Last week FIFA stated that the AAFC be part of the discussions relating to NPL clubs in Congress Review Working Group and Kalas lauded the organisation board and chairman Rabie Krayem for their work.

“We are extremely elated that within 12 months we are now fully recognised by FIFA and the AFC. People don’t realise how significant that is,” he said.

“We have been formally and properly recognised with institutional integrity and we are certainly on our way to becoming congress members and at this stage we are going to be consulted regarding on what they are doing to resolve these issues.”

“The AAFC have been doing great work including roadshows, multiple meetings with State Federations and the FFA on pushing the issues that need to be addresses regarding football reform.

“Particularly around improving the NPL, forming a second division and the cost of junior football participation.

“More importantly the AAFC are being consulted across this journey and they are meeting with FFA and their key executives to help identify issues in the NPL that need to be addressed such as to reduce the cost of kids participation and help remodel some key aspects.”

While the AAFC is working with the FFA, Kalas wants to see a roadmap for when all the football pyramid is connected from the top to the grassroots.

“Where is a timeline?”  he asked.

“FFA produced a 20-year plan, then a four-year plan but the most critical aspect that will assist in growing the game against a concentrated attack by rival codes is a timeline that will link all the tiers.

“That very act will promote the upgrade of facilities and create the incentives to build new ones thereby securing our games future in a rapidly expanding population.

“I think people now understand what the repercussions are of the flawed Australian football model, I only hope we move quickly to fix it as the future generations will bemoan the legacy we have left them”