National Plan for the Whole of Football announced by FFA

Football Federation Australia (FFA) CEO David Gallop has today announced that the game will embark on a National Plan for the Whole of Football.

Speaking at a State of the Game address in Sydney, Gallop said the time was right for the stakeholders of Australian football to join forces over the challenges and opportunities for the sport.

“Everywhere you look at the moment, you can see that Australian football is enjoying a golden period,” said Gallop. “A lot of our current strength is down to the unity of purpose in the game.

“It’s time for a National Plan for the Whole of Football that will set us on our way towards making football the biggest and most popular game in Australia.

“This is not a plan just for FFA driven by the national body. As the name says, it's a plan for the Whole of Football and everyone in the game will have a role to play.”

The National Plan will cover all facets of football, including;

  • Elite player and coach development
  • National teams
  • Community football
  • Facilities development
  • National competitions
  • Fan connections
  • Commercial revenues

Gallop said FFA would lead a major consultation process with all the game’s stakeholders. The National Plan will be completed by the conclusion of the AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015 in January next year, with implementation set for July, 2015.

“After almost two years as CEO, I’m excited and ambitious for the game,” said Gallop, “but I've come to understand that Australian football suffers from a ‘burden of opportunity’.

“Football in Australia has a huge growth trajectory and massive potential, but we don't always have the capital, the resources and the structures to harvest the opportunity.

“The National Plan will set our sights on making football bigger and stronger much sooner.”

Click here to read FFA CEO David Gallop's State of the Game address in full.