Clubs confirm their bids for next stage of National Second Tier process

Staff Writer
Marconi v Sydney Olympic
Image credit: Football NSW

Football Australia has recently announced the conclusion of phase two, the Request for Proposal (RFP) phase of the National Second Tier (NST) Application Process.

Clubs including South Melbourne FC, Avondale FC, Melbourne Knights FC, South Hobart FC, Sydney Olympic FC, Preston Lions, Sydney United FC and APIA Leichhardt have all announced they have submitted their bids.

“We’ve taken significant strides towards establishing a robust framework for the National Second Tier. The response and the submissions received are testament to the passion and commitment of the football community to this pivotal initiative,” Football Australia CEO James Johnson said in a statement.

With the RFP process now finalised, the Assessment and Review Phase has now commenced. Each submitted proposal will undergo a rigorous evaluation to ensure its completeness and alignment with the set criteria and requirements. Should sufficient proposals be deemed suitable, this phase will be succeeded by the Completion phase, marking the end of the selection process.

Ensuring transparency and accuracy in these crucial steps, Football Australia has appointed BDO, globally recognised accounting and advisory experts, as an independent third party to provide their assistance to the process.

Johnson further added, “Every decision we make during this process aims to guarantee that the National Second Tier is holistic, competitive, and adds immense value to Australian football. Collaborating with BDO assures our stakeholders of the process’s integrity and fairness.”

Football Australia continues to target a March 2024 launch of the NST, aiming to feature a minimum of 10 teams that will compete in a home and away league structure with finals. However, Football Australia may also explore a phased ‘group based’ model, where the National Premier Leagues would influence the composition, adopting the ‘Champions League’ model.

Concluding his statement, Johnson said, “As we advance, our commitment is to the future of Australian football. Whether we finalise on the conventional league structure or adopt the ‘Champions League’ model, our vision remains clear – to elevate the stature of football in Australia.”

The original 26 shortlisted clubs are named below.

* = Haven’t confirmed further bid via social media – at time of writing

ACT

  • Canberra Croatia*
  • Gungahlin United*

NEW SOUTH WALES

  • APIA Leichhardt
  • Fraser Park*
  • Marconi Stallions
  • Rockdale Ilinden*
  • Sutherland Sharks/Cronulla Sharks*
  • Sydney Olympic
  • Sydney United 58
  • Wollongong Wolves

QUEENSLAND

  • Brisbane City*
  • Brisbane United (Wynnum Wolves, Brisbane Strikers, Virginia United)*
  • Gold Coast Knights (withdrawn).
  • Gold Coast United (withdrawn).
  • Olympic FC (withdrawn).
  • Sunshine Coast Fire

VICTORIA

  • Avondale FC
  • Brunswick Juventus*
  • Green Gully*
  • Heidelberg United*
  • Melbourne Knights
  • Preston Lions
  • South Melbourne

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

  • Adelaide City*
  • Football South Australia bid (Campbelltown City, North East MetroStars, West Torrens Birkalla)*

TASMANIA

  • South Hobart FC
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UEFA’s Role in Operation Kratos: stopping global piracy

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UEFA against anti-piracy, supports Operation Kratos
Image Credit: UEFA Website

UEFA has publicly issued support for Operation Kratos, a multinational effort to prevent international piracy.

Headed by the Republic of Bulgaria’s Ministry of the Interior and supported by police agencies from the Italian and Croation Republics alongside Europol and Eurojust, as well as Spanish football league LaLiga, Operation Kratos has actively dismantled a global piracy network used by over 22 million users.

Executed throughout the middle of 2024, during major sporting events such as the, Paris Olympics, UEFA EUROs tournament and UEFA Champions League, Operation Kratos undertook 112 search and seizures of equipment, and identified 102 suspects, arresting 11.

Across the seizures, law enforcement discovered 270 IPTV devices, 100 domains that had been used for crime, and nearly 30 servers. In addition, authorities found weapons, drugs, 2.65 million AUD in cryptocurrency and 66,000 AUD in cash.

UEFA played a crucial part in the operation, providing critical and prompt information on illegal sports streams. Information was gained through UEFA’s widespread content protection program which monitors for stolen content using the latest available technology.

A UEFA spokesperson highlighted the value of Operation Kratos for the organisation and sport as a whole.

“UEFA welcomes and supports such a successful and unprecedented operation that neutralised a record number of illegal streaming platforms and illegal IPTV services. We would like to thank the various stakeholders involved for their ongoing efforts and the high level of cooperation in fighting digital piracy by bringing actions such as this against organised crime”

“Financial revenue generated from media rights is vital for the well-being of both professional and amateur football. In particular, it is essential to football development and grassroots investment throughout Europe.

“The fight against the online piracy of our competitions remains a key priority for UEFA. We are committed to doing whatever is possible to stop this core threat to the revenues which underpin the European football ecosystem.”

UEFA will continue to assist organisations in the fight against piracy.

Football Queensland’s infrastructure proposal for 2032 Olympics

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Football Australia and Football Queensland have presented a comprehensive infrastructure proposal for the Queensland Government’s 100-day infrastructure review for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, positioning the sport as a key driver of long-term regional development.

The submission champions a strategic approach that leverages football’s significant community impact, highlighting the sport’s 350,000 active participants across Queensland.

Central to the proposal is a purpose-built Tier 2 rectangular stadium, potentially located at Perry Park, designed to accommodate 17,000 to 20,000 spectators with capacity for an additional 13,000 temporary seats during the Games.

The proposal also includes:

Enhancements to Training Sites

  • Strategic upgrades to Meakin Park’s Queensland State Home of Community Football, creating a versatile multi-sport infrastructure in a rapidly expanding urban corridor.
  • Guarantees FIFA tournament compliance while establishing enduring high-performance facilities for community and elite athletes.

Innovative Regionalisation Approach

  • Champions a decentralised Games delivery model to amplify participation across broader Queensland communities.
  • Introduces collaborative content-sharing and strategic partnerships to bolster regional sporting infrastructure and engagement.

Cost Savings and Value Creation

  • Identifies potential savings and revenue opportunities exceeding $1 billion through optimised venue design.
  • Commits to generating substantive economic benefits and sustainable legacies for Queensland’s diverse communities.

Football Australia Chairman Anter Isaac emphasised the proposal’s broader vision.

“Brisbane 2032 represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver a legacy for communities across Queensland and across the Asia-Pacific region. Football’s submission aligns with a best for city, state and games, master planned approach with a focus on innovation and sustainability,” Issac commented on FQ official press release.

Football Australia CEO James Johnson also joined in underscoring the stadium’s significance.

“A purpose-built rectangular stadium is critical to addressing the needs of the sport in Queensland. This venue will not only elevate the fan experience but also position Brisbane to host future international tournaments,” Johnson explained via FQ official press release.

Football Queensland CEO Robert Cavallucci was keen to highlight the grassroots focus that this investment would deliver.

“Football Queensland’s priority is to ensure the benefits of Brisbane 2032 extend to every community in the state. By investing in regional and grassroots infrastructure, this proposal ensures all Queenslanders can be part of the Games’ legacy,” Cavallucci expressed via FQ official press release.

The proposal has garnered support from key stakeholders including the Asian Football Confederation, Oceania Football Confederation, Australian Professional Leagues, Brisbane Roar, and Professional Footballers Australia.

Football Australia and Football Queensland’s approach show a unified football push to try and garner an exciting sporting and footballing spine within the city of Brisbane and wider areas, using innovation and sustainability to enhance a positive prospect.

With a comprehensive vision spanning elite and community levels, football’s Olympic submission represents a significant strategic play for the sport’s future in Queensland.

Read the official proposal from Football Queensland here.

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