APIA Leichhardt President Tony Raciti calls for calm as National Second Tier speculation emerges

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Image credit: Football Australia/Brett Costello

APIA Leichhardt President Tony Raciti has weighed in on recent developments about the National Second Tier (NST), following uncertainty about its proposed format.

It has been reported that there has been a stall in talks about the formatting and schedule of the new NST.

However, speculation about turbulent recent meetings between founding clubs and Football Australia is not backed up by one of the leading football clubs in the NST.

Raciti has been the president of APIA for 40 years and uses that vast time and experience to bring a sense of calm to the dialogue around the talk of the NST.

Speaking with Soccerscene, as Raciti sees it, he needs to be the wise head at times to calm the storm.

“APIA Leichhardt have had no issues with the recent conversations with the FA over the Second League, a lot of what is going around is disingenuous and deceptive,” he said.

“If the league has to wait another year and start later, it only means the clubs care enough about the league that we want to do it right, more time for sponsorship deals, more time to build the league and talk to Football Australia about the future, I don’t see any of this as a bad process.

“With extra preparation, I’m confident more clubs can reach the standard to join the league. In my opinion, a team in Queensland, South Australia, Tasmanian and another in Melbourne is a must and possible.

“Our expectations for this league and the impact it’ll have on Australian football has not diminished.”

Raciti voiced the positive developments at his club as evidence of continued progress.

“APIA is not hoping the league will be good, we know it will. We are confident we will sell 2500 seated tickets 2-3 months before the league begins,” he stated.

“There is sponsorship out there and there is money when we need it.

“APIA is still kicking – we are out finding 15-20 signage sponsors, a $100,000 major sponsor deal and a three-year sportswear deal for all ages from the professional league teams down to the youth development and also in amateur older leagues.

“If all the clubs were broke, we wouldn’t exist now! But we are strong clubs with history and importance in the Australian Football sphere and we understand that.

“Saying support in the clubs is diminishing is ridiculous, APIA is cooking with gas and many other clubs are doing the same.”

Raciti was realistic with the questions on the A-League and the pushback of promotion and relegation. A man in the game this long knows that respect and time builds leagues and competition.

“The A-Leagues have their professional licences for a few more years until they run out. When that’s done, the conversation for promotion and relegation will expand. We are supportive of their leagues as well,” he said.

“We want a strong A-League just like we want a strong Matildas and Socceroos; there is unity in football right now.

“All the clubs have been very supportive, and the FA have been in open conversation. We need the legislative body for the league they are imperative.

“Whenever the league starts and how its presented, you can be sure that APIA will be the first on the dancefloor.”

Raciti has shown he is a strong figure with drive and ambition. This confidence coming from the head of one of the oldest sporting clubs in Australia gives a potent counterargument to the current negative press coming out of negotiations.

When information is thrown around, the words of an experienced campaigner like Raciti should never be taken lightly.

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Central Coast Mariners Women secure future under Holman Barnes Group

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Image Credits: Central Coast Mariners

The future of the Central Coast Mariners Women has been secured after the Holman Barnes Group (HBG) reached an agreement to become the new operator of the club’s A-League Women program. The deal ends uncertainty surrounding the team’s participation in the 2026/27 season.

The agreement between HBG, the Australian Professional Leagues (APL) and Total Soccer Growth Holdings (TSG) ensures the Mariners will remain in the Ninja A-League Women competition. It also introduces a new operating model designed to provide long-term stability.

The uncertainty emerged following TSG’s acquisition of the Central Coast Mariners’ men’s side and academy in June. The women’s program was excluded from the original takeover. TSG already owns English football side Queens Park Rangers (QPR) and MLS club Los Angeles FC. The omission placed the future of the 2025 A-League Women champions in doubt. It also prompted the APL to seek a sustainable solution ahead of the new campaign.

A new operating model

Under the new arrangement, HBG will oversee all operational aspects of the women’s team. This includes the football program, staffing and day-to-day management. TSG will retain the club licence and continue overseeing the men’s program and academy. It will also support the women’s operation through its broader football network.

The agreement represents an innovative partnership between the three organisations. It has been designed to strengthen the long-term sustainability of professional women’s football on the Central Coast. HBG’s plans extend beyond the senior team. They include a strong focus on developing participation pathways and creating greater opportunities for female footballers throughout New South Wales.

Attention turns to the new season

The transition comes at a crucial time with preparations for the 2026/27 Ninja A-League Women season underway ahead of its October 16 start. The new operators are expected to begin managing the program immediately. This remains subject to the completion of the remaining regulatory processes. The team currently has no sponsors and games are expected to be moved away from Central Coast Stadium.

The A-League had previously set a July 31 deadline for new owners to be found to secure a place in the upcoming competition. With that now achieved, HBG will be on the clock to ensure the season begins without disruption and becomes a commercial success.

For the Central Coast Mariners Women, the agreement delivers certainty after a turbulent off-season. It also allows the club to shift its attention to the 2026/27 campaign and the team’s on-field performance.

South Melbourne’s Australia Cup triumph reignites promotion and relegation debate

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Image Credit: The Greek Herald

South Melbourne FC’s dramatic 2-1 victory over Adelaide United in the Hahn Australia Cup Round of 32 has reignited debate around promotion and relegation in Australian football, with Co-President Bill Papastergiadis stating the result is further proof that ambitious National Premier Leagues clubs deserve a pathway to the top tier.

The Victorian powerhouse produced one of the competition’s biggest upsets at Lakeside Stadium, overturning an early deficit to eliminate the Isuzu UTE A-League side and secure a place in the Round of 16.

While the result was celebrated as another example of the magic of the Australia Cup, Papastergiadis believes the victory carries a much broader message about the strength that exists outside Australia’s professional league.

Speaking following the win, Papastergiadis said South Melbourne’s performance demonstrated why the Australian football landscape should move towards a connected pyramid featuring promotion and relegation.

“The result was South Melbourne FC’s revenge 22 years in the making,” Papastergiadis said.

“It also demonstrates that clubs in the National Premier Leagues have the quality, professionalism and ambition to compete with A-League opposition when given the opportunity.”

For years, South Melbourne has been one of the strongest advocates for structural reform within Australian football, consistently calling for an open pyramid that rewards sporting merit rather than maintaining a closed league system.

Papastergiadis argued that Australia Cup fixtures continue to showcase the depth of talent throughout the domestic game, with NPL clubs regularly proving they can challenge and defeat professional opponents despite operating with significantly fewer resources.

He believes these performances should not simply be viewed as isolated “cupsets”, but as evidence that Australia’s football ecosystem is ready to embrace a promotion and relegation model that provides ambitious clubs with a genuine pathway to the top flight.

The result against Adelaide United adds another significant chapter to South Melbourne’s storied history. One of Australia’s most successful clubs, South Melbourne has long maintained aspirations of returning to the national stage, backed by a passionate supporter base, strong infrastructure and a proud footballing tradition.

For Papastergiadis, victories such as Thursday night’s reinforce the argument that clubs should earn opportunities through performances on the pitch.

“The Australia Cup continues to show what’s possible when clubs from different levels of the football pyramid compete against one another,” he said.

“Our football should be built on opportunity and merit. Clubs that perform consistently and invest in their communities should have the chance to progress to the highest level.”

South Melbourne will now turn its attention to the Round of 16, where it will look to continue its impressive cup run.

Beyond the result itself, however, the victory has once again fuelled discussion around the future of Australia’s football structure and whether the growing strength of clubs outside the A-League should accelerate the push towards a fully connected national competition.

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