During the course of his research into ACT soccer referee, statistician and journalist Nick Guoth found the minutes of a very important meeting.
AUSTRALIAN SOCCER FEDERATION
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF NATIONAL LEAGUE SUB-COMMITTEE HELD AT THE OFFICES OF THE FEDERATION, 36-38 CLARENCE STREET, SYDNEY, ON FRIDAY, 2ND MAY, 1975, COMMENCING AT l0.00A.M.
PRESENT: Sir Arthur George, President (Chairman) Alderman I. Brusasco, Mr. J. Connell, Mr. T. Grimson, and Mr. A. Kovac, (Executive Members). Mr. B. Le Fevre (General Secretary)
OPENING OF MEETING: The President referred to the Resolution passed at the Executive Committee Meeting held on the 19th ultimo, and which provided the purpose of this meeting. The Resolution read:
"Resolved that the Australian Soccer Federation National League Sub-Committee meet to discuss with interested states or groups, their submissions related to the formation of a National League and report back to the Executive its recommendations of the conditions required to establish a National League. However, this shall not be deemed to be an approval or disapproval of the principle of the establishment of a National League."
Pursuant to the above resolution the Sub-Committee has recorded herewith its opinions and recommendations for consideration by the Executive Committee as to what conditions should be imposed, if and when the Australian Soccer Federation decide to approve a National League Competition.
(b) The National League organisation shall have a Memorandurn and Articles of Association approved by the Federation which shall not thereafter be altered without the consent of the Federation.
(c) The National League organisation shall be bound by agreement to adhere to terms and conditions laid down by the Federation, which are the subject of discussions and enquiry by this Sub-Committee.
Any breach of these terms and conditions shall rescind the right of the National League to operate. The agreement shall include a protective clause to provide for notice to remedy a breach before final rescission is made.
Ethnic or Nationalistic names shall not be allowed.
Players selected by the Federation to represent the Federation in matches against National or touring club teams, shall be made available to the Federation for the matches and for reasonable preparation periods in relation to such matches.
The season programme shall be fixed as far as possible with a view to such a programme of matches not being unduly interfered with, in order to carry out a viable competition. However, adequate arrangement shall be made to provide for Australia's participation in World Cup matches.
It is considered that two (2) teams based in Brisbane and Adelaide respectively are necessary to provide continuity of spectator interest, with an even number of teams provided by Melbourne and Sydney.
The Federation does, however, reserve the right to impose a levy (not greater then 2% of the gross gate taking after the deduction of ground hire and staffing expenses to a maximum of 20% of the gross) thereafter if the financial success of the Competitions justifies such a levy.
(b) Reuters Fee The National Leayue shall be paid a fixture results fee similar to that currently being paid to State Soccer Federations by Reuters Limited.
(c) Approach to Pool Companies The National League shall not make any direct or inelirect approach or terminate any agreements with Pool Companies or Associations of Pool Companies. The Australian Soccer Federation has the sole right in all matters relative to Soccer Pools.
(d) Pools Receipts All Royalties received from Pools Companies and Associations shall be payable to the Australian Soccer Federation. On decision of the Council at a General Meeting certain distributions may be made.
The Australian Soccer Federation shall have no legal responsibility to make any payments to the National League for use of its fixtures, other than the Fixture Results Fee.
Thereafter, promotion and relegation should take place in such a manner as to maintain a similar numeric regional representation as applies at the time of the commencement of the National League.
The National League shall agree, subject to suitable financial arrangements being made, to the winner of the National League Competition playing a home and away match with a nominated team from Western Australia.
It was decided that members of the Sub-Committee, together with the Secretary, would make themselves available for discussions with State Federations and any Sub-Committees appointed by States to discuss National League. Such discussions to be completed within a period of three weeks following receipt of this report. Details are as follows:
Victoria - Mr. J. Connell - Mr. T. Grimson
N.S. Wales - Ald. I. Brusasco - Sir Arthur - Mr. A. Kovac
Queensland - Mr. J. Connell - Sir Arthur
South Aust. - Ald. I. Brusasco - Mr. A. Kovac
B. Le Fevre,
General Secretary.