FFA seriously considering Women's National League

[alicia]

I think it would be a good idea. As T I think said, we only have the Matilda's. This would also give the Matilda's somewhere to obtain new players etc.

I also like the idea of a youth league. With either option I wouldn't like to see it fall over and perhaps tarnish the name of Football in Australia.

The only problem I have, is men constantly using the words token and female in the same sentence. Believe me, I'm not a feminist, it just gets really old, really fast.

[T]

I have to agree with Teriyaki about the words token and female... The population of female football players has been steadily growing for the last 10yrs, in which some clubs had maybe 1 or 2 U16s teams and 1 or 2 AA teams. Now they have created the U12s, U14s, U18s as well as up to 5 AA divisions.

I can understand that watching women play football may not be as entertaining as watching mens, but its still pretty good and in some cases pretty technical.

I can remember when I first started playing and thinking this would be an awesome way to make money, but there just wasn't the opportunity to play at a much higher level.
There are also some really really great female players on the coast who end up stagnating in Premier league as they don't really have anywhere else to go thats viable.
Although there are a few youth accademys around for the younguns now.

[brett]

marinermick said:

wyomingtiger said:

Youth league should be first.

It's not about who is more deserving, but a simple business decision. Australia desperately needs to improve the quality of players it is producing, or we won't be having World Cup or Asian Cup or Champions League success or selling players to overseas clubs and our game can't survive without those things.

On a stronger financial basis we can then support a women's league because, let's face it, it's not going to be self-sustaining.

I disagree on two points:

1. It shouldn't be about choice because the two are not intrinsically linked. Why the hell are we pitting the two against each and having to make a choice.
2. A woman's national league would be able to negotiate seperate sponsors (heaps of woman's brands would jump on board) and a separate fox deal in which a national youth league could not. It could easily become the biggest national women's comp in Australia. If we are not talking about professionalism then this comp could easily become self-sustaining. On the other hand, the national youth has to rely on taking some of the funding of the new $16 million government grant.

On a simple business basis the women's comp would win every time if the competition model and club structure is correct.

No one will support a state based competition ebcause it is not parachiol enough.

If they are aligned to current A-League clubs (inc NZ) they can piggy back off the marketing and administration of the clubs.

Point 1: I totally agree that both would be fantastic. If I had to value one over the other, as has seemed to me to be the main theme of this thread, I would go youth league first. I'd love to see both ASAP.

Point 2: As I said before, the youth league would be about developing better Australian players and the financial benefits would flow on from that. What if we struggle in the next world cup, or don't qualify? What if the A-League continues on its current downward slide in terms of football entertainment? The game would be in trouble.

You are right in that a ladies comp would have far more business opportunities than a youth league. Good point about a niche existing for a premier female national comp. This is an area that the codes that are ahead of our mens' game can't touch. Great opportunity.

I would still doubt though that it would make any money with flights, ground hire and operational costs likely to outweigh ticket sales, sponsors, and a TV deal that would likely be minor or simply bundled in with the A-League deal.

But it's about the bigger picture. Clubs and the FFA need mens' football to be strong for the real $, hence the priority, IF we need to pick one over the other, should be with a reserve league.

[dru]

I'll turn up to watch the central coast mermaids play. ;D

I can see either sbs or abc getting the rights to televise it if it gets off the ground. Some how I think that we won't see a comp playing out of the same venues as the a-league so it may not make sense to piggyback them on the a-league.

I think a lot would be surprised at how intense and physical a week in week out comp like this would be.

[curious]

I think it would be a great thing to have. Like T said females who play really do need something to aim for...but can I ask what the "negative reactions from men" would be? I can see some people simply preferring to watch the A-league but I really cant see any objection to a females league.

Likely just the old chesnut of feeling threatened by a women's league. Paranoia of funds being being removed from the men. Opinions of the mens being real football, so why bother with women's. A jumping to the conclusion that a women's comp will take the place of, or be installed before a youth grade. (where this idea came from I'll never know)

Don't agree with any of it btw, (take note) but have a browse of this and other forums to see the insecurities peeking out.

[T]

You'd think that in today's suposed times of equality that this sort of insecurities wouldn't abound, and its sad that it does. I can't see womens football ever taking the place of mens... it just adds another dimension to the game. Either way it all goes to promote the sport within Aus which can only be a good thing.

[curious]

Point 1: I totally agree that both would be fantastic. If I had to value one over the other, as has seemed to me to be the main theme of this thread, I would go youth league first. I'd love to see both

Not to have a go at you mate, it just gives me a chance to ask where did everyone get the idea it has to be one or the other?..........The FFA KNOW youth league is a must & intend to implement as soon as practicable. Agreed?
We WILL have a youth league so there's no need to panic.
I should have added that to the thread heading.

They are now (so it's rumoured) to be also considering a women's league. When? We have no idea. How? we have no idea. Even the concept is in the "lets have a talk about it" stage, so if it does eventuate, it's likely a fair way off.

But isn't it great that the FFA is seriously considering a women's league. I love watching it, I used to shoot WNSL for a living so I know a bit about it & alot of the players.
Even better if a new league could be on the same card as aleague matches, as it would be of great value to both leagues.

[Adz]

hmmmm I don't know how popular it will be if they turn the A-League into a women's comp. I'd still watch tho.

[T]

adz said:

hmmmm I don't know how popular it will be if they turn the A-League into a women's comp. I'd still watch tho.

According to some the A-League is partly a womens comp already.... but then Princess Lejier has left.

[brett]

curious said:

Point 1: I totally agree that both would be fantastic. If I had to value one over the other, as has seemed to me to be the main theme of this thread, I would go youth league first. I'd love to see both

Not to have a go at you mate, it just gives me a chance to ask where did everyone get the idea it has to be one or the other?

Don't know, that just seemed to be the discussion when I piped in. I perhaps read wrongly.

As I said, both would be great.

I guess both would be negative money earners so in terms of covering the costs or stretching current resources the FFA may be looking at one of these at a time?

[curious]

thres said:

adz said:

hmmmm I don't know how popular it will be if they turn the A-League into a women's comp. I'd still watch tho.

According to some the A-League is partly a womens comp already.... but then Princess Lejier has left.

J Griffiths is a girl......isn't he

[bikinigirl]

. i know how well this one is going to go, but how about a joint youth/womens league?

. with the likes of melissa barbieri playing in the vpl, is it really a stretch?

. this would overcome a few problems establishing separate leagues by halving the number of sides and subsequent expense and maintaining a high standard in terms of personnel

. the women are aguably more technical than the men which is also what should be a focus of a youth/development league so it seems an appropriate match

. once established it could evolve into two separate leagues

. whenever i had thought of either womens or youth league i also thought of them being played as part of an a-league match day as it would guarantee crowds from the begining which would subsequently increase interest - however if two leagues existing i like the idea of linking the womens and youth leagues but separating the mens as 3 games on the one card is too many

. accreditation i assume would also be an issue, but does it matter: non-sanctioned games of good quality must be better than no games at all

. and more mariners teams to support can only be a good thing

[curious]

Would be very lopsided bikini, & I'm sure unfair to both the men & women. The women deserve a league to call their own.

[timmyv]

I all for this Womens A-league. I really hope it happens

[bikinigirl]

curious said:

Would be very lopsided bikini, & I'm sure unfair to both the men & women. The women deserve a league to call their own.

. i probably wasn't clear but i did mean a mixed competition (as in mixed teams)

. but what is the definition of youth?

. certainly don't doubt the women deserve their own league and dare i say more deserved than a youth league, but the cost is the issue - if either league fail for financial reasons it would be a long time before another opportunity would present itself

[curious]

bikinigirl said:

curious said:

Would be very lopsided bikini, & I'm sure unfair to both the men & women. The women deserve a league to call their own.

. i probably wasn't clear but i did mean a mixed competition (as in mixed teams)

. but what is the definition of youth?

[/u]

. certainly don't doubt the women deserve their own league and dare i say more deserved than a youth league, but the cost is the issue - if either league fail for financial reasons it would be a long time before another opportunity would present itself[/quote]

If it was to be the same as the NSL & most state league youth teams, it would be U20's & with 2 overage players allowed (for returning injured & fringe 1st team players). Far from boys. Think of the present players in aleague squads including keepers under 20 years. That's the size, speed & ability the girls would have to deal with.

[Jesus]

State leagues should be run at different times to a-league, so as not to detract from a-league crowds.

No reason why youth and womens league cant be set up simultaneous, Though I would be surprised if they were. Though, if a 16mil grant has been given recently, both would be easily affordable if played before a-league matches.

Will these two significantly push back expansion to the a-league?
Granted they are probably both more required before it.

I think womens games should be played before a-league games, to save on costs, as well as not distracting crowds, but instead building them together. Ofcourse for that to work well would need clubs from the a-league regions i think.

[curious]

jesus said:

State leagues should be run at different times to a-league, so as not to detract from a-league crowds.

No reason why youth and womens league cant be set up simultaneous, Though I would be surprised if they were. Though, if a 16mil grant has been given recently, both would be easily affordable if played before a-league matches.

Will these two significantly push back expansion to the a-league?
Granted they are probably both more required before it.

I think womens games should be played before a-league games, to save on costs, as well as not distracting crowds, but instead building them together. Ofcourse for that to work well would need clubs from the a-league regions i think.

State leagues are predominately winter leagues that don't clash.
The 16 mill grant is simply a continuation of available finds, not over & above previous funds as far as I'm aware.

The FFA will have a good start for a women's league with the funds they will recieve from the WWC.

[dibo (pron. "DIB-OH")]

curious said:

The 16 mill grant is simply a continuation of available finds, not over & above previous funds as far as I'm aware.

i'd gathered from various sources including a roy masters story in the SMH the other day that it's actually a windfall unrelated to ongoing ASC support or other recurrent grants. so basically the reverse of what you just said.

The Federal Minister for Sport, George Brandis, announced a $16 million gift to FFA over four years, an injection of taxpayer funds to meet the sport's significant financial shortfall.

It is "new money" in the sense it has not come from the budget of the Australian Sports Commission, thanks to the cajoling of FFA chairman Frank Lowy, Australia's second-richest man. There has not been a whimper from the other codes - highly surprising, given no sport has ever been treated as generously while taking players, fans, ratings and sponsors' dollars from its rivals.

see the original article here

[curious]

If that's the case it certainly is a big boost in the budget.