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Wednesday, 10 February 2010

Australia News FFA: A-League WILL Get Bigger

FFA CEO Ben Buckley flew to Townsville tonight to meet Thunder representatives after today saying A-League expansion "will happen".

“The FFA has a very ambitious agenda for 2008 both on and off the park,” he said at today's A-League finals launch.

“The question of A-League expansion will happen. It's only a matter of when.

“We have a responsibility to ensure that any expansion is realistic, viable and the clubs are sustainable for the foreseeable future.

"In other words, when is the best time to bring in new contenders, and the best time for the existing clubs and the overall health of the league.”

In other news from the FFA announced at today's A-League finals launch:

*Buckley said he hoped to be able to announce shortly a prizemoney increase for teams competing in the Asian Champions League and potentially more teams from the A-League competing in the ACL.

*The FFA CEO said the national youth league was “on track” and confirmed teams would be aligned with A-League clubs and through the elite pathway development of the AIS.

*The rollout of the national development football plan was a “priority” for this year. It will have funding assistance from the federal government, the ASC and the state federations.

*The women's A-League is still not confirmed for 2008. Buckley said he was “hopeful” of it starting "sometime in the near future". FFA high performance manager John Boultbee confirmed to au.fourfourtwo.com that the FFA was still in talks with the government about the funding promises made at the last election. This funding will be crucial to the league getting off the ground.

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