The FA forced into job cuts amid Covid-19

Liam Watson
Grassroots football in England has been suspended as the country heads into a four-week lockdown from November 5 until December 2.

The Football Association (FA), English soccer’s governing body, has been forced into 124 job cuts as they try to fight their losses due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

FA chairman Greg Clarke has confirmed that all areas of the organisation will be affected, as a redundancy programme will see a large number of positions removed.

“All areas of the FA will be affected,” he said.

“We need to save UK£75 million a year and we’ve got a UK£300 million potential hole to fill over the next four years.”

Of the total 124 jobs to be made redundant, 42 of those will be achieved by stopping further recruitment. It leaves 82 positions that will have to be cut in order to save costs.

It’s been reported that the FA is bracing for a potential deficit of UK£300 million (AU$536 million) over the next four years due to the coronavirus.

“We have a responsibility to preserve our core functions that regulate and serve English football,” FA chief executive Mark Bullingham said.

“We also have a duty to support our men’s and women’s senior teams in their efforts to win major tournaments. That means we have set out in our proposals some difficult choices because we do not think we can afford to do all the things that we did before.

“We believe the impact of this crisis is to force us to focus more than ever on our key priorities.”

Despite the English professional leagues getting their season restarts underway recently, the FA has already lost revenue given it’s the first bit of league action since the nationwide shutdown in March.

“It might seem that football has weathered the storm by getting the top-flight men’s game playing again,” Bullingham said.

“However, unfortunately the past few months have impacted the FA severely and we have lost a significant amount of money that we can never recoup.”

Associations such as the FA have the opportunity to receive a loan from Fifa, under the global governing body’s Covid-19 relief plan. However, it’s been reported that the FA has opted against taking advantage of the loan on offer by Fifa, despite them being forced into the job cuts.

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Labor Party pledge light upgrades for sporting fields in Whitlam

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Image Credit: Moss Vale Football Club

The Labor party have promised lighting upgrades for local sporting fields in the NSW Whitlam electorate if the Albanese government is re-elected at this weekend’s Federal Election.

Labor promise to put $3 million towards upgrades in lighting for sports ovals and parks in the Southern Highlands area within the Whitlam area.

This funding would go towards the David Woods Playing fields in Bowral, Hampden Park in Roberston and Church Road Oval in Moss Vale.

Church Road Oval is the home ground of the Moss Vale Football Club (MVFC).

Labor will fight hard to retain this key electorate that they have held with previous MP Stephen Jones since 2016.

Carol Berry has been recently appointed as the Labor party candidate in the Whitlam Constituency for the May 4th Federal Election.

Rowan MacAlpine of MVFC has been recognised by MP Carol Berry as an important voice for pushing through the grant scheme for this opportunity.

Carol Berry has been vocal in her support for football and the need for upgrades in her constituency.

“As a soccer mum and as a former soccer player myself, I know what a difference a well-lit sporting field can make,” quoted via NSW Labor official media website.

“If re-elected, an Albanese Labor Government will improve field lighting in the Southern Highlands, which will make a real difference to clubs and players.

“Sport is such an important way for kids and adults to stay fit and to be part of the community.

“Improving the quality of sporting fields in our region is a great investment by government at all levels.”

Lighting has been cited as an important part of maintaining the fields sustainability for use throughout the season and allows for more activity on the fields for longer hours.

Its key to amateur clubs’ abilities to cater for larger participation which can also increase registration and therefore funds straight to the club.

Local council members have also expressed how these funds would be able to ease the pressure on council money, allowing for more revenue into other projects.

It highlights the importance that Federal and State Government’s grant schemes have not just on maintaining sporting clubs but also the local communities.

As the election heats up to this weekend, promises will be given at large to many of Australia’s communities. Only with the results of the election can the landscape of football in Australia plan for the next stages.

Liberals pledge $1.69m for Launceston City FC upgrades

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Liberals pledge
Image Credit: Tasmanian Liberals

The Tasmanian Liberals have promised to provide $1.69 million to complete Launceston City FC’s precinct redevelopment if they are elected to government.

Founded in 1958, Launceston City is one of Tasmania’s largest sporting clubs, with around 750 registered players competing for the club across NPL Tasmania and the NTJSA.

Since 2021, Launceston City has been engaged in upgrading their home ground facilities at Prospect Park to account for the rapid growth the club has achieved, and to future proof the ground for the next generation.

The initial upgrades saw the construction of the Peter Mies Pavillion, named after a club legend, the pavilion added two modern changerooms to the club. However, rising costs prevented the development of another two changerooms and renovations to crucial club amenities such as parking, lighting, clubrooms and spectator facilities.

Liberal candidate for Lyons, Susie Bower pledged a Liberal government would fund the second stage of the project and help Launceston City build the facilities it required during a press conference at Prospect Park.

“It’s absolutely fantastic to be here today at Prospect Vale to announce that a Dutton-led Coalition Government will commit $1.69 million for stage two of the Launceston City Football Club masterplan,” she said.

“Now, this masterplan for stage two actually includes two more sets of change rooms, which we know are absolutely critical for this football club because they have over 615 juniors signed up and over 150 senior players.”

In a club statement, Launceston City FC expressed gratitude for Susie Bower’s visit and accompanying pledge.

“We sincerely thank Susie for this election commitment as well as her ongoing support. This funding will future proof our club for generations to come and help us achieve our strategic vision to have the modern and inclusive facilities and infrastructure our community deserve,” the statement read.

The 2025 federal election takes place this Saturday May 3, for information on how or where to vote, visit the Australian Electoral Commision website. 

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