FFA Board endorses New Leagues Working Group Recommendations

Football Federation Australia’s Board of Directors has endorsed the recommendations of the New Leagues Working Group (NLWG).

The NLWG was established to discuss and provide recommendations on an alternate A-League, W-League and Y-League governance model.

FFA Chairman Chris Nikou said the Board noted several important bases for reaching its decision.

“Endorsement of the NLWG Recommendations was in the Directors’ view in the best interests of FFA,” Nikou said.

“This is the beginning of the journey and we must all work together and continue to participate in negotiations regarding a new professional leagues model.

“The recommendations of the NLWG will be considered during negotiations, but there is still plenty to discuss and negotiate.

“The adoption of any new professional leagues model and agreement to enter into any legal agreements to give effect to such a model would be a matter for the FFA Board’s subsequent decision.”

The Board also determined the make-up of the FFA team to participate in the next phase of negotiations.

FFA Directors Joseph Carrozzi and Crispin Murray will lead the negotiations, supported by Chief Executive Officer David Gallop, Chief Operating Officer Mark Falvo, and Head of Legal & Business Affairs Tim Holden.

The recommendations of the NLWG will now pass to the Member Federations and Women’s Football Council Members appointed by Member Federations for their endorsement in accordance with the terms of Special Resolution 2, which was passed by the Members in General Meeting on 2 October 2018. It is envisaged that formal negotiations regarding the leagues governance model will commence thereafter with a targeted completion date of 30 June 2019.