OPTUS Sport jump on EVERY single NST announcement like a seagull on a chip...  wishful thinking maybe?

I reckon that FA will be pretty tough in their selection for the NST and we might see 10-12 clubs selected with a few others told what they have to work on to bid for the next 2 spots in the league.  They may also need bids for spots that open up because clubs fail or withdraw.  I don't see P/R with the NPL being introduced until the competition is proved up.

 Of course it would be great to see a third tier national league but I think they will want to get the NST settled as their #1 priority.    

It may have just been more of a token gesture. Just planting the flag stating that they have ambition without the intention (or ability) to go through with it now but maybe in the future.

Brisbane Olympic calling it the B league for some reason



https://olympicfc.net.au/nsd-advanced-to-next-phase-of-selection/ 

I hate that title.  

Me too. A2 I reckon.

bold is the wise move to start with to me as well.......

As for the name, nothing wrong with retaining NPL with the main sponsers name incl to me, eg Qantas NPL,can't see the point following AL or as mentioned A2 - APL owned and they would have the IP of the old AL and current APLM no ?

NST - National Second Tier doesn't ring well to me same goes with NSD.

The obvious choice is NSL -National Second League ......... hahahahahahah  God that would be such a boss move if FA went with it. hahahahahahah

I actually prefer them to be tough in their selection mate.... 1st season is a crucial litmus test I agree and all clubs need to be robust both financially and as a membership base.... Link to state NPLs is vital in the first 2-3 years at worse case but I agree it may be just wishful thinking for a national third tier at this stage. Can only dream though :)

Blacktown not taking the axe well. Expressing their disappointment on social media. 

Looks like they want to take it further

https://blacktowncityfc.com.au/2023/05/11/official-board-statement/

I think a lot of people are shocked about the Blacktown decision. Wonder if they'll have the transparency to explain. Seems suss.

pretty simple, it all comes down to $$$

What $$

Don't blame any long standing strong Club be upset, be interesting IF anything else prevails chasing up FA's response.
Importantly good to see the fight.

either blacktown dont have any, or there proposal was not to the FA's Liking ?! 

the only real surprise from NSW is that Fraser Park is still in there, but if the rumors are true, they have some healthy investors. 

APIA, Marconi, United, Olympic, Rockdale, Wollongong, Sutherland are all better options than Blacktown. 

It doesn't matter. They won't be in it.

I would think that the clubs that missed out deserve the right to see how they were rated and ultimately missed the cut. The lack of transparency isn’t a good look so hopefully they can get some answers.

That being said though, there’s going to be some very hard decisions to be made that may well frustrate other clubs along the way. I think that the FA need to find the right balance, but in doing that, they may well find those that miss out at this stage want to push their case. The FA will need to provide a roadmap to working their way up into the NSD, either through additional expansion. or P&R.

I ultimately think that a max of 14 will be included in the initial competition, with what could well be 1 in SA, 1 in Tasmania, 1 in ACT, 2 in Qld, 4 in Victoria and 5 in NSW. Could see them leaving out an ACT club though if the A League club does find investors and joins that competition from there, which would then see Qld be in line to get another place. 

*I think Blacktown have every right to question the reason behind their exclusion and call for transparency in the selection process....

I wonder what the comments from SOME on here would have been like if it was South Melbourne left out of the selection and we 'dared' to question why, lilke we have done 3 times before???

* But NOT publicly it seems.

From Rugari:




As far as I can see  "Response Evaluation Criteria" are those listed in Part E (Pages 21-23) of the following

https://www.footballaustralia.com.au/sites/ffa/files/2023-02/Invitation%20for%20EOI%20-%20National%20Second%20Tier%20-%20Final_0.pdf

Surprised that wasn't pointed out to them before FA made the announcement, but given their Statement alludes to some correspondence it's starting to sound like excuses for not fully following the FA's reasonably clear instruction.

I suspect you are right mate... Looks like Blacktown didnt read the read the fine print.... 

7.3 Media communications(a) Registrants and Respondents acknowledge and agree that they must not use anymedia, including print, television, radio, social media or any other similarcommunication platforms in a way which may reflect adversely on Football Australiaor another Respondent in relation to this Invitation for EOI.(b) If a Registrant or Respondent considers that it must make a public or mediastatement in relation to this Invitation for EOI, it must first discuss the timing andcontent of such statement with Football Australia and use best endeavours toincorporate any feedback which Football Australia may express in relation to thestatement.

and

7.13 ExclusionEach Registrant and Respondent acknowledges and agrees that:(a) to the extent permitted by law, Football Australia has no and will have no liability toany Registrant or Respondent in tort (including negligence), contract, consumer lawand bailment for any and all acts or omissions of Football Australia, its employees,agents and subcontractors arising out of or in relation to this Invitation for EOI,including any failure of Football Australia to comply with, enforce or otherwise act inaccordance with its terms;(b) they will not bring any claim or proceeding against Football Australia for any damage,loss, injury or liability that the Registrant or Respondent may suffer in relation to thisInvitation for EOI, including but not limited to any loss as a result of any inaccuracyor inadequacy in any information provided by Football Australia or any reliance onsuch information by the Registrant or Respondent; and(c) any decision or determination (or similar) exercisable by Football Australia may beexercised in Football Australia’s sole and absolute discretion, and any approvalrequired to be given by Football Australia, may be given or withheld in FootballAustralia’s sole and absolute discretion or given subject to any conditions as theFootball Australia determines in its sole and absolute discretion.

and

7.17 No offer(a) This Invitation for EOI is not an offer.(b) This Invitation for EOI is a formal request for Registrants to submit an EOI Responseand Registrants and Respondents are bound by the terms of this Invitation for EOI.(c) For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Invitation for EOI is to be construed ascreating any binding obligation on Football Australia to select any Respondent as aShortlisted Respondent or enter into any Transaction Documents with aRespondent.

following since good to see some info re BC, as you say if you don't read everything and means everything and follow it to a T you can only blame yourselves.

haha IF SMH were or knocked back you imagine the certain respones from you know who more than anyone else.

No, not Portuguese.

Like any bid, proposal, submission or offer in any industry (except perhaps the public service), if the omissions were of a minor matter, they would have been alerted to the fact. For the FA to cancel them off, the omission or invalid response must have been of material importance.

I think there are a few more factors here such as scale efficiencies and also the football operations perspective of how many games is optimal for the players. I don't get the feeling that a JON like figure is going to come in like with the aleague and declare it soley about economics and marketability, make it 8 teams and arbitrarily jettison bids that don't fit an idea. We are referring to "bidders" but these are almost exclusively established clubs and it's actually due to their energies that this league actually exists.

Should be called the NPL. ‘No Promotion League’

It is really weird that Blacktown has not progressed. Clearly performance on the park was not considered an important criteria. 

Not Ponzi League

I guess they could try and squeeze it into "Other' , but not hard to see it isn't important, so they're not helping their cause by wanking on about it.

Evaluation Criteria	Description
Vision	The extent to which the Respondent demonstrates:  A compelling vision for the NST and the club, including the ability to be sustainable, progressive, engaging to the community, and contribute positively to the growth of Australian football and player pathways.  An understanding of the football landscape in Australia, including its opportunities and challenges.  A strong vision for game day presentation including community engagement and venue experience.  The attitudes, ethics, and mindset to underpin a successful long-term collaborative relationship with football stakeholders.
History and Culture	The extent to which the Respondent demonstrates an understanding and appreciation of the history and culture of football in Australia and in the Territory, including clubs and players, national team representation and any participation or connection with that history and culture.
Governance	Information on the existing or proposed governance framework and entity structure and its suitability for the vision of the NST.
Financial Capacity	Existing financial strength or demonstration of the ability to raise finance sufficient to acquire the right to participate in the NST and ensure the sustainable participation that contributes to the growth of the NST.
Capability and Experience	The extent to which the Respondent demonstrates the capability and experience to operate a professional football club.
Other	Such additional criteria as Football Australia may determine are in the best interests of football in Austral

APFL -Australian Premier Football League
or
NPLA - National Premier League (Australia) to distinguish from NPLVIC, NPLWA, NPLNSW etc .... 

Would by my preferences.

Straight APL - Australian Premier League would be the ideal however I believe the name is copyrighted by badminton or darts or something silly like that? lawn bowls maybe I dont remember.