Welcome!

By registering with us, you'll be able to discuss, share and private message with other members of our community.

Sign Up Now!

The Australian Championship 🇦🇺🏆

Great crowd and well done to APIA in attracting these sizeable crowds.
Something I will say is that Leichhardt is probably the Sydney championship venue which is most conducive to attracting casual interested onlookers/neutral football fans which plays into their hands on an overcast Sunday afternoon. Do something in the morning then wander over to the game in the afternoon etc or quickly head down after work on a Friday etc Not a knock on those numbers at all, just an observation re the pros of that location
 
Something I will say is that Leichhardt is probably the Sydney championship venue which is most conducive to attracting casual interested onlookers/neutral football fans which plays into their hands on an overcast Sunday afternoon. Do something in the morning then wander over to the game in the afternoon etc or quickly head down after work on a Friday etc Not a knock on those numbers at all, just an observation

The local council who own the ground are really invested in preparing the surface well. It's a very welcoming place and perfect for NPL clubs.
 
The quarters are already scheduled for 1pm and 3pm across a Saturday and Sunday.

I bet if its south v preston they put heidelberg on the same day to dilute the crowd.
Football Australia would be mad if they scheduled a Heidelberg home and South vs Preston quarterfinals on the same day.

They need to schedule them on separate days to maximise crowd attendances.
 
Not really. The main point remains that there aren't enough clubs that meet the criteria for a proper league. At least not yet anyway. The question now is will this experience inspire some clubs to make the criteria. Or have they actually enjoyed this experience as it is and feel that winning their league and gaining the opportunity to compete in this tournament is enough?

The main positive though is that, yes, there is an appetite for 'something' inbetween NPL and A League and it can move forward. Perhaps it could be expanded to a 24 team comp to get more clubs involved as a pathway to finally creating the NST.

Not saying we need a 24 team NST - just saying that a championship in the sort of model we currently have that could expose more clubs to next level football might inspire some of them to invest in getting themselves to another level.
I agree with your point that the Australian Championship has shown that there is a genuine interest in a competition that sits between the A League and state based competitions. The early success of the competition has shown other clubs who may not have fulfilled some of the entry criteria to continue working on their plans to be compliant, or other clubs who had concerns may now see the value in pushing themselves to seek an avenue to be part of the NST.

There are 8 foundation clubs already - you just need 2 more teams, hopefully from South Australia and Queensland to get to a 10 team home and away season plus finals. Would be great to have teams from Tasmania and Western Australia, but I suspect the financial cost maybe a high barrier to entry.
 
Football Australia would be mad if they scheduled a Heidelberg home and South vs Preston quarterfinals on the same day.

They need to schedule them on separate days to maximise crowd attendances.
Are you say that two diametrically opposed clubs ( HU and SM ) will have fans that want to go to watch both and therefore aren't that fanatical about either of them ? :devilish:
 
Are you say that two diametrically opposed clubs ( HU and SM ) will have fans that want to go to watch both and therefore aren't that fanatical about either of them ? :devilish:
For instance, there were plenty of South fans at the Australia Cup Grand Final.

It's more about maximising the casual/non-affiliated individuals who may want to see either game. It also provides an opportunity for two big matches to be played on separate days to ensure they can be well promoted and given clear air to do so.
 
The local council who own the ground are really invested in preparing the surface well. It's a very welcoming place and perfect for NPL clubs.
Hey I’ve been saying it for ages here - leichardt is perfect in size and location !
Glenardo not many neutrals really when I’m at games to me - get your point though.proximity.
Maybe some other Greeks or Italians come to spy plays haha
 
Last edited:
They've really gotten on a roll with the benefit of 3 home games in a row. It will be interesting to see how they go playing away again.

Attended yesterday, and thought crowd was terrible, great weather, team on a roll, well known opposition.

Just shows the current NPL sides that have no NSL history have very little support as well as ability to attract new fans.
 
Are you say that two diametrically opposed clubs ( HU and SM ) will have fans that want to go to watch both and therefore aren't that fanatical about either of them ? :devilish:
No chamce they will come in our direction.. some of us to their game is more likely! Only selling point would be if/bc wed be playing Preston!
 
Do you know of any pubs or other places that show the championship near your area
 
Back
Top