changes to capital football

[NicCarBel]

 

[LFC]

Friggin disgusting

 

[NicCarBel]

 

[NicCarBel]

Wagga City Wanderers have been granted an exemption for juniors only to compete in NPLB next season onwards.

Which - as much as I do like that Riverina still has a presence at this level - is hilarious, given this was the direct part of the review singling out travel for YOUTH as the reason to cut Wagga and Yoogali

With the NPL competition there is an acceptance that clubs need to travel to the Riverina, however, community and junior players are not willing to travel beyond the previous Capital Football region limits of Cooma, Yass and Goulburn and will subsequently forfeit matches, which significantly impacts on the integrity of the competition and the experience had by all participants.

 

[NicCarBel]

 

[FootballSam]

I'm from Canberra and this is really sad. Been involved in the NPL space, I can confidently say that nearly everyone I talk to supports having Yoogali and Wagga in the NPL. While Yoogali have never been a top four team, they've made the NPL on merit and continue to be a competitive team against most outfits. If Canberra ever wants a team in Sydney, we should be hosting more of these regional sides and putting it to FNSW that we're helping out 3-4 of your teams, surely you can have one of ours.

Furthermore, if they do get rid of the CPL that's a mistake in itself. The CPL provides a good stepping stone for clubs to move up to NPL in the future. If it becomes a community league, clubs will find the gap too big and struggle to be competitive once promoted. If Wagga were to remain in the CPL and the top Olympic, Belco, Juve go up, could have a competitive league of:

ANU
White Eagles
Brindabella
West Canberra
White Eagles
UC
Majura
Western Molongolo

The review committee was a joke. I'm sure they're good people and I'm not going to say a bad word about them, however when 3 out of the 4 have a vested interest in removing competition to increase the chances of their clubs getting promoted to NPL, there is an obvious conflict of interest.

 

[NicCarBel]

I'm from Canberra and this is really sad. Been involved in the NPL space, I can confidently say that nearly everyone I talk to supports having Yoogali and Wagga in the NPL. While Yoogali have never been a top four team, they've made the NPL on merit and continue to be a competitive team against most outfits. If Canberra ever wants a team in Sydney, we should be hosting more of these regional sides and putting it to FNSW that we're helping out 3-4 of your teams, surely you can have one of ours.

Furthermore, if they do get rid of the CPL that's a mistake in itself. The CPL provides a good stepping stone for clubs to move up to NPL in the future. If it becomes a community league, clubs will find the gap too big and struggle to be competitive once promoted. If Wagga were to remain in the CPL and the top Olympic, Belco, Juve go up, could have a competitive league of:

ANU
White Eagles
Brindabella
West Canberra
White Eagles
UC
Majura
Western Molongolo

The review committee was a joke. I'm sure they're good people and I'm not going to say a bad word about them, however when 3 out of the 4 have a vested interest in removing competition to increase the chances of their clubs getting promoted to NPL, there is an obvious conflict of interest.

Thank you - that pretty much confirms everything I've been hearing in Canberra (and Griffith) as well, that it seems to be the CPL clubs who think Griffith is taking a spot from them that have driven this. Belconnen United, Canberra Olympic and Brindabella. I had put West Canberra in this group initially, but it seems they were hoping to come to the table and work on something to keep Yoogali in the league.

My understanding is that the only part of the review that Yoogali were communicated with beforehand, was the possibility of expanding the NPL to a 10 team league (which they agree with).

Unfortunately, I don't think Juve will be the one to go up, as it's not going to be solely results based - the third club will be Brindabella. Apparently, according to some of their players on social media, they're "feeling pretty eligible to go up" after a 5th placed finish, and multiple years without winning the league or grand final in CPL/NPL2.

Weston Molonglo won't go back up from Community Leagues - their voluntary removal paved the way for Juventus to come up to CPL.

But you're absolutely right that there should still be that middle ground of CPL/NPL2 for clubs. Not sure about bringing clubs up (and which ones) at the moment though, as the 2019 season saw an NPL of 9 clubs (1 relegated), and a CPL of 9 clubs (2 removed at the end of the season - not sure if by choice or by force - Narrabundah, and Goulburn/Southern Tablelands United)

 

[FootballSam]

Thank you - that pretty much confirms everything I've been hearing in Canberra (and Griffith) as well, that it seems to be the CPL clubs who think Griffith is taking a spot from them that have driven this. Belconnen United, Canberra Olympic and Brindabella. I had put West Canberra in this group initially, but it seems they were hoping to come to the table and work on something to keep Yoogali in the league.

My understanding is that the only part of the review that Yoogali were communicated with beforehand, was the possibility of expanding the NPL to a 10 team league (which they agree with).

Unfortunately, I don't think Juve will be the one to go up, as it's not going to be solely results based - the third club will be Brindabella. Apparently, according to some of their players on social media, they're "feeling pretty eligible to go up" after a 5th placed finish, and multiple years without winning the league or grand final in CPL/NPL2.

Weston Molonglo won't go back up from Community Leagues - their voluntary removal paved the way for Juventus to come up to CPL.

But you're absolutely right that there should still be that middle ground of CPL/NPL2 for clubs. Not sure about bringing clubs up (and which ones) at the moment though, as the 2019 season saw an NPL of 9 clubs (1 relegated), and a CPL of 9 clubs (2 removed at the end of the season - not sure if by choice or by force - Narrabundah, and Goulburn/Southern Tablelands United)

Well if Yoogali were to stay in, you'd only have to promote two clubs. So now you're only having to find 2 clubs to come up and that's a much more manageable task. It's a shame it's happened this way, because I do agree with the premise of expanding the NPL, but kicking out the Riverina clubs has just hidden any conversation about a now potential CPL structure.

I find it odd that there were no technical staff on the review or the technical director. Seems like someone having input into the footballing technical ramifications of these decisions could be important.

 

[NicCarBel]

Well if Yoogali were to stay in, you'd only have to promote two clubs. So now you're only having to find 2 clubs to come up and that's a much more manageable task. It's a shame it's happened this way, because I do agree with the premise of expanding the NPL, but kicking out the Riverina clubs has just hidden any conversation about a now potential CPL structure.

I find it odd that there were no technical staff on the review or the technical director. Seems like someone having input into the footballing technical ramifications of these decisions could be important.

Canberra Olympic's former technical director was on the review panel.
I think his technical directive was "Olympic goes back to the NPL".

Also on the panel: Brindabella's former secretary, and West Canberra's former CEO, and a (Former?) referee in Canberra that is originally from Orange (surely he would have been advocating for regional pathways??)

 

[FootballSam]

So she's the current secretary believe it or not: https://www.bbfc.org.au/club-structure. So again not sure how conflict of interest isn't flagged especially when the lead of the review panel works at Sport Integrity. I don't know much about the lead, but haven't heard him mentioned much in football circles. He's on the board though, so guess he's their representative to lead it.

And as for the West Canberra guy, he's their former president but he's still heavily involved in the club. Looks like he's on the coaching staff (not sure of exact positions) of their NPL 18s. So you've got 2/4 of the committee currently involved in clubs who would want to get promoted to NPL and the other member is strongly linked and has been involved in the past with another club at CPL level.

Again I'm not taking shots at these individuals that's not the point. The point is how can you have a review process with integrity when 3/4 have strong motives to remove competition, which is exactly what has happened.

 

[LFC]

So she's the current secretary believe it or not: https://www.bbfc.org.au/club-structure. So again not sure how conflict of interest isn't flagged especially when the lead of the review panel works at Sport Integrity. I don't know much about the lead, but haven't heard him mentioned much in football circles. He's on the board though, so guess he's their representative to lead it.

And as for the West Canberra guy, he's their former president but he's still heavily involved in the club. Looks like he's on the coaching staff (not sure of exact positions) of their NPL 18s. So you've got 2/4 of the committee currently involved in clubs who would want to get promoted to NPL and the other member is strongly linked and has been involved in the past with another club at CPL level.

Again I'm not taking shots at these individuals that's not the point. The point is how can you have a review process with integrity when 3/4 have strong motives to remove competition, which is exactly what has happened.

this is the problem with football from grass roots to upper, be it from a Club Pres influence to another then allinace with other like minded officials.
In the meantime their own registered loyal players/families past to present are taken for a ride and can't do much about it.
This is the type of situation when the FA needs to step in - get the facts - get all parties at the table and have it out and direct.
By the way welcome FootballSam good input.

 

[FootballSam]

this is the problem with football from grass roots to upper, be it from a Club Pres influence to another then allinace with other like minded officials.
In the meantime their own registered loyal players/families past to present are taken for a ride and can't do much about it.
This is the type of situation when the FA needs to step in - get the facts - get all parties at the table and have it out and direct.
By the way welcome FootballSam good input.

Thanks mate.

I think unfortunately it highlights a bigger issue around Australia in that State Feds run the bulk of things and there's not much oversight above. Every state federation has different ages for NPLY and different high performance set ups for U9s-U12/U13. They all run their own high performance programs differently with some part time and some full time. And in some cases the differences are fine and justified as different areas of Australia have their own needs. But in most cases they all just want to do things their own way. Football Australia just doesn't seem to a)care or b) have the means to do anything at the moment.

 

[LFC]

exactely right re the Feds and the un cohesive structure differences State by State.
Obviously there needs to be differences here and there as mentioned but they should be similar and close principles sanctioned by the FA instead of letting the Feds and local Association big personalities run the course as is happenning down there.

"The point is how can you have a review process with integrity when 3/4 have strong motives to remove competition, which is exactly what has happened."

Above even still occurs here in Sydney burbs, you have 1 Association with more clout than the neighbouring one therefore changes have occured re border lines/zones and you think HTF did that get through !

Qld has had big issues the last few years as well.

NSW NPL went to 16 club Divs, reducing from 4 to 3 Divs, makes sense (more games a season) why wouldn't this be applied every other State for eg, YL should be very similar State by State importantly by age so the synergies connect.

We have mentioned many times on the boards the Feds holding the game back in many areas.
Much like Gov and worse local Gov, too many mouths in the trough.

 

[FootballSam]

exactely right re the Feds and the un cohesive structure differences State by State.
Obviously there needs to be differences here and there as mentioned but they should be similar and close principles sanctioned by the FA instead of letting the Feds and local Association big personalities run the course as is happenning down there.

"The point is how can you have a review process with integrity when 3/4 have strong motives to remove competition, which is exactly what has happened."

Above even still occurs here in Sydney burbs, you have 1 Association with more clout than the neighbouring one therefore changes have occured re border lines/zones and you think HTF did that get through !

Qld has had big issues the last few years as well.

NSW NPL went to 16 club Divs, reducing from 4 to 3 Divs, makes sense (more games a season) why wouldn't this be applied every other State for eg, YL should be very similar State by State importantly by age so the synergies connect.

We have mentioned many times on the boards the Feds holding the game back in many areas.
Much like Gov and worse local Gov, too many mouths in the trough.

Exactly right. The issue is also exacerbated by the size of Australia and the lack of a A-league youth structure. If we were a smaller country, there would be less of an issue, because the A-League clubs would hopefully be able to get their act together, have a high performance youth league for several age groups and all good. The size difference would also make it easier to include the country teams.

But because of the size of Australia, we don't have a national high performance youth league/s, we have regional areas constantly missing out on good competition and each state views itself as the best answer to the country's problems.

 

[LFC]

Bingo !
Yes our land mass is a huge challenge and cost issue.
Everyone thinks they have the best direction - and the 3 main cities, well 2 really (Syd/Melb) run the course.
Understandble due to numbers but it cause's huge barriers/challenges those outside those 2 large circles.

Question re the YL you've mentioned being around - do you see AL Club scouts ever plucking out a few shining kids over the years ?
What do parents with great promising kids actually do if not ?
Just let them carry on getitng to Snr Club Div 1 and hope for the best ?

 

[NicCarBel]

So she's the current secretary believe it or not: https://www.bbfc.org.au/club-structure. So again not sure how conflict of interest isn't flagged especially when the lead of the review panel works at Sport Integrity. I don't know much about the lead, but haven't heard him mentioned much in football circles. He's on the board though, so guess he's their representative to lead it.

And as for the West Canberra guy, he's their former president but he's still heavily involved in the club. Looks like he's on the coaching staff (not sure of exact positions) of their NPL 18s. So you've got 2/4 of the committee currently involved in clubs who would want to get promoted to NPL and the other member is strongly linked and has been involved in the past with another club at CPL level.

Again I'm not taking shots at these individuals that's not the point. The point is how can you have a review process with integrity when 3/4 have strong motives to remove competition, which is exactly what has happened.

Wow - I certainly hope that's an outdated website, because that's pretty damning on it it's own if she is still officially tied to the club. That club has also been the one to bite back the most in public when Yoogali brings it up by the way...

On another note - turns out it actually isn't officially the end of the saga yet:

 

[FootballSam]

Wow - I certainly hope that's an outdated website, because that's pretty damning on it it's own if she is still officially tied to the club. That club has also been the one to bite back the most in public when Yoogali brings it up by the way...

On another note - turns out it actually isn't officially the end of the saga yet:

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Just search the name, she turns up in a recent social media post and they clearly say secretary. Everything I've heard tells me she's still there.

I hope that Football Australia do something, but also it's hard to see them doing anything at the moment. They seem pretty rudderless at the moment based on other posts I've seen regarding them. For me the best and most simple avenue, would be to create a petition ask all the current NPL clubs to sign it. If all the NPL clubs sign the petition asking for them to still be in Capital Football competitions, then clearly there's no mandate to say noone wants you in.

 

[FootballSam]

Bingo !
Yes our land mass is a huge challenge and cost issue.
Everyone thinks they have the best direction - and the 3 main cities, well 2 really (Syd/Melb) run the course.
Understandble due to numbers but it cause's huge barriers/challenges those outside those 2 large circles.

Question re the YL you've mentioned being around - do you see AL Club scouts ever plucking out a few shining kids over the years ?
What do parents with great promising kids actually do if not ?
Just let them carry on getitng to Snr Club Div 1 and hope for the best ?

Honestly, I don't know enough about how A-League academies operate to judge that. Chatting to a mate of mine, he speaks very highly of the Melbourne City academy and says it's years ahead of anything based in Victoria. In terms of Sydney, it appears there's lots of staff in and outs at the relevant academies so not sure how stable they are.

I think ultimately this is where we need the NSD to really kick off. If the best 17/18 years who miss out on the A-League academies have a platform to shine, it increases their chances of a) being picked up by an A-League club or b) getting a chance overseas. I don't know of many players that are with are NPL team, hit the age of 20 and then go on to make A-league. Be interesting if someone has a stat around that.

 

[NicCarBel]

Just search the name, she turns up in a recent social media post and they clearly say secretary. Everything I've heard tells me she's still there.

I hope that Football Australia do something, but also it's hard to see them doing anything at the moment. They seem pretty rudderless at the moment based on other posts I've seen regarding them. For me the best and most simple avenue, would be to create a petition ask all the current NPL clubs to sign it. If all the NPL clubs sign the petition asking for them to still be in Capital Football competitions, then clearly there's no mandate to say noone wants you in.

I know there was a letter signed off by... I believe it was 12 of the 16 NPL and CPL clubs.
I put a list of the 4 I assumed were the 4 that weren't signing it to Yoogali Soccer Club;

• Belconnen United
• Canberra Olympic
• Brindabella Blues
• West Canberra Wanderers

And was told "Can't comment. But close."
Based off the past, I thought that Brindabella was the one I had wrong, but looks like it's West Canberra being the other. Not sure who the 4th would be though now. Wouldn't be a club that is equally going to be kicked out of NPL/CPL

 

[FootballSam]

I know there was a letter signed off by... I believe it was 12 of the 16 NPL and CPL clubs.
I put a list of the 4 I assumed were the 4 that weren't signing it to Yoogali Soccer Club;

• Belconnen United
• Canberra Olympic
• Brindabella Blues
• West Canberra Wanderers

And was told "Can't comment. But close."
Based off the past, I thought that Brindabella was the one I had wrong, but looks like it's West Canberra being the other. Not sure who the 4th would be though now. Wouldn't be a club that is equally going to be kicked out of NPL/CPL

And if that’s the case there’s something really wrong going on. Because essentially that would mean every current NPL club is happy with yoogali staying in the league, yet they’re kicked out. So clearly there’s been some back room stuff happen.