National Second Division Explained

Organiser:Football Australia
Country:Australia
Confed:AFC
First:2025
Teams:16
Levels:2

The National Second Division (NSD), also referred to as the National Second Tier (NST), is an upcoming Australian national second-tier men's soccer competition, to be run by Football Australia and the Association of Australian Football Clubs (AAFC). The annual tournament will consist of 16 teams from the existing National Premier Leagues competition and will take place following the NPL season. The league's focus would be to improve player development and to boost the overall standing of the game in Australia by generating new interest and revenue.[1]

History

Although informally talked about for many years, momentum for the idea of a national second division increased in October 2016.[2] In March 2017 "The Association of Australian Football Clubs (AAFC) Limited" was established, with the goal of opening dialogue with Football Federation Australia (FFA) and various other stakeholders about establishing a national second division.[3] The board consists of several members representing their respective states and is chaired by Nick Galatas. In January 2018 the AAFC released a timeline for implementation of the league, requesting expressions of interest from clubs for participation in The Championship.[4]

In February 2019, the AAFC announced they were of the belief that the competition could be up and running by the 2020–21 season.[5] On 3 June 2019 the new national second division was given the green light by FFA, paving the way for the next stage of planning and a revised start date of the 2021–22 season.[6]

On 15 September 2020, a provisional list of 30 "partner clubs" was released to the public. The official partners included National Premier League clubs from every state in Australia.[7]

In October 2020, Football Australia released "XI Principles for the future of Australian football", also known as Vision 2035, which specifically categorised the creation of a second-tier division as part of football restructuring.[8]

In a January 2021 report, the AAFC claimed that the establishment of a national second division competition would be affordable and feasible.[9]

In July 2021 report, Football Australia spokesperson confirmed to ESPN Australia that the competition remained a priority to the federation, while its chairman Chris Nikou declared in May that he was "expecting (an NSD model) to come to the Football Australia board in the second half of this year, and [would] love to see a second division up for the 2022–23 season".[10]

In late 2021, advocates for a national second-tier in Australia have been campaigning for the better part of two decades to introduce what is, at this point, a global footballing standard. The year 2022 may be an optimistic target, however with Football Australia CEO James Johnson pointing to the pandemic as a buffer to the NSD's unavoidable progression. The NSD would feature 12 foundation clubs with plans to expand up to 16 within the first four years.[11] Officials also aimed to avoid the American-based franchise system and expressed it would become more aligned to the European format, which included promotion and relegation.[12] [13]

In February 2022, a report titled A Genuine National Second Division of Football in Australia was released. AAFC believed it is time for a merit-based competition structure to be introduced as meritocracy is both the "Australian way" and occurs in most competitions around the world. The report has been funded by the Partner Clubs with financial analysis undertaken by MI Associates.[14] Association of Australian Football Clubs (AAFC) Chairman Nick Galatas commented that "all the pieces are there for a National Second Division competition for Australian football and the time to implement is now".[15]

In 2022, Football Australia was working towards March 2024 as its preferred start date,[16] with exprssions of interest sought in February 2023.[17] At that point a "Champions League" format was proposed by Football Australia (and opposed by the AAFC[18]) where top teams would play in the national competition concurrently with their regional NPL league.[19]

In March 2023, the bidding phase concluded, with 32 teams having entered bids; a total of 26 teams were accepted to progress to a formal proposal by August 2023 and evaluation of bids by late November 2023. The first season was to commence in March or April 2025,[20] with teams playing a full home and away season.[21]

After the announcement of the eight inaugural teams, Football Australia announced the Second Division would feature ten or twelve teams, with a double round-robin format (18 or 22 matches) followed by a Finals Series towards the conclusion of the regular season.

On 29 January 2024, Football Australia announced that the final selection process for the final clubs had begun with 24 undisclosed teams.[22]

On 31 October 2024, Football Australia confirmed the first season of the league will begin in October 2025.[23] [24]

Teams

It was announced in November 2023 that eight teams had been selected as foundation clubs for the inaugural Second Division.[25]

Current clubs
TeamCityStadiumCapacityFoundedJoined
APIA LeichhardtSydneyLambert Park / Leichhardt Oval7,000 / 20,00019542023
Avondale FCMelbourneAvenger Park2,50019842023
Marconi StallionsSydneyMarconi Stadium9,00019582023
Preston LionsMelbourneB.T. Connor Reserve5,00019472023
South MelbourneMelbourneLakeside Stadium12,00019592023
Sydney OlympicSydneyBelmore Sports Ground17,0001957 2023
Sydney United 58SydneySydney United Sports Centre12,00019582023
Wollongong WolvesWollongongWIN Stadium22,00019802023

Competition format

The inaugural edition of the competition will consist of 16 teams and run from October to December 2025. The 16 teams will include 8 "Foundation Clubs" and 8 National Premier Leagues clubs who will be invited based on results from their season.

In the knockout stage, teams will be divided into four groups of four. Groups will be played as a double round robin (six matches per team) with the top-two team in each group advancing. The knockout stage will consist of three rounds with single leg matchups.[24]

Expressions of interest

As a part of the A Genuine National Second Division of Football in Australia report,[14] a number of clubs reported that they could not "operate at their full capacity within the National Premier Leagues". Many of these clubs competed in the National Soccer League, with seven of the teams having won the National Premier Leagues finals series.

Teams were asked to submit Expressions of Interest (EOIs) to Football Australia indicating that they wanted to be part of the NSD.[17] There are also two merger bids proposed: a Brisbane United franchise (the merging of Brisbane Strikers, Wynnum Wolves and Virginia United),[26] and a South Australian franchise (the merging of Campbelltown City, North Eastern MetroStars and West Torrens Birkalla).[27]

Key

Red denotes that the club did not proceed to the Request for Proposal stage and/or have withdrawn their bid.[28]
Green denotes that the club has been confirmed to have submitted a bid.[29]
Yellow denotes that the club is yet to enter the negotiation stage after submitting formal Expressions of Interest (EOIs).

!Club!Current home ground!State/territory!Ref.
Adelaide CityAdelaide City ParkSouth Australia
APIA LeichhardtLambert Park or Leichhardt OvalNew South Wales[30] [31]
Avondale FCAvenger ParkVictoria[32] [33]
Bentleigh GreensKingston Heath Soccer ComplexVictoria
Blacktown CityLanden StadiumNew South Wales[34]
Brisbane CitySpencer ParkQueensland[35]
Brisbane United (Merger) Perry ParkQueensland[36]
Brunswick JuventusCB Smith ReserveVictoria
Canberra CroatiaDeakin StadiumAustralian Capital Territory[37]
Cockburn CityDalmatinac ParkWestern Australia
Football SA (Merger)UnannouncedSouth Australia
Fraser Park FCFraser ParkNew South Wales
Gold Coast KnightsCroatian Sports CentreQueensland[38]
Gold Coast UnitedCoplicks Family Sports CentreQueensland
Green Gully SCGreen Gully ReserveVictoria
Gungahlin UnitedGungahlin Enclosed OvalAustralian Capital Territory[39]
Heidelberg UnitedOlympic ParkVictoria[40]
Marconi StallionsMarconi StadiumNew South Wales
Melbourne KnightsKnights StadiumVictoria[41]
Olympic FCGoodwin ParkQueensland[42]
Peninsula PowerA.J. Kelly ParkQueensland[43]
Playford City PatriotsRamsay ParkSouth Australia
Preston LionsB.T. Connor Reserve ReservoirVictoria[44] [45]
Rockdale IlindenBicentennial Park SouthNew South Wales[46]
South MelbourneLakeside StadiumVictoria[47]
Sunshine Coast FireKawana Western FieldsQueensland[48] [49]
Sutherland SharksSeymour Shaw ParkNew South Wales
Sydney OlympicBelmore Sports StadiumNew South Wales[50] [51]
Sydney United 58Sydney United Sports CentreNew South Wales[52]
Team Tasmania (formerly South Hobart)South Hobart GroundTasmania[53]
Valentine FCCB ComplexNorthern New South Wales
Wollongong WolvesWIN StadiumNew South Wales[54] [55]

Criticism

The prevarication to start the tournament has been met with criticism due to lack of detail about how it will function; the slow pace to begin the first season is another point of contention.[56] Following the first round of EOIs, two clubs that initially seemed like front runners, Blacktown City and Peninsula Power, had not been selected to advance and these teams then released statements critical of Football Australia.[57] [58]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: In a Nutshell. The Championship. 10 January 2018. 11 January 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180111165022/http://www.thechampionship.com.au/in-a-nutshell.html. dead.
  2. Web site: A-League expansion, promotion and relegation, Northern Fury FC chairman Rabieh Krayem puts forward proposal. 19 October 2016.
  3. Web site: History. Association Of Australian Football Clubs (AAFC).
  4. Web site: Timeline. The Championship. 10 January 2018. 11 January 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180111165019/http://www.thechampionship.com.au/timeline.html. dead.
  5. Web site: AAFC '100% confident' of second division by 2020. FTBL.
  6. Web site: FFA backs second division as clubs chase pathway to main stage. SBS The World Game. Dale Lewis. 3 June 2016. 10 November 2019.
  7. Web site: Championship Partner Group. AAFC. AAFC. 15 September 2020. 15 September 2020.
  8. Web site: 2 July 2020 . XI Principles For The Future of Australian Football Football Australia . 15 August 2023 . www.footballaustralia.com.au . en.
  9. Web site: National Second Division (NSD) Competition Is Affordable and Feasible. AAFC. AAFC. 15 January 2021. 15 January 2021.
  10. Web site: Football Australia adds national second tier to football pyramid in calendar restructure. ESPN. Joey Lynch. 30 July 2021. 30 July 2021.
  11. Web site: Why the A-Leagues need promotion and relegation. thefootballsack.com.au. Bill Hedley. 6 December 2021. 10 December 2021.
  12. Web site: 'Final model': Major A-League second division meeting set for June . 19 July 2022 . FTBL.
  13. Web site: 29 July 2021 . FA adds second tier to Australia's football pyramid . 19 July 2022 . ESPN . en.
  14. Web site: a Genuine National Second Division of Football in Australia, Final Report of the NSD Partner Group of Clubs. AAFC. AAFC. 22 February 2022. 22 February 2022.
  15. Web site: FOOTBALL CLUBS ARE "READY TO GO" FOR NATIONAL SECOND DIVISION. sen.com.au. Charles Goodsir. 9 March 2022. 15 May 2022.
  16. Web site: James Johnson confirms March 2024 as 'target date' for national second division. ESPN. Joey Lynch. 23 November 2022. 3 December 2022.
  17. Web site: Football Australia opens expressions of interest for National Second Tier Men's Competition. www.footballaustralia.com.au. Football Australia. 3 February 2023. 3 February 2023.
  18. Web site: NPL 'Champions League' format likely to be initial second division structure . 23 January 2023 . The Roar.
  19. Web site: Chalk . Ethan Lee . Football Australia aiming to introduce 'Champions League' format for 2024 NPL season . The Inner Sanctum . 17 February 2024 . 20 November 2023.
  20. Web site: National Second Tier application process advances to final phase Football Australia . www.footballaustralia.com.au . 6 November 2023 . 7 November 2023 .
  21. Web site: Football Australia moves into Request for Proposal phase of the National Second Tier process. Football Australia. 21 June 2023.
  22. Web site: 2024-01-29 . Football Australia commences process for selection of additional National Second Tier clubs Football Australia . 2024-01-29 . www.footballaustralia.com.au . en.
  23. Web site: 'Landmark moment': FA firm up key details as National Second Tier set to begin in 2025. www.theroar.com.au. 31 October 2024. 2 November 2024.
  24. Web site: Football Australia unveils new format and start date for National Second Tier competition. www.footballaustralia.com.au. 31 October 2024. 1 November 2024.
  25. Web site: Football Australia announces foundation clubs for National Second Tier. Football Australia. 20 November 2023.
  26. Web site: Brisbane United submits NST EOI to Football Australia, Brisbane United FC . Brisbane United FC . 17 February 2024 . en-AU . 3 March 2023.
  27. Web site: Clubs confirm their bids for next stage of National Second Tier process . Soccerscene . 17 February 2024 . en-AU . 5 September 2023.
  28. Web site: 26 Australian clubs advance to next phase of the National Second Tier selection process. Football Australia. 10 May 2023.
  29. Web site: Eight clubs confirm National Second Tier bids as Football Australia issues update. KeepUp. Sacha. Pisani. 29 August 2023.
  30. Web site: SUBMITTED APIA has submitted its EOI for the proposed National Second Division. ⚽️⌛️ We hope to see you all at Lambert Park Park for the Derby... By APIA Leichhardt FC Facebook . 2 March 2023 . www.facebook.com . en.
  31. Web site: APIA Leichhardt FC can advise its community and the public that it has submitted its application to Football Australia in the Request For Proposal phase of the National Second Tier.. Instagram. APIA Leichhardt. 29 August 2023.
  32. AAFClubs . 1631544042403282944 . NEW NATIONAL SECOND TIER EXPRESSION OF INTERESTS ARE IN!.
  33. Web site: Avondale FC can confirm that we have submitted our application to Football Australia for the next phase of the National Second Tier process.. Instagram. Avondale FC. 29 August 2023.
  34. joeylynchy . 1632591852577898496 . @FootballAUS has revealed the parties that lodged EOIs for a new National Second Tier. 32 total EOIs were lodged..
  35. Web site: Brisbane City Football Club on Instagram . 2 March 2023 . Instagram . en.
  36. RabiehKrayem . 1631538777964560386 . Media Release: Brisbane United FC submits National Second Tier EOI to Football Australia.
  37. Web site: Canberra Croatia Football Club on Instagram . 2 March 2023 . Instagram . en.
  38. Gold Coast Knights FC . Gold Coast Knights FC . gcknightsfc . 1627601519809040385 . 20 February 2023 . Gold Coast Knights wishes to confirm that the club has submitted an Expression of Interest for Football Australia's National Second Division. The club will provide further updates as the application process progresses. https://t.co/ZLHjOTruOP . en . 23 February 2023.
  39. Web site: GUFC on Instagram . 3 March 2023 . Instagram . en.
  40. Web site: Settle down. Of course we put in an expression of interest to join the National Second Division. We have the fans, we have the stadium, we have the... By Heidelberg United FC Facebook . 27 February 2023 . www.facebook.com . en.
  41. Web site: Melbourne Knights on Twitter . 30 August 2023 . www.twitter.com . en.
  42. Olympic FC . Olympic FC . Olympic_FC . 1628175757729210368 . 21 February 2023 . Olympic FC is pleased to announce that the club has tendered an Expression of Interest in joining the new National Second Division. As this will be an ongoing process we will endeavour to keep club members informed of the progress of our application. https://t.co/lrqkyJeoZ5 . en . 23 February 2023.
  43. Web site: Peninsula Power FC on Instagram . 22 February 2023 . Instagram . en.
  44. Web site: NATIONAL SECOND TIER UPDATE. 23 February 2023 . Instagram . en.
  45. Web site: PLFC submits RFP to Football Australia for National Second Tier. Instagram. Preston Lions. 29 August 2023.
  46. Rockdale Ilinden FC . Rockdale Ilinden FC . RockdaleIlinden . 1628677004848660480 . 23 February 2023 . NATIONAL SECOND TIER CONFIRMING that we have submitted our EOI and are now working through our detailed application. #ilinden #iamredandblack https://t.co/FAJvWhwqWG . en . 23 February 2023.
  47. Web site: South Melbourne FC can advise its members, players, parents, staff, supporters and fans it has submitted its application to Football Australia in the Request For Proposal phase of the National Second Tier.. Instagram. South Melbourne. 28 August 2023.
  48. Web site: Sunshine Coast FC Fire post. 17 March 2023 . 6 March 2023 . Facebook . en.
  49. Web site: Sunshine Coast FC Fire can confirm that we have uploaded all of our material to the 'Data Room' as part of the RFP process to Football Australia for the next phase of the National Second Tier.. Facebook. Sunshine Coast Fire.
  50. Sydney Olympic Supporters . SOFC_Supporters . 1627954382703841281 . 21 February 2023 . Sydney Olympic have officially submitted its expression of interest to Football Australia, to be part of the new National 2nd Division, which according to reports is coming soon. https://t.co/FVc17Xikyz . en . 23 February 2023.
  51. Web site: We are delighted to inform our supporters and the public that our application for the National Second Tier has been officially submitted to Football Australia during the Request For Proposal phase.. Instagram. Sydney Olympic. 29 August 2023.
  52. Web site: Sydney United 58 FC can confirm to its supporters that we have officially submitted our application to Football Australia for the proposed National Second Division.. Facebook. Sydney United 58. 29 August 2023.
  53. Web site: South Hobart FC is pleased to announce that we have submitted our expression of interest in joining the National Second Tier today. . 3 March 2023 . Facebook . en. 3 March 2023.
  54. Web site: MEDIA RELEASE – WOLVES SUBMIT EOI FOR NATIONAL SECOND TIER . 3 March 2023 . . en. 3 March 2023.
  55. Web site: Wollongong Wolves submit final National Second Tier proposal. Illawarra Mercury. Jordan. Warren. 29 August 2023.
  56. Web site: Quit stalling – it's time to start a National Second Division .
  57. Web site: fergustilt . 11 May 2023 . OFFICIAL BOARD STATEMENT . 26 May 2023 . Blacktown City FC . en-AU.
  58. Web site: Peninsula Power FC Club Statement Re NSD EOI . 26 May 2023 . www.facebook.com.

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