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Have seen so much debate about the potential A-League switch to winter. There’s definitely both + and - aspects. The fact it’s sparked so much debate is yet another example of the fact there are so many people who care about the direction the sport’s top tiers should / could go.
Positives
- Alignment with NPL and grassroots, increasing potential for N2D + #ProRelforAus
- Alignment with junior grassroots
in terms of play during the day, watch A-L later.
- Playing in cooler months more akin to better quality football + more potential for arvo games.
- Alignment with NPL and grassroots, increasing potential for N2D + #ProRelforAus
- Alignment with junior grassroots
in terms of play during the day, watch A-L later.- Playing in cooler months more akin to better quality football + more potential for arvo games.
- Alignment with Asian leagues - we are in Asia after all.
- Theoretically easier for our clubs to compete in Asian Champs League.
- Alignment with junior grassrootsin terms of being able make a better fist of community engagement (ie club visits, match day activations etc).
- Theoretically easier for our clubs to compete in Asian Champs League.
- Alignment with junior grassroots
in terms of being able make a better fist of community engagement (ie club visits, match day activations etc).
Negatives
- Fight for coverage with AFL / NRL and for “fan time” (ie if your A-L club is playing at same time as AFL/NRL club, which do you favour?)
- Ground availability issues, esp. AAMI, Suncorp, SFS.
- Pitch quality issues.
- Historical context (ie NSL move from
to 
)
- Fight for coverage with AFL / NRL and for “fan time” (ie if your A-L club is playing at same time as AFL/NRL club, which do you favour?)
- Ground availability issues, esp. AAMI, Suncorp, SFS.
- Pitch quality issues.
- Historical context (ie NSL move from
to )
For what it’s worth - I’m bloody excited by the prospect, if it were to eventuate.
From what I can see, most people’s “negatives” can be broken into two categories:
1. Fight for hearts and minds
2. Grounds
On point No.1. I think football just has to back itself in.
From what I can see, most people’s “negatives” can be broken into two categories:
1. Fight for hearts and minds
2. Grounds
On point No.1. I think football just has to back itself in.
Getting mainstream media coverage is becoming less relevant. Let’s get our massive football fan base united behind our game (at all levels). If we can create a thriving product on the back of that then the so-called casual fans will naturally be attracted (as will m/s media).
On point No.2, the grounds are a legitimate concern given NRL + Super Rugby overlap. But that provides more impetus for our governing bodies and clubs to work towards more boutique stadiums with Govts, Councils, public-private partnerships etc (easier said than done mind you).
The next couple of years provides a great opportunity to dip the toe in the water without needing to commit one way or the other.
I love the language from @JJ_JamesJohnson in this @VinceRugari piece. He’s singing from the same hymn sheet as I was above (and a like the subtle reference to @ALeague independence too). https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/ffa-not-scared-of-a-league-clash-with-afl-nrl-in-winter-switch-20200621-p554qt.html
