FFA Board: Electioneering turns up heat on A-League expansion
A-League expansion has the near-universal backing of the Football Federation Australia board hopefuls, with some pushing for more teams in time for next season.
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A-League expansion has the near-universal backing of the Football Federation Australia board hopefuls, with some pushing for more teams in time for next season, The Saturday Telegraph can reveal.
Nine of the 10 remaining candidates up for election on Monday, at which four will be tasked with guiding the Australian game into a new era, have outlined their skillsets and priorities in an exclusive and in-depth survey conducted by this newspaper.
The 10th, Mark Rendell, provided only a brief statement - the first he has made publicly - in which the the sports administrator outlined his capacity to “provide a valuable contribution” to a sport held in high regard.
There was an 11th - popular favourite Craig Foster withdrew his candidacy on Friday evening, announcing he does not have “the necessary stakeholder support to succeed in my candidacy for the board and as chairman of FFA”.
With the introduction of two new teams widely accepted as the board’s most pressing matter, The Telegraph asked each for their views on expansion and whether they deem it feasible for 2019-20.
All responses supported the concept in principal, with former Soccer Australia chairman Remo Nogarotto leading calls for its introduction “as soon as possible”.
“Expansion is a pathway to a more exciting and vibrant A-League, let’s get on with it,” Nogarotto wrote in his response.
“… I would make it a top priority for the incoming board to move quickly on this decision.”
Former Labor senator Stephen Conroy, a frontrunner to replace Steven Lowy as chair alongside Joseph Carrozzi and Chris Nikou, would support expansion for 2019-20 “subject to the financial viability and logistical constraints”.
And the two board members seeking re-election, Nikou and Danny Moulis, also couched it as an urgent consideration.
“I see A-League expansion as a priority and an important initiative in assisting the A-League to grow commercially and in popularity,” wrote Nikou.
“In relation to the feasibility of it happening next season it will be an urgent item for the new board to assess and decide.
“The crucial information will be the recommendations and feedback of the FFA Executive.”
For many candidates the practicality of pushing ahead next season hinges on recommendations from A-League management on the strength of the remaining six bids.
As revealed by The Telegraph on Friday, FFA executives are busy compiling a shortlist of preferred bidders ready to present at the new board’s inaugural meeting along with strong encouragement to introduce them next season.
The candidates’ views signal promise they may yet give the green light after all, despite uncertainty that’s fed fears it could be delayed until 2020-21.
Each would-be director also outlined their biggest priority, what they believe differentiates them from other candidates, their relevant experience and skillset and their desired legacy.
Financial concerns were a common theme, including a “lack of transparency (that’s) led to a culture of distrust between stakeholders” (Conroy) and “costs associated with participation” (Heather Reid).
“The financial status of FFA needs to be forensically examined so the board can make informed and independent decisions on the budget process, future policy and program implementation and whether the most effective management structure is in place to achieve objectives,” wrote former Capital Football boss Reid.
Ex-referee Mark Shield contended expansion “should not be rushed at the expense of laying solid financial foundations” in a response highlighting FFA’s need to reconnect with every stakeholder and underlining his strengths as a politically independent “football man”.
Conroy, whose candidacy centres around his Senate-forged ability to “herd the cats” and
unite disparate stakeholders, has vowed to restore once-successful junior player pathways he says have “stagnated”, while pushing for a guaranteed minimum level of grassroots funding.
Nogarotto emphasised football is “in my blood” and that “everything I have done until now makes me ready for tomorrow”.
Adelaide-based lawyer Morry Bailes names good governance and objectivity as strengths honed as president of the Law Council of Australia.
The “self-confessed economic conservative who abhors lazy financial thinking” proffers consultation and consensus-building, as does PwC partner Carrozzi, who hopes to hold country-wide fan forums to develop a shared vision with the community.
Linda Norquay, chief financial officer of Lachlan Murdoch’s investment vehicle Illyria, submits she’s “probably not considered a traditional ‘football person’, but what I bring is commercial, financial and governance experience”.
She also cited a family football background as a Sydney FC season ticket-holder for 13 years and mum of three children who play.
Foster had offered a passionate submission prior to his pull-out.
In his withdrawal statement the former Socceroo and current SBS pundit offered a bleak assessment of the new order amid political maneuvering two days out from the annual general meeting, lamenting that “despite the change that has occurred, many things remain the same”.
“I ran a transparent and public campaign not just for the board, but the chairmanship for a number of reasons,” Foster wrote.
“Without strong, independent leadership I believe the game is in peril of making decisions that fail to protect every aspect of our community.”
Breakdown of a game changer
WHAT’S HAPPENING?
FFA will hold its annual general meeting in Sydney on Monday, when four new directors will be elected from 11 candidates following the resignations of chairman Steven Lowy and Joseph Healy and the expiry of the terms of Simon Hepworth and Chris Nikou. The new board will choose a new chairman and appoint up to three additional directors.
HOW WILL IT WORK?
Candidates require 60 per cent support to be elected. State federations control 55 per cent of the vote, the A-League clubs 28 per cent, the players’ union seven per cent, and a newly established women’s council the remaining 10 per cent. By design, some degree of consensus among separate stakeholders is required to usher in any favoured candidate.
WHY SHOULD YOU CARE?
This will be the most monumental AGM in FFA’s existence, and one certain to shape the future direction of the Australian game. Crucially, it’s also the first time a Lowy family member will not be running it as chairman. That’s mostly due to the constitutional reforms finally passed last month giving more voices to the congress that elects the board and prompting increased transparency in the process. Democracy, if you will.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
The elected directors will call their first board meeting to address the myriad issues facing the sport, the most pressing of which is the timeline for A-League expansion. They’ll also have a hand in negotiating the competition’s independence from FFA, guiding the 2023 Women’s World Cup bid and bridging the widening gap with grassroots.
— Emma Kemp
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