that 8 franchises was good enough for the A League opening seasons!
Click to expand...

I don't exactly trust the FA but I'm just as skeptical of other claims (with good reason given that all levels of football in Australia have been warring with each other for as long as I can remember). Clubs, associations, state federations and national administrations have all been guilty.

The other thing is that it is 48 years since the NSL started with 14 teams from 4 states and 1 territory. Surely 48 years on we can do better than 8 clubs from 2 states.
 
patjennings said:
I don't exactly trust the FA but I'm just as skeptical of other claims (with good reason given that all levels of football in Australia have been warring with each other for as long as I can remember). Clubs, associations, state federations and national administrations have all been guilty.

The other thing is that it is 48 years since the NSL started with 14 teams from 4 states and 1 territory. Surely 48 years on we can do better than 8 clubs from 2 states.
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We can if there's no subjective arbitrary ceilings placed.
 
HappyGuus said:
No disagreement from me. I want full transparency as to where this is breaking down. Let's get specific and find solutions not more delays and brick walls.
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indeed step 1 is full transparency. The RFP criteria needs to be public with clubs having the option of saying what criteria they didn't fulfil
 
patjennings said:
I don't exactly trust the FA but I'm just as skeptical of other claims (with good reason given that all levels of football in Australia have been warring with each other for as long as I can remember). Clubs, associations, state federations and national administrations have all been guilty.
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Agreed for the most part but we cant argue that we havnt seen relative cohesion on this from a vast array of applicants ... even in their differences!
patjennings said:
The other thing is that it is 48 years since the NSL started with 14 teams from 4 states and 1 territory. Surely 48 years on we can do better than 8 clubs from 2 states.
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From the expressions of interest we could easily cover 12.. between qld, nsw vic tas and sa. You have 14 teams easily from my count if not 16. Local and or state derbies.

Tas 1 South hobart
SA 1 or 2 (metro on performance and/or city on history)
Vic minimum 3 (4 is the magic number
Nsw minimum 5.
Qld 1 (brisbane strikers, penninsula power, lions fc whoever fits the bill best).


Later perhaps option into nnsw.
Then options into canberra and perth dependent on costs feasibility.. we have explained all this tike and time again...

No 8 certainly isnt the magic number, but its the most solid number with the criteria that was set as a starting point to grow from. Dont be mistaken its not my ideal either, the above is, but both are feasible and viable. The alternative of not starting it from somehwere would remain the excuse to never again attempt it (by the FA) which is the fear of all of us, bc then it will cater to the interests that have opposed this from the start and work to continue to trip it up.... for some that sounds like a conspiracy but for mostbof us involved throughout its the sad reality that cant be put aside on mere promises and niceties without any real substance!
 
Hellenic_blue&white said:
Agreed for the most part but we cant argue that we havnt seen relative cohesion on this from a vast array of applicants ... even in their differences!

From the expressions of interest we could easily cover 12.. between qld, nsw vic tas and sa. You have 14 teams easily from my count if not 16. Local and or state derbies.

Tas 1 South hobart
SA 1 or 2 (metro on performance and/or city on history)
Vic minimum 3 (4 is the magic number
Nsw minimum 5.
Qld 1 (brisbane strikers, penninsula power, lions fc whoever fits the bill best).


Later perhaps option into nnsw.
Then options into canberra and perth dependent on costs feasibility.. we have explained all this tike and time again...

No 8 certainly isnt the magic number, but its the most solid number with the criteria that was set as a starting point to grow from. Dont be mistaken its not my ideal either, the above is, but both are feasible and viable. The alternative of not starting it from somehwere would remain the excuse to never again attempt it (by the FA) which is the fear of all of us, bc then it will cater to the interests that have opposed this from the start and work to continue to trip it up.... for some that sounds like a conspiracy but for mostbof us involved throughout its the sad reality that cant be put aside on mere promises and niceties without any real substance!
Click to expand...

TBH if there are minor misses from the smaller federations then I'd like to see the state federations working with the club and the local state government to see what can be done. I realise that the federation will be seen as favouring one club over another but it can also be argued that to not do so is hindering the pathways for players in their state.

I heard that the Tas federation will not support South Hobart because they want Tasmania FC in the ALM. That is ludicrous.
 
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