The FFA missed a wonderful opportunity this week to stand up and send a clear message to all Australian football fans for the good of the future of the game. Instead, the Status Quo will remain with CEO Ben Buckley offered a new contract which it appears likely will be accepted.
It’s time for we, the fans, to stand up and demand our voices be an integral part of moving the code forwards – not backwards. This includes pushing long term for a seat at the FFA table. We believe in a successful A-League and State Leagues, we believe in the FFA being accountable for their decisions, we believe in a unified Football Family at all levels of the game and we believe in the interests of the fans being at the forefront of any decision making.
Initially when the concept for FSFA was created, we aimed too large and got bogged under the details until we all gave up. We will be starting again, this time smaller and more manageable with a future vision. The aim is for the initial compact structure to gain traction, and as that momentum grows so will the association.
For the first stage of its life, the FSFA will act as an advocacy group for the fans of all levels of the game. The Association will assert its influence through the media and offer real, proactive solutions to issues either real or perceived.
fsfaus.org will become an information hub, with The Association board building a central database of information for football fans. This will include Stadium/Ground, Ticketing, City, Local policing and security information to help both travelling and home fans as informed as possible.
The long term strategy is to have a fully democratic association with yearly AGM’s giving all financial members voting and nomination rights. At this stage, all memberships are free of charge although there will be a monetised structure in the future.
To ensure the first period of viability, Forbze and myself will be appointing the inaugural FSFA board.
The FSFA will be structured in a way that is similar to our counterparts from the UK (A board providing National strategy & direction and National Council comprised of representatives from around the country).
If you wish to get involved, please let us know via email and nominate yourself for either the Board or National Council. Be sure to include which area you are from so that we can have a broad coverage of the nation, as well as a short message for us to gauge your idea of a football vision for this country.
You can also join us on the forums, or follow us on twitter to continue the discussion.
The time is now. Let’s get this ball rolling.
Fed up with FIFA and what they’re doing to the beautiful game?