Soccer tying to bludge off the Australian Taxpayer again!

[weewilly]

Soccer tying to bludge off the Australian Taxpayer again! If they cannot afford the womens World Cup then give it to another country that can afford it!

From The Age today

"Football Australia boss James Johnson says federal authorities will only partially fund the $275 million funding package needed to underwrite the women’s World Cup and has called for Sport Australia and bodies who dole out funding to stop mainly splurging on Olympic sports in which they believe Australia can win medals.
But Canberra officials have countered Johnson’s claims, arguing that their remit is to support a broad range of activities – in which key constituents such as the Matildas are regular beneficiaries – and that soccer is and has been a recipient of significant sums of public money".

 

[Rob]

Virtually none of that money is directly related to the event itself. They're just trying to leverage the event to squeeze more out of the government for other stuff. And fair play to them for doing that, they'd be stupid if they didn't.

 

[Gigantor]

Soccer tying to bludge off the Australian Taxpayer again! If they cannot afford the womens World Cup then give it to another country that can afford it!

From The Age today

"Football Australia boss James Johnson says federal authorities will only partially fund the $275 million funding package needed to underwrite the women’s World Cup and has called for Sport Australia and bodies who dole out funding to stop mainly splurging on Olympic sports in which they believe Australia can win medals.
But Canberra officials have countered Johnson’s claims, arguing that their remit is to support a broad range of activities – in which key constituents such as the Matildas are regular beneficiaries – and that soccer is and has been a recipient of significant sums of public money".

Yeh, of course they will mine it for all it's worth.
At a minimum, they should be able to improve infrastructure for female soccer players, which might also end up benefitting other sports (helps their business case if it does benefit other sports).
But if they think they are going to get new soccer specific stadiums built, well, tell them they're dreamin'.

 

[NoobPie]

Virtually none of that money is directly related to the event itself. They're just trying to leverage the event to squeeze more out of the government for other stuff. And fair play to them for doing that, they'd be stupid if they didn't.

Sure, but I'm glad Sports Australia called them out for perpetuating the myth that soccer is short changed on public funding - the opposite is true. It is a shibboleth that survives in part because of the "tip toeing on egg shells" approach to Australian soccer's victim complex that most media and public office holders adapt nowadays. Soccer media types and officials can cultivate the gripe with impunity and play to their "base" because generally it is not met with incredulity

 

[Kwality]

Soccer tying to bludge off the Australian Taxpayer again! If they cannot afford the womens World Cup then give it to another country that can afford it!

From The Age today

"Football Australia boss James Johnson says federal authorities will only partially fund the $275 million funding package needed to underwrite the women’s World Cup and has called for Sport Australia and bodies who dole out funding to stop mainly splurging on Olympic sports in which they believe Australia can win medals.
But Canberra officials have countered Johnson’s claims, arguing that their remit is to support a broad range of activities – in which key constituents such as the Matildas are regular beneficiaries – and that soccer is and has been a recipient of significant sums of public money".

Johnson is new to the country & doesnt understand where soccer fits in the Aus sport landscape, not to mention the taxpayers dollars sucked up by the soccer industry on the last bid.
Disgraceful example of a guy totally out of his depth in his job.
FFA Appoints James Johnson As New Chief Executive Officer - Ministry of Sport

Despite that I'd like to see us have the womens World Cup spread out across the country.

 

[NoobPie]

Johnson is new to the country & doesnt understand where soccer fits in the Aus sport landscape, not to mention the taxpayers dollars sucked up by the soccer industry on the last bid.
Disgraceful example of a guy totally out of his depth in his job.
FFA Appoints James Johnson As New Chief Executive Officer - Ministry of Sport

Despite that I'd like to see us have the womens World Cup spread out across the country.

James Jonson is Australian originally. Perhaps working in europe has confused him though

 

[BobbyMorri]

FFA was criticized for not leaving a legacy for the Asian Cup. They trying to fix that. Why wouldn't you use this once in a generation chance? I am sure the AOC will do the same thing for 2032. This money isn't to do, directly, with the world cup, as you said. FIFA has already accepted the bid and will help make it a grand world cup. Heck, it is FIFA who will select the Min. 5 stadiums in Aus that will be selected. It is up to the State governments if they want it or not. FIFA won't care if Tasmania or South Australia doesn't get a game cause York Park and Hindmarsh are not up to scratch. They can make do quite easily.

Also, Find me a sport which doesn't want more money.

 

[Kwality]

James Jonson is Australian originally. Perhaps working in europe has confused him though

 

[Teen Wolf]

Also, Find me a sport which doesn't want more money.

Precisely what the FFA chief slimeball is complaining about.

Johnson argued too much cash was directed where it was not needed.

“It’s all focused on gold medal tallies at the Olympics. It doesn’t factor in community, health, moments that bring a nation together, multiculturalism ... it’s sports that if you measured on different mechanisms, mechanisms that are inherent and important to our sport, then I think you would have a very different outcome.”

It seems like the soccer people in Australia have two hobbies:

1) Accusing the AFL of being scared of other sports (like supposedly sabotaging the FIFA World Cup bid), even though there's no basis for such a claim.

2) Behaving like they are scared of other sports (by, for example, publicly campaigning against the funding of Olympic sports, see quote above).

 

[BobbyMorri]

Precisely what the FFA chief slimeball is complaining about.


It seems like the soccer people in Australia have two hobbies:

1) Accusing the AFL of being scared of other sports (like supposedly sabotaging the FIFA World Cup bid), even though there's no basis for such a claim.

2) Behaving like they are scared of other sports (by, for example, publicly campaigning against the funding of Olympic sports, see quote above).

So, the head of a sport shouldn't fight for his sport. okay, interesting

And all is dandy with the current funding of Olympic sports and it is not controversial at all. We don't live in a world where the head of sports Aus doesn't even speak with the head of the AOC due to massive disagreement about this very same policy.

 

[Teen Wolf]

So, the head of a sport shouldn't fight for his sport. okay, interesting

And all is dandy with the current funding of Olympic sports and it is not controversial at all. We don't live in a world where the head of sports Aus doesn't even speak with the head of the AOC due to massive disagreement about this very same policy.

The head of a sport can make all kinds of outlandish statements about multiculturalism and "moments that bring a nation together." But those statements look pretty foolish when the sport is soccer and the nation is Australia.

And all is dandy with the current funding of Olympic sports and it is not controversial at all. We don't live in a world where the head of sports Aus doesn't even speak with the head of the AOC due to massive disagreement about this very same policy.

And I'm sure Gillon McLachlan and Nick Hockley are about to make a public comment on that issue any moment now.

 

[kaypee]

The head of a sport can make all kinds of outlandish statements about multiculturalism and "moments that bring a nation together." But those statements look pretty foolish when the sport is soccer and the nation is Australia.


And I'm sure Gillon McLachlan and Nick Hockley are about to make a public comment on that issue any moment now.

what I find amusing is that soccer thinks it brings Australia together when almost everybody - me included, and I find soccer boring - barracks for wherever they think their roots are during the world cup. go Ireland, or maybe Germany, or maybe England. I forget.

 

[NoobPie]

Precisely what the FFA chief slimeball is complaining about.

The irony of this is clearly lost on who you responded to

Soccer is the only sport whose officials:

1) misrepresent how much they receive from public funding
2) directly name other sports they reckon get too much public funding

The Victorian fed CEO was willfully misrepresenting the AFL marvel deal and recreational participation numbers last year to claim soccer deserves more money

Again, good on Sports Australia for calling them out on their deceitfulness this time

 

[Gigantor]

One of the great lies that does the rounds on soccer forums is that the government gifted the AFL Docklands...just when they were about to gift it to soccer!

 

[BobbyMorri]

One of the great lies that does the rounds on soccer forums is that the government gifted the AFL Docklands...just when they were about to gift it to soccer!

and one of the great lies around here is that AAMI was a gift from the government directly to soccer and the AFL has never ever received similar funding for their own stadia.

it is almost like both "sides" are unreliable with the facts and only see things through a certain lens.

 

[The_Wookie]

One of the great lies that does the rounds on soccer forums is that the government gifted the AFL Docklands...just when they were about to gift it to soccer!

It was originally proposed to be a rectangular stadium - around 1994 - but never got beyond that initial proposal. Surveys for a new AFL stadium were undertaken at a number of locations - including Olympic Park - before settling on Docklands. The AFL and Victorian Government struck an agreement in 1996, and it was then put to tender, with the winners announced in 1997.

 

[The_Wookie]

and one of the great lies around here is that AAMI was a gift from the government directly to soccer and the AFL has never ever received similar funding for their own stadia.

Where exactly has this lie been told? I dont think ive ever seen it

 

[BobbyMorri]

Where exactly has this lie been told? I dont think ive ever seen it

Our Game IIRC used to say it a lot pre-pandemic, usually in reference to any sort of funding war on a stadium.

he would be supported by others as well.

 

[The_Wookie]

Our Game IIRC used to say it a lot pre-pandemic, usually in reference to any sort of funding war on a stadium.

he would be supported by others as well.

Fact is Etihad and Waverly never received government funding until recently.

Docklands was viewed as financially non viable if it was built as a rectangular stadium, the same way Docklands was eventually by private interests.

Aami Parks construction is almost entirely due to the Victorian Government being keen on a super rugby franchise, but the cost is largely due to Victorys capacity demands.

 

[Kwality]

the cost is largely due to Victorys capacity demands.

How did that play out ? Not questioning that it happened.

 

[weewilly]

and one of the great lies around here is that AAMI was a gift from the government directly to soccer and the AFL has never ever received similar funding for their own stadia.

it is almost like both "sides" are unreliable with the facts and only see things through a certain lens.

The $300 Million AMMI rectangle stadium was gifted by the Brumby Govt ( read Victoria taxpayers) mainly for the Storm RL Club after Murdoch media started putting the boots into the AFL!

 

[weewilly]

Fact is Etihad and Waverly never received government funding until recently.

Docklands was viewed as financially non viable if it was built as a rectangular stadium, the same way Docklands was eventually by private interests.

Aami Parks construction is almost entirely due to the Victorian Government being keen on a super rugby franchise, but the cost is largely due to Victorys capacity demands.

Its was Murdoch owner of the Storm RL club that put the Victorian Government and the AFL under pressure through his Herald Sun newspaper and in the end Brumby buckled!

 

[Gigantor]

It was originally proposed to be a rectangular stadium - around 1994 - but never got beyond that initial proposal. Surveys for a new AFL stadium were undertaken at a number of locations - including Olympic Park - before settling on Docklands. The AFL and Victorian Government struck an agreement in 1996, and it was then put to tender, with the winners announced in 1997.

Yes, but the key point is that it was NOT gifted. It was paid for 100% via private debt.
Similarly, at least 85% of the MCG is funded via private debt.
ON the other hand, who paid for Melbourne's Rectangular Stadium?
That's the point.

 

[The_Wookie]

Yes, but the key point is that it was NOT gifted. It was paid for 100% via private debt.
Similarly, at least 85% of the MCG is funded via private debt.
ON the other hand, who paid for Melbourne's Rectangular Stadium?
That's the point.

Its a stupid point. It wasnt gifted to anyone - they rent the damn place.

Its even more stupid when you consider the total number of grants paid to AFL club training facilities in Melbourne, plus AFLW facitilies, plus 185m in government funded Kardinia Park upgrades, plus 160m in government funded MCG upgrades would dwarf any amount spent on Aami Park - which is used by 5 rectangular code teams in national competition AND the Demons.

 

[Aucklander]

Its a stupid point. It wasnt gifted to anyone - they rent the damn place.

Its even more stupid when you consider the total number of grants paid to AFL club training facilities in Melbourne, plus AFLW facitilies, plus 185m in government funded Kardinia Park upgrades, plus 160m in government funded MCG upgrades would dwarf any amount spent on Aami Park - which is used by 5 rectangular code teams in national competition AND the Demons.

Not to mention the millions poured back into the economy/stadium by fans of those sports.