The cost of playing football.

Good job Fozzie. SBS Commentator Craig Foster has hit at the heart of many, many people's thoughts in his recent article. Craig Foster discusses registrations fees, State and Club coffers and FFA's "our hands our tied," response.

Indeed I'm forever having to defend the cost to friends of football registration compared to other codes. Like it's my fault:)

Fozzie raises some interesting questions, and more importantly stokes a solution.
The idea, mentioned in the article, that Aussie football blog world brings together many many fans and intellects is certainly correct.

Indeed I think the internet, or t'internet, as they say in Yorkshire, has saved football in this country.

T'internet has given many many fans a chance to keep up with the news of Australian football, when let's face it without it, and PayTV, who would know anything about the A-League, the Off-season or any other Aussie football chat.

So Fozzies idea to draw on this resource is a strong one. One that must surely have come from frustration with the FFA's inability to tackle the issues concerned.

It also comes from someone who is involved at grassroots level. If you're not you're probably not aware of the fees, compared to other codes, and probably not concerned what the mums and dads of interest-raising Australia are thinking.

Fozzie also raises the amount of money being poured into academies by parents. Some great, some not so skilled, but many privately run and the money goes where exactly?

All State and Territory Federations have a massive resource. Thousands and thousands of children and adults spending money on football, not just registration fees, but adcademy costs, kits, balls, boot and travel. Football has huge resources.

Are those registered getting value for money?

Is football getting value for money?

Perhaps the business community can be harnessed to increase our benefits, decrease our costs and levies. Our customer base is....huge and increasingly powerful and talented across Australia.

The questions, structure of the money, and opportunities need to be asked.
So Economists or Students with time who want to write the report for football, hey that sounds like me, contact the Foz and he may well send you on a numbers crunch to end all number crunches.

This is no easy task, and would I think require more than one bod, but it needs to be done.

Truth is football is such a huge business in Australia this report needs to be financed for "the good of the game."

Go on do it for football!