FFA aim for National Second Division in 2021-22

The long-awaited discussion paper from the National Second Division Working Group (NSDWG) has been released by Football Federation Australia today.

The NSDWG was formed after the election of the new Board in November last year and comprised representatives from the Association of Australian Football Clubs (AAFC), the PFA and state member Federations. It was chaired by Board member Remo Nogarotto.

The work on the National Second Division was kicked-off by AAFC in October 2017.

FFA Chairman Chris Nikou said there is a general consensus between the stakeholders that a National Second Division “would be a significant step forward for football”.

“The development of a blueprint for a National Second Division (NSD) which all stakeholders are aligned with is critical to better connect the various levels and pathways throughout the Australian football ecosystem,” Nikou said.

He said that the prupose of the discussion paper is to “provide a well-researched way forward”, not to be definite on the structure and operation of a NSD.

Amongst the key recommendations of the white paper are:

1. Commencement of a NSD in 2021-22 that will be financially sustainable and provide professional pathways for more Australian players

2. Identify a roadmap for the delivery of the National Second Division, starting with financial sustainability, including the securing of commercial and broadcast arrangements as well as start-up capital

3. Establish a steering committee comprising the FFA Chair, two Member Federations, two representatives of the AAFC, one from the PFA and a representative from one A-League Club to act on the recommendations and considerations in the discussion paper.

Nogarotto said the paper is intended to be read in the light of the recommendations of the New Leagues Working Group and to complement FFA’s long term strategic vision to widen and deepen pathways for both clubs, coaches, referees and players.

“Once established, we believe a National Second Division would provide an opportunity for football to broaden its reach to be a truly national game. It also has the potential to build a bridge between state-based National Premier Leagues and the A-League and W-League and heal some divisions that have held the game back.

“Over the last 15 years, football has made great progress, however, there remain strong elements within our sport that feel marginalised. For Australian football to reach its potential, all elements of the game must pull in a single direction,” he said.

He said one of the most challenging elements of this next phase of growth in establishing the National Second Division will be the issue of promotion and relegation.

“If a second-tier competition in the purist form is the objective – one that not only opens up a new pathway for talented footballers but also differentiates our game from other football codes – then a system of promotion and relegation should be considered over the longer term,” he said.

AAFC Chairman, Rabieh Krayem, said he was “absolutely delighted” that the discussion paper is now available.

“When we released our own initial position paper in October 2017, there was a distinct lack of interest from many of the stakeholders and the general view was that this would never work.

“Yet here we are twenty months later, and we have consensus from the key stakeholders, as well as a determination to make it happen.

“As we said at the time, a national second division is good for football, as it helps increase the talent pool and helps give more players more opportunities to play.

“The professional footprint needs to grow and providing a pathway for Australian players is vital to enable national teams of the future to be successful.

The new steering committee will report back to the FFA board by the end of November 2019, with a view to opening Expressions of Interest in the first half of 2020 for the NSD to start in 2021-22.

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A copy of the NSDWG discussion paper is here.