Indian Super League to work towards new league system

Staff Writer
The AFC

In a report from the AFC, the power brokers at the ISL (Indian Super League) will be looking to revamp the league system to try and improve the sport in India.

This news comes as it was recently revealed that the ISL champions would enter a play-off place in the Asian Champions League competition.

It is nice to see that India is trying to move forward and introduce a competent system with promotion and relegation, in a bid to be recognised as a soccer nation.

Australia has had similar problems over the years and the similarities are hard to miss.

Let’s hope that like us Aussies, the Indians can start building towards a new era.

Full release below:

Kuala Lumpur: Indian football today was presented with a roadmap for the reform process for the club game in the country – with the Indian Super League (ISL) being recognised as the top league in India starting from this 2019-2020 season.

The ISL champions would also be entitled to a play-off place in the AFC Champions League and the I-League champions would take a place in the AFC Cup in ‘a package that takes into consideration the recommendations of FIFA/AFC report of 2017.’

Dato’ Windsor John, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) General Secretary, said at a meeting convened in Kuala Lumpur: “Everyone has to put the good of Indian football at the forefront and take the best decisions to develop Indian club football. The AFC will be very much involved to ensure the growth of the game to the next level with the pathway to a single league.

“Every point of this package – and it is a package – has been thought-out extremely carefully and it is aimed simply at providing the best chance to develop Indian club football. We have informed AIFF that 10-12 teams are not enough for the top League – it must be bigger.

“Everyone has contributed to the development of the Indian club game – ISL, I-League clubs, the AIFF and the AFC – and I am sure that if this roadmap is considered further then Indian football will see the benefits for the game. We are now all working together to deliver the best future.”

All India Football Federation (AIFF) General Secretary Kushal Das, added: “We now have a roadmap which provides the best opportunity for Indian club football. I would like to thank the AFC – and its General Secretary – for their contribution in proposing a solution to this unique problem. India is an important country for football in Asia.

“We have to be financially sustainable and take into consideration all commercial and contractual aspects of this plan because commerce is key to football not only in India but across the world of football. We must be cognisant of that fact of football life, that footballing legacy and investment are equally important for the development of Indian football.”

The proposal will now be presented to the AFC Executive Committee and the AIFF Executive Committee. The roadmap is:

  • In season 2019-20, the ISL will attain the status of premiere league competition in Indian football.
  • As a special compensation to India, the AFC will allow the winning ISL club to represent India in the AFC Champions League play-offs, and the I-League winner will get to play the AFC Cup play-off.
  • Another key recommendation by the AFC is to open a pathway for two I-League clubs’ entry into the ISL by the end of the 2020-21 season, subject to the criteria being fulfilled.
  • In addition, starting with the 2022-23 season, the winner of I-League will stand a chance to be promoted to the ISL with no participation fee, basis fulfilling sporting merit and the national club licensing criteria to be set out by the AIFF. There will be no relegation in the ISL at this time.
  • In its recommendation for 2024-25, it is agreed to fully implement promotion and relegation into the top league, and abolition of two parallel leagues.
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Football QLD to team up with Restore Function Physiotherapy

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DedovStock / Shutterstock

Football Queensland announced last week it will be partnering with Restore Function Physiotherapy in a multi-year collaboration.

Elite preparation and performance

By establishing a long-term partnership with a business dedicated to supporting athletes in the region, Football Queensland are showing their commitment to supporting current and future players in their physical preparation.

Furthermore, by ensuring injuries are kept at bay through physiotherapy, strength and conditioning services, Restore Function Physiotherapy will help Football Queensland to keep their most talented players fit and firing throughout the season.

Football Queensland CEO, Robert Cavallucci, expressed his delight at establishing the alliance and what it means for Football Queensland’s football development going forward.

“Our partnership with Restore Function Physiotherapy is a key step in continuing to raise the standard of FQ Academy and State Team programs,” Cavallucci said via press release.

“Restore Function Physiotherapy will deliver a range of services across our boys’ and girls’ pathways, including training and match coverage, injury screening, rehabilitation and high performance support,” he continued.

“The experience everyone at Restore Function Physiotherapy bring from elite sport will help to further professionalise our programs and support the long-term development and wellbeing of Queensland players.”

 

Supporting long-term development

As Football Queensland looks to build a sustainable footballing future across the region, prioritising players’ health will be essential. With training partners like Restore Function Physiotherapy, clubs can help their players become elite athletes, ultimately improving the footballing standards on the pitch.

Restore Function Physiotherapy Owner and Founder, Miranda O’Hara, revealed her pride at having established an alliance with Football QLD for the upcoming season and beyond.

“We’re proud to partner with Football Queensland and support its Academy and State Team players with high quality, evidence-based physiotherapy and high performance programs,” O’Hara said via press release.

“Our role is to work closely with players and staff to deliver injury prevention, rehabilitation and S&C programs that support sustainable high performance and long-term athlete development.”

It is clear that the impact of a partnership between Football QLD and Restore Function Physiotherapy goes far beyond a mere commercial venture. It is an alliance which can help a local business, as well as nurture future talents coming through the Football QLD system.

Ultimately, by providing Queensland players with elite training and support networks, a distinct culture of excellence and professionalism is created before they step onto the pitch.

 

Read more about Restore Function Physiotherapy and the services they provide here.

 

Is the FW Regional Girls Training Camp bridging the access gap for talent?

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Image Credit: Football West

In Western Australia, the tyranny of distance has historically functioned as the primary barrier to talent identification.

For regional footballers, the logistical and financial burden of accessing elite pathways often renders the concept of “equal opportunity” a theoretical ideal rather than an operational reality. However, the recent Regional Girls Training Camp, hosted at the Sam Kerr Football Centre, suggests that Football West is moving to operationalise the structural changes announced in its 2026 academy overhaul.

Earlier this week, nearly 100 players aged 10 to 17 converged on the State Centre for Football in Cannington. The three-day camp invited participants from the previous year’s Country Week carnival, represents the first tangible application of the “real-match” and high-performance philosophy outlined by Football West Development Manager Gareth Naven late last year.

While the previous announcement of the Regional Academy model focused on the structural shift from training camps to competitive “State Carnivals,” this current initiative addresses the resource gap. For stakeholders and policymakers, the camp serves as a case study in how centralised infrastructure assets can be leveraged to service a decentralised demographic.

Infrastructure as an equity lever

A lack of high-performance environments defines the economic reality of regional football. The facility gap between metro NPL setups and regional clubs is often vast. Football West uses the Sam Kerr Football Centre to subsidise the “professional experience” for regional talent.

Sarah Carroll, Female Football & Advocacy Manager, notes the purpose extends beyond simple engagement. The curriculum fused on-pitch technical training with athlete development workshops.

Geography usually blocks access to this sport science for a 14-year-old Pilbara or Goldfields player. By centralising this education, the governing body helps standardise the player pool’s knowledge base. Naven’s alignment strategy demands closing the “knowledge gap” alongside the technical one.

The economics of the “Legacy”

Critically, the WA Government funds the camp through the Female Community Legacy Program. This highlights the Legacy Program’s ROI for the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries.

A stated aim to “enhance club capability” acknowledges that player development requires an ecosystem. The funding mechanism here is significant. Without state intervention, the cost per head would prohibit many families from attending.

Targeted funding bridges the gap between community participation and elite commercial viability. Regional Lead Tanya Amazzini calls these opportunities “essential” for player growth and confidence.

Strategic alignment with the 2026 pathway

Observers must view this camp alongside the Regional Academy system overhaul. The new “State Carnival” model demands players physically prepared for elite competition. This camp functions as the preparatory phase for that new competitive reality.

Football West uses elite exposure to mitigate the shock of transitioning to state programs. Furthermore, involving players from the Pilbara to the South West keeps the talent net wide. Maintaining sight on remote talent requires constant investment.

The residual challenge

However, the long-term impact warrants caution. The “re-entry” phase remains the primary challenge. Players return to clubs with significantly fewer resources than the Sam Kerr Football Centre.

Success depends on the “trickle-down” effect of the education provided. If players transfer this knowledge locally, the aggregate standard of regional football rises. If isolated, the experience may simply make the regional gap feel more pronounced.

Integrating 100 regional girls into the state’s premier facility executes the strategic plan. It signals that the Centre delivers dividends to the broader ecosystem, not just the elite.

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