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.
