• A new national tier of football between the A-League Men competition and the National Premier Leagues, with the opportunity for promotion and relegation to be considered once mature 
• A home and away league structure with finals, comprised of between 10 and 16 teams and featuring between 24 to 36 games
• Successful Respondents to the Application Process would be required to depart their existing football competitions for the National Second Tier
• National Second Tier Clubs will enter into a Club Participation Agreement setting out the terms of participation, including but not limited to the following requirements: 
• professional playing contracts for all players, with salaries paid 52 weeks of the year; 
• ‘off field’ operations run by employed staff throughout 12 months of the year; 
• investment in and operation of a full talent development pathway within their club structure; and
• access to a suitable high-quality match day facility 12 months of the year.

Why start another thread ?

its a big deal

You should have named the thread "National second division is kicking off with the FA"

Anyway, let the speculation begin (again).
The FA have indicated they want a min of 10 clubs and a max of 16. 
Which clubs does everyone think will actually be able to meet the criteria.
The following are the clubs that signed the AAFC report last year. We can assume the majority of the submissions will come from this group, but feel free to speculate any club not on this list:
ACT

• Canberra Croatia
• Gungahlin United

NSW

• APIA Leichhardt
• Marconi Stallions
• Rockdale Ilinden
• Sydney Olympic
• Sydney United 58
• Wollongong Wolves
• Edgeworth FC

QLD

• Peninsula Power
• Sunshine Coast
• Wynnum Wolves

SA

• Adelaide City
• Campbelltown City
• North Eastern MetroStars
• West Torrens Birkalla

TAS

• South Hobart

VIC

• Altona Magic
• Avondale FC
• Bentleigh Greens
• Bulleen Lions
• Caroline Springs George Cross
• Heidelberg United
• Hume City
• Melbourne Knights
• Oakleigh Cannons
• Preston Lions
• South Melbourne

WA

• Bayswater City
• Perth SC

 

Lol

I said this on other NSD thread that will the a-league reserves sides would throw their hat in the ring too? 

Also will we see some mergers too?

There won't be any A-Leagues sides, this was dismissed a while ago. It is also a condition of entry into the NSD.
"Successful Respondents to the Application Process would be required to depart their existing football competitions for the National Second Tier"
This would apply both up and down.

As for mergers, it's definitely a possibility. Not sure how popular it would be though.

Ok thanks for clarifying that, I remember something from Danny Townsend saying that he will wait to see what the NSD would look like or something like that before making a decision with regarding to the Y-League.

As for mergers I agree it might become a possiblity depending on how many clubs have the resources to go alone.

I reckon there about six, maybe seven, who right here, right now, can immediately meet what are pretty tough criteria.

Those old NSL clubs from Vic/NSW who still operate their own grounds, or have long term leases, are already ahead of the game.

Someone like Canberra Croatia, with a nice club sitting alongside their own boutique stadium might be a bit of a dark horse.

I have heard a very very tasty rumour........ If true will truly shock the shit out of everyone here...... 

I'm curious?

I would say a quarter of the clubs mentioned here would actually be able to meet the requirements outlined by the FFA

having it full professional from the get go and forbidding reserve squads guarantees p and r to happen pretty quickly whether the fa intends this or not

Away days in Wollongong, Apia, Marconi, Syd Croatia, Adelaide Juve, Brisbane .... in just over 12 months???? Holy shit have a died and gone to Heaven?

Before the "dissecting" begins can I just say that a huge congratulations should go out for all of us that patiently preyed for this to Nick Galatas and the other club presidents and visionaries in the AAFC who pushed the cause. Volunteered their own time and money and presented the new FA with the data and modelling they could no longer ignore.... Also to JJ and the new, improved FA who had the determination to see this through.......  A huge THANK YOU and CONGRATULATIONS to all involved....  It is going to be such a momentous occasion when, almost 20 years to the day, WE can finally have a national football comp again.

I agree... that was my initial thought too.

Put it this way, two clubs of opposing "ethnicities" may be joining forces.... hahahahah no more hints :)

And no its not Hellas either.....

Possible broadcaster???? Hope not :(

I'd say it's probably more than a possibility, it's actually likely.
The FA already have the national stuff and the Australia cup with 10/Paramount. They would definitely be trying to sell the NSD to them too.

I heard it was South Melbourne and Melbourne Knights. Is this what you mean?

This would be great and surely having it all in one place is for the best.
I'm no Paramount defender but we all wanted a home of football for years so I'm desperately hoping 10/Paramount stick it out and improve.

How did you guess?

Remember that mate's uncle's brother's sister in law who married her son's friend in a scandal 3 years ago but has been forgiven and released on weekends who went to school with one of the club's receptionist who has a thing for one of the players but is also a guy I was telling you about?

From him

PS I don't think many people here will fall off their chairs and turn grey if all that's SHOCKING about it is the ethnic origins of two of the clubs aha

If it's two former NSL clubs that would be a massive story though for sure

I think its a load of bullhsit to be honest but all sort of shit is being thrown around today.... One thing I know for sure is that ALOT of successful, ex "old soccer" supporters are being contacted frantically about sponosrhsips and deals....
One thing is for sure.. Its time to "put up or shut up" This is the final chance for all these clubs (mine included of course) I hope that this goes ahead.

George??? No he is a known shit-talker dude... 

I wonder how all the "usual suspects" are taking today's news btw? Its a little quiet......

• Successful Respondents to the Application Process would be required to depart their existing football competitions for the National Second Tier - makes sense
• professional playing contracts for all players, with salaries paid 52 weeks of the year; - good
• ‘off field’ operations run by employed staff throughout 12 months of the year; - cant see this being a problem
• investment in and operation of a full talent development pathway within their club structure; and - yes, yes and yes.
• access to a suitable high-quality match day facility 12 months of the year. - this is the only thing I am wondering about..... Why? Is it to stop clubs applying who just have access during soccer season? Does MV and Melb City have access to AAMI park for 12 months a year??? Strange?

Agreed.
This is either the turning point for our sport or, if it doesn't get over the line,  a sign that we are doomed to mediocrity for a long time to come.

As long as the very next announcement isn't "all grand finals to be played in Sydney" we should be good :) hahahahahahahaha

MV/MC don't have exclusive access, but they do have long term agreements in place.
This is probably to account for the Australia Cup as well as the ACL (in the event we get more spots and there is a pathway for a NSD club to secure a spot).
The other reason for this criteria is probably the direct result of Western United. The FA don't want to be in that position again.
That being said, I don't think this will be a problem for any of the NPL clubs that end up being shortlisted.