AusLeisure

A new management structure that aims to deliver continued success of national teams, sustainable growth of the Hyundai A-League and better engagement with football's grassroots has been announced by Football Federation Australia (FFA) Chief Executive Ben Buckley.

The new structure will streamline FFA's core functions following the conclusion of the FIFA World Cup and AFC Asian Cup bid projects. At the same time, FFA has begun the process of building the team that will deliver the AFC Asian Cup in 2015.

Buckley explained "our strategic focus for the next four years will be all about elite performance of our national teams on the international stage and the key domestic targets of consolidating the Hyundai A-League and enhancing the vital connections with the game's grassroots participation base.

"The changes we have implemented will give FFA the right size and right skills and resources for the strategic priorities in the lead up to the 2014 FIFA World Cup."

Under the new structure, the National Technical Director, Han Berger, has a broad mandate to cover all aspects of elite performance and technical input to the national teams programs, in particular with the Socceroos qualification path for Brazil 2014.

Berger will oversee and implement a comprehensive player pathway from grassroots to elite levels and will build a uniform national program designed to set the foundations for sustained Australian success on the world stage. Han will oversee the national coaching system and in particular work closely with Holger Osieck and Tom Sermanni on the development of the next generations of Qantas Socceroos and Westfield Matildas.

Head of the Hyundai A-League Lyall Gorman will continue to have responsibility for the national elite men's club competition, but will now also manage the associated national leagues, the Westfield W-League and National Youth League. Gorman will also take charge of event management for all national team games in Australia.

John Boultbee AM, has a new role as head of National Football Development with responsibility for ensuring the delivery of national programs to football's large community participation base. This will involve ensuring integration of community football with the national technical program working with FFA's State and Territory Member Federations, football associations and clubs at the grassroots level. Boultbee will also continue to manage international relations and support the Technical Department with national teams administration.

A new senior role of Head of Corporate Affairs and Communications has been created under the restructure. The key focus of the role is connecting football's vast and diverse community to the game's national teams and competitions. Kyle Patterson, a former football broadcaster with a deep history in football and extensive experience in communications and commercial roles in the sports industry, has been appointed to the role.

Patterson (pictured) will have responsibility for an overarching and comprehensive communications strategy engaging all stakeholders within the 'football family' and will cover media management, marketing, public relations, government relations, on-line communications and broadcaster operations.

Buckley added that "these changes recognise where we've come from as well as set us up for the next four years.

"A key to this is integrating the three core areas of our game and engaging at all levels of football.

"Football over the last six years has undergone major transformation in this country.

"While we celebrate the many achievements in this period we also want to reconnect with the game's foundations and history. We recognise the need to engage with the people who are the lifeblood of the game and are a vital part of both its heritage and its future."

14th February 2011 - EASTER START FOR NEW ERA OF RUGBY LEAGUE 

5th January 2011 - AUSTRALIA TO HOST AFC ASIAN CUP

2nd December 2010 - AUSTRALIA’S FINAL WORLD CUP PITCH TO FIFA

4th May 2009 - FFA BLUEPRINT FOR FOOTBALL SUCCESS

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