FFSA Metropolitan Competition

[TheWingBack]

Has everyone seen this yet: http://www.ffsa.com.au/default.asp?Item ... =72&cid=73

Now that the FFSA has started their own amateur competition for 2009 what will happen to the SAASL? The first thing I think of is the current FFSA clubs creating their own amatuer teams which will impact SAASL clubs or even lose SAASL clubs across, such as Polonia, Comets, etc. Then what will happen with referee numbers with 2 competing leagues chasing a limited number of referees available?

Seems like the SAASL could be in some trouble here but then again I don't know the full background.

Are there any clubs out there considering switching leagues or adding teams to the new Metropolitan Competition?

[Rodney]

On junior threads - college teams could come into the equation?

[I Am Number Two]

Maybe a merger deal has already been agreed upon between the two entities....

[De Voyeur]

Very interesting. Will either have a huge impact on the saasl or will fall flat on its face.

[Missing Post Count]

With all due respect all the clubs mentioned above are in the lower divisions of the SAASL. Would any of the top flight sides consider a switch? I don't know all the details, but I can't see why they would want to.

[INTERISTA]

On junior threads - college teams could come into the equation?

doubt it

[kramerica]

Has everyone seen this yet: http://www.ffsa.com.au/default.asp?Item ... =72&cid=73

Now that the FFSA has started their own amateur competition for 2009 what will happen to the SAASL? The first thing I think of is the current FFSA clubs creating their own amatuer teams which will impact SAASL clubs or even lose SAASL clubs across, such as Polonia, Comets, etc. Then what will happen with referee numbers with 2 competing leagues chasing a limited number of referees available?

Seems like the SAASL could be in some trouble here but then again I don't know the full background.

Are there any clubs out there considering switching leagues or adding teams to the new Metropolitan Competition?

Here's a chance for some of the lower division clubs to go straight into Div 1.

[LeBron]

Maybe a merger deal has already been agreed upon between the two entities....

From what I've heard......far from it!!!

[TheWingBack]

With all due respect all the clubs mentioned above are in the lower divisions of the SAASL. Would any of the top flight sides consider a switch? I don't know all the details, but I can't see why they would want to.

They may be in lower divisions, but I know from speaking to one particular club president of a Super League club that they would like to have amateur teams for their players in the U/17 and U/19 who don't make it to play in and for those players who are no longer up to the standards for Reserves/First Team to fall back into. Just think about the potential numbers of players that clubs in that position could generate to continue building their presence, off-field income and generate a possible feeding ground for younger players to develop to continue their progression into Senior Football for Reserves/First Team. Plus with this sort of approach these teams could climb the divisions quickly, just look at Pontians and Adelaide Villa as an example of what happens when you get decent players at a club over consecutive years.

As for the established teams in Sunday/Saturday of the SAASL I agree there may be no "pressure" or current reason to switch but what about the long-term effects. A sensible committee will always consider the options and the pros and cons. What if they see a chance to become more aligned with the FFSA and from that generate interest in getting greater exposure and in turn sponsorship and of course in turn income? What if they think they could attract better players? What if they think they could get better conditions? So many possibilities but still so much information to be provided by the FFSA to understand the options and impact.

I just hope that the SAASL advises clubs of what it is doing in response and has a plan in place to address this challenge to being the current major amatuer competition in SA. As I understand it most states have had their amatuer league join FFSA as was being investigated previously between SAASL and FFSA.

[Shaken Not Stirred]

Will have a presence but more then likely won't work. Those club involved in FFA would prefer to inject there income into there Federation Teams then the amateur sides. Fed clubs have tried to promote an amateur team in the past with little success. The problem is the amateur side needs to support itself which makes it very difficult when the Feb club takes all bar taking etc. The Fed clubs are not interested in running the side nor subsidising ref fees, possible coach and/or players payments etc.

The FFA will encourage this but unless they subsidise clubs to promote and manage these team it will just whittle away.

[TheWingBack]

I was discussing this briefly with the President at my club last night just to get another opinion on the effect of this new competition and he raised an interesting point. If teams in the current FFSA competition put in amateur teams, will excess players from the Reserves and U/19's be able to play in the amateur team?

This is probably the point at which the FFSA need to provide the rules around their competition so everyone understands the possibilities and like Shaken Not Stirred said, current FFSA clubs will likely require the amateur teams to still financiallys support themselves. This being said a lot of current amateur teams do that already so a merger of an amateur club with a FFSA club may be possible or even just some way in ensuring that the amateur team breaks even with their costs and then the club gets the benefit of a greater membership base and the takings at the bar/clubrooms.

Thinking about it though this is a bit like a teaser from the FFSA, "Hey we're starting an amateur competition next year, but we're not telling you how or anything else about it and it'll be starting in 6 months." Reminds me of those crazy ads for David Tench, then when we found out who he was it was an intersting gimmick for 30 minutes and then disappeared quickly afterwards.

[Rob Lozza]

FFSA Metropolitan Competition? Re-badge of the Collegiate Soccer League??

[Left Right Out]

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.

_________________
Admin.
webmaster@footballnews.com.au

[swannsong]

post # 4713

One thing that is very obvious is that there is a already a shortage of good club facilities and playing areas.
Most FFSA grounds are pretty much over used.
Where this new league is going to get these facilities from I wonder.
The only way is to poach established teams with leased facilities from the SAASL.
Personally I think it is an aggressive and provocative action from FFSA that may create new divisions but will create an even bigger division between the FFSA ans the SAASL.
Fix up FFSA's current divisions first before trying to start something else.
The SAASL is one of the best Amateur Leagues in Australia and alongside one of the best Junior bodies in Australia, the EDJSA. FFSA's efforts to try and undermine these setups will harm football in SA.

[kramerica]

post # 4713

One thing that is very obvious is that there is a already a shortage of good club facilities and playing areas.
Most FFSA grounds are pretty much over used.
Where this new league is going to get these facilities from I wonder.
The only way is to poach established teams with leased facilities from the SAASL.
Personally I think it is an aggressive and provocative action from FFSA that may create new divisions but will create an even bigger division between the FFSA ans the SAASL.
Fix up FFSA's current divisions first before trying to start something else.
The SAASL is one of the best Amateur Leagues in Australia and alongside one of the best Junior bodies in Australia, the EDJSA. FFSA's efforts to try and undermine these setups will harm football in SA.

You got it absolutely right. Let me make this point clear:
If the FFSA allow players to go up and down from State/Premier/Super to this new FFSA league & vice versa.
The teams for this new league, will come from existing amateur clubs, that already have there own grounds and facilities, that are affiliated with a FFSA club. Some examples, Comets, Croatia, Beograd, Port Lion, Polonia, etc.

[Mr Right]

Re the potential shortage of referees, my understanding is the referee associations have or will become affiliated with the FFSA and then will only referee at matches of similar affiliated organisations, which would currently exclude Amateurs, EDJSA and SDJSA.

[TheWingBack]

Isn't that great about the referees, it's not like they're important to games being played

[Rob Lozza]

post # 4713

One thing that is very obvious is that there is a already a shortage of good club facilities and playing areas.
Most FFSA grounds are pretty much over used.
Where this new league is going to get these facilities from I wonder.
The only way is to poach established teams with leased facilities from the SAASL.
Personally I think it is an aggressive and provocative action from FFSA that may create new divisions but will create an even bigger division between the FFSA ans the SAASL.
Fix up FFSA's current divisions first before trying to start something else.
The SAASL is one of the best Amateur Leagues in Australia and alongside one of the best Junior bodies in Australia, the EDJSA. FFSA's efforts to try and undermine these setups will harm football in SA.

You got it absolutely right. Let me make this point clear:
If the FFSA allow players to go up and down from State/Premier/Super to this new FFSA league & vice versa.
The teams for this new league, will come from existing amateur clubs, that already have there own grounds and facilities, that are affiliated with a FFSA club. Some examples, Comets, Croatia, Beograd, Port Lion, Polonia, etc.

I also agree that the FFSA's action appears to be aggressive, provocative and undermining! I am therefore sceptical and see absolutely no reason for it.

Re the potential shortage of referees, my understanding is the referee associations have or will become affiliated with the FFSA and then will only referee at matches of similar affiliated organisations, which would currently exclude Amateurs, EDJSA and SDJSA.

Mr Right...you are indeed correct! In fact, the SAASRA President - Andrew Leedham - is also the Referee Standing Committee: http://www.ffsa.com.au/refcont.asp

[Mr Right]

But hasn't this been the stance since day 1 that the FFSA has said it wants an amateur competition and the first preference was to bring the current amateur competition in to cover that. If for any reason the current amateur association didn't join up then the FFSA would go alone would have been known.

[Wraith]

Would be nice if the SAASL at least gave the clubs an indication of what is going on.

Without the refs to officiate the games - would surely place the SAASL in a difficult situation. I cant imagine the senior games being officiated by club refs - would do more harm than good, because the perception of bias will always be present amongst the other team.

[TheWingBack]

I've heard that the FFA, as a result of the Crawford Report, requires the FFSA (and all other FFA state bodies) to create an amateur competition by a certain date, which may be the 2009 season. So for this to actually be met all they need is a single division and as mentioned previously maybe it will be the Collegiate League.

I just hope that the FFSA and SAASL can work together as from the rumours I've heard the FFSA want to absorb the SAASL, but SAASL are saying no as they have developed a strong competition with significant income and stability wheras the FFSA is income poor and from what I hear some of the fed clubs are doing it tough money-wise and the SAASL doesn't want to subsidise them.

[Car Park Keeper]

There used to be 2 amateur Aust Rules Football competitions in the state. SAAFA & SAAFL, with SAAFA being a breakaway league initially offering bigger $$$ to players & television coverage. Eventually TV coverage ceased, $$ ran out and clubs were paying hefty fees to be affiliated to SAAFA.

Clubs one by one went back to the SAAFL & started in Div 5, those that went back early prospered & rose through the ranks. Those that were left when it eventually folded are mainly a shadow of their former selves, playing in the lower divisions of the SAAFL.

My advice to clubs is that only one association will end up existing in the long run & staying with the wrong one could spell the end of a club. Usually at an amatuer club the $ are most relevant (ie whomever charges the most will be the loser) since revenue coming in is not huge. Hollow promises made by associations of how they can increase revenue are usually that!!

[A Mature League]

Can anyone from SAASL or FFSA explain why the issue cannot be resolve by incorporating the SAASL as a somewhat financially independant body within the FFSA structure ?
Where have the negotiations broken down and why.
Doesn't every registered SAASL player, team, Club deserve a comprehensive explanation ?

[medallion]

Can anyone from SAASL or FFSA explain why the issue cannot be resolve by incorporating the SAASL as a somewhat financially independant body within the FFSA structure ?
Where have the negotiations broken down and why.
Doesn't every registered SAASL player, team, Club deserve a comprehensive explanation ?

Agree, but unfortunately in todays society there may be too much logic in your reasoning hence why the SAASL clubs are left in the dark as usual.

[The Kop]

Has anyone actually read the Crawford report??
I remember skimming over it last year and out of the X amount if recommendations, very few were in place/wheels in motion.

Looks like theres another agenda and when the justification comes into question the easy option is the point the finger at the text written by a retired accountant from 6 years ago......

[laney]

Will have a presence but more then likely won't work. Those club involved in FFA would prefer to inject there income into there Federation Teams then the amateur sides. Fed clubs have tried to promote an amateur team in the past with little success. The problem is the amateur side needs to support itself which makes it very difficult when the Feb club takes all bar taking etc. The Fed clubs are not interested in running the side nor subsidising ref fees, possible coach and/or players payments etc.

The FFA will encourage this but unless they subsidise clubs to promote and manage these team it will just whittle away.

This is why the jets left the modbury soccer club 10 yrs ago.
All the modbury soccer club wanted was our money with no return from them at all
On our own we have money in the bank and assets.
We have more of a social/community aspect and are growing each year.
In my opinion we would not want to return to the old days of being a left out side to
the feds(thats my opinion as a commity member of the jets afc)

[Hawkesy]

will you be able to be registered for the metropolitan and the amateur league. If so, i'd like to join one of these club that play on a sunday.

[Missing Post Count]

will you be able to be registered for the metropolitan and the amateur league. If so, i'd like to join one of these club that play on a sunday.

Best bet is go to a club with sides on both days (eg. Adelaide Villa or Munno Para) and see what they say about playing both days.

[Hawkesy]

Best bet is go to a club with sides on both days (eg. Adelaide Villa or Munno Para) and see what they say about playing both days.

Have thought about that, Munno Parra is too far though.

Considering moving to Sundays and playing rugby on a saturday.

[laney]

[quote="Hawkesy"][quote="Bodø Glimt"]Best bet is go to a club with sides on both days (eg. Adelaide Villa or Munno Para) and see what they say about playing both days.[/quote]

Have thought about that, Munno Parra is too far though.

Considering moving to Sundays and playing rugby [/color]on a saturday.[/quote]

Ok hawkhead. we all no your a fat boy.but rugby
Stick to running the line mate