The Negative and Positive Aspects the Beautiful Game is having on Australia.
Australian football has come on leaps and bounds since the end of the defunct National Soccer League (NSL). The invention of the A-League reinvigorated a sport which was slowly dying in this country. The term ‘’Wogball’’ was used for football for decades due to the sole influence of Middle Eastern migrants, who were the majority who played the beautiful game in a country dominated by Rugby codes. Well, since 2004, football has become the most played sport by kids all around the country, and slowly but surely Australians are being converted into the round ball game that dominates every corner of the globe.
The Hyundai A-League established in 2004 was invented to regenerate football in Australia. The establishment of 10 inaugural teams: 9 from Australia, 1 from New Zealand was designed to bring the world game back into the minds of Australians. The league at first was criticised for its poor quality and poor crowds. This was due to a non-acceptance of the game by many Australians, even though it was played in summer to avoid the rugby codes season. Although 3 teams that have competed in the A-League no longer exist, they provided a platform for the establishment of other teams for the league in Australia. Since the beginning, the A-League has just grown every season, and with the ninth instalment already under way, the continued improvement of Australians in accepting the A-League and its continued improvement in quality of football played, the A-League will flourish.
Australian football has come on leaps and bounds since the end of the defunct National Soccer League (NSL). The invention of the A-League reinvigorated a sport which was slowly dying in this country. The term ‘’Wogball’’ was used for football for decades due to the sole influence of Middle Eastern migrants, who were the majority who played the beautiful game in a country dominated by Rugby codes. Well, since 2004, football has become the most played sport by kids all around the country, and slowly but surely Australians are being converted into the round ball game that dominates every corner of the globe.
The Hyundai A-League established in 2004 was invented to regenerate football in Australia. The establishment of 10 inaugural teams: 9 from Australia, 1 from New Zealand was designed to bring the world game back into the minds of Australians. The league at first was criticised for its poor quality and poor crowds. This was due to a non-acceptance of the game by many Australians, even though it was played in summer to avoid the rugby codes season. Although 3 teams that have competed in the A-League no longer exist, they provided a platform for the establishment of other teams for the league in Australia. Since the beginning, the A-League has just grown every season, and with the ninth instalment already under way, the continued improvement of Australians in accepting the A-League and its continued improvement in quality of football played, the A-League will flourish.
The non-acceptance of the A-League was not just by the majority of Australians, the media were a constant menace to the game due to its poor reporting. Every major story on the A-League seems to be from a negative connotation. The term ‘’Soccer Hooligans’’ was dubbed to these so called fans and this in turn created a culture of fear in Australians in which the round ball game suffered from only the negative aspects of the game reported on. This left many football tragic’s disappointed and upset as the growth of the A-League was ignored in favour of painting the league in a negative light. It seems this negative reporting on the A-League from mainstream media dampened the game to the audience and left an impression on the general public.
Even when a positive impact occurs from the A-League, mainstream media seem to ignore it, in favour of a report on a rugby player’s misdemeanour or looking to the season ahead. Mainstream media really need to take a long hard look at themselves and sense that Australian football deserves the attention, and deserves to be part of their 6pm bulletin. Because with positive aspects of the A-League reported on, this in turn will cause the general public to take more notice and hopefully attend a game and see what all the fuss is about. Media don’t really know how much they influence people, and I am disappointed and annoyed at the lack of attention still today paid to a league that is on the rise.
Even when a positive impact occurs from the A-League, mainstream media seem to ignore it, in favour of a report on a rugby player’s misdemeanour or looking to the season ahead. Mainstream media really need to take a long hard look at themselves and sense that Australian football deserves the attention, and deserves to be part of their 6pm bulletin. Because with positive aspects of the A-League reported on, this in turn will cause the general public to take more notice and hopefully attend a game and see what all the fuss is about. Media don’t really know how much they influence people, and I am disappointed and annoyed at the lack of attention still today paid to a league that is on the rise.
As a major football fan, l am of course disappointed in the current situation surrounding the national team. The out of date term given to the team ‘’The Socceroos’’ have been plagued by poor performances and a lack of commitment and desire shown when playing in the sacred green and gold jersey. The sacking of Holger Osieck, even though he led us to a third World Cup in a row was overdue. A 6-0 shellacking is hard enough to swallow, but two 6-0 defeats in a row is unacceptable. Granted, we did play 2 powerhouses of world football in the ever improving new generation of Brazilians and the always strong French, but regardless of the opposition, we cannot take these results. Mark Bosnich and Robbie Slater on Fox Sports coverage of the France game were livid with the lack of passion, desire and commitment given by the players. As two former passionate and proud footballers who represented their country, their rage and disappointment was echoed around the country by the Australian football community.
The response of Captain Lucas Neill to the situation surrounding his team was extremely disappointing to hear. He was adamant that it isn’t the older players who are the problem; it’s the new generation of Australian footballers who apparently take the green and gold shirt in vain. As a captain, Lucas must take control of the situation and not ridicule the young players, he’s there to guide them and support them as the future leaders of our team. The newly announced appointment of former Brisbane Roar and Melbourne Victory coach Ange Postecoglou to take the reins of the national team is a major step in the right direction. Ange is a well-respected manager and a proud Australian who will surely take us to the World Cup with a renewed passion and hope for players and fans alike. A change in culture in the Socceroos camp is sorely needed just nine months out from a World Cup.
The 2006 World Cup Socceroos were a massive high in this country. That team included players who proved themselves in top Europeans leagues, and in turn they proved themselves to the world. Yes, we don’t have players the calibre of Harry Kewell (of course in his younger days), Mark Viduka, Tony Vidmar or John Alosi strapping up the boots anymore. All we can do is hope for a change for the future and a changing of the landscape of Australian football. Because a change is needed in our national team, and with Ange I believe we can succeed.
I love football, but most of all I love this country. I want us to succeed on the world stage and prove we are not in the shadow of our former selves. We may not compare to the 2006 Socceroos, but we can surely try harder than we have.
he continued success of the A-League will only fuel the future generation of Socceroos currently running around on local fields all over the country and our national team will go in the right direction.
Football is going to rule this place in the not too distant future whether you like it or not!
The response of Captain Lucas Neill to the situation surrounding his team was extremely disappointing to hear. He was adamant that it isn’t the older players who are the problem; it’s the new generation of Australian footballers who apparently take the green and gold shirt in vain. As a captain, Lucas must take control of the situation and not ridicule the young players, he’s there to guide them and support them as the future leaders of our team. The newly announced appointment of former Brisbane Roar and Melbourne Victory coach Ange Postecoglou to take the reins of the national team is a major step in the right direction. Ange is a well-respected manager and a proud Australian who will surely take us to the World Cup with a renewed passion and hope for players and fans alike. A change in culture in the Socceroos camp is sorely needed just nine months out from a World Cup.
The 2006 World Cup Socceroos were a massive high in this country. That team included players who proved themselves in top Europeans leagues, and in turn they proved themselves to the world. Yes, we don’t have players the calibre of Harry Kewell (of course in his younger days), Mark Viduka, Tony Vidmar or John Alosi strapping up the boots anymore. All we can do is hope for a change for the future and a changing of the landscape of Australian football. Because a change is needed in our national team, and with Ange I believe we can succeed.
I love football, but most of all I love this country. I want us to succeed on the world stage and prove we are not in the shadow of our former selves. We may not compare to the 2006 Socceroos, but we can surely try harder than we have.
he continued success of the A-League will only fuel the future generation of Socceroos currently running around on local fields all over the country and our national team will go in the right direction.
Football is going to rule this place in the not too distant future whether you like it or not!