FFA's plans foe A-L & WC bid

FOOTBALL Federation Australia has confirmed it intends to launch a formal bid to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup as part of an "ambitious agenda" for the organisation over the next four years.

FFA boss Ben Buckley, speaking to The Sun-Herald before the Socceroos kick off the 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign against Qatar in Melbourne on Wednesday, unveiled plans for this year that include A-League expansion and a national youth league.

"We have an extremely ambitious agenda over the next three or four years," Buckley said. "We are serious about bidding for 2018 and are currently conducting a major audit of the infrastructure within Australia."

Buckley revealed FFA has commissioned consulting firm PriceWaterhouseCoopers to deliver a report by April outlining to what extent Australian facilities meet FIFA requirements for hosting what is perhaps the world's biggest sporting event.

"We are also looking at everything from the number of training venues to accommodation in each potential host location, to transport issues and the public infrastructure that needs to be in place," Buckley said.

"I think we have as good a chance as anyone who is in the running, and we have made it known to FIFA that we have an ambition to host it. We have certainly had nothing but encouragement to do that."

Buckley also revealed next season's A-League could kick off with two new teams, with FFA waiting on financial reports from consortia in Townsville and Gold Coast before granting admission.

"There are two very strong proposals on the table from Townsville and the Gold Coast," he said. "We are still awaiting more information on their financial models and the capital backing they would have to start up. We expect to get those answers in the next 10 days.

"It is possible there could be two new teams next season, there could be one and there could be none. That's not sitting on the fence, we just need to make sure that we don't have two teams come in to the league that will later be a financial burden on the existing teams.

"If they can tick the right boxes, then it is a real chance to happen. We have done some planning on the fixtures for a nine-team competition and a 10-team competition.

"We need to expand cautiously because we don't want to weaken what is a growing competition. The most important factor is having A-League teams in major population centres so that participants in those regions can connect to a high-profile, professional competition week in, week out."

Buckley denied a recent assertion by Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek - that players training with top clubs in Europe were of more use to the Socceroos than their A-League counterparts - was damaging to the reputation of the developing Australian competition.

"Pim was talking specifically about two high-quality international players playing in a extremely high-level environment and that those players were still ahead of some of the guys in the A-League," Buckley said.

"He has been to many A-League games and has been a great advocate for how it is helping build the game in Australia - the way it is bringing crowds out and turning that big participation base into supporting teams. He has been surprised by the strength of following and depth of passion from the crowds."

Plans are also in place to raise the A-League salary cap by about $100,000 per team next season.

"The salary cap plays an important role in making sure the game operates within its means and we have a level playing field," he said.

"You can see that the way the competition panned out this year. It was anyone's title right down to the last round, which was fantastic for crowds and interest right across the country. If a fan can start any year believing their team has the potential to win the title, that will breed greater interest in the game and a greater following in the competition."

While the Socceroos' 2010 World Cup campaign will take up most space on the public's radar, Australia's under-23 men's team will compete at the Beijing Olympics in August and the Matildas will back up from last year's impressive performance at the Women's World Cup with the Women's Asian Cup in Malaysia in May. Sydney will also host the prestigious FIFA Congress in May, with up to 2000 delegates expected to attend, including the world governing body's executive committee that decides hosting rights for future World Cups.

Importantly for the local game, the A-League's fourth season will kick off later this year in tandem with a long-awaited national youth competition with teams representing all Australian-A-League clubs.

In the seven-team competition - Wellington Phoenix are excluded - youth players, including top-level prospects attached to the Australian Institute of Sport, will be contracted to A-League sides.

The format is to get young players playing 35 to 40 games a year, which their counterparts around the world are doing at a crucial development period, Buckley said. "That will, over time, help build better quality players for our national team � and it helps the A-League clubs build out their playing rosters with the best quality junior players in the country.

"We have overwhelming support from the clubs to introduce it."

The Queensland Premier kicks off new Government sponsorship deal

qldroar.com.au � qldroar.com.au

QUEENSLAND Roar are winners even before Friday night�s home leg of the minor semi-final after State Premier Anna Bligh today committed her government�s support in the shape of an historic three-year, $1.5 million sponsorship deal with the club.

Premier Bligh said: �My government�s committed to a three-year $1.5 million sponsorship deal with Queensland Roar � but there�s a catch!

�In return the Roar will be ambassadors for multiculturism in Queensland.

�As well, we want them hosting an annual Roar Against Racism International match and to continue delivering their highly successful State-wide junior coaching clinics.

�That match�s appeal is an example of how popular sporting teams can break down the barriers on issues like racism.

�Football is regarded as the �World Game� and not only across the world is it played by more countries than any other sport; in Queensland it has the most ethnically diverse participants.

�The Roar, as part of this agreement, will work with the Government to influence Football Federation Australia to allocate more international matches in Queensland. With the appeal of football on the international stage, particularly in the Asian region, the Roar will play an important role in our trade portfolio, especially with visiting delegations.�

The sponsorship includes a key element for the Roar to enforce its player behaviour standards, said Premier Bligh.

�Tens of thousands of young Queenslanders are influenced by the actions of their sporting heroes.

�From time to time sportspeople make mistakes. This player behaviour standard element is not the government playing a big brother role, rather it�s a reminder � as beneficiaries of public support � about acceptable behaviour.

�This also builds on our $200,000 statewide campaign aimed at lifting the standard of behaviour at Queensland junior sporting events.

�The �True Sport Lives Here� program ensures children have fun by instilling a culture of good sports behaviour both on and off the field.

�A number of Queensland�s sporting heroes, including the Roar�s Matt McKay, are Ambassadors of True Sport representing integrity, respect, fun, responsibility and excellence in sport.

�The Roar, by making the A-League semi-finals (and hopefully the finals) have shown they are the equal of any Hyundai A-League team and we as a Government want them to build on that.

�Beyond the playing field they have shown a lead when it comes to multicultural and junior development.

�Already the State, via Multicultural Affairs Queensland, has teamed up with Queensland Roar for the �Roar Against Racism� showdowns � including an international match against the South African Premier League team, SuperSport United last year.

�We want that to continue and have sought, as part of this arrangement, for the Roar to have a similar game each year in Queensland.

�This sponsorship sits well the Roar�s existing Refugee Program � a partnership between the Roar, Education Queensland and Brisbane City Council involving six schools using football to break down barriers.

�Queensland Roar, in a relatively short time, has shown a real international flavour with players from Korea, Brazil, Germany and Scotland in their present team.�