Launch of 2009 Senior & Junior Metropolitan Competition

[johnydep]

Launch of 2009 Senior & Junior Metropolitan Competition

In season 2009 Football Federation SA will offer a Metropolitan Competition within its current structure. The Metropolitan Competition will be an all inclusive arm complementing the expanding operations of Football Federation SA.

“As a direct consequence of the Crawford Report, (which was an independent review of the structure, governance and management of Soccer in Australia) the FFSA is required to offer an amateur competition. The Metropolitan Competition will be provided for both seniors and juniors and will complement the Federation’s current operations as we strive for complete unity within our sport. With our recent developments in working together with the women’s competition and junior associations, this next step will complete the process”. CEO Michael Carter explained.

For seniors the Federation will offer a Saturday and Sunday Metropolitan Competition with competing teams eligible to participate in the FFSA Cup. The senior Metropolitan Competition will culminate in a Final Series to determine the competition champions and players will have the chance to represent the State through an official State Amateur Team.

The Junior Metropolitan Competition will assist the sport in catering for the rapid growth in participation in our sport by boys and girls and will allow clubs to field teams in the current Junior Premier League and Metropolitan Competition.

“The player pathway within Football Federation SA will near completion through the introduction of the Metropolitan Competition. As the nationally recognised body for the sport we will be a truly inclusive organisation moving forward.” Carter said.

Participants from the age of 6 will have the opportunity to participate in the Junior Metropolitan Competition or Junior Premier League on Sundays. This will enable participants to follow their dreams and enter the National pathway culminating in representation at the National Youth League, National Women’s League, Hyundai A League and Australian level.

For young players who wish to play the sport on a competitive but more recreational level, pathways will be available through the junior competition and onto senior metropolitan competition all within the same structure.

A comprehensive consultative process with key stakeholders will commence immediately in order to establish the complete structure.

For further information please call CEO, Michael Carter on (08) 8354 1422.

[Rodney]

wow interesting times ahead

should this be in the amateurs also?

[Rodney]

collegian league clubs to be under this? wouldnt be surprised this being the next step

[johnydep]

wow interesting times ahead

should this be in the amateurs also?

Yes, very interesting. Also will help during junior trials; now clubs and coaches can choose a team without breaking hearts, theoretically the club can have its Sunday elite teams and Saturday amateur teams. A win-win for all involved.

More information is required before we cheer too loud, but it is looking good.

[The Boss]

This is so typical.

FFSA keep talking about "unity" but because they can't achieve it, they opt for "divide and conquer"

[got balls]

Wow interesting this will help in trials of Juniors without doudt.

I am going to very interested in how this will impact on club resources?

[got balls]

This is so typical.

FFSA keep talking about "unity" but because they can't achieve it, they opt for "divide and conquer"

Boss you can't be serious. You want to start up 'war and peace" again ? Tell the masses why this looks so wrong ?

You are entitled to your opinion but you are starting to sound like a grump everytime FFA-FFSA try and develop the game.

I hope you watched the Olyroos and understand why FFA and secondly why FFSA are trying to change the culture of the game.

[Grouch]

This is going to be awesome for all junior clubs and I believe it will secure Football in Australia.
This would now allow the not so good junior teams eg (From U17) a future for these players to be able to compete in a lower comp from the State Comp for their beloved club. I would have to say that the FFSA are heading into the right direction.
Should be good times ahead.

[Black Hawk]

Agree, providing clubs can provide the facilities/grounds they can provide more playing opportunities for local junior players.

Most clubs will tell heart breaking stories about very keen young players missing out on A and B club sides.

[The Boss]

This is so typical.

FFSA keep talking about "unity" but because they can't achieve it, they opt for "divide and conquer"

Boss you can't be serious. You want to start up 'war and peace" again ? Tell the masses why this looks so wrong ?

You are entitled to your opinion but you are starting to sound like a grump everytime FFA-FFSA try and develop the game.

I hope you watched the Olyroos and understand why FFA and secondly why FFSA are trying to change the culture of the game.

Let me clarify.

Quite the contrary, GB. I want ALL football to be under the FFA - FIFA banner and we need to be united.

Unfortunately it is not happening in this state for various reasons and the FFSA would be under extreme pressure from FFA to get everything in order.

By them not being able to convince the likes of the Amateur League and E&D to get on board has made it difficult and embarrassing.

However, I don't think the answer is setting up a rival competetion to spite the other organisations, especially the Amateur League.

IMO this will just drive a bigger wedge between the organisations and stall any further hope of future negotiations.

And what is it with you guys always blaming our "structure" if we don't perform well on the international stage? Perhaps we should look more at the selection process for coaches and players before we blame our junior structure. Australia, for a small nation should be extremely proud of their recent performances in the World Cup. Too many Aussies have unreal expectations for a relatively small and "young" football nation.

[johnydep]

This is so typical.

FFSA keep talking about "unity" but because they can't achieve it, they opt for "divide and conquer"

Boss you can't be serious. You want to start up 'war and peace" again ? Tell the masses why this looks so wrong ?

You are entitled to your opinion but you are starting to sound like a grump everytime FFA-FFSA try and develop the game.

I hope you watched the Olyroos and understand why FFA and secondly why FFSA are trying to change the culture of the game.

Let me clarify.

Quite the contrary, GB. I want ALL football to be under the FFA - FIFA banner and we need to be united.

Unfortunately it is not happening in this state for various reasons and the FFSA would be under extreme pressure from FFA to get everything in order.

By them not being able to convince the likes of the Amateur League and E&D to get on board has made it difficult and embarrassing.

However, I don't think the answer is setting up a rival competetion to spite the other organisations, especially the Amateur League.

IMO this will just drive a bigger wedge between the organisations and stall any further hope of future negotiations.

This is just my opinion.

Football is like a business - it must provide a quality service, which people want and be viable for the long term. A business plan is required; the FFA/FFSA business plan is the Crawford Report

You can't blame the FFSA for getting on with the FFA's business plan, just because it doesn't match with your opinion.

From where I stand it looks like that the FFSA business plan goes something like this:

• first negotiated with all parties to bring everyone under one umbrella; this failed and nothing more could be done
  Second; bring in Small Sided Games
  Third; change the competition structure so as to be inclusive, fair and allow for expansion.

E&D do not believe in the strategy that FFSA and FFA are heading, that is why negotiations failed; E&D won't budge, FFA/FFSA must follow the business plan, and only have limited room to negotiate.

The FFSA are not doing this to be vindictive, this is only another stage of the business plan (Crawford Report), there should be more to come.

[lefty]

Dont get too carried away read the release carefully they are NOT starting a league in 2009 they are going to start talking to "key stakeholders" which basically means they are going to find out who is interested. I think unfortunately this is what they will get
1. clubs that dont want to be part of E&D and SAASL (wont be too many)
2. college league
3. feds that want to have amateur jun & sen teams (those that have pitches that can cater for it)

My guess is theyre not going to get too much more than theyve already got and will make it more fragmented than it is. Surely this isnt the solution. :?

[adidas7]

lol sorry if i sound like a dumbass but can someone tell me whats acutally going on here lol:P

[Jeda]

lol sorry if i sound like a dumbass but can someone tell me whats acutally going on here lol:P

I think the feds are taking on saturday school football

[Jeda]

Dont get too carried away read the release carefully they are NOT starting a league in 2009 they are going to start talking to "key stakeholders" which basically means they are going to find out who is interested. I think unfortunately this is what they will get
1. clubs that dont want to be part of E&D and SAASL (wont be too many)
2. college league
3. feds that want to have amateur jun & sen teams (those that have pitches that can cater for it)

My guess is theyre not going to get too much more than theyve already got and will make it more fragmented than it is. Surely this isnt the solution. :?

I did read it carefully and got this
In season 2009 Football Federation SA will offer a Metropolitan Competition within its current structure. The Metropolitan Competition will be an all inclusive arm complementing the expanding operations of Football Federation SA.
A comprehensive consultative process with key stakeholders will commence immediately in order to establish the complete structure.

[povman_2009]

Well this is certainly going to prove interesting, where do they expect the players to come from ? Will they attempt to "move" clubs from the Amatuer ranks like Elizabeth Downs, or junior associations like E&D, would be very detrimental to the E&D if clubs like TTG or Vista get involved ...

This is what the rumours were about earlier in the year,

I have no problem with the idea of a unified FFSA and if this is what it takes to shake the "old school out of the trees" then so be it.

I look on with interest.

[Green_Manalishi]

lol sorry if i sound like a dumbass but can someone tell me whats acutally going on here lol:P

I think the feds are taking on saturday school football

Which if true shows just how far out of touch with reality FFSA really is.

GM

[theone]

Anyone that thinks the introduction of this new FFSA Metropolitan competition will have a positive effect on junior soccer, should seriously think again. The proposed Junior Metropolitan Competition will be played on SUNDAYS (not Saturdays) - so will be in direct competition with the Junior Premier League.

The Junior Premier League will apparently still retain A, B, C and D divisions - but also played on the same day will be this new Metropolitan Competition for the so-called Amateur clubs.

How will this grow the sport of soccer in this state? The main obstacle impeding the growth of junior soccer in the metro area is the lack of pitches! The solution is not to introduce a new competition played on the same day as the JPL - but to provide more playing fields so existing clubs can expand.

And where will the additional referees come from to officiate at all these matches being played on a Sunday?

The current Super League, Premier League and State League clubs, whose current affiliation fees range from $3,500 - $14,000, will be subsidising the entry of Amateur clubs into the Federation. Where is the equity in that? The FFSA will be providing the same level of service to the Amateur clubs in this new Metro Competition - so why are their affiliation fees not the same?

This is ill-conceived proposal which will be fast tracked by the FFSA - despite any objections the FFSA League clubs may raise. They say that A comprehensive consultative process with key stakeholders will commence immediately in order to establish the complete structure. - but blind freddy could see that the structure has already been decided and will be rubber stamped so the competition can be introduced in 2009.

[johnydep]

Anyone that thinks the introduction of this new FFSA Metropolitan competition will have a positive effect on junior soccer, should seriously think again. The proposed Junior Metropolitan Competition will be played on SUNDAYS (not Saturdays) - so will be in direct competition with the Junior Premier League.

............

I may be wrong here but reading between the lines of the press release I took it to mean; Senior Metropolitan Competition to play Sunday, Junior Metropolitan Competition to play Saturday.

The current Super League, Premier League and State League clubs, whose current affiliation fees range from $3,500 - $14,000, will be subsidising the entry of Amateur clubs into the Federation. Where is the equity in that? The FFSA will be providing the same level of service to the Amateur clubs in this new Metro Competition - so why are their affiliation fees not the same?

Sounds like you mnay have more info on the subject - what else is happening, how will it be implemented, which clubs have been approached?

[The Boss]

This is just my opinion.

Football is like a business - it must provide a quality service, which people want and be viable for the long term. A business plan is required; the FFA/FFSA business plan is the Crawford Report

You can't blame the FFSA for getting on with the FFA's business plan, just because it doesn't match with your opinion.

From where I stand it looks like that the FFSA business plan goes something like this:

• first negotiated with all parties to bring everyone under one umbrella; this failed and nothing more could be done
  Second; bring in Small Sided Games
  Third; change the competition structure so as to be inclusive, fair and allow for expansion.

E&D do not believe in the strategy that FFSA and FFA are heading, that is why negotiations failed; E&D won't budge, FFA/FFSA must follow the business plan, and only have limited room to negotiate.

The FFSA are not doing this to be vindictive, this is only another stage of the business plan (Crawford Report), there should be more to come.

JD, seeing you keep quoting the Crawford report, allow me to quote from the report.

First, one of the findings

"Submissions made to the Committee provided evidence that many of the constituent bodies of Soccer Australia had similar problems, with organisations competing in some states in the administration and staging of soccer. This has resulted in a plethora of problems that can generally be defined as mistrust and disharmony, loss of focus, inappropriate behaviour, and concentration on local or factional issues rather than broad whole-of-sport development and ‘bigger picture’ issues. In addition, there are organisations not officially linked to Soccer Australia, for example, state women’s soccer associations that are also involved in the staging of soccer."

Now, a recommendation

27 "Existing state soccer federations, associations and leagues, including those currently unaffiliated, undertake to amalgamate with Soccer Australia’s recognised state member affiliate."

What FFSA are doing in effect is going against the recommendations of the report. Instead of amalgamating and unifying the sport, they are starting a rival competition against an already established structure.

And don't start me on the "negotiations" with E&D. I can't comment on the SAASL but there was no "negotiating" with E&D.

[Grouch]

I believe that the FFSA had approached E&D and also the SASAL and they both rejected the offer to amalgamate. I would then have to say the FFSA has taken the advise of the Crawford report but the other associations have not. Its seems to me that you are now attempting to jump on the boat as it as already departed. Enjoy the swim hope you can stay a float.

[The Boss]

I believe that the FFSA had approached E&D and also the SASAL and they both rejected the offer to amalgamate. I would then have to say the FFSA has taken the advise of the Crawford report but the other associations have not. Its seems to me that you are now attempting to jump on the boat as it as already departed. Enjoy the swim hope you can stay a float.

Grouch, this is exactly the type of attitude that has to be eradicated from the sport.

[theone]

Anyone that thinks the introduction of this new FFSA Metropolitan competition will have a positive effect on junior soccer, should seriously think again. The proposed Junior Metropolitan Competition will be played on SUNDAYS (not Saturdays) - so will be in direct competition with the Junior Premier League.

............

I may be wrong here but reading between the lines of the press release I took it to mean; Senior Metropolitan Competition to play Sunday, Junior Metropolitan Competition to play Saturday.

The current Super League, Premier League and State League clubs, whose current affiliation fees range from $3,500 - $14,000, will be subsidising the entry of Amateur clubs into the Federation. Where is the equity in that? The FFSA will be providing the same level of service to the Amateur clubs in this new Metro Competition - so why are their affiliation fees not the same?

Sounds like you mnay have more info on the subject - what else is happening, how will it be implemented, which clubs have been approached?

My understanding is the reason the juniors would play Sunday is the affilited junior soccer associations did not want any competiion to theres on the Saturday - understandable. The clubs are not happy, not about what they want to do but about how they have gone about it - without consulting the clubs and getting some input first. I would suggest there would only be 1 league in the juniors and the B leagues down would be scrapped eventually which would have a huge impact on the large clubs with many teams.

[Rodney]

Grouch, this is exactly the type of attitude that has to be eradicated from the sport.

Boss, you sound like a sour krout! Who are you to tell someone their attitude should be eradicated. That's what forums (people expressing their thoughts and opinions) are for or haven't you noticed! We have to read yours!

[The Boss]

Grouch, this is exactly the type of attitude that has to be eradicated from the sport.

Boss, you sound like a sour krout! Who are you to tell someone their attitude should be eradicated. That's what forums (people exdpressimg their thoughts and opinions) are for or haven't you noticed! We have to read yours!

If you have read some of my other posts, you will understand my passion, commitment and dedication to the sport, especially at junior level.

I would be the first to put my hand up and say that we all have to work together in unity and the important thing is we must keep working at it.

So when people make comments like, "Enjoy the swim hope you can stay a float", it goes against the very fabric of what we all work so hard for.

[povman_2009]

TB, so you would support the joining of E&D into FFSA then ?

[The Boss]

TB, so you would support the joining of E&D into FFSA then ?

I have said on many occasions that it has to happen. It has to happen for the sport.

Unfortunately nonsense like this just creates more animosity again.

[Sign Him]

this will be very interesting to see how many players are willing to do this.. will the intensity rise in these "ametuer" games

[E. Grant & Co]

Has anything else happened this week on this subject?