Well, with such a fantastic performance by our blokes it will be interesting to see how the game flowers here over the next four years. To my mind, the Socceroos will probably be right up there with our cricket team as our strongest supported national side. The World Cup has been a massive shot in the arm for the team itself.
However, a level down, I still think the A-League will struggle to draw big crowds and turn a profit. This is not down to the fact that the fare is poor, rather people are very discerning when it comes to their disposable income and spare time, and they are not disposed to spend either watching anything but the best players.
You can see that sort of principle played out with the Queensland Cup Rugby league competition; Reserve grade AFL or Rugby League; Pura Cup cricket - the games themselves are good quality but they're not patronised simply because people know the best players are not on show. Therefore, they're not profitable.
Finally, I think the World Cup will have a big impact on Junior numbers. I think many more kiddies may sign up. Though junior numbers, as I understand it, have never been much of a problem for soccer in Australia. Rather it's the retention of the kiddies, once they hit their teen years, that is the major problem. Hopefully kids this age are now inspired to be the next Harry Kewell; Tim Cahill etc. That they won't get to see these players too often is a bit problematic though.
All in all, a great show by our lads. And hopefully soccer - along with AFL; Union and League - is here to stay. Australians - Victorians excepted
- have always been open enough to follow more than one sport at any one time. While we'll certainly embrace soccer a little more than what used to be the case, it won't pose a huge threat to any of the other codes in the forseeable future. They'll all happily continue to co-exist.
