Football Australia's domestic match calendar another step towards national second division

The formation of a national second division is a step closer after a fully revised Football Australia’s release of a domestic match calendar left a ‘placeholder’ for the new competition.

Among a series of significant changes, both the A-League and the W-League - which kicks off on 30th November - will break for respective men’s and women’s FIFA international windows.

A-League clubs will still be able to scheduled matches on the weekend of 29th and 30th January 2022, an additional window FIFA added to combat potential COVID-19-caused scheduling problems, but clubs will still be required to release players for international duty.

The 2021/22 domestic season will start on 29th October, with the opening round of the new A-League campaign kicking off the following day.

The 2022 FFA Cup final will be the last match of a new 12-month national season which will conclude on 28th October next year.

However, placeholder dates for a national second-tier competition - previously suggested as being called the Championship and pencilled in to commence in January 2022 and conclude in May - mark a major step forward in a move which many stakeholders in the game have sought.

Advising that the final model for the new competition is yet to be settled, Football Australia Chief Executive, James Johnson advised “the format of this competition has not yet been finalised

“The placeholder is an important first step towards the creation of this competition, allowing for its ongoing development and, subject to finalisation of the model, can be adjusted within the DMC framework.

“(It will allow) the football community to focus on key events in the calendar without conflict.

“This doesn’t, however, preclude Westfield W-League matches being scheduled during men’s FIFA international windows, nor does it preclude A-League matches being played in women’s FIFA international windows.”

.@FootballAUS today released the Australian Football Domestic Match Calendar 2021/22, which will commence on 29 October 2021, and conclude on 28 October 2022.https://t.co/gVxuTMHdTJ

— Football Australia (@FootballAUS) July 29, 2021

Danny Townsend, Managing Director of the Australian Professional Leagues organisation that runs the A-League and W-League, noted “by reducing the amount of club versus country clashes next season we can build a brighter future for Australian football, with an all-round better football experience for players and for fans.

“This is a huge year for Australian football, and now we can all start the countdown to the start of the men’s and women’s seasons.”

Professional Footballers Australia Chief Executive Kathryn Gill said players welcomed the “flexibility and certainty to represent club and country”.

Gill added “players have long advocated for international windows to be integrated within domestic fixturing, allowing them to play for club and country without interruption.

“The calendar will help to alleviate pressure on players who may miss vital matches and career opportunities, giving them the opportunity and certainty to represent Australia at the highest level while remaining available for their clubs for critical fixtures in the A-League and Westfield W-League.”

Image courtesy of Football NSW.