Australia's second-tier soccer clubs will continue their push for a national second division, but are prepared to work with Football Federation Australia on its creation.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The newly formed Australian Association of Football Clubs met for the first time in Melbourne on Monday night and refined its list of demands to create what it argues is a more inclusive approach to the way the game is run and structured.
The key priority is the creation of a national second division, but delegates agreed that the best way forward is to work within the existing framework of the sport rather than lead a breakaway to challenge FFA and the A-League.
The group believes a second-level competition could be set up as early as the 2018-19 season. Whether that will be a national league, or one comprised of two conferences is yet to be determined.
It will seek support from state and local governments to help fund the process and step up the search for commercial and business partners to boost investment in the second-level clubs.
Critics claim the AAFC has underestimated the funds required, particularly for travel and accommodation for away games, but the group counters that many of the costs required for player payments and administrative staff are already in existing club budgets.
It will also press for seats at the reconstituted FFA Congress when the game's governing body reaches an agreement with the A-League clubs, the state federations and the PFA on the numbers for the new policy-making body.
In addition, the group will seek input from A-League clubs, which are expected to be supportive of initiatives to grow the game and build a professional infrastructure.
The new organisation has not said whether it would push for instant promotion and relegation from the A-League.
It is more likely that there will be a transition period.
One possible solution - with the FFA having ruled out expansion of the A-League for at least two seasons - is that the champion clubs could be promoted in the first few years so that the A-League was increased to 16 teams before any relegation was considered.
However, the demands of sponsors and broadcaster Fox Sports would have to be taken into account if the A-League was to be remodelled. It has made clear it wants teams in big city television markets.
Melbourne lawyer Tom Kalas, elected chairman of the AAFC on Monday, said: "Nearly 100 clubs have come together. We have agreed on six key issues. We now want to begin formal engagement with all the stakeholders, particularly the FFA, to find common solutions that will benefit the whole of the game."
