By scott21 - 17 Dec 2016 11:31 PM
Football issues participation challenge to rival codes
A CONFIDENT Football Federation Australia boss David Gallop has sent a clear message to rival codes — “if you think football is big now, watch it grow even bigger”.
Gallop has upped the ante following the release of data from the Australian Sports Commission and exclusive data released to the Sunday Telegraph from an independent survey from Roy Morgan that shows football as the most participated sport - and with a clear margin.
The data highlights that children are important cogs in the growth of sports popularity.
Gallop beleives there’s a reason football is the market leader and he wants to ensure it remains at the top.
Through the code’s Whole of Football Plan, his vision was for soccer to become the largest and most popular sport in Australia by 2035.
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Football is often seen as a safer option for kids to get into sport.
“The contest is on in every schoolyard and park to attract boys and girls to our game,” Gallop told The Sunday Telegraph.
“Of course we know the other codes are competitors for hearts and minds. But we have the largest club-based participation of any sport by a wide margin because football is a very attractive option.
“Our focus is to continue to improve the quality of the experience for everyone in football, whether they are players or fans or club volunteers, spectators at Hyundai A-League or Westfield W-League matches.
“It means having more fans than any other code and it means having world class elite players.
“It is totally appropriate to set high goals and shoot for them but we don’t say that it is overnight but rather the work for the next few decades.”
While rival codes are exploring with rule changes and new competitions Gallop has reiterated that soccer is “safe, simple and skilful ….so it’s a very attractive option”.
Football’s appeal to women is also a huge boost for the game. Pic: Ian Svegovic.
Football he claims is fully focused on connecting the bottom of the pyramid to the elite top end.
This message has been pushed through this season’s A-League advertising campaign, “You’ve Gotta Have A Team”.
“Football is the highest club-based participation sport in Australia because, we believe it is the most inclusive,” he said.
“Everyone is welcome, regardless of age, gender, ability or background. And of course it’s also the biggest sport in the world and a great game to play.
“We are one year into a four-year plan and we are working very hard with our member federations and professional and community clubs to improve the quality of coaching and facilities.
“We also to expand the pathways for those who want to pursue a professional career.”
Young fan Yoshi was at the heart of the A-League marketing campaign. (Matt King/Getty Images)
Gallop believes the rise of the women’s game will play a crucial role in football achieving its long-term participation goals.
“The women’s game is an attractive game with clubs across the country and a professional league that has been going for nine seasons,” he said.
“We also have a highly successful national team in the Westfield Matildas and significant global sporting events namely the FIFA Women’s World Cup and Olympic Games as well as the AFC Women’s Asian Cup regionally.”
Football isn’t the only code in Australia aiming high. Basketball is enjoying a surge in popularity thanks to the closest NBL competition in 37 seasons.
Boss Larry Kestelman has ambitions for basketball to become the biggest form of entertainment in Australian sport.
“Every sport touts to be the most participated sport and I’m not going to be any different,” Kestelman said.
“From what we’re being told, when you combine participation across the board for 12 months a year I believe basketball is right up there with any sport. We want to be the No. 1 participated sport not only in Australia, but across Europe.
“The good thing though is that we don’t have to go toe-to-toe with football, league and AFL. We are a summer sport and we are comfortable with where we are at.”
Basketball is hoping to attract the next generation. Picture: Peter Cronin
Rugby league is also trying to attract new players to the game.
The NRL and the NSWRL have made significant changes to the rules in junior league in a bid to increase participation.
These rules include, no tackles above the armpits, no scrums and trialling weight-for- age competitions across NSW.
NRL Head of Football Brian Canavan said the aim was to provide the best experience for participants by increasing their involvement.
“The changes we have made to the under-6 and under-7 divisions, following five years of research which involved the University of Sydney, are primarily to ensure our young players are able to enjoy the game more,” Canavan said.
“By reducing the field size, reducing the number of players on the field, taking away conversions and quickening the turnarounds following tries, we will increase the ball-in-play time and also give our young players more opportunities to have a run with the ball.
“All players in a team will now have the opportunity to run the ball within a set.”
Rugby league remains hugely popular with young players.
Rugby League also trialled a weight-for-age program in 2016 aimed at increaseing teh safety of junior children.
Cricket has developed a plan for revised pitch lengths, boundary sizes and the option of playing Twenty20 in a bid to allow juniors to better develop their skills and become more involved.
The modifications to junior formats are part of a two-year project to revamp and align the Australian Cricket Pathway, introducing modern practices in skill development and coaching.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/football/a-league/football-issues-participation-challenge-to-rival-codes/news-story/3522f9edc7abe42633ac4575d3d5e672
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By TheSelectFew - 19 Dec 2016 7:01 PM
+x+xHad my kids school christmas bbq this evening. All those kids kicking footballs and no team to support. Such a waste. Here's 8 to start with, 
Hear hear.
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