The launch of the 2015/16 A-League Season presents challenges and opportunities to improve the professionalism of Australian football according to Professional Footballers Australia (PFA).
PFA Chief Executive Adam Vivian said the first decade of the A-League has been a demonstrable success, with the game becoming an established part of the Australian sporting landscape, but that more needs to be done to ensure its continued development.
“While we are obviously pleased with the development of the game in Australia, we cannot afford to be complacent,” said Vivian. “Australia’s sporting landscape is a competitive market place, and there are many lucrative leagues around the world. We need to:
>> attract and retain quality Australian and international players;
>> ensure that contracts have legitimacy and that the game’s financials are built on solid foundations by continuing to increase the profile, attendance and viewers of the sport;
>> ensure a safe, exiting and unique atmosphere for fans at high quality venues;
>> instill confidence and certainty to all stakeholders by ensuring that clubs operate in a transparent fashion and are well managed with a greater role for club members; and
>> demonstrate a plan to grow women’s football in Australia over the next five years including a television rights deal.
“Football in Australia needs to become more professional and better engage with all of the game’s stakeholders.
“We must make sure the A-League can attract and retain high quality players to ensure a high quality game in Australia.
“To do that, we need a strong financial foundation off the back of a new broadcast agreement so we are able to provide all stakeholders with the quality they deserve.
“But right now we need to improve the operational ability of some clubs and the transparency of football.
“That means adopting all of the recommendations of the Crawford Report and ensuring that members are able to provide an oversight role on the actions of club boards.
“And we need to enshrine atmosphere as a critical component of A-League games. This is what football is all about.
“Football in Australia also needs to do a lot more to grow the women’s game. We have a huge opportunity here to provide something that no other sport in Australia can – high quality men’s and women’s competitions.”
