Kids and amateurs slugged by higher FFA fees....
.......The 2-0 loss to Peru in the final group match last week has had serious consequences, not only sending Australia packing from the finals but seeing FFA miss out on a $5.5 million windfall they would have received for getting to the Round of 16. It would have been on top of the $10m they already received for qualifying for Russia.
FFA is only expected to break even after taking into account spending of more than $300,000 to each squad player, the pre-tournament base in Turkey and funds used to pay for accommodation and charter flights for VIPs.
While it is understood a number of local associations around the country have yet to be told of the hike in registration fees, The Australian has seen an email circulated to A-League clubs in which FFA foreshadows the increase.
In the letter, FFA chief executive David Gallop said the extra funds would help the programs for the junior national teams.
“FFA will generate additional revenue from grassroots participants by way of an increase to the National Registration Fee (NRF) applicable to participants for the first time since 2013,” Gallop wrote. “The additional NRF income will primarily be directed towards programs for the junior national teams (under 17s and under 19s) and the Matildas.”
As it stands now, juniors are charged $12.60 each by the FFA while adults have to pay $25...........
Under the new structure, the fee for juniors will rise to $14 and to $33 for adults.
That is on top of the club’s registration fee which can run from more than $200 for an under-6s player to $500 for an adult.