Why you could even say Manchester United and Perth Glory are on level pegging! Paddy certainly agrees, but both Nicks disagree. All this an more on the Nearpost this week.
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This week on the Nearpost we take a look at the rise of the Chinese Super League and its parallels with the Premier League, will the big name stars hurt the national team even more? We also dissect the election of Australia's Greatest Footballer and the best eleven to pull on the green and gold. All that and more this week from Paddy and the two Nicks.
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Majura U13 Tour of Kota Kinabalu, Borneo Majura FC U13s headed to Kota Kinabalu, Borneo, unsure of the opposition they would meet. But the 15 girls made many friends on and off the field with their football performances and enjoyment mixing with the local girls. Majura U13 Tour of Kota Kinabalu, Borneo Majura FC U13s headed to Kota Kinabalu, Borneo, unsure of the opposition they would meet. But the 15 girls made many friends on and off the field with their football performances and enjoyment mixing with the local girls. Former Socceroo Scott Ollerenshaw is the Borneo Sports Tour Organiser and has wonderful tour facilities set up in Kinbalu. Five Star hotel, pools, bowling alleys, restaurants, football, island adventures and much more all overlooking the South China Sea. At 13 does life get any better than this? An in-house Futsal tournament showed us the great facilities that Borneo has for Futsal, and the players were keen to get moving and working in the heat. Grace Fieg was the star of the Futsal game with Mika Leslie and Grace Maher scoring the only goals in a tight 1-1 draw. Patrick Maher filling in in goal was suitably embarrassed by his sister's dance around him for his goal! Majura FC 6 - Panampang Pandas, Borneo 0 Captain Grace Basser-Silk lead the team onto the field for the first game and the National Anthems. ACT U13 Representative Grace Maher was quick out of the blocks. The Majura no. 10 stamping her authority on the game early, leading the team forward with her anticipation, quick feet and dazzling runs. Support came fast in midfield from Eliza Baker, Mika Leslie and Grace Fieg as the Majura team remained compact and pushed high up the park. Playing 1-4-3-3 FFA, now Majura system, parents were quick to see the benefits of the policy of adopting the FFA curriculum model. Despite having girls from 6 different teams in the touring team and with only two practive games prior to leaving, the style of play didn't miss a beat as players who have learnt their roles and skills with different teams simply slotted into their position. Grace Basser-Silk was raiding down the right, Eilis Fitt had an early chance judged offside but it was Georgina Ryan-Lewis who was to score the first goal in Malaysia. A skilful run from the left saw the Panampang Pandas defenders trailing in her midst and in her unique style Georgina simply passed the ball into the net. With their tails up Majura continued to push forward. Aleka Serras, a star of the tournament, dealt calmly with any threat the Malaysians posed. Zoe Thorman, albeit not in her favoured position, showed poise, speed and aggression time and time again to thwart the Pandas surges. Rhian Baker, Gabi Tew and Maya Mokak formed an outstanding backline ensuring the door to goal was firmly shut. Keeper Ruby Gambale was rarely tested. Gerri Shillington renowned for her defensive qualities was pushed up front in this game and she was to thump home two great goals. Strong running and an eye for goal meant Shillington was a threat all game. Grace Basser-Silk finished in typical style. Latching on to a loose ball around the box she lashed it home with her right foot. There was a moment of Maher magic in the second half when the crowd lit up. Grace Maher picked the ball up just inside the opposition half and simply twisted and turned, jinking past one then another before sending a rasping shot into the net. The crowd erupted, former Socceroo Scott Ollerenshaw looked on approvingly in his air-conditioned box over looking the ground surrounded by jungle. The score finished 6 - 0 with the team showing they had a plan to adapt to the sweltry match conditions. Swim and dunk around the pool right up until kick-off and simply watch me go! It worked, despite former Chelsea FC Coach Ken Shilletto's morning motivational words "drink water and never go in the sun or pool before a game" still fresh in the parents ears at least, The second game was played at the Lidas Stadium. A 25,000 seater and again the teams lined-up to the National Anthem. A local school team provided the opposition. It is mainly the Catholic School teams that have football teams, the Muslim girls we were told tend not to play. Players were rotated through positions with Gerri Shillington, Aleka Serras and Eilis Fitt lining up in the midfield this time. Rhian Baker, Mika Leslie and Anna Crompton started up front. Grace Maher and Grace Basser-Silk were to play 2 and 5, defence turned into attack. At least that was the Coaches plan! This proved a much tougher game with the Borneo team able to put more pressure on the ball and a few older girls in the opposition team. Majura quickly got into their stride despite changes in playing roles. Mika Leslie had a couple of great moves inside the box with the keeper pushing away. Gerri Shillington showed she is so much more than a forward - adapting to midfield and the hot conditions to control and play some great forward passes. Grace Fieg continued to link well with her team mates, despite carrying an injury; she pushed hard to win the ball back for her team. Aleka Serras opened the score in typical style. A wonderful rising shot bursting the back of the net. Rhian Baker yesterdays defender now star striker, scored two, one a wonderful first time shot which gave the keeper no chance. Anna Crompton wasn't about to miss out. Last years Kanga Cup goal scoring winner notched another here and the game ended 5 - 0. We had options to test ourselves against U13 or U 12 boys teams - but the girls are tested in their Canberra leagues every week. Few are in table topping teams. The group decided it would be more enjoyable, in Borneo, to mix the teams up and play with the Panampang Pandas, the local team. And so the third game saw both teams mixed up with a 3-1 and a much tighter outcome the result. Interestingly the Malaysian players passed the ball and looked better for it when playing alongside the technically more adept Aussies. For the record Maya Mokak scored her first goal of the tour. Georgina Ryan-Lewis placed another shot calmly inside the post after a typically jinking run. Grace Maher sent the surrounding jungle wild once more. Her mesmerising run beating five players in a tight space and then slotting the ball home sent the watching school children into ecstasy. They had seen something special from this Aussie in Borneo. There were time for photos, address exchanges and of course Facebook new besties! Today the football is over and it's time to head to Manduran island. Para-sailing, Snorkelling and Banana Boat rising are hot on the agenda of all the girls. With five star accommodation overlooking the South China Sea, the players have been astonished to swim in warm water, amazed at the all you can eat breakfasts and lunches - did someone mention the 10 desserts on offer each meal - the pools have been in constant use as the Aussie girls lap up the trip of a lifetime. Football and friendship in a foreign country........a moment to savour.
So where have you been!
You've seen the Capital Football report on communication and it's not pretty is it! The Girls program despite having the wonderful leadership of Canberra United is clearly in disarray.
Hardly worthy of the name High Performance is it.
The girls and there are many of them, the girls and their parents deserve better. Compared to swimming or golf elite programs around Canberra we're way way behind and then some!
How else can you explain a Representative loss of 12 - 0 in the recent National Championships.
So where have you been!
You've seen the Capital Football report on communication and it's not pretty is it! The Girls program despite having the wonderful leadership of Canberra United is clearly in disarray.
Hardly worthy of the name High Performance is it.
The girls and there are many of them, the girls and their parents deserve better. Compared to swimming or golf elite programs around Canberra we're way way behind and then some!
How else can you explain a Representative loss of 12 - 0 in the recent National Championships.
Girls playing at the first Nationals - only training with the squad for six weeks - well what else did anyone expect against a squad of NSW girls in rep programs for at least three years!!!
Former Capital Football TD Royston Thomas wouldn't listen and yes I discussed the girls program with him on many many occasions.
And our current version is so much poorer than previous versions.
Capital Football has a new TD Warren Grieve, having seen his sides play, listened to him speak I have every confidence the Girls program can be restored maybe even go to higher levels than previous.
Surely there is a role for clubs from U9 to U12. Clubs can should be preparing quality players in bigger numbers but clearly they need better guidance on what techniques to focus on - but why bother if they are walking into the current set-up. They are not improving.
Just look at the U14 preparations and their results. And yes I know results aren't everything but they do provide at 12-0 a guide don't they?
My question is - despite all the FFA Curriculum over the last few years, the excellent performances of our previous U13 Girls teams at Nationals why is the program in such disarray.
Too easy to blame the previous TD, too easy to say it will be sorted now. It's 2012 and the girls football program in the ACT is currently - below ACTAS level - a disaster.
Capital Football has heard the complaints over the last 9 months but has refused to do anything. We've got thousands of players, lots of coaches in many clubs - some very technical, some very enthusiastic.
If you can't get two or three coaches to run a quality program - maybe it's tiime to change your model and reach out to the clubs.
Clearly Capital Football cannot deliver a quality High Performance program for girls.
Prove to me it can! I'm all ears.
Paddy has jumped on the Kiwi bandwagon for the Olympics, predicting the A-League contingent will guide them to the knock-out stages. Nick Cumpston and Nick Amies are less optimistic about their chances, but everyone is looking forward to the Matildas clash with world champions Japan tomorrow night. All this and more on the Nearpost!
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In Junior Football do you cheer the keeper roll out or pass with their feet more than a goal?
If you are really focused on development a Coach or Parent (and maybe even a rare young player) should cheer the keeper distribution more than a goal.
A goal can come from many things, but a young keeper rolling or passing a ball out has the whole of Australia on his or her back.
Boot it!
You'll give a goal away if you pass it or roll it!
And you will of course. Kids do.
And you can guarantee someone, somewhere will blame the keeper.
The parent, a player, the opposing coach, opposing team mate or maybe even your own coach.
It takes the bravest coach and the bravest player to continue to roll or pass the ball out in Australian football.
Why is this so?
Spain roll it out, even Italy at 2-0 down roll it out. Brisbane Roar the Aussie Champions roll it out.
In Futsal and Football is your junior team, your junior club starting their development with this problem solving exercise.
Can't roll, can't play!
Peter Funnell is back - about time as well! www.nearpostlocal.blogspot.com Nice one Peter!
There's a distinct trend of youth signings this off-season, except at the Victory. Has Ange gone off his rocker? All this and more on this week's Nearpost with Paddy, Nick Sr and Nick Jr
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If you watch Spain play - it's beautiful, wonderful passing.
And it's often 1-0, only 1-0, so are they really so much better than the rest?
Hopefully someone has a real go at them and shakes football to the core.
It's time!
Barcelona has Messi - goals, pace and excitement added to all the wonderful passing.
But when the pubs in England empty out, or worse still people start talking instead of watching the game - because it's Spain, pass, pass move but no end product - something else is happening.
Spain are boring.
Now you can't say that too loudly in Australia - and yes they are a wonderful team - but give me a team with a Messi or even Ronaldo. Excitement, amazing skill and goal, goals goals.
Two defensive midfielders make Spain a much more boring product than Barca, Alonso replacing Messi - don't even start.
The Beautiful Game - not where Spain are concerned. Winning finals 1-0 is a great achievement, but they are not excitement plus, not in the last World Cup, not in this Euro.
Passing is beautiful - but I want end product - and really champion teams should destroy other top teams. Think Barcelona v Man United. End product and lots of it.
Come on Ronaldo!
Please note: Craig Foster has just done a wtf - he's had a god help Australia moment.
Further: I never watch the English Championship - ever!
And I never ever watch Bolton, Rangers, Wigan, Rangers, Stoke, Rangers, Everton, Rangers, Sunderland, Rangers, Chelsea, Rangers, Newcastle, Rangers, Blackburn, Rangers, Aston Villa, Rangers, West Brom, Rangers, Wolves, Rangers, Liverpool, Rangers, or any other useless English Premier League teams who play dire football.
There are an awful lot of them!
Got to admit overseas countries do it better, fan singing, whole stadium involvement.
Think Japan in June when the Aussies go there - the singing will be non-stop.
And of course Celtic Park - the fans, all of them, know how to sing.
Melbourne Victory do a great gig - down one end, the Cove never let you down, but no club has been able to create an anthem and get the whole club behind it.
Or so it seems to me.
The National Team still hasn't got a unifying anthem. Why not?
So maybe just maybe the Western Sydney Wanderers could have found one.
If modernised - a little rebellious, a great feel but will it take off where it counts - in the stands?
Has any football team in Australia ever got the whole crowd singing?
National team needs it - A-League clubs need it. But can we do it?
Paddy Bordier is rejoined by Nick Cumpston and Nick Amies behind the microphones this week as we dissect all the goings-on in Australian football. Western Sydney Wanderers were unveiled as the newest A-league side in a strip reminiscent of Brazil's Flamengo while the Harry Kewell saga has finally come to a close. All this and more on the Nearpost.
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Does make you wonder why it took Harry so long to re-sign with the Victory doesnt it. Would have been very messy if hed needed to leave now after signing in March as he was soooooo happy with Melbourne...we loved it so much we're off:-) Also given his reputed contract last season was a financial flop - wa this why he suddenly split with long long time manager Bernie Mandic - always a few questions around harrys dealings. Good luck to him, but would love to know the real story.
Harry Kewell's gone to.....Blackburn Rovers.
The reasons appear genuine but in football circles who would ever know the truth.
And Harry certainly didn't get the financial deal last year that he was expecting...suspicious, me...would you want to go to Blackburn when you were almost 34?
Bet t'Rovers fans are excited....not!
Maybe Harry saw the new BSB/Sky deal and thought I'll have some of that - or maybe he realises to make Brazil - he's got to play more than six months football at his age.
Nice while we had him, pity he's gone! Would have love to see him work with Ange.
But more importantly the great rebuilding job we had in the A-League last year could be in danger of doing a groin or two.
Last season Harry v Emerton rocked the opening game last year - enough hype for everyone.
This year Harry is gone and Emmo is still injured. Players like Dario Vidosic, Liam Miller all added to the interest last year - also Karol Kisel, Franny Jeffers, and a few old guy in Perth.
This year the intake has been incredibly uninteresting - losing a Eli Babalj or two, that will always happen, Harry Kewell is gone and who will entice us on those pre-season moments.
Nikolai Topor-Stanley and Ahmed Elrich moving to Western Sydney is hardly razzle dazzle!
There is a long way to go until the start of the season and I'm expecting Marcos Flores to razzle dazzle back into town - but who else?
Has the money dried up? Bit of a worry when half of Europe is destitute!
If you need that much money to survive and can't structure your game and ticket prices to suit your fans, your young people and still prosper.
Then there is something sadly wrong with English football.
As ticket prices continue to rise, on the back of this new revenue, how can anyone justify putting up ticket prices.
They don't deserve the fans!
Wolves can make $100 million per year from TV alone.
Bottom on the Premier League, average crowds around 18,000 and they can bring in that amount of money.
Who the hell watches Wolves v Bolton!
Roy Masters thinks his League boys have a deal, Andrew Dimetriou reckons he rules the world....but boys, you're in the little league.
Check out the real deal - and check point 6, the mobile rights are still to come.
And what do the clubs do with the money?
Waste so much of it on transfer fees and massively inflated player wages. $75,000 per week for Tim Cahill - is that pounds of dollars - either way it's not bad for a three goal a year man is it.
“We’re building a platform,” Michael Brown says. “We want to leave a legacy – we often talk about how good it’s going to be – but what is it? How do we define it?
“We’ll see other legacies in the fact that we need to upgrade some stadia and venues, and they will be local football facilities. Teams will be looking to play on facilities that are absolutely world class, and we’ve got to prepare 10 warm-up facilities across the eastern seaboard and that’s an obvious benefit.”The leader of the Asian Cup football tournament to be held in Australia in 2015 says he wants to leave a legacy.
Paddy breaks in some new co-hosts while breaking
For the latest and only football podcast still covering the local game out of season - listen to the men of football!
Japan are blooding them early and we need to do the same.
And yes the J-League is a wee bit ahead of the A-League - tell Adelaide United that - but it's time for the new young Aussies.
Hopefully we're seeing signs of the next generation starting to push into bigger arenas. By 2014 where could they be? And of course playing regularly?
Will they compete at the 2015 Asia Cup - will they get us to Russia 2018?
Adam Federici EPL
Mitchell Langerak Bundesliga?
Rhys Williams EPL?
Luke De Vere J League?
Matthew Spiranovic J League?
Michael Zullo EreDivision
Brett Holman EPL
Carl Valeri Serie A?
Matt McKay J League
Chris Herd EPL
Robbie Kruse Bundesliga?
Alex Brosque J-League
Nikita Rukavystya - Bundesliga?
We're lacking a little in attacking nous it seems - but with a Terry Antonis, Mustafi Amini, Tommy Oar, Eli Babalj, Adam Sarota and others pushing hard surely one or two of these guys can crack the full national team in two or three years time.
If we can see one of these young stars moving on to the bigger stage - we should bring them in now and give them a real lift. Predicting stars in football is a hard gig however.
Is there a Honda or Kagawa in our midst?
If you saw Japan against Jordan - wonderful flowing youthful football with stars all over the park it was inevitable that Japan would win in Brisbane.
They didn't.
Indeed Holger's men tested them early and should have been a goal or maybe even two up with a bit of cool finishing.
Australia gave the Japanese young and golden generation a real fright.
With the results going Australia's yet again and of course the worst penalty decision helping us Australia are in a great position to get to the 2014 World Cup.
After last night - sprinkle a bit of Brett Holman, observe the nations we have to play who have capitulated in Japan - I expect us to win all home games and take at least one victory on the road. Surely enough.
Some fantastic performances for Australia last night and despite being a weary team late on, it maybe this point that gets them to the World Cup.
We all knew this would be our hardest route, our oldest players but last night showed we have enough quality to get the job done once more.
Then we really must rebuild!
With over 18,000 registered players, football has become the largest outdoor sport in the ACT and surrounding region. Combine those numbers with participation in Futsal, and you have a powerhouse of action and potential.
The hugely talented Nagoya Grampus - loaded with dollars as well - came to Adelaide last night and were beaten 1-0 by United in the last sixteen of the Asian Champions League.
And what a great game of football it was.
Despite the defensive nature of United there was a lot to like about the Aussies performance up against such craftsmen from Nagoya.
A-League football is coming along nicely when Iain Ramsay, Bruce Djite, Fabio Barbiero, Iain Fyfe, Dario Vidosic, Zenon Carevello and of course Eugene Galegovic are just some of the Aussies who can compete tactically and increasingly technically against the technically blessed Japanese.
Make no mistake the Japanese are years ahead in many areas, indeed would destroy United if we came out to play I suspect, but United's use of the ball, Bruce Djite, and Iain Ramsay, over and over was good to see.
Their ability to keep the ball, move it quickly at times was pleasing on the eye and the chances and opportunities created were exciting. They more than matched their Japanese counterparts at times.
Albeit without a host of luck and a fantastic keeper in Galekovic Nagoya could have been out of sight early.
I doubt United would have won away and the nature of this tense battle suggests a one off game is much better than the two legged rounds coming up.
Eugene was immense, and Bruce Djite gave enough in his performance against the Japanese World Cup keeper and defenders to suggest a more aggressive Australian attack will cause the Japanese a few problems in Brisbane next week.
Great game and a great result for Aussie football.
Australia went through to the last four of the Asian Futsal Championships last night in their 3-2 win over Kuwait.
They have now qualified for the World Cup.
But last nights game had shades of Germany Austria back in the 80's when both teams simply failed to attack ensuring a 0 -0 score and both teams qualified.
Same last night - the Aussies winning 3-2 Kuwait knew that both teams would qualify if the score remained the same so they just passed it around in their own half for the last few minutes.
Nice work everyone. Guess I would have done the same!
Aussie Coach Steve Knight said
“They (Kuwait) played a high pressure game which is typical of quality teams. With regards to the final few minutes where Kuwait kept the ball in their own half without trying to score, I understand why they did it and they played within the rules.
In a world where any publicity is good publicity it's fantastic to see football, yes women's football on the front page of the SMH.
http://www.smh.com.au/sport/football/spectacular-own-goal-as-star-forced-to-choose-codes-20120529-1zhh2.html#utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=tweetbutton
Not an alcohol fueled article or a wife bashing court case - no a stoush between a Coach Jitka Klimkova who simply wants her players to train full-on and be available for all games, including semi-finals and finals and a talented dual international, Ellyse Perry.
Seems fair to me.
Kahlia Hogg was similarly pressured last year when it was known she'd be leaving for the USA before the end of the season.
Klimkova won the league in her first season as coach in a foreign country - no doubt her standards and expectations contributed.
This time she's laying her standards out for all to see. And there is a fair amount of outrage from non-Canberra United fans it seems.
Ellyse Perry is a prestigious talent in both cricket and football but any observer will know that football requires so much training these days to reach, and remain at the top that sharing yourself between two codes is a nice idea but not if you want to remain at the top of your game.
Ellyse hopefully will find another club.
I'm sure she will.
But anyone who has watched Ellyse burst onto the football scene will also wonder why she couldn't hold down a World Cup starting spot, and despite her wonder goal and had a pretty miserable time against Sweden.
Ellyse' development has in my view not been maintained in football at least. Indeed younger girls took her spot at the World Cup! So much for outstanding talent.
Her talents are unfulfilled in football in my view due to her cricket commitments.
Ellyse missed last years W-League Grand Final to play cricket - what coach of any sport would be happy with that?
She also missed the historic Matildas Asian Champions League tournament and win - yes to play cricket.
Football has supported Ellyse well, I'm sure it still can but United's Coach should hardly be criticised for asking Perry to make a choice.
Interesting to hear lots of football commentators and twitterers talking about this - guess they are all regular attenders of the W-League! Some have even called it a stupid decision.
It's a sign where the Coach wants to take the team - nothing more nothing less and the talent pool available these days mean Ellyse although she'll be missed by the supporters - the time has come to raise the bar once more. Should a Coach be criticised for aiming high?
I'm comfortable with United's brave decision. In fact I applaud it.
I was pretty annoyed when our star right back missed key games including the finals at the back end of last season to play cricket.
Good luck Ellyse - we loved you, your attacking runs, your great goals - but their is no i in team, well not in a football team at least.
Alex Brosque has been in fine form for Shimizu, but will he be there in 2014? The two Nicks and Peter Funnell bring you up to speed with the week in Australian football, including the National Competitions Review and the Socceroos' friendly against Denmark.
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I didn't watch the State of Origin I rarely do.
I've never watched the Brumbies despite being a passionate Canberran. Rugby just doesn't do it for me.
Football is my sport - my thing.
So it is great relief that Aussie football returns after what seems like a huge break - well two weeks since the last ACL games.
And better still this one is crucial.
Adelaide United at home to Josh Kennedy's Nagoya Grampus at Hindmarsh - Winner takes all and flies through to the next round.
The loser - well that's it.
This is the type of football game I particularly love. Everything on the line.
I'll be cheering long and loud for the Aussies and hope for once Josh Kennedy - if he plays - is on the losing side.
And then it's Denmark, and the real stuff begins.
Other sports are seemingly well followed in Australia so they don't need me.
Asian Champions League followed by World Cup Qualifiers. Bring it on!
If reports from Sydney that Mark Bridge is on the move West than I going to suggest that's the first trick to Sydney FC.
Mark Bridge is a fine player, indeed scored a winning Grand Final goal for the Newcastle Jets but he never really set the SFS on fire, well not for Sydney anyway!
At the Jets he was well supported by an on-fire Nicky Carle and one man forward line in Joel Griffiths.
He never had the same forward support in Sydney - not even with Alex Brosque.
He was signed to be a main striker, but one who has scored few goals, cost a ton of money so it seems and has little pace.
Interesting Sydney's biggest missing element in recent seasons has been pace.
In fact Vitaslav leadership reflects Bridge.
Good at times, missing often but always too slow to really excite.
If he has gone to West Sydney that is a smart bit of work by Ian Crook. Very smart.
A reduction in wages, an ability to bring in a new forward will add more energy and style to team.
Of course who the replacement is remains to be seen. But in Joel Chianase Sydney have more pace than any time in the last three years and he scores goals as well.
Fabio, although criticised on this blog developed into a mobile attacking left back albeit one who struggled to defend.
I'll take Fabio over Jammo.
Crook releasing Shannon Cole, Scott Jamieson, Mark Bridge and Dimi Petratos tells us something about the Coach and his aspirations.
Intersting times at the SFS!
http://eepurl.com/l--EX A-League's only investors who didn't do their dough - what implications for long term growth of football in region? If you are a Canberra A-League Foundation Member you are getting your money back - read the link and check your emails for all the information. 25 May 2012 Dear foundation member, It is with much sadness and regret that I write to inform you that our quest for an A League team for Canberra is over. I would like to thank the many people that helped us on our journey and I am still totally perplexed that despite our credentials, we have been repeatedly denied entry into the A League competition. Our credentials for inclusion were outstanding, we amassed 20,000 signatures on a petition supporting an A League team for the Canberra region and we presented this to the FFA. We have you, our fabulous foundation members (nearly 2,000 of you), who each submitted $200 towards establishing an A League team for Canberra, see the list at http://www.aleague4canberra.com.au/site/current.php We had tremendous support from the ACT Government, with an up-front pledge of $2.5m and ongoing support amounting to nearly $10m over ten years, I would like to personally thank Andrew Barr for this pledge on behalf of the Government. Support has been bipartisan with the current Government providing the pledge and the opposition (thank you Zed Seselja and Steve Dospot) also pledging that they would support. We had fantastic support from investors, I would like to name the principal financial backers of the team without whom the bid would not have been possible, namely Peter Sarris and the NDH Group, John Efkarpidis and the Rock Development/Loop group ( Belconnen markets), the Slavich family (thanks Anna for indulging me), together with a consortium led by Terry Weber and Frank Morella. We also received early financial support from Melissa Fischer and the Altona Football Club, I would like to thank them for their support, especially to help with administrative resources and to promote the Socceroos game against Kuwait at Canberra Stadium, with over 20,000 spectators. Others indicated that they would support but were waiting for a decision from the FFA. We had a major sponsorship pledge from ActewAGL and a number of other Canberra based businesses who indicated that they would support if a team got up. Capital Football also helped financially and the Capital Football board also pledged ongoing financial support, thanks go to Heather Reid as CEO and Rachel Harrigan Board Chair representing board members. In total we had $4m in up front capital and several hundred thousand dollars per annum in sponsorships pledged and ongoing financials to support a team each year, turning a profit in year 4. I would also like to thank the support of PwC, through Terry Weber, Shane West and Renee Dockrill who provided the financial analysis and support for the bid. I would like to thank the trustees of the foundation, namely Terry Weber and Andrew Satsia (I am also a trustee), who have safeguarded the trust funds, that are held with Service One Members Banking and for all their support and help I would like to thank Service One CEO Peter Carlin, Andrew Sella and Rebecca Dorahy for all their admin support. A huge thank you also goes out to the members of the A League 4 Canberra bid committee that I chaired. Namely, Terry Weber (PwC with financials), Ron Forrester (who also helped with media), Andrew Satsia (RSK legal support) Eamonn Flanagan (football tragic and coordinator), Heather Reid (Capital Football), Fethon Ileris & Peter Maybury (Capital Football), Neale Guthrie (representing Canberra stadium and ACT Government), Peter Sarris (investor), John Efkarpidis (investor), Jessica Salvage (website), Ash Morgan (football tragic and marketing), Jerry Lissing (sports fan and strategy), Jessica Salvage (website) , Kylie Young, Kate Goatley, Omania Terry and Anna Slavich (admin support). I would also like to thank Zoo for their support with the website and the chief honcho Clinton Hutchison and Pawl Cubbin in particular. I would like to thank Canberra Stadium represented by Neale Guthrie in being so generous with their offer regarding games at their magnificent stadium and would like to thank both the Australian Institute of Sport and the University of Canberra for our very productive discussions regarding the use of their facilities to provide training for the team. We also had tremendous support from our media partners, namely Ken Nicolls from the Canberra Times, Nick & Julie Samaris from Canberra Weekly, Ian Miekle from City News, Eoghan O’Byrne from Canberra FM ( FM 104.7 & MIX 106.3), Leon Buchanan from WIN News and reporters Erin Molan and Greg Thomson, Tim Gavel from ABC Grandstand, Mark Parton from 2CC, SBS – the World Game, the Riotact, ABC news, 2XX, Roar – Sports opinion, fourfourtwo, Sydney Morning Herald, Herald Sun, sportbizinsider, the Age and a host of other local and national media. Thank you so much to the Capital punishment fan club! The trip to Sydney as coordinated by Anthony Hatton, Russ Gibbs and Eamonn Flanagan, was particularly memorable and screaming Canberra wants an A League team broadcast around the country was a lot of fun and received plenty of media attention. I would like to thank our elite football ambassadors, namely Ned Zelic, Carl Valeri ( and his father Walter who did some media for us), Amy Taylor, Caitlin Munoz, Lydia Williams, Amy Chapman and Sally Shipard. They helped promote our cause, helped gather foundation members and conducted various media interviews. Thank you also goes to the very many club ambassadors who helped us with our quest for a team and helped establish our foundation membership base. A full list of those ambassadors can be found on our website at http://www.aleague4canberra.com.au/site/ambassadors.php It is a very substantial list so I urge you to take the time to have a look as I am sure you would recognise many names from your club. I would also like to thank specific clubs who provided support above and beyond the normal level of support, specifically Canberra FC who allowed us to use their club for a major foundation event for the bid, as well as financial support from Woden Valley Soccer and Canberra Olympic. I would also like to thank all the other football and soccer clubs for their support. I am sure that I have forgotten to mention someone, if I have overlooked you please forgive me, there have been so many people involved that it is hard to remember everyone. You know who you are so thank you sincerely. We were overlooked when the comp expanded from 8 to 12 a couple of years ago and those chosen have not fired up other than Melbourne Heart. Townsville is gone, Gold Coast is gone and West Sydney did not get up. The recent eviction of the Gold Coast created another opportunity and despite Ben Buckley the CEO of the FFA admitting to me that our bid was more advanced than West Sydney, the FFA have gone with West Sydney for strategic regions because of the larger population base, pouring in $4m of FFA money and supported by $8m of federal government money. For the record, I had tried previously to obtain a grant from the federal government given that we are the Nation’s capital, but was advised that they do not support individual teams, so the West Sydney deal is somewhat surprising, although I note the support is for football in general. The following is an extract of the terms of the trust deed. “The cost of the Foundation Membership is $200 (or such greater sum as the prospective members choose) which is fully refundable to the applicant (the Applicant) for the Foundation Membership, if the committee or board of the Beneficiary (the Board) in its sole discretion determines that the application to the Football Federation of Australia for an A-League football team for Canberra has been unsuccessful (whether it be for the 2010/2011 football competition or for a later year not later than 31 December 2012).” Full terms can be found at http://www.aleague4canberra.com.au/site/terms.php. Given that the FFA has overlooked Canberra and in accordance with the terms of the trust deed, the trustees have determined to refund your money. It is my intention to run a couple of sessions at the Hellenic Club Woden on a Saturday between 10am and 1pm, whereby you will need to produce your certificate of membership and photo identification, either a licence or passport, where upon you will receive a cheque for your refund. I will provide further notice as to the exact days that we will be conducting these sessions and will endeavour to advertise on radio and in the press. Other arrangements will be made for people interstate or who cannot travel. You will have two options;- Receive a full refund of the money you deposited; or Elect to have the money you invested in our bid to further promote elite men’s football in the ACT. Please reply to this email stating that you agree to this if you elect this option. With regard to the second point, I have held a discussion with Heather Reid CEO of Capital Football, any surplus funds per point 2, together with interest earned in the trust, minus payment of any statutory liabilities, will be provided to Capital Football, to further elite men’s football in the ACT and surrounding region. Capital Football will consult with me subsequently to ensure that I am satisfied that it is being used for that purpose. Please do not respond to this email for a request of your funds now as we wish to conduct the process in an orderly manner, rest assured the money is in trust and will be refunded, we will advise when the sessions at the Hellenic Club Woden will be held over the coming month or so. There is some administration that we need to undertake such as obtaining cheque books. Please also note the following extract from the trust deed. “In the event that any Applicant(s) have deceased or cannot be contacted at the time of refund of any application fee (as the personal details provided by them have changed or lapsed), such fees will be donated to local soccer activates and community bodies in furtherance of soccer at the discretion of the Board.” Funds under this category will be provided per point 2 by 31/12/12. We will do our best to contact everyone, we have been working hard on the accuracy of the database. Once again, thank you to all who helped out, it has been an honour and privilege to have led the process and hopefully sometime in the future there will be an A League team for Canberra. Yours Sincerely, Ivan Slavich A League 4 Canberra Bid leader
With just 200 points on offer in Canberra Football under the new salary cap, assuming the administrative nightmare but beautiful plan is passed into play next season - 10 points for each player - and only 20 players in a squad; it is soon apparent that Canberra FC and Cooma are going to struggle in years to come.
How many of their current squad came through the ranks?
I've no idea but I suspect the Premier 16 and 18s are indicative of where we are heading.
Woden and Belconnen are already dominating Premier 16 and 18s football - as you'd expect two of the biggest player pools and best organised clubs to do.
And I suspect under the new model less stupid player payments by the few clubs able to spend (waste), and more money spent on resources and development, will see these clubs further flourish.
Under the new model surely Canberra FC has just won it's last championship ever. Given they are looking decidedly dodgy this year you can't see them winning again if the changes come through, can you?
Not with a junior player base of just 120 kids - of course a little purchasing of young players might be required - but I can't see it, not anymore.
Each player moving from another club adds 8 points to the salary cap on top of his mandatory 10. So let's say a club has 5 or 6 players out of 20 from another club then that's 248 points before you start.
You can either drop the squad to 16 perhaps - hardly sustainable to win a title or get rid of a few of the transferring players and bring a few locals that you've developed. All good but you can't guarantee you win the league anymore can you!
No matter what you pay!
So Woden, Gungahlin, Belconnen and maybe dear old Tuggies (remember them) are expected to take the lead in coming years. In time Monaro should also flourish or whoever snaps up Brindabella Youth.
Radford, Marist and all school teams - wonder where they'll end up?
And of course a Belconnen United, Woden Valley in five or ten years, under this model could attract a much larger crowd for a Grand Final than Canberra FC/Olympic.
Wouldn't that be interesting!
There is, finally, plenty of scope in Canberra to develop club, and local pride.
The communities are much more likely to rally and plan financially over time if players invariably play and stay with their junior clubs. And if real development starts to happen consistently across all clubs.
Does any club really have a sustainable model for player development currently? One you are satisfied with for a player at any nominated age level. I'd like to hear if you think they have.
As volunteers there is only so much we can do and I reckon we're all doing it!
But if some of the Senior Clubs turned some of their income towards junior player development instead of wasting it on older fella's well slowly we might even get a few paid coaches of our kids!
An interesting model - how Canberra FC and the likes of Cooma respond only time will tell. I feel more for Cooma than Canberra FC - I'm sure most of the Community do to.
Perhaps Canberra FC should provide their funds and home ground to Woden Valley, merge the clubs and wham bam what a power house you could have.
Canberra FC will surely not let this model in without a fight - but all the other clubs, bar Cooma will probably be delighted.
Time for creative thinking from our Canberra FC friends. I'd love to hear how they will view this. I think their lack of progress as a club over the last 15 years, the sole focus on winning the men's Premier League title has come home to roost.
Have they grown their player base?
Have they grown their supporter base?
Have they got any closer to higher football - not after last years Grand Final - a final nail more like.
Can they Canberra FC deliver more titles in coming years?
More importantly what can they do to remain relevant, use their football passion and expertise to develop the game further in Canberra?
We need Canberra FC in Canberra but perhaps not in it's current form. If this proud club wants to remain relevant they have to act and act quickly. What did they learn from the Grand Final wee colourful party?
What will they take from this report.
Look on the bright side someone at the club will save a lot of money!
Now I know Andy Harper wants Video Technology to assist his ageing vision, but I'm nothing if I'm not older than the great presenter and I don't want it.
Who needs it?
Let the game flow, let the disputes linger and at the end of the day does life have to be so scrutinised and judged.
England would never have won their one and only World Cup - but who cares, not this Aussie, Irishman or European!
Time to chill out - and where does the video technology stop, only on goal mouth actions, penalties, or free kicks outside the box etc etc.
And how the grassroots copy the video ref - it's tedious in Rugby League, it would be tedious in football.
So what if clubs lose money based on these decisions - football is a game before it is a business and those that enter this sort of business just have to lump it.
Let the ref make the call and here's hoping he/she gets it right most of the time.
Otherwise Diego would never have scored against England - or Thierry Henry would not be the cheat he is and Ireland not the cheating French would have gone to the World Cup.
Does it really matter? Of course but not enough to bring in the Video Ref.
We were shocked too but it's happening! Paddy Bordier, Nick Cumpston and Nick Amies bring you up to speed with the latest off-season developments and the ACL.
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