State soccer in disarray
Date
September 8, 2013

Michael Lynch

Threats of court action and demands for the Football Federation Victoria board to resign have turned an already bitter battle into a stoush over the future direction of soccer in the state.

FFV's bid to attract applications for the new National Premier League Victoria has fallen well short of expectations, with only 15 entities having submitted claims so far.

The NPLV is part of a nationwide program developed by Football Federation Australia to change the structure of elite state soccer around the country and ultimately create the basis for a second division of the A-League.

In most other states this has been a rebranding exercise, with the top state league sides being absorbed into the new NPL. Victoria sought a more radical transformation, with teams represented on a zonal basis, paving the way for rural and regional clubs to form part of the competition, which could have included a host of new entities.

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The traditional sides have rebelled, and so far none of the big-name teams have applied. Some 53, including former National Soccer League powerhouses such as the Melbourne Knights and South Melbourne, have fought against the new set-up, arguing it penalises community clubs.

FFV has so far refused to meet any of their demands, leading to an increasingly caustic war of words.

A mediation session between two of the plaintiffs representing the dissident clubs and FFV has been set for later this month, while the clubs have called for the entire FFV board to resign.

FFV is sticking to its guns, and is evaluating the applications, which are understood to include two from the metropolitan area, six from country zones, and seven from new consortiums that do not have any players, coaches or infrastructure.

FFV has indicated it is prepared to extend its now-expired deadline for any fresh applications - which could be an olive branch, particularly if some ground can be made at the mediation session.



Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/sport/soccer/state-soccer-in-disarray-20130907-2tcan.html#ixzz2eCnlvZNE

Lets hope the 'clever 'directors of the current Incorporated Association (FFV), wants to fight & stay on.

Many would like nothing more than to see them wound up and those directors liable for the debts of that incorporated association they have mismanaged.

If they resign or get thrown out...they don't suffer much financial pain.

They have cost our code way too much to get out of this unscathed

The NPL is a juggernaut in some states.

I think there has been too much discussion on here about the NPL in Victoria.

In Tasmania we have gone from no state league, straight to the NPL, in a matter of months. Nearly all embrace the new state NPL and there is much more media coverage and bigger crowds at football.=d>

NPLV in disarray, don't lump this on other states Lynchy.

-PB

It does say state soccer and is written in a Melbourne newspaper soooooooo...

No doubt that the NPL has jump started Queensland and Tasmania.

Edited by theselectfew: 12/9/2013 04:37:32 PM