2023 Made or break for football in Australia

With the disappointing start of 2022 beginning to come to an end for both Matildas and Sucrose, an A-League season that was marred by Omicron disruptions and optimism surrounding Australia’s fine game, the rest of 2022 and 2023 are becoming increasingly important.

All eyes will be on the football at the Men’s World Cup in Qatar, with the Women’s World Cup just as the best in Asia went to our shores. It could revive the game, or be the last nail in the coffin of Australian football.

With that in mind, football can have a happy and prosperous future if some key issues are implemented at this time.

Paramount + must rise to the top

Advertising breaks during play, interrupted transmissions and the inability to rewind or start live matches on the Paramount + platform have become the norm in its opening season as the “home of Australian football”.

Reaching out to members for feedback is a great start, but service providers must take steps to increase league access and viewing capacity in the future without increasing subscription fees like Stan or Cayo.

With Round ball rules, A new panel show, which debuted a few months ago, is clear evidence of their intentions, while reports of an expanded marquee target list for working with APL are promising. This league has a part of Paramount; If it fails, they fail. Hopefully this incredible pressure produces diamonds.

The FA needs a plan

The publication of the first licensing law for Australian clubs shows the intentions of James Johnson and his organization, which screams for opportunity.

There is no need for any commission, board decision and football politics to outline which club has been selected. Football is being democratized and this guideline is proof of that. Clubs will be evaluated on the basis of infrastructure and qualifications.

However, without a plan for national youth development, can Australians really dream of World Cup success? Japanese football has a 50-year plan, so why shouldn’t we? The FA needs a long-term plan for youth development and this should come within the next two years.

We need direction and policy, and Johnson hopes every kid will kick a ball in their backyard.

With big-budget investments and major sponsors coming from Paramount +, we need a suitable football pyramid. Future A-League success will be built by the fans, and the fans will have to pay.

NSD is a great start. However, community clubs have to reap the rewards of talent development because they are the primary educators of young players. An internal transfer arrangement needs to be implemented within the next 18 months.

Registration required (at youth level) will be treated as contact. If a 15-year-old wonder-kid continues to play in the ranks of an NPL club, if an A-League club loses interest, they will have to compensate the current club adequately. It will reduce registration fees and encourage community clubs to develop and incorporate promising players of all ages, levels and financial backgrounds.

All in all I am overwhelmed, as Australian football fans should be. The game has a heartbeat.

It’s unconscious, but it is, and the current climate is one of optimism and great opportunity. 2023 made or break but the possibilities are endless.

Dare to dream!