Fears have been raised concerning the monetary viability of the proposed nationwide second division following Queensland soccer powerhouse Lions FC’s shock choice to snub the competitors.
The former NSL outfit was a shock omission this week from a nationwide Football Australia listing of 32 golf equipment which had submitted expressions of curiosity in being a part of nationwide second-tier competitors mooted to begin subsequent 12 months.
Backed by a vastly profitable licenced membership which generates “10s of millions of dollars” yearly in income, Lions had been anticipated – on the very least – to participate within the EOI course of.
However, Lions common supervisor Rob Scanlon mentioned the membership wasn’t ready to take the monetary threat.
“We don’t see it as being financially viable,” mentioned Scanlon, who added that it could price $2.2m to $2.5m annually to fund a workforce underneath FA’s mannequin.
“We want to play at the highest level possible without putting the club in financial stress.”
Lions FC is a dominant pressure within the NPL Queensland competitors.
It can also be the “parent club” of A-League franchise Brisbane Roar, however is now not related to them.
Scanlon admitted the monetary disaster Lions discovered themselves in after funding the Roar was additionally a cause for rejecting the nationwide second division proposal.
“It’s probably a case of once bitten, twice shy,” he mentioned.
Should the nationwide second division go forward, the ten to 16 golf equipment concerned shall be totally skilled and received’t have the ability to compete of their state’s high NPL competitors.
However, Scanlon didn’t consider that will considerably weaken the NPL competitions, claiming loads of high gamers would favor to keep up their semi-professional standing, with their soccer earnings complementing the cash they comprised of their common jobs.
Should the nationwide second division not come to fruition, Scanlon mentioned Lions could be ready to participate in FA’s alternate concept of a “phased group-based” competitors mannequin which might use the varied NPL competitions to determine the make-up of groups.
FA is within the means of evaluating the EOI responses. Short-listed golf equipment will quickly be invited to submit “detailed proposals”.
FA chief government officer James Johnson mentioned: “We are thrilled with the level of interest shown in the EOI phase and the calibre of clubs which have expressed their interest.
“It is also pleasing to see that we have received submissions from right across Australia, demonstrating that our football clubs have a deep desire and aspiration to compete at a national level.”
Clubs which have submitted EOIs: ACT: Canberra Croatia, Gungahlin United; NSW: APIA Leichhardt, Blacktown City, Fraser Park, Marconi Stallions, Rockdale Ilinden, Sutherland Sharks/Cronulla Sharks, Sydney Olympic, Sydney United 58, Wollongong Wolves; NNSW: Valentine; Queensland: Brisbane City, Brisbane United (Wynnum Wolves, Brisbane Strikers, Virginia United), Gold Coast Knights, Gold Coast United, Olympic FC, Peninsula Power, Sunshine Coast Fire. SA: Adelaide City, Football SA (Campbelltown City, North Eastern, MetroStars, West Torrens Birkalla), Playford City; Tasmania: South Hobart; Victoria: Avondale, Bentleigh Greens, Brunswick Juventus, Green Gully, Heidelberg United, Melbourne Knights, Preston Lions, South Melbourne; WA: Spearwood Dalmatinac/Cockburn City.
Source: www.news.com.au
