Football Federation Australia (FFA) has today welcomed the publication of the independent Smith Review of Australian football and has accepted the 11 recommendations made in the report.
Football Federation Australia (FFA) has today welcomed the publication of the independent Smith Review of Australian football and has accepted the 11 recommendations made in the report.
The Chairman of FFA, Mr Frank Lowy, AC, has commended The Hon. Mr Warwick Smith, AM, the Chairman of the Australian Sports Commission and former Federal Sports Minister, for the comprehensive nature of the review.
“The Smith Review had the task of examining the structure, governance and administration of football in Australia and I can tell you it was no easy job given the scale and scope of activities undertaken by FFA,” said Mr Lowy.
“We are doing more, for more people, with fewer resources than any other Australian mainstream sport. The report brings a fresh insight to our current practices and policies.
“The 11 recommendations contain many timely and constructive initiatives. We will accept his advice and work with stakeholders in the game to implement the recommendations.
“FFA has never said we are perfect, but the task now is to make the game stronger in Australia and the Smith Review has made an important contribution to that goal.”
FFA CEO Ben Buckley said that from the outset FFA has welcomed the collaborative, independent and objective approach taken by the Smith Review team.
“The Smith Review examined the achievements, operations and policies undertaken by FFA since 2004 and made assessments of the work that needed to be done in the future at all levels of the game,” said Mr Buckley.
“The Smith Review acknowledges the direction of the FFA Strategic Plan, but clearly the recommendations call for FFA to sharpen the focus in key strategic areas and to address some of the growing pains being experienced by football. We support this view.
“As a result, the implementation of the Smith Review recommendations will enhance and fast-track our own Strategic Plan.”
