The A-Leagues are in a legitimate existential crisis, pathways are broken, the Olyroos have missed qualification for Paris and even the international teams have been generating headlines for the wrong reasons of late. Football’s problems have been laid bare time and again but solutions have been difficult to come by. We look to fix that by speaking to the most influential figures in the game.
Join football journalist Adam Peacock in a new five-part series, tackling the real issues and solutions facing Australian football.
With over two decades of football experience, and having played and coached the game for a number of years at the grassroots level, he sees football through every lens. Adam is a trusted household name when it comes to the world game, and has hosted Australian and international football coverage for 15 years.
To accompany the written series, Adam Peacock, Robbie Slater and Mark Bosnich will record four complementary podcast episodes. This is the first time the ‘Matchday Saturday’ panel from Fox Sports has been back together in almost five years.
Football’s numbers have exploded in the last 12 months. The Matilda Effect is real. So too the Socceroo effect to a lesser extent. Boys and girls continue to flock to the sport. But there’s a problem. Clubs, mostly run by volunteers, are at capacity, turning players away, struggling to accommodate the ones they have in a facilities sense, and also coaching. How do we navigate a way forward in a complex system to keep these kids playing the game, and falling in love with it?
Out of the big pool of grassroots players, talented ones emerge. Playing fees are astronomical at representative level. Coaching courses are expensive, and the reward, in all probability, isn’t a job that will make ends meet. We deep dive into what is being done to develop our kids to a world class standard
The domestic league, thanks to the epic failures of APL management, are in a recession. Dangerously so for some clubs, who may not make it through winter. Clubs are bleeding money, the APL can’t even cover the salary cap with distributions down. So what now. How do clubs not wither on the vine? Developing and selling players will be key. It is happening, but commercial support is crucial.
Both the Matildas and Socceroos set a new standard for themselves at their recent World Cups. But given all that is happening at the levels below, are those high points that will never be reached again? And are those great moments being capitalised on by those running the game?
The Way Forward will look at what the game could look like in 10 years if it embraces these changes, as opposed to its current state of crisis.
Langwarrin completes Greens sweep, eyes promotion
Langwarrin ended an eight-game winless drought, beating local rival Bentleigh Greens for the second time this VPL1 season, to enhance its promotion hopes.
A-League on the brink of financial disaster
With a betting scandal dominating headlines it can also be revealed that the A-League is on the brink of financial disaster with plans to slash funding to clubs.
Warriors further adrift after missed chances, costly mistake
Despite dominating play, missed chances and a costly goalkeeping error has seen North Geelong Warriors slip further behind in their bid to avoid relegation. Plus, Surf Coast’s winning run continues.
Grand final teams locked in after semi final thrillers
The teams for the A-League grand final are locked in with Central Coast Mariners to host Melbourne Victory at Gosford. This is how the semi finals unfolded.
Why A-League betting scandal could be the tip of the iceberg
The recent A-League betting scandal has highlighted the unhealthy relationship between sport and betting, ERIN SMITH talks to an expert about the damage that can be done at lower levels of sport.
Dad would’ve told me, ‘don’t stuff it up, mate’
Ange Postecoglou’s love of football was forged as a kid driving to games with his dad. Fifty years on, he’s running one of the biggest clubs in the world and knows what his old man’s message would be: “Don’t stuff it up. Make sure you’re successful.”