Once upon a time Australia didn’t allow refugees to play for them in football. I know this because my Dad was one of those players, despite being an Australian citizen from 1956. Oh, but they used those refugee players to create a “European” team that the Australian 1/2

“Macarthur FC, based in Sydney’s south-west, claimed nearly 43 per cent of the $2 million yearly funding [from the Football in Schools scheme] to underwrite head office costs.” smh.com.au/politics/nsw/a-le…

It’s Time.

RT @HUAlexanderFC: Calling all football supporters! The time has come for Alexander’s Army to unite as one. Please sign the petition—every…

Football Australia: half of nominees for board positions withdraw, leaving only A-Leagues candidates at this week's AGM. Some observers raise concerns of a possible reverse takeover. #FootballAustralia #FIFA #governance #politics #diplomacy #Socceroos

"If the APL is unable to pay its debts -- which the past two years of Football Australia's write-offs imply -- then there may be a bigger concern about the sustainability, even solvency, of the A-Leagues." espn.com.au/football/story/_….

Promotion & Relegation. You just can’t beat it.

I am completely gutted by today’s result but incredibly proud of our season. We’ve come a long way in five years and this was the best result in our 150 year history. More to do. But for now, we have so much to be proud of, Reds.

This is what the 10th tier of USA soccer will look like under the future USA soccer promotion/relegation system. Imagine this across hundreds of U.S. cities. #ProRelforUSA

I wonder in the Australian context how the stats measure up in comparison from @aleaguemen academy programs. Does the @PFA have any data? They seem to on everything else, so just asking.

An important progression for the game is having a NST, that organically sets a higher standard, and yes PFA the 1200 plus NPL players filtered into a NST with 200 players improves standards, it just has to start and grow into what we want it to be not start an arbitrary point

From the outside looking in, other than AL footballers and those playing overseas, the PFA appears only interested in this “elite” vacum. Happy to be proven wrong. Also of note the PFA votes for the FA Board, in line with the APL.

This thread will be endless if we keep dissecting the reports and the role of @thepfa, but if there is one take away it's this: @thepfa are for themselves only, not the betterment of the game. We all know the next step for football to progress is an NSD & pro/rel giving greater opportunities for players & coaches to develop. Just know they never wanted it nor the biggest clubs in Australia outside of the A-league to be part of the elite level of the game again. It forms all their thinking.

RT @WilkieMP: Australia’s gas resources belong to Australians, not the gas companies. A minimum 25% gas export tax is only fair. It means A…

It’s worth noting that Australian football is just now getting close to where it used to be

I was on live radio about the Norway sport model. Host asked: "What's the ONE thing you'd change about sport?" My answer: Get rid of ALL junior rep teams, elite academies and "high performance programs" for kids under 14. They hurt participation. They hurt elite development. 50 years of research proves it. So what are they for? So 10-year-olds can wear a blazer? What would YOU change? #norwaymodel #youthsport #earlyspecialization #playlikeyourplace #sportsthoughts #waynegoldsmith

Not a huge fan and I don’t know what you have in store for future episodes. But if you haven’t lined up Szymanski as an expert on the subject of #prorelforaus you should. Thanks to @fcgreenandgold youtu.be/nwxeL3u7eBc?si=3DIY…

Don’t think I’ll watch this @football360au “documentary” any further, I’m leaning towards it’s pure propaganda from @MattyWindley, @VinceRugari & co to protect the interests of the the APL CARTEL’S ‘CLOSED SHOP’ #FAKE⚽️ #ALEAGUE TOURNAMENT (aka The NPL on Bonza ✈️s). One worked directly for them. One has a job largely focussed on covering them. After watching the first episode & cringing my way through the first podcast, honestly, what a one sided fools-laden (really biased/#FAKE⚽️ view) of why #ProRelForAus can’t work. Surface level objections to the benefits of a fully connect pyramid. Are you for real? REALITY CHECK It’s on-field merit/achievement financial capacity that are the only measures. If they had true credibility they’d put someone like @NickGalatas or even myself to challenge their foolish/biased (sorry, no better way to describe it) #FAKE⚽️ views no? 🤔 #DeathToTheAleagues💀 #ALM #AustraliaCup #ALeague #ALW #WhereJournosIgnoreTheTruth✍️ #WhereTransferSystemsDontExist🔁 #WhereSelloutsComeToTheFore🤦‍♂️ #WhereClosedLeaguesAreUnique #WhereSelfInterestComesFirst🤫 #WhereExcusesReplaceLogic🤯

@PaulFMcNamee 🗣️ (Via @TheHomeGroundAU) “They shut us down within two weeks of myself & then Les joining the team..they didn’t want South Melbourne going near the #ALeague. I couldn’t believe it, I never had experienced what I felt was prejudice.” “…Football is divided..so many left the sport once they realised if you’ve got that ethnic background you’re not welcome in the top tier..and what I knew was is that a divided house can never grow, & football has to reunite before it can grow. “They keep talking about..fans from other sports..No! First the game has to reunite, & the only way it can do that, there is no other way, is to have a fully fledged national second division with the potential to join the #ALeague.” Too right Paul! 👏 #NPLMVIC #AusChampionship #AustraliaCup #MagicOfTheCup #DockertyCup #ALM #ALW #Matildas #Socceroos #TilItsDone #DifferentBreed #ForeverGolden #FIFA #AFC #OFC

𝘼𝙣𝙜𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙨 𝙝𝙤𝙢𝙚 Our very own Ange Postecoglou returned home last week for a short visit back to his football home at South Melbourne Hellas. Seeing Ange back at Lakeside Stadium, smiling and reconnecting with familiar faces, meant a great deal to everyone at the club. The timing made it even more special, coming only weeks after South captured its first national league trophy in 26 years. An emotional return. Back where it all started.