A-league Expansion - Derbies
We've gone to great lengths (sorry 😏) to put it up as a derby.
But honestly, the cringe factor of it all has me hoping we just can the 'distance derby' idea altogether.
Nix verus Canberra
Battle of the capitals?
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/domestic/132943547/paul-ifills-new-goal--driving-quadruplechasing-christchurch-united-towards-the-aleague
The APL published its annual report on Monday and is confident the game can capitalise on international momentum after the Socceroos' success last year and the Matildas' record-breaking World Cup run this year.
It announced its plan to expand the A-League Men's competition in March, but details have been scarce since declaring Canberra and Auckland as the preferred expansion locations.
APL boss Danny Townsend had hoped to finalise details by June 30, but the process was delayed and the organisation set the end of September as its new timeline for finding someone to take on the $25 million licence.
Townsend wanted to announce plans before the start of the ALM season next week to give the new franchises more than 12 months to prepare for their inaugural campaigns.
"[The] APL is focused on expanding the number of clubs across Australia and New Zealand in order to maximise engagement with football fans, provide increased professional football pathways and optimise commercial opportunities," the report says.
"APL announced in March its intention to expand the A-Leagues further with new expansion clubs planned for Canberra and Auckland (incorporating both men's and women's programs) growing both leagues to 14 teams.
"The process for the Canberra and Auckland expansions is well-advanced with strong interest from investors. An extensive due diligence and consultation program has been undertaken in both markets.
"Local football organisations, governments and potential investors have been core to this consultation. It is expected that teams 13 and 14 will enter the A-Leagues in season 2024/2025.
"In the longer term, early assessments are being undertaken of geographical markets for the addition of teams 15 and 16 into the A-Leagues."
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8379790/canberras-a-league-plans-missed-two-deadlines-but-apl-say-it-is-well-advanced/
https://www.news.com.au/sport/football/fans-to-enjoy-better-understanding-of-var-decisions-in-new-aleague-mens-season/news-story/4e243f0f0a9bca0622ead67a31581b9f
The Canberra soccer community is buzzing in the hope of landing a pre
Christmas present from the Australian Professional Leagues, which oversee A-Leagues operations and expansion plans.
The APL has been working with Canberra's former A-League bid organisers for almost nine months to finalise a strategy to end the capital's 22-year elite men's soccer exile.
The foundations laid by bid leader Michael Caggiano and his team five years ago are being used as a launching pad to give investors confidence and ensure a smooth start for the competition's 14th team.
Caggiano secured a government funding commitment of $1.2 million per season as part of his bid in 2018. That number will likely increase for the 2024-25 season, and the APL has asked the government to confirm its intentions in writing as it enters the final stages of investment negotiations.
The government has agreed to do so, but the final funding figure and the terms of the agreement will be reassessed once the APL signs a deal with a major backer.
Canberra and Auckland were nominated as preferred expansion locations in March. Auckland has secured its future by striking a deal with American billionaire Bill Foley, but Canberra's campaign has been a slow burn.
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr, centre, has agreed to give written confirmation of his intention to give a Canberra A-League team funding. Jason Geria, left, may be a recruitment target, while the APL is using Michael Caggiano's bid plans as a foundation for the team.
Off-contract players can negotiate with other clubs from January 1, with several former Canberra players believed to be on an early hit list of recruitment targets if the investor deal gets over the line.
Jason Geria, Steven Lustica, Lucas Moragas and Kai Trewin are all considered to be signing targets and it is hoped the lure of a homecoming to start a new team will sweeten the deal.
The APL has twice shifted the deadline for the Canberra deal to be done, readjusting from June 30 to mid September to make early December the key date.
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr and Sport Minister Yvette Berry have given conditional support, subject to final investment confirmation.
The government opted not to bid on World Cup games for the historic tournament this year, citing exorbitant fees and what it deemed minimal economic impact for Canberra.
It meant Canberra fans sat on the sidelines as Matildas fever swept the nation and almost 2 million people watched from the stands.
Asked by Liberals leader Elizabeth Lee if the government would bid for Asian Cup and rugby World Cup games, Barr said: "The deputy chief minister and I will certainly look at the bidding opportunities that exist around those tournaments.
New Zealand Football (NZF) are keen for an A-League franchise in the South Island as the next step after the new Auckland club’s inclusion for the 2024-25 A-League Men season and the 2025-26 women’s competition.
Meyn said, with the new, covered 25,000-seat Te Kaha stadium set to open in Christchurch in April 2026, the time was right for the city to have an A-League club.
The mooted eventual A1 & A2 structure, would first see the ALM expand to at least 20 teams (some invited up from the NST) before a split into A1 & A2 leagues, with pro/rel. Similar to how the Japanese formed their J1-J3 pyramid. And it’s far from a concrete concept at the moment
https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/australia-reveal-plan-to-embrace-promotion-and-relegation-20230528-WST-435105.html
However, once the total number of teams reaches 20, the A-League will likely be split into two leagues, tentatively called the A1 and A2 Leagues. Once the two leagues have been established, teams would be able to go up or down to A1 and A2, respectively.
Read the article I posted above. True pro/rel is years away, if it ever even happens. And initially it likely won't just be onfield performance, but a combination of other factors like financial stability, stadium, crowds etc etc. But earlier than pro/rel, yes the A League could be expanded by new teams like a Sth Island or Tasmania etc franchise if it stacked up. The $20M odd entry fee will aways be a big barrier to new start up clubs
Read the article I posted above. True pro/rel is years away,if it ever even happens. And initially it likely won't just be onfield performance, but a combination of other factors like financial stability, stadium, crowds etc etc. But earlier than pro/rel, yes the A League could be expanded by new teams like a Sth Island or Tasmania etc franchise if it stacked up. The $20M odd entry fee will aways be a big barrier to new start up clubs
Read the article I posted above. True pro/rel is years away,if it ever even happens. And initially it likely won't just be onfield performance, but a combination of other factors like financial stability, stadium, crowds etc etc. But earlier than pro/rel, yes the A League could be expanded by new teams like a Sth Island or Tasmania etc franchise if it stacked up. The $20M odd entry fee will aways be a big barrier to new start up clubs
The old clubs don't like the A-League at all, and they oppose all the expansion clubs (not just Christchurch) because they see the current A-League as a Ponzi scheme where new franchise fees keep the operation afloat. They want pro-rel but only as a means to an end, i.e. that the A-League and all the clubs in it go bankrupt and propah coalface sokkah clubs like SMFC and Sydney Ustaše 58 once more rule the roost.
Point is that Christchurch doesn't upset them any more than Auckland, Canberra, Western United or Macarthur.
No both for 24/25. 14 teams. 26 rounds H&A.
But yes Auckland seem to be further along the process than, the Nix's new "Capital City derby" rivals.
Nick Garcia says that the A-League remains on track to add a Canberra expansion side to its men's league for the 2024-25 season.
— ESPN Australia & NZ (@ESPNAusNZ) January 16, 2024
READ 📝: https://t.co/SgR91OC1xe pic.twitter.com/JJhJiKCtnj
Understand that Canberra A-League expansion is nearing confirmation and announcement.
— AussieScout (@scout_aussie) January 21, 2024
The Canberra team would train out of the Australian Institute of Sport and enter the competition next season.
Understand that Canberra A-League expansion is nearing confirmation and announcement.
— AussieScout (@scout_aussie) January 21, 2024
The Canberra team would train out of the Australian Institute of Sport and enter the competition next season.
Who would their "Derby" team be??
Understand that Canberra A-League expansion is nearing confirmation and announcement.
— AussieScout (@scout_aussie) January 21, 2024
The Canberra team would train out of the Australian Institute of Sport and enter the competition next season.
Who would their "Derby" team be??
Well the Nix are promoting the "Capital Clash" in the ALW next weekend, so maybe us?
Understand that Canberra A-League expansion is nearing confirmation and announcement.
— AussieScout (@scout_aussie) January 21, 2024
The Canberra team would train out of the Australian Institute of Sport and enter the competition next season.
Who would their "Derby" team be??
But they likely would need the Gong to get a team, to get that real local enemy.
It's the national sport of half of them and I'm sure they'd attract better crowds then a number of current sides.
I'm sure there are enough Kaltaks, Krishnas, Karembeus, Kais and Tehaus to put a very competitive side together. It would greatly help their national team's too, much like the Kingz and Nix have for us.
It's the national sport of half of them and I'm sure they'd attract better crowds then a number of current sides.
I'm sure there are enough Kaltaks, Krishnas, Karembeus, Kais and Tehaus to put a very competitive side together. It would greatly help their national team's too, much like the Kingz and Nix have for us.
It's the national sport of half of them and I'm sure they'd attract better crowds then a number of current sides.
I'm sure there are enough Kaltaks, Krishnas, Karembeus, Kais and Tehaus to put a very competitive side together. It would greatly help their national team's too, much like the Kingz and Nix have for us.
They should definitely make it so that pacific island players are local players not visa players. Probably plenty of krishnas and kaltaks out there who will never be given the chance.
Noumea has nearly 200,000 people. It’s a true football nation. They already have a ready to go stadium which is certified for international matches. Noumea has good airlines connections to Australia and NZ.
I could imagine a base of New Caledonian players plus the best players from Vanuatu and Tahiti with a back bone of players from mainland France. Karembu mentioned potential sponsorship from the big Nickel Mining companies plus I would imagine the French govt would support it as a gesture to the locals.
I think it would work. Plus there could be some extra TV money for the A-League if their games were broadcast back in France.