John Stanhope promises money for Canberra. Watch the end of video on the new Canberra website.
So it's simple, do you want a team? It's up to us, and let's encourage our football fans, friends and family to do our bit. There are thousands of us playing watching talking the game. We deserve the best for our city.
Canberrans can now sign-up for Foundation Memberships online.
The website is launched
The time is now.
95 Ambassadors on board and rising!
I've taken advice from many and agreed to continue to take Ambassadors. If you believe you can get ten people to sign-up be a part of history and become an Ambassador. See details below.
Also there are a few clubs (Male and/or Female Ambassadors still wanted at:
ADFA, Lanyon, STFA, Marist, St Edmunds, Yass, Purple Shins, Telopea Park Comp,) Given the amazing response these clubs are places where either I have no direct contact, or people assume someone else will do it. Be good to get these and any groups I may have missed who like to be represented.
Picture from C.Times
Canberra's Caitlin Munoz, left, and Lydia Williams, third from right, joined Heather Garrock, Sarah Walsh, Karla Reuter, Tanya Oxtoby, Cheryl Salisbury, Melissa Barbieri, Jenna Tristram, Di Alagich and Victoria Balomenos at the launch of the W-League in Sydney. Picture: BONITA MERSIADES
Green's great but where's the white hoops said the Celtic fan. Should be a close to a ground record crowd at the first game at McKellar. What do you think?
Football thrives on rumours and take these with a big pinch of Canberra Spin.
Dom Giampaolo...
They might have a more impressive website (ours is yet to be launched, probably Thursday or Friday), and they've been going a lot lot longer, but they are behind already in the financial stakes. We've got em, believe me we've got em.
The FFA are saying there is a salary cap of $150,000 for the W-League, but the teams are saying they won't be paying anyone!!!
Sure you can have a Salary Cap but if no-one has the money to spend then it's a tad meaningless. This one needs to be investigated for clarification. I'll make a phone call or three.
Having listened to Heather Reid on Nearpost Radio last night discussing plans for the first game in the Westfield W-League for Canberra United in October, I'm predicting a record crowd for McKellar Stadium. (Expected to be the venue but to be confirmed.)
With all the hype, the entertainment planned, it should be a day to remember and a great turn-out. Can't wait.
Nearpost Radio Historic Show:
All the news from the FFA's Bonita Mersiades on Westfield W-League, plus football hero and Green and Gold Army Member John McGauren.
Locally catch the A-League bid update and hear from Capital Football CEO Heather Reid on Canberra United news. Where will we play, who will play, costs, initial plans etc etc.
Plans are underway to call all Canberra W-League matches live. They will be streamed online so people from other States, nay the World can listen to Canberra's finest Commentators and Match Analysts.
Great news for football in Canberra. One team in a National League.
On Nearpost Radio tomorrow.
We'll have a full interview with FFA Head of Corporate Affairs Bonita Mersiades on The Nearpost Radio tomorrow. Bonita will outline all the changes for the game, and also Capital Football CEO Heather Reid will be in the studio to talk about the Canberra team...or not:)..in the local half hour.
FFA Release here:
Football Federation Australia (FFA) and Westfield today announced a landmark agreement in support of the fastest growing team sport for women in the country – women’s football.
The Westfield Group's support involves women’s football ranging from the Westfield Championship for Girls, the establishment of a new national women’s league known as the Westfield W-League, and the national women's team to be known as the Westfield Matildas.
Westfield has also extended its partnership in respect of the Qantas Socceroos and the Hyundai A-League.
“We are delighted to announce this new and historic agreement for women’s football,” said FFA CEO Ben Buckley.
“Women’s football is a big growth sport which is enjoyed by many girls and women and watched by many mums and grandmothers each weekend, and it’s terrific to have the support of Westfield in our efforts to grow and develop the sport even further.”
Buckley said that women’s football has enjoyed an average annual growth rate of 6.3% over the past five years, especially on the back of the performance of the Matildas in the Women’s World Cup in 2007.
“The Westfield Matildas are one of the highest achieving sporting teams in Australia, having made four Women’s World Cup tournaments and several Olympic Games, and football offers a unrivalled career path for talented elite women athletes,” Buckley said.
Westfield’s Group Managing Director, Steven Lowy, said that women’s football is a great strategic fit for the business.
“Last year there were nearly 450 million visits to Westfield shopping centres, 70% of those visits were made by women. What better way to connect that huge number of women who visit Westfield each year than through this sponsorship of one of the fastest-growing sports in the country.
“We have planned a range of activities including player appearances, coaching clinics and game hospitality designed to create real value for our customers across our 44 regional shopping centres in Australia.
“It is one way of us giving back something to the community in a way which encourages a healthy, active and positive lifestyle. Girls will now have more resources, better competitions, more media attention and a clear and organised pathway to the top for our elite women players.”
The Federal Government also contributed funds towards the cost of establishing a televised national women’s league as part of its 2007 election promises.
Broadcast rights are still under discussion.
Buckley said the Westfield W-League will comprise teams from each of the seven Australian Hyundai A-League clubs as well as Canberra, and will kick-off at the end of October.
Great great news about the Women but what about our boys!
I'm expecting a Canberra National Women's team on Monday, an A-League team in Canberra in 2010, but why can't we have a Youth team now. NOW, I said very loudly. Did anyone hear?
Here's how it works.
No it's not for Canberra Raiders Golden Boy Todd Carney or even Brumbies Wallaby Stirling Mortlock.
Former Tuggeranong junior and Socceroo ace Carl Valeri, that's his expected transfer fee if he moves from Serie B club Grosetto in the next few weeks.
Which gives an insight into the value a Canberra A-League club/players could provide to their owners in years to come. Where would you invest?
And I should mention Bare from Gamba Osaka, you know the guy who played against Melbourne in the Asian Champions League this year. He's just signed for UAE side Al Ahli for $10 million. A lot of money starting to float around football in this part of the world.
My favourite Canberra Times journo Merryn Sherwood had the scoop on the movements of Carl Valeri. Read on in case you missed it.
Carl off to Serie A? Prefer he went to Celtic but Serie A would be a great move for him.
How badly do Canberrans want an A-League team?
We could never have a team in Canberra, not even a bid. So everyone has always said or so it seems. Well here's our chance.
And wake up Canberra. We've got a bid, and I believe we're flying financially. But money will not be enough. It'll be the Canberrans, the fans, that eventually sink or float our bid over the ever moveable FFA line.
We're up against Western Sydney, Melbourne, Townsville and Wollongong....
Football. Gordon Bray is a Rugby Union game caller. And a good one at that. But could you imagine anything more unprofessional than getting Les Murray, Craig Foster or Simon Hill to call the Wallabies/All Blacks game.
Channel 7, it's a farce. You know it, we all know it.
Still I remember listening.....
Brett Emerton, 29, has signed for Blackburn for four more years. And Josip Skoko, 32, has gone back to play in Croatia for Hadjuk Split.
Fair enough. But don't come back to the A-League Emo and Josip after these contracts run out. You'll be too old, too slow.
The Green and Gold Army have 11,000 members. I'm a member:) Their full voice is gathering to give it to Channel Seven. See the release below. Channel 7, it has to be said are hell bent on destroying Australian football fans and Olyroos supporters' vision of the Olyroos games.
Live football. No
Uninterrupted. No. Not even of Argentina Australia. They are a joke!
A football commentator? No...some guy from Union.
Give us a break. It's 2008. Reap what you sow! Send the football to SBS, or show the games live and in full. How hard is it?
Or do you really want to start your Olympic campaign on the backfoot. Can't wait for my bumper sticker, no-one screws football like Channel 7.
Read the release below.
Swimming.
Channel 7 won't be showing much of the Under 23 World Cup in Beijing.
Australia Serbia..we'll cut for a flagbearer's announcement.
Australia v Argentina...we'll stop the broadcast 15 minutes from the end for the paddle in the pool.
Couldn't make it up could you. Australia v Argentina..and it will all be called by the voice of Rugby Gordon Bray......what a joke!
SMH
Interesting article on how football has overtaken Rugby Union in Private schools in Sydney. I guess we are seeing the same in Canberra these days as the number of football teams is bigger than Rugby teams across our Private schools as well.
Which increases the viability and need for an A-League side in the Capital. Have you signed up:) But this quote from Knox Grammar Principal John Weeks, from the above article, intrigued me.
"The kids love it - we've got teams training at 6am three times a week, and they then do their classwork and then rush straight back onto the field.
"Now we have the same number of rugby teams as we do football teams, but we don't want any more rugby teams. We need to look at sport, ask where is it going, and see it's not just about rugby."
Football in Canberra is set to take it's first major step forward in many many years at Senior level. Finally we get to play on the National stage, and take advantage of the game's growth and indeed our move into Asia.
What opportunities for our girls and women to play in a National League? Fantastic.
It is expected Canberra will have a team in the 8 team televised national W-league starting in October. Monday 28th July is Announcement day.
With the winners expected to play against the women of the Japanese J-League the future is looking brighter by the day. And an A-League side would secure Canberra's football future very nicely.
Talking about a Canberra A-League Team last week Chief Minister John Stanhope said, "We would be prepared to provide some funding towards that start-up but we would do that only on the basis of a strong business case and evidence of very strong community support."
He talked of $5-$7million start-up costs, with probably $5 million per year in ongoing revenue. I believe the start-up costs are our problem.
With $2.5 million potentially on board from investors (and fans) a significant start-up cost contribution from the Government we really could get this thing over the line.
I reckon supporter sign-ups could be the key, to convince others to invest, to encourage the Government, and of course to seal the deal with the FFA. Townsville over Canberra you are joking right!
Is Deco our first marquee?
We're aiming for August 2010 for our A-League debut.
Imagine the scene. The Socceroos at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa in June/July. The feel good factor for football.
2010 August 12: Canberra Stadium. ateam4canberra FC v Sydney FC. Sold Out!!
But who will be in the team? Well I'm naming the first team read on..
Canberra Times Story here Sign-ups begin, find out where you can sign up in an earlier post.
But another investor? Slowly slowly...or maybe not so slow!
100 Canberrans signed-up at 9am in freezing cold Canberra today for A-League Foundation Memberships.
A great start. Now is the time for all football fans who have ever dreamed of watching Professional football in Canberra to sign-up.
With Ivan Slavich working hard to get the best bid on the table 5,000 members will be a fantastic assist. It will really turn the Canberra community around and send a great signal to further potential investors and to the FFA.
I reckon if they open the service online, we could attract many Canberrans/friends of football from interstate and overseas. Investing in a new football club has appeal to many, not just Canberrans.
When we're off to Asia to play Urawa or India or Indonesia or the Pacific Champs to play Beckham or play in our first final series, the appeal of football to the City/region and football fans must be very enticing...it's a new dawn.
Capital Football Release below.
So where you can join up to become a Canberra A-League Foundation Member?
check here for your nearest Service One branch or read more below.
This is our chance for Canberra. And a fantastic start this morning. Well done to all those who got in early. Bid is full steam ahead now as we race towards Aug 24th!!
CanberraALeague:
Good afternoon foundation members,
Canberra Times will be taking a photo of all foundation members who sign up at Service One Members Banking (Bailey’s Corner, Canberra City) on Thursday 17 July @ 9am - it would be great to see you there! The more the merrier and obviously the more successful it will appear to the public.
Ivan Slavich.
Lest we forget. Peter Fitzgerald finally wrote something about football in Canberra and it stinks of "smell the fear," and lacked analysis and Canberra vision.
Peter says we need a lot of money. Well well Peter tell the football community of Canberra something we don't know.!
5,000 fans to a pre-season, pre-season game. 1000 sign-up for a football team that doesn't exist and Ivan Slavich impresses the FFA enough to allow a late entry bid for the A-League, but Peter couldn't find a good news Canberra football story in that!
Sure if Ivan doesn't get the bid up this time, then Pete could come with the I told you so, but not now, not yet. Peter you've missed the mood of the community, of Canberra. You've missed the future of football in Australia and Asia. Poor Pete:)
Peter took a dig at local fans, not smart Peter! and he reckoned the Canberra A-League bid wouldn't get 3500 members to match the Raiders. We'll see. In fact we may all just go away if Peter has his way.
We won't get it so don't try! But of course we will get it. Maybe not now, although I wouldn't argue with Ivan, but we will get it now or in the coming years. This is the start Peter. Can't you see that!
And Peter if you knew anything about football you would know that for example the Central Coast started with just $0.5 million, one investor and 4500 at their first game. The Gold Coast Galaxy were taken over by Clive Palmer after making a lot of noise. They have been renamed. Townsville made a fuss then attracted another big investor.
No Peter a shallow article lacking depth and analysis, showing an amazing lack of knowledge about how A-League clubs have been built, the possibilities for the future, and the importance for the City to have a football team.
Slavich can dream by himself, but he can't build it into a reality by himself.
He's got the fans on board, but needs the big bucks. And until that happens, Canberra's prospects of having an A-League team any time soon will just that a dream.
Former Matildas and Canberra City/Tuggeranong United star Amy Taylor is our 1,000th fan. Amy is now WinTV Wollongong Sports News Reporter, Amy's also host of Fox 8 Football Superstars show.
Like many Canberrans Amy started football at a young age, and has gone on to great success in her sporting and professional life.
We've had fantastic support from across the community. Thankyou. Listen out for Ivan Slavich on ABC 666am tomorrow and Capital Football CEO Heather Reid on 104.7FM tomorrow morning. both on the stations sports shows. See you at the game. Let's give Ivan a cheer.
Shane Perris from Narrahbundah FC is the 950th fan to sign up. Great work Shane.
and Ivan Slavich wants your support at the game at Canberra Stadium tomorrow..read today's Canberra Times article below...and six Young Rockets have been asked to train with Mariners today.
Simon Hill pictured here at last years Asia Cup in Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok, has signed up to show his support for football in Canberra.
Taking time out from his current trip to England, Australia's Number One Football Commentator Fox Sports Simon Hill says, "I'll do anything I can to help. I think it's vital Canberra is represented."
We do to Simon and thanks for your support.
FFA Ben Buckley, pictured alongside Frank Lowy, invites Canberra to bid.
Pawl Cubbin from Zoo to invest! Well done Pawl, leading the way. Who will be next?
Capital Football CEO Heather Reid gives her full support and that of Capital Football. Speaking on Nearpost radio this week Heather gave her full support.
Martin Radic, President Canberra FC, Steve Forshaw Coach of Belconnen United, Darren Viskovich Coach ANU Premier League, Alex Castro Canberra FC, Jenny Brew Weston Creek, Alan Hinde Woden Valley are just some of the names I on the list. www.ateam4canberra.wordpress.com
Andrew Bernal, Canberra born, Narrabundah FC, former Socceroo, ex-Reading FC Captain and David Beckhams personal advisor when Becks moved to Real Madrid (Andrew speaks Spanish)has signed up.
As has Andrew Young former National Soccer League Canberra Metros player and Socceroo and Fulham FC Fitness and Conditioning Head Coach.
The support from our talented footballers and experts within the game is growing as word spreads. And let's face it we have plenty of football knowledge and expertise within the ranks of our Canberra community here and across the World
Matty Collins, Belconnen United takes us past the 900 mark. We're heading for 1,000 before Saturday's game.
Canberra..what have you done!!!!!
Ivan Slavich leader of the ateam4canberra bid said in a recent interview the strong, wonderfully confident and visionary phrase, "I TEND NOT TO FAIL," and I think he nicked the phrase from his meeting with myself on Monday:)
I would have said it, I'm sure I would, if I ever thought it. How about you is that how you walk around the city? Have a look at the next person you see, on the street, in the office. Is that what they are thinking. Deep down maybe all Canberrans think this:)
Well one can dream!!!! Will we hear a chant at the game on Saturday?
A very Young Matildas side were thrashed 5-0 by China, and the Australian boys Under 17 side, The Joeys beat Bahrain 2-1. Canberrans Amy Chapman, Chris Bush and Ben Harrington all got game time for their respective sides. Match reports below from the FFA.
Day Seven: Yahoo Capital Football Under 15's win on penalties, Matilda bound Dubbo striker Ashleigh Sykes dumps Capital Football under 17's.
Scores and tables and Play-off fixtures below.
