2003 Report of The Independent Soccer Review Committee - Outcomes

Outcomes

Despite initial attempts to scuttle the reform process, the majority of reforms and recommendations have been implemented by the National and State Football Associations. In particular, resistance to reforms at the National level were largely destroyed by the threat of the Australian Sports Commission to withhold funding to Soccer Australia. Restructuring of the governance of the Associations has led to a more democratic approach and the enfranchisement of groups not previously represented (e.g. referees, women's players, etc.). In more substantial terms, it led to the resignation of the Soccer Australia board en masse and their replacement with a board led by Frank Lowy.

The Frank Lowy board has completely overhauled the organisation. Now called Football Federation Australia, it has achieved financial stability. It has also gained the confidence of the business community, having acquired several high profile sponsors. The relaunched domestic competition (the Hyundai A-League) can be seen as a byproduct of the change initiated by the Independent Soccer Review Committee's report.