'Studs Up' recently approached Terry Jones, Chief Executive Officer of the Victorian Soccer Federation to clarify some comments in his joint submission to the ASF. His responses are re-printed here, and certainly make interesting reading.
SU: Under your proposal, it is quite possible you will be asking our senior players, at top clubs, to play 70 games a year. Is this desirable, given that European clubs believe 60-70 games is excessive for full-time professionals?
TJ: Under the proposal the players would not play 70 matches a year as you suggest in your letter. A maximum of 50 matches could be played over the course of one year if a players club was successful and reached both the National Soccer League and State Grand Finals. One thing that led us to presenting the submission was the desire to see players have the opportunity to become full professionals in Australia. I believe our proposal would provide that.
SU: What the proposal really chases is more quality teams in the Victorian Premier League, so why not lobby the ASF to chop 2 Victorian and 3 New South Wales teams when Western Australia and the A.C.T. come in in 1995-96?
TJ: You suggest that the submission merely seeks to have more quality teams in the Victorian Premier League. If you read the submission once again you will note that this is just one of many objectives. Our first priority and our support is for a strong, viable and successful National Soccer League.
SU: The proposal accepts the vast jump in standard from State League to National League. Realistically, what chance would State League clubs have unless the NSL clubs fielded less than full strength teams?
TJ: Obviously the best players in Australia are registered with NSL clubs. Obviously their NSL clubs are superior to the vast majority of Premier League clubs. However, in a State based Super League where a position in the next NSL season was available, the top five Premier League clubs would recruit players to be able to compete on equal terms.
SU: Do you think a National League could survive if, in extreme circumstances, Marconi, South Melbourne and Sydney Olympic were to be relegated?
TJ: I think it would be very difficult for the NSL to be seen as a strong competition if the clubs you mention were not participating. I would not envisage that would be the case.
SU: In the past, the media could not be accused of giving wide coverage to soccer's success stories. Is there a fear, that Mr Kennett's appointment may give certain sections of the media another reason to ignore Victorian soccer's positives?
TJ: We view the appointment of the Premier of Victoria, Mr Kennett as our Honorary Executive President as a very positive move. We are honoured by his desire to help the sport prosper. I do not entertain such negative thoughts on his appointment as expressed by yourself.
SU: Is Mr Kennett's primary role to be as a door-opener and liason officer, similar to Neville Wran's role with the ASF?
TJ: Mr Kennett has been with the Federation for only a very short period of time. Over the next year I am sure that he will be a positive asset for our sport in those areas mentioned in your letter and more.
SU: The tunnel linking Westgate and the South Eastern Freeway may see Olympic Park out of order for some time. With Middle Park on the way out, is Victoria likely to be left out when venues are announced for Olympic qualifiers etc?
TJ: Our understanding is that Olympic Games soccer will be played in Melbourne at Olympic Park. I am not in any position to add further comment other than to state that the Victorian Government share our desire to see Group matches played here.