Minister announces Soccer Australia review

Federal Sports Minister announces Soccer Australia review

The Federal Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator Rod Kemp, announced today that Soccer Australia has agreed to a major structural review of soccer in Australia.

At a media conference in Melbourne, Senator Kemp said that the Australian Sports Commission would manage the review.

The Chairman of Soccer Australia, Mr Ian Knop, said that the Board of Soccer Australia had asked the Australian Sports Commission to assist with the reform process in soccer. Soccer Australia strongly supported the need for a review at a meeting of its Board on 19th July 2002.

Mr Knop said the Board recognised that many reforms were needed at Soccer Australia to ensure its future viability and long-term domestic and international success, both on and off the field.

Senator Kemp said the review would be undertaken by Mr David Crawford, the recently retired National Chairman of KPMG and current director of BHP, Lend Lease, Foster’s Group, Westpac Banking Corporation and others. Mr Crawford previously conducted a review of the Australian Football League.

The terms of reference will be released in due course and cover such issues as the structure of the sport in Australia and address the effectiveness and efficiency of the manner in which the sport of soccer in this country is governed and managed.

‘Soccer is one of our highest participatory sports with over half a million people playing the game, a large portion of these being junior players,’ the Minister said.

‘Soccer Australia, the national body for the sport, has experienced financial difficulties over many years, much of which relates to the cost of Australia’s involvement in the international game and other issues associated with running an effective national league, the retention of younger players through to the senior game and a national focus to the game’s development.

‘The Commission has been working with Soccer Australia for some months to assist in a change process. The review I am announcing today will cover Soccer Australia and its federations and member affiliates and make recommendations for improvements and include implementation strategy options.’

Review recommendations will be presented to Soccer Australia stakeholders at a special general meeting in the New Year.

MELBOURNE
9 August 2002

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