http://www.thewest.com.au/20031210/sport/soccer/tw-sport-soccer-home-sto116812.html
Soccer's new ball game
By Jonathan Cook
A NEW 10-team national soccer competition will kick-off next November if the Australian Soccer Association implements the recommendations of a task force it set up to examine a way ahead for the sport.
There were few surprises in the 43-page report revealed yesterday. It contained 53 recommendations and provided the framework for a new, commercially viable league.
Perth Glory chairman Nick Tana was delighted with the document, though he would have preferred the league to comprise eight teams, playing each other four times in a season.
"What has been documented by the Australian Soccer Association is basically what we've been discussing for the past two or three years," Tana said. "And now it's finally going to happen, which is fantastic. I'm ecstatic with it.
"People have got to see this as a new era and go out there and make a significant change."
The seven-member task force drew on information and research provided by individuals and organisations, including the Professional Footballers Association's extensively researched Australian Premier League model.
And as set out in the APL plan, the task force recommended that clubs in a new league be strategically positioned around the country.
But they would have to meet tough financial criteria.
Each of the 10 clubs would be required to commit $1 million to the new league as well as a further $1 million for their start-up costs. They are also expected to have a minimum annual budget of $3.5 million but, ideally, $5.5 million.
The document mentions provision for a commercial investor, not involved with an individual club, to buy shares in the league.
The Glory's commercial success virtually guarantees its place in the new competition, though Tana said the club would strive to improve its own standing.
The outlook for many existing clubs, though, is bleak.
"We believe we can do even better than we've already done," Tana said. "We are striving for bigger and better things."
Australian Soccer Association chairman Frank Lowy regarded the implementation of a vibrant, professional league as essential to the success of the game.
While the Socceroos' stocks have risen - February's 3-1 win over England was a sharp reminder of Australia's international strength - the National Soccer League has been mired in mediocrity and worse.
But Lowy, whose board is also in the process of restructuring the game's governance, believed corporate Australia would back the new league because of the sport's long-term prospects.
"We should be able to take our rightful place in the football codes in Australia and I believe we will," he said.
The report suggested enticing some of Australia's overseas-based players to the new league to reignite interest in the game.
However, the $1.2 million-$1.5 million it is recommended each club spends on player salaries in the first season is unlikely to result in a sudden rush of interest from expatriates.
Lowy said: "I think $1.5 million may be a bit light on but there are many players who want to come back to Australia.
"Hopefully it will be enough. If not, we will have to raise the level of pay and the level of revenue. Unfortunately they have to balance."
The report said clubs should aim to achieve average player salaries of $100,000 by the third to fifth year, with initial targets of $60,000 to $75,000.
Soccer's new ball game
By Jonathan Cook
A NEW 10-team national soccer competition will kick-off next November if the Australian Soccer Association implements the recommendations of a task force it set up to examine a way ahead for the sport.
There were few surprises in the 43-page report revealed yesterday. It contained 53 recommendations and provided the framework for a new, commercially viable league.
Perth Glory chairman Nick Tana was delighted with the document, though he would have preferred the league to comprise eight teams, playing each other four times in a season.
"What has been documented by the Australian Soccer Association is basically what we've been discussing for the past two or three years," Tana said. "And now it's finally going to happen, which is fantastic. I'm ecstatic with it.
"People have got to see this as a new era and go out there and make a significant change."
The seven-member task force drew on information and research provided by individuals and organisations, including the Professional Footballers Association's extensively researched Australian Premier League model.
And as set out in the APL plan, the task force recommended that clubs in a new league be strategically positioned around the country.
But they would have to meet tough financial criteria.
Each of the 10 clubs would be required to commit $1 million to the new league as well as a further $1 million for their start-up costs. They are also expected to have a minimum annual budget of $3.5 million but, ideally, $5.5 million.
The document mentions provision for a commercial investor, not involved with an individual club, to buy shares in the league.
The Glory's commercial success virtually guarantees its place in the new competition, though Tana said the club would strive to improve its own standing.
The outlook for many existing clubs, though, is bleak.
"We believe we can do even better than we've already done," Tana said. "We are striving for bigger and better things."
Australian Soccer Association chairman Frank Lowy regarded the implementation of a vibrant, professional league as essential to the success of the game.
While the Socceroos' stocks have risen - February's 3-1 win over England was a sharp reminder of Australia's international strength - the National Soccer League has been mired in mediocrity and worse.
But Lowy, whose board is also in the process of restructuring the game's governance, believed corporate Australia would back the new league because of the sport's long-term prospects.
"We should be able to take our rightful place in the football codes in Australia and I believe we will," he said.
The report suggested enticing some of Australia's overseas-based players to the new league to reignite interest in the game.
However, the $1.2 million-$1.5 million it is recommended each club spends on player salaries in the first season is unlikely to result in a sudden rush of interest from expatriates.
Lowy said: "I think $1.5 million may be a bit light on but there are many players who want to come back to Australia.
"Hopefully it will be enough. If not, we will have to raise the level of pay and the level of revenue. Unfortunately they have to balance."
The report said clubs should aim to achieve average player salaries of $100,000 by the third to fifth year, with initial targets of $60,000 to $75,000.
