Western Sydney in 2012

[Mr_Bojangles]

Playing Devil's Advocate, but I wouldn't say the 'Nix are "anything near a disaster". Their success has been moderate. For the only professional soccer team in a country, in a capital city, they've been slightly disappointing. In contrast to the Knights, they're a raging success. But.. y'know.

But I do agree. I'm quietly confident about Western Sydney.

And you remember the Kingz at all? Hardly broke crowds of 5000 and averaged around 2500 so they've come a long way even if they haven't got as many people through the game as they have.

 

[Silent Alarm]

Once this new West Sydney team fails like United and Fury did and the Kewell care factor wares off and he retires, I'm not sure what the A-League will do. Already we are seeing much less A-League news in the media even though it's finals time. But that was their choice by choosing to go up against the opening rounds of the AFL season and to a lesser extent the nRL season.

I don't see the A-League as declining at all.

The majority of those non-hardcores don't care about the Fury or Gold Coast. That ignorance is a blessing. Western Sydney will tap into an undeniable football-centric population. But the task for the FFA is to swing casual fans (ie, those who support the Socceroos and pay attention to their local team come finals) into consistent fans. A Port Adelaide fan in South Australia won't care about the FFA's poor decision making. They'll care about their enjoyment of the A-League: The connection they have with Adelaide United, the enjoyment they have at games, and the culture they're a part of. That's the fan they A-League need to persuade (and I believe they are getting there). Past failings won't matter that much.

Well, it'll matter to John the Titans fan in Tweed. But there aren't enough John's in the area to warrant a Gold Coast club. Who cares about John the NRL fan.

 

[coolknot]

The team should be Penrith Wolves FC or Penrith Stars FC. Incorporating 'West' and 'Sydney' in the team's name would be silly.

 

[Tulip]

I hate the FFA.

That's two franchise sides who they've 'given' to the region and then revoked. How do you think the fans of GC and NQF feel? And yeah, they did exist.

They make teams and show no consideration to the regions. They should be sustaining organisations, rather than botting them.

I doubt WS succeed, especially if they hit a rocky patch.

 

[Silent Alarm]

The team should be Penrith Wolves FC or Penrith Stars FC. Incorporating 'West' and 'Sydney' in the team's name would be silly.

Why would that be silly?

Penrith in the name is riddled with issues.

Firstly, if Penrith becomes the base for this club, issues arise. Primarily, Parramatta Stadium is a much better option than any other ground. The transport is there, the facilities are adequate, and it's a good compromise in terms of location. Anything but Parramatta will seriously detriment the success of this franchise.

Additionally, basing this club in one suburb has to be done. You need to have a centralised location for training, administration, and (probably) full on matches. However, this should cater for the majority of the people. By naming your club after one suburb, you're disenfranchising possible supporters. A club representing the entirety of western Sydney, but playing out of one main location, is going to appeal to more fans. But saying "this is the club of Penrith – this isn't for the west, it's mostly for Penrith" is going to lose you some support.

This league isn't equipped from suburbanised clubs.

The viable model is a club representing a demographic or locality. So, Newcastle Jets represent the people of Newcastle. This sport isn't popular enough to garner viable support from a suburb. In fact, targeting a particular 'side' of the city can work for only two A-League sides: Western Sydney and Sydney FC. The huge difference in ethos, culture, income, and much more makes it basically two cities. But nowhere else can this succeed.

 

[mojito]

Will they be breaking out the red, white and black for the team strip?

 

[coolknot]

Why would that be silly?

Penrith in the name is riddled with issues.

Firstly, if Penrith becomes the base for this club, issues arise. Primarily, Parramatta Stadium is a much better option than any other ground. The transport is there, the facilities are adequate, and it's a good compromise in terms of location. Anything but Parramatta will seriously detriment the success of this franchise.

Additionally, basing this club in one suburb has to be done. You need to have a centralised location for training, administration, and (probably) full on matches. However, this should cater for the majority of the people. By naming your club after one suburb, you're disenfranchising possible supporters. A club representing the entirety of western Sydney, but playing out of one main location, is going to appeal to more fans. But saying "this is the club of Penrith – this isn't for the west, it's mostly for Penrith" is going to lose you some support.

This league isn't equipped from suburbanised clubs.

The viable model is a club representing a demographic or locality. So, Newcastle Jets represent the people of Newcastle. This sport isn't popular enough to garner viable support from a suburb. In fact, targeting a particular 'side' of the city can work for only two A-League sides: Western Sydney and Sydney FC. The huge difference in ethos, culture, income, and much more makes it basically two cities. But nowhere else can this succeed.

Now after that post and after thinking about it, I think it would be the best option to put West Sydney in the name.

 

[Puddy]

Last roll of the dice for the FFA and A-League. Putting absolutely everything into this, putting it all on the line, if it falters, it basically sends the A-League back to starting out in season 1.

Not so sure about that. As long as Australian Soccer has govt. backing they will continue to shoot themselves in the foot. Looking back since the dismal and unpopular World Cup bid there has been one drama after another. They add in another team for the tv deal but there just is not enough support in Australia for Soccer.

 

[Silent Alarm]

Not so sure about that. As long as Australian Soccer has govt. backing they will continue to shoot themselves in the foot. Looking back since the dismal and unpopular World Cup bid there has been one drama after another. They add in another team for the tv deal but there just is not enough support in Australia for Soccer.

This isn't true at all.

Despite Australia having a relatively small population, and a swelled sporting market, 'soccer' can thrive here.

Participation levels are always high. On top of that, the Socceroos are the biggest international brand in this country. People have at least a passing interest for the game. And if we're discussing dedicated football fans, we have enough of those. We have a decent base: Average crowds of 10,500 aren't disastrous. Think of it this way: Most European leagues average about 13,000 – and this is with leagues that dwarf the A-League, and cultures that position football above any other sport. Also, the A-League competes against: Twenty20 Big Bash, other domestic cricket, international cricket, basketball. And you can also include the legions of fans dedicated to the clubs of the AFL and NRL. Also, we're constantly comparing the A-League to the AFL. And the AFL is what, the third most attended sporting league in the world? A competition less than ten years old isn't going too badly.

 

[Mr_Bojangles]

Not so sure about that. As long as Australian Soccer has govt. backing they will continue to shoot themselves in the foot. Looking back since the dismal and unpopular World Cup bid there has been one drama after another. They add in another team for the tv deal but there just is not enough support in Australia for Soccer.

You don't even try anymore do you.

 

[Mr_Bojangles]

This isn't true at all.

Despite Australia having a relatively small population, and a swelled sporting market, 'soccer' can thrive here.

Participation levels are always high. On top of that, the Socceroos are the biggest international brand in this country. People have at least a passing interest for the game. And if we're discussing dedicated football fans, we have enough of those. We have a decent base: Average crowds of 10,500 aren't disastrous. Think of it this way: Most European leagues average about 13,000 – and this is with leagues that dwarf the A-League, and cultures that position football above any other sport. Also, the A-League competes against: Twenty20 Big Bash, other domestic cricket, international cricket, basketball. And you can also include the legions of fans dedicated to the clubs of the AFL and NRL. Also, we're constantly comparing the A-League to the AFL. And the AFL is what, the third most attended sporting league in the world? A competition less than ten years old isn't going too badly.

Don't feed the troll.

 

[Mr_Bojangles]

A photo from the Western Sydney launch this week.

 

[Puddy]

A photo from the Western Sydney launch this week.

Funniest thing I have seen in years

 

[Mr_Bojangles]

You being sarcastic brah? You're worthy of wilde.

 

[Puddy]

New western sydney team getting 8 million from the government

http://www.theroar.com.au/2012/04/05/shoot-the-nbl-eight-million-too/

 

[El Camino]

New western sydney team getting 8 million from the government

http://www.theroar.com.au/2012/04/05/shoot-the-nbl-eight-million-too/

This is untrue. The government is giving an $8 million grant to football in western Sydney, not directly to the football club. Of the $8 million, $5 million is going to developing growth participation at 'grassroots' level. Another $3 million will go towards the redevelopment of Football NSW's headquarters in Glenwood. Another further $1 million dollars will go to women's football.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-04-04/a-league-to-western-sydney-in-2012-13/3932722

 

[.Shotties.]

How much is the FFA kicking in with the grant?

 

[Ray Nolan]

A photo from the Western Sydney launch this week.

We have a winner.

 

[Freomaniac]

Well its going to be an Interesting season in 2012-13.

If Promoted correctly the Western Sydney team should get 10,000 at Parra.

But I see a trend here...

1st off we have got 2 melbourne teams and AAMI Park is sold out when the Melbourne derby Arrives.

Now we have 2 Sydney based teams. Im hoping They can emulate Melbournes efforts.

Im hoping there will be a 2nd Brisbane team Playing games at Ballymoore Stadium but thats still a decade away.

If it Turns out to be good next season at least the A-league has a good stong hold in Melbourne and Sydney.

 

[jd2010]

Won't be two sides in Brisbane and shouldn't be. Get western Sydney right and hope that Sydney fc still function well. Then in 3-5 years if that's the case two of Geelong, Wollongong, Canberra & Tasmania should be considered

 

[SchumiUCD]

Interesting article on Western Sydney and the A League in general on the In Bed With Maradona blog. http://inbedwithmaradona.com/journal/2012/4/18/what-next-for-the-a-league-expansion.html

 

[Freomaniac]

Won't be two sides in Brisbane and shouldn't be. Get western Sydney right and hope that Sydney fc still function well. Then in 3-5 years if that's the case two of Geelong, Wollongong, Canberra & Tasmania should be considered

a 2nd bribane team is possible as there is 3-4 million in brisbane. Wollongong should be in. I would not bring geelong, tassie or canberra in as they wont pull in 10,000 at the gate.

 

[Mitchell Madness]

Tasmania would be a better option

500,000 people within driving distance of a stadium, some corporate sponsorship

It isn't like the owner needs to be a local, it's all about profits

And finally, no local teams competing with it

 

[Luigi742]

Tasmania would be a better option

500,000 people within driving distance of a stadium, some corporate sponsorship

It isn't like the owner needs to be a local, it's all about profits

And finally, no local teams competing with it

what about the tassie cricket teams?

 

[Mitchell Madness]

what about the tassie cricket teams?

You mean the tigers and hurricanes?

Can easily be scheduled around