EXCLUSIVE: Canberra's A-League bid is the answer to a ‘black hole’ that exists in the FFA’s football footprint according to Ivan Slavich.
The man leading the ACT push for inclusion in 2010/11 remains confident of a successful outcome as work continues to get the necessary funding in place.
Slavich already has $2.5m of financial support from the ACT government, further pledges totalling more than a million dollars and he is continuing negotiations with a number of potential investors and sponsors.
Speaking to au.fourfourtwo.com today, he said: “Gold Coast and Townsville’s inclusion for 2009/10 did not come as a surprise but I think the FFA have been surprised with how quickly we have got ourselves in a position to bid.
“Maybe they weren’t expecting anything from Canberra and had probably written it off (as an A-League venue) in the past. We’ve emerged as a bolt from the blue for them but strategically I think the FFA needs a Canberra team.
“It’s a massive black hole in its football footprint, if you like.”
Slavich retains the view that it makes no sense to have a football competition without the country’s capital being represented but he insists the bid is based on cold, hard facts and not mere sentiment.
He said: “The participation levels are there, the numbers are there and the support is there. I remain very confident. I think the ACT government support was hugely important in terms of putting our bid to the FFA and now we must continue working through the necessary criteria. There will be further discussions I’m sure with the FFA.
“We have come a long way but talk is cheap and it’s about ‘doing’ what we have to do.”
Bid committe member Eamonn Flanagan added: “This is a region where you have up to 800,000 people living within three hours of coming to support a Canberra team.
“I think having a team in the Womens (W-League) league is a really positive thing in terms of getting the Canberra name out there as well.
“Yes, we want to be part of the A-League but we don’t want to just settle for inclusion. You want to build a sustained success that does well not only in the Australian competition but pushes into Asia as well.”
FFA chiefs have been in touch with the Canberra bid team this week to assure them they remain in the hunt.
The bid has secured 600 foundation members so far with 5000 up for grabs at at $200 each – the aim being to raise $1million of the $6million required to get the project off the ground.
Slavich already has $2.5m of financial support from the ACT government, further pledges totalling more than a million dollars and he is continuing negotiations with a number of potential investors and sponsors.
Speaking to au.fourfourtwo.com today, he said: “Gold Coast and Townsville’s inclusion for 2009/10 did not come as a surprise but I think the FFA have been surprised with how quickly we have got ourselves in a position to bid.
“Maybe they weren’t expecting anything from Canberra and had probably written it off (as an A-League venue) in the past. We’ve emerged as a bolt from the blue for them but strategically I think the FFA needs a Canberra team.
“It’s a massive black hole in its football footprint, if you like.”
Slavich retains the view that it makes no sense to have a football competition without the country’s capital being represented but he insists the bid is based on cold, hard facts and not mere sentiment.
He said: “The participation levels are there, the numbers are there and the support is there. I remain very confident. I think the ACT government support was hugely important in terms of putting our bid to the FFA and now we must continue working through the necessary criteria. There will be further discussions I’m sure with the FFA.
“We have come a long way but talk is cheap and it’s about ‘doing’ what we have to do.”
Bid committe member Eamonn Flanagan added: “This is a region where you have up to 800,000 people living within three hours of coming to support a Canberra team.
“I think having a team in the Womens (W-League) league is a really positive thing in terms of getting the Canberra name out there as well.
“Yes, we want to be part of the A-League but we don’t want to just settle for inclusion. You want to build a sustained success that does well not only in the Australian competition but pushes into Asia as well.”
FFA chiefs have been in touch with the Canberra bid team this week to assure them they remain in the hunt.
The bid has secured 600 foundation members so far with 5000 up for grabs at at $200 each – the aim being to raise $1million of the $6million required to get the project off the ground.
Related Articles
Aston Villa eye off A-League with Canberra expansion proposal
Canberra hoping for 2022 Matildas matches
