Football West CEO Peter Hugg is to be congratulated on delivering on his promise to ensure that CEO of the Football Federation of Australia, Ben Buckley would stay in Perth and meet the public. Previously Mr. Buckley and fellow FFA management have always visited Perth and returned the same day not giving any media or the public a chance to air their thoughts.
This writer was a guest of Football West and is grateful for that invitation, but has to say that, and this may sound churlish, it was a disappointment.
The first nine minutes of Mr. Buckley’s speech were spent going around the room welcoming people and passing on sycophantic praise. He said that “No one I have met possesses more passion for the game than Tony Sage” the Perth Glory owner. There is no doubt that Tony Sage has shown a passion for the game by investing millions, but the club has been a great tool to assist his profile in Perth and his mining empire. There are many that will question his passion, and understanding for the game itself, and Mr. Buckley’s comment raised a few eyebrows around the room.
He went on to tellingly say “when the stadia are developed we will bring games here,” which means Perth will not be hosting any international games in Perth until NIB Stadium is developed and they can overcome naming rights issues.
What was inappropriate was Mr. Buckley taking a swipe at NIB Stadium, telling them indirectly to table a better offer for Perth Glory to play at the venue where the lunch was being hosted. The timing was not good, as Football West CEO, Peter Hugg had just minutes earlier had announced a new partnership between the games governing body and NIB Stadium.
Mr. Buckley said very little in his 35-minute speech, it was in essence nothing more than political rhetoric. However he maybe explained best why the game is struggling to move forward as quickly as many hope, when he said, “The four pillars on which our strategic plan are based are…” But then only gave us three pillars! Now the Romans would never have been so successful with such unbalanced foundations would they?
He also was sadly was ill prepared claiming that the AFC has 46 members when in fact there are 47, that Western Australia’s Kate Gill played at the recent Women’s World Cup in Germany, when she was in fact ruled out prior to the tournament with a serious knee injury. Little things maybe but things the man heading the game should be briefed on and get right.
Mr. Buckley may not have a passion for the game, and was obviously given the role for his management acumen and worldwide contacts, but to succeed in the role, he has to connect with the football public, and give them faith that he is the man to lead the ship. Rather than an uninspiring speech a question and answer format may have been more beneficial to all, as yesterday he failed to connect with his audience. Maybe that is why previously he opted to fly in and fly out of Western Australia.
I find it funny that a shite Subiaco is fine to host Wallabies Test matches but not good enough for Olyroos or Socceroos
Kristian, I was being a bit harsh on that point, but coming from another sport he has to be especially sure he gets his facts right. I sadly do not think he has any feel for the game at all. A very uninspiring man.
Interesting read. Thanks for that. You could maybe excuse him for the 46 number but to say that Kate Gill played at the recent World Cup… I can’t think of any excuse for that. Management skills are important but the game needs to be led by someone that feels the game in this country.