New focus on future
11-point plan to unlock soccer’s potential
THE ambitious plan to awaken Australian sport’s sleeping giant has been unveiled.
Football Federation Australia on Thursday delivered an 11point manifesto CEO James Johnson believes can “transform” the nature of soccer in this country across the next decade-and-a-half and unlock the potential within.
The document contains an emphasis on youth development and grooming coaches, as well as introducing a more rigid transfer system — which has cost the game “millions of dollars” — while knocking down barriers for grassroots players.
The growth of the women’s game, too, remains an enormous focus, not least of all because of last week’s historic winning bid to host the 2023 Women’s World Cup with New Zealand.
The COVID-19 crisis and the financial burden it has placed on the soccer world, was a catalyst for the need for change and the creation of this document, which has drawn on the views of people at all levels of the game.
“Despite a tumultuous few months, FFA has felt it necessary to consider the direction and future of Australian football,” Johnson said.
“The 11 principles are the next step in not just the rebuild but the transformation of Australian football.”
Johnson cited the example of powerhouse Germany as a nation that had a streamlined set of ideals Australia could draw inspiration from.
“They are a country that understands the value of having a strong professional game, they understand the value of having strong national teams and the link between the two and they understand the value of having a very strong participation base,” he said.
Johnson identified grassroots and women’s soccer as particular areas where Australia could forge its identity in the world game.
“Not only do we have high numbers but we have such a diverse group of people who play football — men, women, people of different colour, people of different ethnicity,” he said. “We’re very proud with our national teams, particularly our
Matildas at the moment, and we have leagues that are, or have the opportunity to be, local but global leagues.”
While the current crop of Socceroos continues to compete at the highest levels and is on track to reach a fifth consecutive World Cup, there have long been concerns about whether a new “golden generation” may materialise.
Johnson made it clear improvements were needed in that area, creating clearer pathways and carving out ways to get more gametime for the best developing players.