Head of the Hyundai A-League Damien de Bohun took time out to answer your questions about the Westfield W-League.
Head of the Hyundai A-League Damien de Bohun took time out to answer your questions about the Westfield W-League.
Kats: How many W-League matches have you attended this season?
Damien: #WLeagueGF in Melbourne will be my 10th match this season. I’ve been to at least 1 match at every home venue.
LR: What areas of AAMI Park will be open for the#WLeagueGF
Damien: The western stand with options to open others if crowd is bigger. Tickets at ticket box E.
TBG TALKS: Why aren’t #WLeague games curtain raisers to#ALeague games?
Damien: There have been some double headers this season. We are looking into this for the future.
Jo West: Will the FFA please make the #wleague season longer so it’s a full home & away season?
Damien: This will be reviewed at end of the season.
Dani Harbot: What are the chances of future wleague games being played in better conditions at late arvo/night? The heat has impacted on games & the style of play this season and cooler conditions would improve standard. Players r used 2 night conditions
Damien: It is great to have the Westfield W-League broadcast on ABC. Broadcaster requirements are an important consideration.
Dianne: W-League has many Int’l fans, any plans for stream access free or PPV?
Damien: It is great to have so many overseas fans of the Westfield W-League. We are looking into streaming overseas.
Tim Collins: why isn’t the w league grand final played as a curtain raiser to the mv sfc game on Saturday makes sense to many?
Damien: Double header needs to be close enough to @ALeague kick-off to be meaningful. With sell-out and broadcast needs it was determined that the #WLeagueGF was better as a feature match in its own right.
Danielle Warby: The #wleague can be sustainable w/ small investment. What would convince clubs & FFA to put in more $ & resources?
Damien: Clubs, FFA and states all invest time, resources and money in #WLeague. We are also on the lookout for more sponsors.
Ele Winston: Matildas definately have potential 2 be no.1 in the world. But they need to become fulltime players,is this ever going to happen?
Damien: League in season 5 and improving. Great opportunity for Matildas to prepare for internationals even though not F/T.
Shell: Sally Ships has done a great job with the @FFA social media accounts, but could they be better utilised to grow the game?
Damien: @SalShip is doing great but as a whole we could be doing more on social.
Naomi Woodley: if social media is key to engaging fans why did @FFA not live tweet games this season as @FFAGirlsFC did in 11/12?
Damien: This season’s focus was improving our official live match centre were we covered every match.
Fleta Page: Can you improve FFA website to be more W-League friendly? @CanberraUnited isn’t listed among clubs & info can be hard to find
Damien: Thanks for the feedback re: Canberra United we are always looking to improve the website.
Aaron Lawton: Would the w-league consider men referees if they mean better referees?
Damien: FFA is committed to providing opportunities for female refs and developing world class officials
Tony Swifte: When are you going to get some decent officials, so the players become the focus, not them and the poor execution?
Damien: Our top women officials are some of the best in the world – see 2011 WC and 2012 Olympics. We are building depth to cover these refs when they are on international duty.
n.arthur: Q from USA, where WUSA/WPS failed: Can women’s football be financially viable w/o men’s-league backing?
Damien: In Australia integration of men’s and women’s football teams is a model that is working well.
haurice: wleague is great for this country. Is anyone in aus pushing to bring the womens world or asian cup to our shores?
Damien: AFC Womens Asian Cup was in Australia back in 2006. We would love to hold future tournaments.
Heather Reid: why @WLeague doesn’t play H&A 14rounds. HAL has 3 rounds 21 games
Damien: League increase by 2 rounds this season. We will review again.
dzurlady: How will the FFA be promoting the @WLeague next season?
Damien: Build on growing momentum through broadcast, digital, PR and promotion of key players and game.
Rebecca Sear: when are you actually going to pay attention to the smaller Adelaide GIRLS soccer clubs? Help the smaller clubs!!
Damien: Enjoyed watching Adelaide play this season. Young team with lots of potential and feeder for local teams.
BRoar_WLeague_Mascot: can you release the draw in July/ August giving fans enough time to save and organize travel
Damien: Great feedback. We’ll look to release draw earlier. Challenges with some venue availability.
Danielle Warby: Do staff at the FFA and relevant Clubs have #wleague KPIs?
Damien: FFA staff have #WLeague KPIs around attendance and broadcast measured weekly.
Ele Winston: Will the W-league ever replicate a-league of having a youth league or 2nd level to assist with the development of footballers
Damien: Links with states ensures clear pathway for footballers. This is working based on quality of play this year.
Caitlin Campbell: would you ever add in a New Zealand team?
Damien: A few questions about expansion, eg NZ. Main thing right now is to consolidate but open to expansion in the future.
Shell: Where do you see the @WLeague in 5 or 10 years time?
Damien: With growth in football there is no reason why #WLeague can’t be the leading women’s league in Australia.
Diane: Are efforts being made to expand coverage in the media? TV, print, and online?
Sarah Groube: building on this question re media, will you extend @WLeague into radio on @abcgrandstand
Damien: Working with ABC to extend engagement with football on radio.
Damien: Appreciate your insights and input to help with our planning for next season. Great to see so many #WLeague fans out there.
Damien: Enjoy the #WLeagueGF. If you can’t get to @AAMIPark in Melbourne on Sunday tune into @ABCTV at 3.30pm local time nationally.
