I welcome the multimillion-dollar grant/loan bailout to Australian soccer, as it represents the last chance for soccer in Australia to sort itself out.
I congratulate Chairman Frank Lowy and the new board for securing the grant/loan which they believe is necessary to fully and effectively implement the Crawford Inquiry recommendations.
Labor believes that soccer has a great future in Australia and that this investment must be shared between the perceived urgency of elite success and the immense and enduring social value of grassroots soccer in Australian communities.
Therefore Labor’s support is qualified by the firm belief that such a large gift of taxpayers’ money demands that a significant proportion must be invested in grassroots soccer. This should include the following initiatives:
 |
Ensuring expenditure of these funds is highly transparent and accountable through the Board to soccer stakeholders and through the Minister to Parliament; |
|
Implementation of all the Crawford Inquiry recommendations with an added focus on strengthening the linkages between grassroots and elite soccer; |
|
Investment in an equal share of the funds to support grass roots soccer at the junior, community and regional level; and |
|
Development of a substantial and ambitious plan for the development of women’s soccer at both the elite and grassroots level. |
Importantly, soccer’s long-term future must be given priority over short-term, riskier outcomes to enable the structural changes necessary. This is essential if soccer is to avoid being in the same place in five years that it is now.
Labor is also concerned that early or unreasonable repayment of the grant/loan may result in reduced investment in participation programs, and urges the development of a plan to ensure that grassroots support does not suffer as a result.
Finally, Labor is pleased that this funding will not be subtracted from the existing Federal sports budget, as that would have meant other sports would be paying for the soccer bailout.
Media contact: Adina Cirson – (02) 6277 3334 or 0418 488 295
