Ange Postecoglou has welcomed the introduction of Australia’s inaugural National Second Tier competition.
Postecoglou’s statement comes after Football Australia officially announced on Monday the eight foundation clubs who will form part of the National Second Tier competition to commence in March/ April 2025.
The five teams from NSW include APIA Leichhardt, Sydney Olympic, Sydney United, Marconi Stallions and Wollongong Wolves, and the three clubs from Victoria are Avondale FC, South Melbourne and Preston Lions.
Postecoglou, who’s known for his love for his boyhood club of South Melbourne, told Optus Sport he’s looking forward to the National Second Tier.
“It’s great. It’s always been my frustration in Australian football is that we’re such a small community but within that small community, even then we were divided,” Postecoglou said.
“Even from the start of the A-League, I understood why the A-League came to be. It definitely offered some really important pathways for footballers in terms of professionalism and opportunities to pursue a career.
“But there was so much history and so many passionate football people that were cast aside at the time. It just gives people hope and more opportunity.”
Interviewee Mark Schwarzer, who emerged from Marconi’s youth stem, added: “I’m looking forward to Marconi versus South Melbourne.”
Postecoglou, with a smile, responded: “That will be massive mate. We will go for a parmigiana at the club first, play a bit of pokies and then go watch the game.”
Source: Keep Up.
