mst
Peter Johnson (47)
FFA are about to post a loss this financial year too.
Newcastle team in dire straights. QLD Roar not far behind.
It's a tough business this running a national team, national competition and national sport.
It is, and you can only ride your own hype for so long. The FFA pumped money in to the Asian cup with some reward, but obviously it didn't fix the domestic issues.
I think this is on of the keys elements that sporting codes with national teams need to pay most attention to - that the domestic market is the foundation to success, and not the other way around. If the locals aren't watching, who is? And when they are is it just on special occasions?
So reading the press today the key elements that jump out to me is the ARU changing rules because we player who have left to come back to give us a chance to win a WC, that we are seeing suggestions of them needing to / or even considering forking out hundreds of thousands of dollars for "special" WC player - this when on the other hand they are cutting cost and crying poor.
The above really send a message that de-values our current players and depth in the game - I am calling this the "Kewell" strategy - the marketing worked, the public ate it up, it cost a motza, he miked them and in reality he wast at a standard to get a gig in the domestic competition and after apparently being very patriotic is in China because they showed him the money; and the FFA is about to post a loss.
The hype ended abruptly post Asian Cup - but the "domestically" based players still play on here but as they weren't marketed the support diminished. Looking from a player perspective I think it would be fair to say the FFA didn't really show them much love for there efforts or loyalty so I would expect options elsewhere would be attractive - go where you are wanted.
Now what are junior soccer player seeing atm? Less support for the game, the hype and excitement gone, players leaving for better opportunities etc etc.
So I think a good question to ponder is if the equivalent amount of money from ARU contracts was pumped in in to the NRC, say extending it to 12 teams, funding 5 EPS spots in each of the super franchises, and then some in to reducing juniors fees would it increase rates, increase the supporter base and develop talent, and most importantly, attached further financial support?