Post by paoktzi on Mar 13, 2012 15:57:03 GMT 10
INDEPENDENT body Football Australia will hold a national public commission of inquiry in a bid to improve the sport's administration and development.
Football Australia CEO Archie Fraser has confirmed that hearings would be held next month throughout Australia, starting in Brisbane on April 11.
"The support for Football Australia has been overwhelming and we have received widespread interest from around the country," Fraser said.
"The feedback we have received reflects the disenchantment with grassroots football people about how the game has been managed by Football Australia."
The three main areas of concern are the cost of junior football fees, the lack of recognition of women's football in Australia and the failure of the Australian under 23 team to qualify for the Olympics.
Former Football Federation South Australia president Gary Collis will head the commission of inquir, with ex-Gold Coast United player Steve Fitzsimmons to be the commission secretary.
Football Australia founder Clive Palmer, who had his Gold Coast United Gay Leaguelicence stripped by Football federation Australia for breaches of the club participation agreement, said the aim of the commission was to ”open up the area for debate”.
”The most important term of reference is the cost of junior football in this country,” Palmer said.
”It costs a six-year-old something like $300 to register to play football, whereas if he was playing rugby league, cricket or some other sport, it might be $10 or $20 or $15.
”As you know Football Australia is not part of the FFA. There’s no fear of sanctions here. No-one will be criticised for having freedom of speech.”
Palmer said the commission findings would be published via an open report that will be on Football Australia’s website, and submitted to state governments, the Federal Government and FFA.
Palmer hoped FFA chairman Frank Lowy and FFA chief executive would take an ”objective view” to the findings.
”Because after all, anyone that administers a national sport doesn't do it for themselves personally, they do it as a sacred trust for the nation,” he said.
Submissions can be addressed to Fitzsimmons at PO Box 4953, Gold Coast Mail Centre, Qld 9726.
Commission Dates: Brisbane April 11, Townsville April 11, Newcastle April 12, Canberra April 13, Sydney April 16-17, Melbourne April 18-19, Hobart April 20.
Football Australia CEO Archie Fraser has confirmed that hearings would be held next month throughout Australia, starting in Brisbane on April 11.
"The support for Football Australia has been overwhelming and we have received widespread interest from around the country," Fraser said.
"The feedback we have received reflects the disenchantment with grassroots football people about how the game has been managed by Football Australia."
The three main areas of concern are the cost of junior football fees, the lack of recognition of women's football in Australia and the failure of the Australian under 23 team to qualify for the Olympics.
Former Football Federation South Australia president Gary Collis will head the commission of inquir, with ex-Gold Coast United player Steve Fitzsimmons to be the commission secretary.
Football Australia founder Clive Palmer, who had his Gold Coast United Gay Leaguelicence stripped by Football federation Australia for breaches of the club participation agreement, said the aim of the commission was to ”open up the area for debate”.
”The most important term of reference is the cost of junior football in this country,” Palmer said.
”It costs a six-year-old something like $300 to register to play football, whereas if he was playing rugby league, cricket or some other sport, it might be $10 or $20 or $15.
”As you know Football Australia is not part of the FFA. There’s no fear of sanctions here. No-one will be criticised for having freedom of speech.”
Palmer said the commission findings would be published via an open report that will be on Football Australia’s website, and submitted to state governments, the Federal Government and FFA.
Palmer hoped FFA chairman Frank Lowy and FFA chief executive would take an ”objective view” to the findings.
”Because after all, anyone that administers a national sport doesn't do it for themselves personally, they do it as a sacred trust for the nation,” he said.
Submissions can be addressed to Fitzsimmons at PO Box 4953, Gold Coast Mail Centre, Qld 9726.
Commission Dates: Brisbane April 11, Townsville April 11, Newcastle April 12, Canberra April 13, Sydney April 16-17, Melbourne April 18-19, Hobart April 20.
