Expansion to a second division has been a huge talking point for Australian soccer fans with the question being posed as to when it might happen.
The A-League is now independent – now is the chance to bring together those teams with National Premier League sides to increase interest in the game.
While two new A-League teams Western United and Macarthur FC will change up the structure of the A-League, fans are still craving a second division that will ultimately give more teams a shot at the highest level.
It’s now a matter of when, not if, as the white paper has been developed as a plan for the National Second Division in Australia.
The National Second Division Working Group has prepared a proposal to drive the future of the game under FFA control. It’s been a staple for other countries around the world, but a promotion and relegation system doesn’t exist in Australia yet.
With the A-League currently consisting of 10 (soon to be 12) teams, there is little room for players to remain at a top flight level. Clubs have often gone for the ‘recycling’ of players, looking for a tried and true A-League player instead of scouting a NPL level talent.
The main consideration from the white paper is building depth in roster spots for players looking to make their mark.
In its current climate, there isn’t a proper pathway to progress from NPL to A-League. Without getting used to the tempo and higher standard, NPL players may find it tough to break into and sustain themselves in a professional environment.
There’s no doubt that a second division will create more awareness for clubs looking to make a new signing and players will have greater incentive to advance in their career.
Building a greater talent pool will lead to more opportunities to grow and potentially make an impact at the international level. Particularly for younger players, a second division is a great stepping stone to gain experience before mixing it with the A-League’s best and beyond if overseas.
It means there’ll be more full-time professionals, not only in a playing sense but for coaches and officials as well. Having that desire to improve is important as Asian countries are quickly bolstering their leagues with quality.
There are some former National Soccer League (NSL) clubs already boasting adequate facilities to meet any minimum requirement, and with government funding other clubs can ensure their resources are up to speed.
Revamping the A-League into a promotion and relegation system has clear benefits to give the competition a complete refresh. Imagine the tense drama of adding a relegation battle to a title race and finals series? What about a smaller club going for a road to glory? It’s what we want to see.
