FFSA independent inquiry Val Migliaccio
From: AdelaideNow September 01, 2011 6:00PM

ADELAIDENOW has obtained a copy of the Football Federation SA's proposed competitions future structure conducted by PFK chartered accountants.

An independent review was ordered by Football Federation SA's board in March.

The document was presented to the FFSA's men's standing committee on Wednesday night.

Read the full story in Friday's The Advertiser.

Proposed Competition Structure Mens Semi Professional Competition
OPTIONS

Following a meeting of members of the Mens Standing Committee on Wednesday night 31st of August it was agreed that the following Competition Structure Options be sent to all clubs prior to the Presidents Meeting scheduled for Wednesday 7 September at Hindmarsh Stadium (Carlsberg Room) at 6.30pm.

The thought process behind the release of information was to ensure that clubs have time to consider each of the

Options listed below to ensure productive discussion at the meeting.

Structure of the Mens Semi Professional Competition

In relation to the competition the review conducted by PKF has clearly indicated;

1 That clubs wish for an increase in the number of teams in leagues is achieved

2 That clubs wish for the number of games to be increased.

3 That FFSA increase prize money levels.

4 That FFSA reduce and equalize Affiliation Fees

Taking into consideration the need and wish to accommodate all clubs within the structure of the current Super, Premier and State Leagues the following options have been developed for consideration.

Mens Standing Committee Recommendation - that option one, or two and or three are considered for 2012.

If option three is agreed then in 2013 option one or two will be implemented.

FOR CONSIDERATION: Change of Names of the Super, Premier and State
Leagues to Premier Division, Division 1 and Division 2 3 etc.

OPTION 1

Premier League - 10 teams (2012) 12 (2013) 12 (2014)

Division 1 - 12 teams (2012) 12 (2013) 12 (2014)

Division 2 - 8-10 teams (2012) 10 (2013) 12 (2014)

Division 3 - 0 teams (2012) 8 (2013) 10 (2014)

Having a staged approach to the expansion of the Federation Competition will ensure that promotion from the 2011 season is honoured and will also allow clubs to have time to prepare for the future expansion plans.

Proposed Competition Format with Option 1

Premier League

Affiliation Fee $12,500

Carlsberg Cup 10 Games

$10,000 Prize Money

Commence January 14

Conclude March 3

Home & Away Season 18 Games plus Finals 5 Series

$46,875 Prize Money

Division 1

Affiliation Fee $7,500

No Formal Pre Season Competition

Home & Away Season 22 Games Plus Finals 6 Series

$28,125 Prize Money

Division 2

Football Federation SA proposes that Division 2 will;

Have limited ground criteria and will not require a fenced facility

However, promotion into Division 1 will require clubs to meet the strict criteria outlined in the competition rules and regulations.

Affiliation Fees will be significantly reduced to encourage clubs to enter the Federation Competitions

Have no Professionally Contracted Players post 2012

Affiliation Fee $1,000

No Pre Season Competition

Home and Away Season 21 Games (3 Rounds) No Finals)

No Prize Money

Possible Equipment Fund up to $4,000

Prize Money Allocation

Premier League Distribution

Minor Premier $14,062.50

Grand Final Winner $14,062.50

Runner Up $9,375

3rd Place $4,687.50

4th Place $2,343.75

5th Place $2,343.75

TOTAL $46, 875

Division 1 Prize Money Allocation

Premier League Distribution

Champion $8437.50

2nd Place $5,625

3rd Place $4,922

4th Place $4,219

5th Place $2,812.50

6th Place $2,109

TOTAL $28,125

BENEFITS

Premier League

Premier League Pre Season Competition commencing February

FFSA honour promotion and relegation from 2011 season

Increased Prize Money

Increase in the number of games x 4 in 2013

Increase in the number of teams x 2 in 2013

No increase in cost

Entry into FFA Cup Competition

Division 1

Increased number of games x 4

Increase in the number of teams in the league

Increase in Prize Money

Entry into FFA Cup Competition

Division 2

Significantly reduced fees

No Ground Criteria, however promotion will require clubs to fulfil

Ground Criteria outlined in the Rules and Regulations.

Continued promotion into the Premier League if Ground Criteria is met

Entry into the FFA Cup Competition

Continued pathway for young players

No requirement to field junior teams, however those clubs that have junior teams will be permitted to enter into the Junior Premier League

Competition.

Access to Facility Grants supported by Football Federation SA

Encourage new clubs to enter into the FFSA Competitions

ISSUES AGAINST STRUCTURE

Super League
No increase in the number of games played in 2012, however increase x 4 in 2013

No increase in the size of the league in 2012, however increase x 2 in 2013

Premier League

Increase in Affiliation Fee

Increase in cost to cater for more games including player wages and referee fees

No pre Season Competition

State League

No Prize Money

No Finals Series

Risk that no new clubs enter the competition


OPTION 2

Super League

Teams 14

Games 26 plus Finals Series

Affiliation Fees $10,500 + GST

Prize Money $71,000

Premier League

Teams 16

Games 30 NO Finals Series

Affiliation Fees $6,000 + GST

Prize Money $46,000

Season Calendar

Super League

Commence Season March 3

End of Minor Round August 25

Finals Series Commencement September 3

Grand Final Weekend of September 24

Premier League

Commence Season March 3

End of Minor Round Weekend of September 24

Key Issues

1. The Pre Season will be based purely on trial games.

2. There will be no Federation Cup This will be replaced by the FFA
Cup.

3. FFA Cup Games will be played on Long Week Ends with no breaks
during the season.

4. Clubs who do not have home grounds available in the early rounds will
either forego their home matches or identify an alternative ground until
their home ground becomes available.

NOTE: The scheduled home team will be required to pay for Referees if games are moved from
home grounds. Further, fixtures will not be reversed if grounds are not
available.

5. Clubs will need to find an additional $4,500 - $6,000 per game in the
Super League. Additional Funds to be found = $36,000 - $48,000

6. Clubs will need to find an additional $3,000 - $4,000 per game in the
Premier League to cover player wages and referee fees. Additional
Funds per game = $36,000 - $48,000

7. The additional wear and tear on playing fields will be significant.

8. The additional workload on volunteers will be significant.

9. Fixtures will be drawn on a home and away basis where possible.

10. Promotion and Relegation will be 2 up and two down.

11. 1st past the post in the Premier League will be Champions

12. All affiliation fees will be paid in FULL at time of nomination.

OPTION 3

Option 3 is to maintain the structure in 2012 as was the case in 2011 with a view to
ensure all clubs have the opportunity to participate in next season knowing all conditions
of the competition structure in 2013.

Option 3

Premier League - 10 teams (2012) 12 (2013) 12 (2014)

Division 1 - 10 teams (2012) 12 (2013) 12 (2014)

Division 2 - 10 teams (2012) 8-10 (2013) 12 (2014).

Key Issues

1. Fixtures will be drawn on a home and away basis where possible.

2. Promotion and Relegation will be 2 up and zero down in 2012.

3. 1st past the post in the Premier League will automatically gain promotion
into the Super League Competition. Winner of the Grand Final (or runner
up if winner of Minor Round is same) will gain the second promotion
position.

4. 1st past the post in the State League will automatically gain promotion into
the Premier League Competition. Winner of the Grand Final (or runner up
if winner of Minor Round is same) will gain the second promotion position.

5. All affiliation fees will be paid in FULL at time of nomination