Federal Government saves FFA

The Federal Government have handed over $16 million over 4 years to save football from further embarrassment.

Maybe now the FFA can appoint a National Coach, think about a Women's League and a Men's Youth League, even release the Technical Report, or maybe just save face!

An original $15 mill had been granted to the FFA to set up the new A-league, and the FFA. There was no costs for Asia in the plan because we hadn't been accepted at the time!

Then we joined Asia

Olympic qualifiers for men and women's cost $2.2 million to date, and they don't bring much(any) revenue in.

Also all the Asian Cup stuff etc look at the costs that weren't budgeted for when the orignal $15 mill wwas asked for.

Soooo, FFA needed money desperately.

Evidence:
No new coach after the World Cup, never mind the Asia Cup.
No tech report produced..as no money to implement anything.
No sacking Graham Arnold..can't afford to pay out his three year contract.
No Youth League
No Women's league
AIS about to be pulled out of VPL
the list goes on.

FFA were teetering on financial disaster, they had to beg to get the extra money; $4 million a year.

Government had been stalling with questions like, "Why do you need this money. We gave you $15mill and you never mentioned anything about Asia. Why won't you come back in four years and want more? Seems like there was some tense negotiating but there must be some supporters in Government who can see the benefits of building links with Asia through football.

But don't assume this will ensure new leagues etc, it may just get them out of a big hole and allow by the end of year three or four to implement some of the leagues, if other revenues can be secured.

Other revenue is still required, after all what does $4mill a year really buy?

Read More...

Summary only...

John Howard - Have you got Fox Sport?

Aussie Prime Minister will be able to watch the Socceroos on Fox at the Asia Cup


If the Aussies get to the last four of the Asia Cup, and they probably will, do you want to see pictures of John Howard in his new Socceroo tracksuit jumping up and down in front of his FoxSports channel.

All the kids and parents who would be watching in PRIMETIME if the game was on Free-to-air will not want to see it either. This is wrong and the FFA need to get Fox to the table and renegotiate a one-off deal.

How does it help Fox if 70% of Aussies can't watch what would be the biggest sporting viewer figures of the year.

Australia v Japan Final of the Asia Cup at 7.30pm.

Which Aussie wouldn't tune in if this happened?

Read More...

Summary only...

John Howard: FTA please. Football is the world game.

A recent study scientifically observed by Lamprecht & Stamm SFB AG, a social research company based in Zurich showed that some 265 million male and female players and a further five million referees, coaches and other officials are involved in football, giving a grand total of 270 million people, or four percent of the world’s population.

Mr Blatter was happy. I wonder why?

“Football’s popularity remains undiminished and is actually increasing,” reflected FIFA President Joseph S Blatter. “If you count the relatives and close friends of active participants in football, who share in their passion for the game as fans and support them in other ways, the total number is even more impressive: well over a billion people worldwide are involved in football – at all levels of society and across all borders.”

Here are some of the most important findings of the Big Count 2006:The overall total of 265 million male and female players is almost ten per cent higher than the number recorded six years ago (242 million). Of the 265 million, 26 million or around ten percent are women;Since 2000, the number of registered male and female footballers has increased by around 23 percent to over 38 million;The growth in women's football is particularly striking, with the number of registered players up 54 percent to 4.1 million, while the number of registered players in the men's game has likewise seen an increase of 21 percent to 34.2 million.

That measures with about 500,000 Union players, 50,000 AFL and 10,000 League. Alright, alright I made those figures up.

And yet in Australia we can't get the Socceroos team on Free To Air. Good one Johnny.

In view of recent trends with Environment and IR, I'm expecting a committee to be formed by our Prime Minister, and then before the election an appropriate vote winning decsion to be announced.

If he can go all green on us now, why not backflip on FTA. Don't hold your breath......it's probably polluted anyway:)

Read More...

Summary only...

Australian parents are not happy John!

Talking to Parents at the local football oval this morning and the mood is not good!

"Ben wants to be a Socceroo."
"Yeah I'm gonna play for Australia,"says Ben in his Socceroo top.

He moves away and does a few step overs and such.

"Hey the Socceroos aren't on telly tonight. They are on Fox. As if I'm gonna take him to the pub, besides we have to leave at 9pm as he's too young."

"Who do I write to? It's just wrong."

And the Asia Cup?

"Is that on Fox as well?"

Four different parents in a matter of moments. All with kids, all football players, and passionate Australian fans.Helen Coonan might think she's sorted it, but the mum's and dad's of Australia, the battlers are not happy John.

You just don't get it do you. This is the the most popular national team bar maybe and only a maybe, the cricket team.Would you see them taken off Free-To-Air?

John, you better fix it as last time I looked you had a few problems in the polls. Imagine if Australia win the Asian Cup. You thought your ratings were bad now!

What are you going to do for the battlers John Howard?

Tell us what you think about the Australian team playing Asia Cup games at 7;30 at night AEST only on Fox?

Read More...

Summary only...