By Bill Roumeliotis.
In a unifying atmosphere, representatives of the Association of Australian Football Club’s (AAFC) National Second Division Partner Group met on Thursday in Sydney, making final decisions as to the commencement of Australia’s National Second Football Division in 2024.
Representatives from football clubs across the nation took part in the meeting at the Pullman Hotel in Mascot, Sydney.
Amongst those in attendance was AAFC chairman, Nick Galatas; Sydney Olympic FC director, Lawrie McKinna; South Melbourne FC President, Nick Maikousis; Club Marconi Head of Football, Terry Palapanis; and Newcastle Olympic manager, Christos Patsan.
Attendees ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/biQezkI9Bv
— AAFC (@AAFClubs) October 20, 2022
According to the AAFC, the members in attendance expressed their hope that the new division will commence in 2024.
In its first three years of operation, teams will not face relegation, due to the large financial outlay in joining the division. The league will commence with 12 teams, with the hope of increasing it to 16 by its third year.
5 years after AAFC delivered its first NSD Report and advocated for a NSD, our clubs remain unified and continue their work making it happen.
— AAFC (@AAFClubs) October 19, 2022
NPL clubs from across 🇦🇺 are in Sydney today to consider FA’s recent presentation and to provide unified feedback.
2024 is kick-off 💥 pic.twitter.com/I62vjdyaBw
At the conclusion of the meeting, Mr Maikousis told The Greek Herald that he was satisfied with the unity of the delegates and the decisions that were made.
“It was a productive meeting. We will meet next with Football Australia and I hope that soon we will have the official announcement of the Second National Division, which will be accompanied by the operating model and the participation criteria.”
Mr McKinna from Sydney Olympic also told The Greek Herald he was satisfied with the meeting and said “I am absolutely confident that the National Second Division will start in 2024 and in all likelihood it will be in the summer.”
“Of course Sydney Olympic would like to participate and will submit an application for participation when asked by Football Australia,” Mr McKinna added when asked about the future of Sydney Olympic in the Division.
“Sydney Olympic is a historic club and its place is in the major divisions of Australian Football. We are not the only ones asking for it, the representatives of the clubs who were at the meeting also expressed it to me. They want Sydney Olympic in the National Second Division and that is positive for our club.”
