I don't want to stoke the fire, or get this out of context.
But, international success over time, not simply a one off, but constant success seems not only to bring crowds and TV ratings it appears it brings funding as well.
I kinda, sorta, open this up for discussion, analysis if you wish, but certainty a talking point. It started when I read a click bait head line on 9msm, that read "Sam Kerr fan favourite in Iran" ,[ article below.] In the article it showed the WA & fed gov have spent on a Football specific training centre 50 million.
Google being what it is then linked me to Vic & Fed gov 100 million dollar Womens Football specific training and development facility.
You could add to this at every interview Graham Arnold asks for a Sydney based Socceroo training facility.
The two questions it poses for me and I find interesting, is
First as our national teams fall down the rankings, government funding appears harder to get.
Second the Football admins seem to be directing their funding received [my reading of these two articles] to high performance centres for their best juniors rather than at their professional teams.
If I am right, the importance of national teams success over time, is far more important than I previously understood pertaining to government funding. The wow wow wow factor for me was the funding was allocated for junior training facilities and is this the way of sourcing government funding.
The key links below are the last two describing the facilities the second one is from FA and is quite detailed.
AnyWho welcome discussion.
links
Sam Kerr a fan favourite even in Iran
The WA Centre
Melbourne Facility