FFA Head of Operations Matt Carroll

Football Federation Australia (FFA) today announced that new National Regulations to govern the game in Australia have been submitted to football’s world governing body, FIFA for approval. The FFA intends to implement the FIFA-approved National Regulations effective from the 1st of January 2007.

The new regulations the result of extensive consultation with State & Territory federations and representatives from zone/district and club levels will provide a uniform framework to govern the game ensuring fairness, respect and protection for players, referees and coaches.

“For too long, this sport has been fractured with local committees, mostly with the best of intentions, developing their own regulations. The need to assist volunteers and ease tasks required of them is also recognised by FFA, " said John O’Neill, FFA Chief Executive Officer.

“These new national regulations will provide the framework for all clubs and districts to administer the game correctly. The national regulations will bring football in Australia into line with FIFA and common worldwide practices“.

An important aspect of the new Regulations is to provide for a National Player Registration Scheme, in line with FIFA regulations, which will require all players to register with the FFA as well as their club from 2007.

The National Registration Scheme will be supported by a state-of-the-art, secure, online membership system that will enable the State/Territory member federations, zones/districts/associations and clubs to register and communicate directly with their members, manage competitions and meet other needs of the football community.

“We undertook a comprehensive world wide search of the best available systems to manage the vast membership of football and have settled on ‘First-Sport’, who also provide systems to the English FA, " said FFA Head of Operations, Matt Carroll.

“Our key requirements included the ability to accommodate the needs of all levels of football and in particular to provide a simple and effective system for our many thousands of volunteers.”

“The FFA considers the development of national regulations supported by appropriate technology a priority to ensure football can capitalise on the recent success and increased profile.” “There are one set of rules to play the game, now there are one set of regulations to administer the game, this can only benefit all participants.” Carroll said.