The FAI has published a major new report into the structure and future of the SSE Airtricity League, one which calls for a new League structure to be introduced over two seasons and a detailed review of funding and prize money.
The Conroy Report has been compiled after a summer roof Declan Conroy travelling to meet with representatives of all clubs and using his detailed knowledge of the FAI processes to point the way towards a more sustainable long term future.
The report reveals that only 275 players are deemed as professional within the league, with the balance of over 1,000 registered players as amateurs.
Network
The report finds a general feeling among clubs that the merger of the League and the FAI has provided a stronger platform for a successful network of clubs at the elite level of the game in Ireland and that this should continue beyond the 2016 initial date at which a review was planned.
“Change is required, in mindset and culture, structures and planning, promotion and selling,” writes Conroy in his summary of recommendations.
“While considerable focus is on the immediate period ahead, the most significant challenge is the medium/long term sustainability for many clubs in a marketplace that will continue to have serious competitive challenges.”
“Additional investment is needed for the clubs and the League and this can only be possible by building positively on improvements already taking place, showcasing the uniqueness of the SSE Airtricity League and its clubs and frankly, committing to and signalling that positive change is happening.”
Higher Standards
“Clubs are in charge of their own futures. Leadership skills and planning, the development of the volunteer network, the strengthening of community and commercial relationships and the setting of higher standards of club management are key to securing sustainability.”
“The FAI’s role is in managing and promoting the senior game and working to invest in the League, providing support structures for its clubs and assisting them in raising standards. The League as a whole needs to present to the public a strong, positive, vibrant image in order to attract more investment interest either locally though the clubs or nationally through the FAI.”
“This document provides a start point for a robust discussion as to the future of the SSE Airtricity League. I hope that, following debate with the clubs and consultation with other strands of the game, a new path for the senior game in Ireland can be embarked upon which will result in a new League which will be a positive and successful one to talk about, take part in and belong to.”
The recommended of four options that arose during the review is to create a new league structure with two leagues of ten teams in each, a greater element of movement between the two groups and a split season between the top 6 and bottom four in the Premier League after three quarters of the campaign so as to provide more ‘matches which matter’ to engage with fans, media and sponsors.
Marketing
A new approach to marketing and the appointment of league ambassadors to assist in creating a more compelling narrative are intended to raise levels of income through increased attendance and sponsorship.
This would lead to an incremental increase in prize money and a rebalancing of the cash paid out to clubs at the end of the year, taking into account the premium which clubs that qualify for European competition get paid under existing UEFA agreements.
The report outlines improvements in marketing and sponsorship leading towards the Centenary of the League in 2020 as well as the exploration of greater use of radio in promotion and the possible sale of overseas TV rights with additional income accruing to the clubs.
Standard of Governance
It also, as part of a list of 18 recommendations, encourages greater links with the FAI schools competitions and programmes and the development of a new Certificate in Football Management to raise the standard of governance that will be applied by each club as part of their participation in the League as well as their involvement in their local area and community.
The report is a timely look in great detail at the strengths and weaknesses of the League as it competes for attention with other sports and the influence of the Premier League in England.
The process of communication and an airing of where al the stakeholders see improvement as essential is an important milestone and should provide a working template for taking the league onto a brighter future built on the successful stabilisation that has taken place over the last couple of years.
You can download a full copy of the report by clicking on the image below.
