I can't understand why there are complaints about the NST being played in winter. For starters, if there is to be any broadcasting rights wouldn't it be best if the NST does not compete with the A-League?  It may be a long shot, but if the product has some viewing potential, why would you want to compete with the A-League? Even if there is only one game televised of FTA, wouldn't it add incentives for sponsorships? 

I believe football is best played in winter. It allows for a faster game. It also makes it easier to add teams, should there be sufficient demand. As far the APL is concerned, it is an opportunity to test the waters for an A-League switch to winter.  Hopefully, by the time that happens, the NST competition will have established their credentials.

I am from Perth, and the only reason why no serious submissions were made from here is simply the cost. We don't have an independent money stream as you would get from Pokies.  Also, local crowds are much lower even at the top levels.

2 more clubs are rumoured to be on the verge of being announced.... as per 3XY radio football show last night????? 

Per SMFC Mike: SMFC President N. Maikousis on 3XY stated he believes FA is close to having 2 clubs already over the line for the NSD/T. Nick did say he expects FA to have a steady program of rolling out announcements between now & the start of the NSD/T.

do we know who?

Sunshine Coast would be a pretty fair guess for one of them. They stated last week that they would be in talks with FA this month and were still very much pursuing a spot in 2025. Their issues seem to be a bit unique in that their proposal was probably on par with the other 8, but have other unresolved matters with FQ that were getting in the way.

Its actually a decent football show on Sunday nights..... usual call ins from local football figures from VIC NPL and state leagues. 

Considering the Victorian source I was thinking the Bergers and the Knights. If that is the case I hope we still get at least a couple more after that. I'd like to see the start with a 14 team comp with Brisbane United, Sunshine Coast, South Hobart and possibly the SA Federation proposal as well.    

No names mentioned (that I heard but I was in and out of the car so didnt hear the whole thing) but I am also hearing (from another source) that 2 x QLD (presume United bid and Sunshine Coast) and 1 x VIC  (Not Heidelberg :P )

Rockdale City Suns (Iliden) has put out a press release on their socials, expressing an interest to join NSD.

I'd love to see the original 8 plus the self announced clubs
1. Melbourne Knights
2. Brisbane United
3. Sunshine Coast Fire
4. Gold Coast United
5. Heidelberg
6. South Hobart
7. Rockdale

plus the SA Federation proposal.

I think its dreaming 3 from Qld though if the State had it s together in the past 3 for its size wouldn't be a prob but 2 at least in the near future.

Rockdale as shown in the other thread had put out their intent in discussion with the FA.
I'd say they'll pass through.
Luv to see MK or Bergs in and be good having a SA Club.

I'm punting on 12 Clubs to start for 25 fingers crossed.

12  clubs would be great, 14 or even 16 clubs would be even better :) 

The most promising thing in all this for me is that "the announcement" of the 8 x foundation clubs has driven interest from all the other clubs in Australia into overdrive... If nothing else, at least there is a conversation now about a "real" league starting in 2025....  Watch some of the bigger NPL clubs start getting pressure from their membership bases to improve both on and off the pitch - THATS the biggest benefit in all this for me.

From Reddit: "The Adelaide City grapevine that I'm (distantly) connected to seems to have little faith that this (NST) is actually going to happen and firmly believes that the club's that have put up $500k will not live to see the end of this saga. But I have no idea if that's actually the view of the club's leaders or just the ramblings of long term fans."

I must say I doubt that if SMFC or SU58 could survive both the NSL and the A-League, they'll be killed by the NST!

Clubs may very well experience a devastating financial hit if this all goes belly up but they have faced hard times before and will again... These are "not for profit" sports clubs first and foremost so as long as there is some form of football being played, the "club" will survive... On the other hand, ambition dictates that these clubs strive to play in as big a level on the pyramid as they possible can... National exposure will mean MORE sponsorship dollars and crowds not less than they are currently getting.

People need to calm the fuck down and realise these are not new business ventures starting up on borrowed finance, they are clubs with more than half a century's worth of experience running on the smell of an oily rag. 

This years AGM (in Jan I believe) will be a better attended one than in recent times as every member would be keen to see how we plan to tackle this new league... Im hearing that we have assured a sponsorhip program which more than adequately covers operating costs and we have already begun a rebuild of the playing squad for next years final NPL season with an eye to the future..... Im sure the other 8 foundation clubs are doing the same right now.

there will always be doom and gloomers, (and are we not surprised that quote comes from a Adelaide supporter who is "distantly" connected lol for lets face it sadly the NPL clubs are more than struggling there - I'll stay on the hope/positive side, have done for more than 20yrs.......
Agreed not a truer word spoken, lose $500k or whatever IF the NST doesn't get going or fails, the long time ol Clubs in will survive hook or by crook.
Have YL/SAP and the Clubs Jnrs to the grass roots.
Some supporters of each Club will put some of their own hard earned in if needed due to passion/loyalty and luv of their Club.
Its not a chain shop, its a religion.

https://www.theinnersanctum.com.au/how-one-of-australias-best-football-academies-is-left-without-a-league/

Disgraceful.

Great thing about democratic institutions is that you can vote the bastards out.  CEO at FQ isn't making friends.

https://www.frontpagefootball.net/post/why-cultural-identity-can-be-a-point-of-difference-for-football-australia-s-national-second-tier

Great piece promoting the importance of ALL clubs outside the Aleague and what they can/will do for the sport in this country....

An example is Nestory Irankunda and his love for Adelaide Croatia Raiders. Irankunda’s junior club does not hide its heritage but embraced a player born in Tanzania to Burundian parents, amongst many other players from diverse backgrounds, like he was their own, so much so that he remains a regular visitor to the club, even as a professional footballer who has recently signed for Bayern Munich.

thanks P - that is absolutely disgusting.
FQ stands for Faaaark Q alright.
Surley JJ/FA would be putting their foot on the throat of FQ saying no this is not right and force the right directive.

This is oz football 101, bloody typical whats been going on for decades, we need a united system full stop.

The effnik angle will only last a while

Bottom line is that the NST is just a bit bigger than a State NPL that's been around for a long time already

Right now we've got another closed league that you've got to be rich enough to be let in.

The only point-of-difference that will make a permanent difference is Pro/Rel

It's only on that solid base of a full pyramid will the "History' of clubs become a bonus to build on further

The NSL failed and was a mess, but we are still bringing back the clubs that were part of that mess? Most of these teams have nowhere near the fans base they once had 20 years ago barring maybe South Melbourne.  A league proved, in the early days that if you get things right off the field the fans will come support a new club. Learn from the mistakes that were made these past 10 years and start 12 new clubs rather bring in old clubs who have bad reputations and a limited ability to draw new supporters to the game?  

As much as I would like to see Glory vs South Melbourne or Sydney United at Perth oval again, I don't like the idea of these old clubs.

We are just going back in time.

An NST is needed. Also, pro/rel is a requirement of fifa although, they are way too easy on Australia. The ex-NSL clubs are best equipped financially to join the NST.

New here?

nah, he just hasn't moved on.....

Sunshine Coast Fire and Melbourne Knights would be my guess as the next two. 

Thats perfectly OK, I dont think the FA or these "old clubs" really like the idea of your type of "supporter" either...

If you read Joey Lynche's excellent piece on ESPN you perhaps see past the false narratives excluding these clubs has created...  Dont see it as "old clubs" returning it, see it as ALL clubs in Australia (barring the franchisees of course)  trying to create an environment that begins and ends at the club ... Just like in every other sport in this country and the world (Barring the US and AFL and NRL top tier)

Australia's history of closed leagues (both the NSL and A-League) faltering in a crowded sporting market has produced a phenomenon where, because it is constantly under siege, the competition has become its own entity that fans begin to root for. Supporters of clubs feel the need to prop up the competition as a whole, rather than concentrate on their own fandom. But that's not the goal here. You don't set up an NST just to have an NST. You do it as part of a journey to produce stronger clubs and mobilise the massive participation base that football in this country loves to brag about. 


https://www.espn.com.au/soccer/story/_/id/38995415/australias-football-pyramid-one-step-closer-reality-now-what

Really? Start 12 new teams? 
Keep in mind we are talking about a 2nd division here, not a top tier.
Who is going to start these clubs? The FA?
Who is going to fund these clubs?
Where are these clubs going to play? It's not like Australia is flush with rectangular stadiums.
Who is going to support these clubs? Just look at how well the expansion clubs have done in the AL. Do you really want 12 Western United's around the country?

I would hazard a guess  that pro/rel IS coming though mate...  Judging by the interest amongst applicants, the push to create a better play off series for NPL (3rd tier) and the focus on CLUBS over LEAGUES as per FA principles then it is coming.... maybe not soon enough for most (myself included) but it IS finally coming. 

Ethnicity is irrelevant... Its nothing more than a base fan group for existing clubs to build something from...  In my way of thinking having 500 die hard rusted on fans, your own history, identity and club rooms going into a new competition means you have a head start over a brand new "lets just plant a flag in a geographic region and hope people flock to it" at least not anymore.... There arent anymore WSW or Melbourne Victories left in Australia....  Look at the abortions that are Macarthur and WU and soon to be joined by Auckland and maybe Canberra....  If WU, for example, really wanted to create a strong Aleague club, they would have been better off served approaching a current club in the West (Werribee City for example) lobbying the council to build them a stadium or improve facilities and thrown their money behind a preexisting club with a small but fiercely loyal fanbase to create a Super Aleague club for the West..... Would be alot more successful after 5 years than a bunch of thugs trying to use a franchise license as a means to get gifted land and roads and utlities paid for by a council in their dog-box housing development.

NST is ALOT bigger than NPL if nothing else it pushes for the improvement of every facet of the clubs involved...  It also forces other clubs who want a piece of the pie to get their shit together.... That is something the NSL and Aleague FAILED at ... failed at miserably..... 

I do agree though, if it is to stay as a closed league it will also fail eventually... 2-3 season of the same old effnik rivalries doesn't appeal to me or anyone else I know.....  So far JJ seems to be going down the right, slow and steady path.... I too wish that the clubs announced for the NST had to qualify for it on the pitch but understand that in order for it to have any hope of surviving it has to at least be steady for a few seasons ... The 8 current clubs are taking a massive punt with this. 

Heres the template FQ used at their last board elections 

Seriously the thought of 12 new clubs is totally farcical just the mention.
Agree your post.
APL is struggling 20yrs to gain support with make up clubs barring the 2/3 main exceptions and that’s snakes and ladders as well.
What is it with football supporters here.
Oh it’s the original ethnic Clubs who were on their lonesome in the first place that was always going to fail at least they bloody tried and produced some legends of our game.
Is t that success besides the league fail, narrow mindedness is huge amongst football supporters here.