What is it that everyone wants to see happen with the leagues.
For me Id like to see one association with promotion and relegation from Super League to the lower divisions in the Amateur league. Also a FA style cup including everyone. Obviously the higher you go the better your facilities need to be.
In regards to the FFSA, there is no need to constantly bash them. Its great that Amateur league clubs are proud of the SAASL but the constant slagging of the FFSA doesn't really do anyone any good. Both organisations have their strong points and both have areas in which they can improve. What the FFSA needs to realise if they want the SAASL to join them is that there is a big difference between the leagues and what the clubs goals are. I'll speak only about Ingle Farm here as I know what we want. Having a chance of been promoted into the state league is something that IF and myself have no interest in what so ever. Not because of the extra fees, not because we don't want to test ourselves at the highest level but because the SAASL provides a competition which our members want to play in. FFSA competitions should be semi professional. They should be for players who want to push themselves to make it to the next grade. If you harbor A-League ambitions, you should play in the Super League. What the SAASL provides is a competition for players who are either just past their best, (don't want to train 3-4 nights a week to push their body and themselves to the limit) or for people who might not be able to crack it into a Federation club. The Super League, Premier League and to a lesser extent, State League, should always be a superior competition to the SAASL. What SAASL clubs have done though is created a friendly enviroment in which players can still recieve some money, not have to give a large time commitment but still play at a decent standard. Until the FFSA recognises this, the SAASL and FFSA will never be as one. The FFSA want to live in a perfect world where everyone wants to succeed at the highest level possible. Problem is, not all players want to do that. Some players motivation is to be able to work more, spend more time with the family or just simply not have to train as often. The reality is, maybe only 1 or 2 players at best would actually make a Super League side atm. That's not a swipe at the standard of the SAASL, but simply FFSA clubs train more and generally have players playing for them at their peak age.
I personally dont feel that the FFSA want the money in the SAASL's bank accounts. They have already said that if the SAASL came over that they wouldn't touch that money. What does worry me and what is the biggest sticking point with the SAASL is the fees that the FFSA want to charge. They will be higher, significantly higher. Not only that, there would be a levy on every player for junior development. This wouldn't be a capped figure either. It might by $25 this year but it could be $50 next year. Junior assocations seem to be doing a good job in developing players. I know my parents paid my clubs enough money so why should all players, of all standards be further taxed. The SAASL is a very well run organisation. It is administed by volunteers and two part time casual staff. It provides a great competition for teams where there is a good standard, good competition, good rivarlies and great traditions. Clubs will naturally want to protect this and in a time of great financial uncertaintly, clubs are nervous about an organisation that is often blasted by its own members or poor administration. Love or hate Bill and Alex, they will always talk to you and to your club about important decisions involving the league.
Nugget, the approach by FFSA clubs last year was off their own back. They asked the SAASL how much they would charge to administer and run a competition. The SAASL put in the quote and up until a day before a FFSA imposed deadline, it was going to happen. The SAASL wouldn't have ran the "Rebel League" it would have simply provided administrive support and a DC.
Again, from and Ingle Farm point of view, we have spoken with both the SAASL and FFSA to look at our options and I would say that the SAASL is by far the best option. I think one day both parties will come together. I think Bill and Alex have acted in all SAASL clubs best interest thus far and have never made a decision without putting it to a vote of all clubs. The same can't be said about the FFSA.
At least its down from $400k 
