The NSW Premier League will kick off in September 2011. As such it switches from a winter competition – previously March to August– to a spring and summer league.

It now puts FNSW’s elite league in direct competition with the A-League. But FNSW have argued there are benefits and say they will try not to schedule games at the same time as A-League matches.

And FNSW believe there won’t be a winter exodus of NSW stars to the powerful Victorian premier league as the best players seek game-time next winter.

Football NSW’s Head of Football Competitions and Futsal Bill Kostandas answered our questions...

The idea of summer football... how significant is this change?
It is going to be a very significant change. Our sport at NSW Premier League level could end up being the underpinning competition to the Hyundai A-League.

And why do you think it's good for the NSW Premier League? 

As mentioned above. Also the conditions will be more conducive to better football. That is, better pitches due to the weather.

Can you briefly explain how you reached the decision to opt for the change from winter to spring/summer?

The Football NSW Board made the decision after a recommendation by the NSW Premier League Standing Committee to switch to summer.

What's the feedback been so far? Has it been a tough sell? 

The staff and the organisation have backed the decision of the board because we as an organisation provide a service to our customers, in this case the NSW Premier League clubs. We are geared to administering a successful competition.

Hurdles, yes there are, it is an unknown. For example, what media coverage the league will get? How many people will attend games, from an operational point of view needing to construct a new database for summer and Futsal.

We have done summer before but did this when the A-League was not around. Some supporters have been for the change, others against it. People’s behaviours and choice of activities in the summer will change if they were to attend Premier League games.

For players who must wait a year to play, what is your message to them? 

Be patient. They will be considered pioneers! Also Premier League Clubs are helping players with the change in season by loaning out players to other Football NSW Winter Leagues. The preseason will start in June so in theory the wait is nine months.

For the fans, what is the benefit of playing in the spring/summer? And do you believe it will lead to bigger crowds? If so, how?

During the winter many senior games in first grade and Under 20s are played on different days or at night. If they play during the same day as a follow on from Youth League it becomes a long day and people don’t stick around. It also gets cold at night.

Our game is a strong participation sport with over 35s even over 45s so now these people will be able to attend games. Also grassroots participants will be able to attend because there will be no clash with their games.

NSW Premier League clubs want to persuade local community as well as junior and youth players to the games – the clubs feel that the best chance of this happening is in the summer – as there is less conflict with junior and youth football comps.

How will this move benefit the A-League? Or will it harm the A-League? 

If anything it will benefit because the NSW Premier League could end up being the underpinning competition for the A-League and therefore help with player development and create an even better pathway to the A-League for some players.

We will also endeavour to make sure that the NSW Premier League fixtures do not clash with Sydney FC home fixtures (and also Sydney Rovers if they are accepted into the A-League).

Will the change lead to more players moving to the VPL in winter?  

Don’t think so. Players are semi professional and they do hold full-time jobs outside of their football commitments.

And what are the implications for the winter super league here in NSW? 

If anything it could strengthen it. It will now become the elite winter competition for our sport. Also if some players do not want to play summer then they have the option of playing in the Winter Super League.