Home / Series / Insight (1995) / Aired Order / Season 2010 / Episode 14

State of Play

Is Soccer in Australia as healthy as it looks? 'The World Game’ in Australia seems stronger than ever, but some of its biggest supporters say fundamental problems across the board mean the game is in danger of sabotaging its golden opportunity. There’s little argument soccer -or football- as plenty of people in the game call it - has come a long way since the dark days of 2002 when the game’s former governing body was virtually broke. Now Australia is about to take part in the biggest show on the planet, The World Cup for an unprecedented second tournament in a row. The national women’s team 'The Matildas’ just won the Asian Cup for the first time. Australia is also bidding to host the World Cup in 2018 or 2022. Locally, the national domestic competition, the A League, is expanding with new teams. But average crowds have dropped off, several clubs have struggled financially, and critics argue that there are major flaws in the administration of the game. Many grassroots clubs say they’re barely surviving, and yet some were part of the foundation of soccer in Australia. Many junior clubs say there is not enough money, support or a clear pathway for developing quality junior players, undermining Australia’s ability to become a top soccer nation. So on the eve of the World Cup in South Africa, Insight asks: Is the future of 'The World Game’ in Australia in jeopardy because of the way it’s run? Insight will be broadcast from Sydney’s Marconi Stadium.

English
  • Originally Aired June 8, 2010
  • Runtime 60 minutes
  • Content Rating United States of America TV-G
  • Network SBS
  • Created September 17, 2017 by
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  • Modified September 17, 2017 by
    Administrator admin