FFA Cup - it is here in 2014

[midfielder]

Just to make it clear how this works … 600 park teams to play off in a knock off competition to make up one of the Twenty-two (22) Member Federation Clubs comprising:

Football NSW – 7 Clubs
Football Federation Victoria – 4 Clubs
Football Queensland – 4 Clubs
Football West – 2 Clubs
NNSW Football – 2 Clubs
Capital Football – 1 Club
Football Federation SA – 1 Club
Football Federation Tasmania – 1 Club

Then the 10 A-League clubs will join… making a 32 team final competition.

At least 10 weeks plus finals broadcast ..

A knockout competition decided by penalty shout out if needed.

Played from July to 16 December

FFA to cover travel costs for all teams [I think in the final 32]

 

[midfielder]

From 442

1. What is the FFA Cup?

The FFA Cup is a national knockout tournament run by FFA in conjunction with the State and Territory Member Federations in Queensland, NSW, Northern NSW, Victoria, ACT, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia.

Each and every cup tie must be decided on the day, with extra time and penalties to decide results of matches drawn after 90 minutes.

Over 600 clubs will play in the feeder competitions run by the states and territories. The Hyundai A-League clubs join the competition in the Round of 32, alongside 22 clubs who have progressed from the ranks of the semi-professional and amateur tiers.

The 2014 FFA Cup final will be played on Tuesday 16 December.

2. How are the slots for the Round of 32 decided?

Each state and territory is allocated a number of places in the Round of 32, based on the number of registered players in each jurisdiction. Each state and territory decides the qualification route. For example, in some states, this will be the winner of the state-based knock out cup. In other states, all semi-finallists will qualify.

The final allocation for the Round of 32 comprises:

a) Twenty-two (22) Member Federation Clubs comprising:

Football NSW – 7 Clubs
Football Federation Victoria – 4 Clubs
Football Queensland – 4 Clubs
Football West – 2 Clubs
NNSW Football – 2 Clubs
Capital Football – 1 Club
Football Federation SA – 1 Club
Football Federation Tasmania – 1 Club

• Northern Territory will participate in 2015 FFA Cup

b) All ten (10) Hyundai A-League Clubs.

3. How many FFA Cup matches will be broadcast live on Fox Sports?

There will be a minimum of 10 matches broadcast on Fox Sports. One (1) Round of 32 Match, two (2) Round of 16 Match, and all Quarter Finals, Semi Finals and the FFA Cup Final.

Fox Sports may elect to broadcast additional FFA Cup matches from the Round of 32.

The first FFA Cup match broadcast live on Fox Sports will be on the opening night on Tuesday 29 July 2014.

All broadcast matches will kick off at 7.30pm.

4. What are the Qualifying Tournament dates and formats for each State and Territory?

Member Federation – Qualifying Tournament Dates – Notes
Capital Football 15 March 2014 – 2 April 2014 Single FFA Cup entrant known on 2 April 2014
Football Federation South Australia 15 February 2014 – 31 May 2014 Single FFA Cup entrant known on 31 May 2014
Football West 5 April 2014 – 19 July 2014 Two FFA Cup entrants known on 2 June 2014
Football New South Wales 15 March 2014 – 6 July 2014 Seven FFA Cup entrants known on 5 June 2014
Football Queensland 11 February 2014 – late July 2014 Four FFA Cup entrants known on 7 June 2014
Football Federation Victoria 1 March 2014 – 7 September 2014 Four FFA Cup entrants known on 9 June 2014
Football Federation Tasmania 9 March 2014 – 10 June 2014 Single FFA Cup entrant known on 10 June 2014
Northern New South Wales Football 15 February 2014 – 22 June 2014 Two FFA Cup entrants known on 22 June 2014

5. What are the dates of the 2014 FFA Cup matches?

2014 FFA Cup Match Dates Round – Dates
Round of 32 Tuesday 29 July 2014 (4 Matches)
Tuesday 5 August 2014 (4 Matches)
Tuesday 12 August 2014 (4 Matches)
Tuesday 19 August 2014 (4 Matches)
Round of 16 Tuesday 16 September 2014 (4 Matches)
Tuesday, 23 September 2014 (4 Matches)
Quarter Finals Tuesday 14 October 2014 (2 Matches)
Tuesday 28 October 2014 (2 Matches)
Semi Finals Tuesday 11 November 2014 (1 Match)
Tuesday 25 November 2014 (1 Match)
Cup Final Tuesday 16 December 2014

6. What are the Draw Principles for the FFA Cup Draw?

The Draw Principles aim to give grassroots clubs an even chance to be giant-killers against the elite of the Hyundai A-League. This is the essence of the FFA Cup.

Therefore, the Draw Principles seek to enable fixtures between A-League and semi-pro and amateur clubs throughout the draw.

In addition, the Draw Principles balance the vagaries of different season schedules between the professional tier (predominantly summer) and the non-professional tiers (predominantly winter).

Further, the Draw Principles take into account the impact of Hyundai A-League finals and Asian Champions League commitments.

For the live Round of 32 draw, there will be three (3) Pots from which the participating Clubs will be drawn as follows:

• Pot A – the Hyundai A-League Clubs who finish in the Top 4 of the 2013/14 Season after the Final Series (i.e. make the Hyundai Semi-Finals).
• Pot B – the Hyundai A-League Clubs who finish in the Bottom 6 of the 2013/14 Season after the Finals Series.
• Pot C – the 22 qualified Member Federation Clubs.

Pot A will be drawn first until empty, the draw will then continue with Pot B drawn until empty and then Pot C drawn until all Clubs have been allocated a fixture.

From the Round of 16, Quarter Finals and Semi Finals, Clubs will be allocated into one of two (2) pots for the Live Draws:

a) Pot A – Hyundai A-League Clubs
b) Pot B – Member Federation Clubs

Positions in the draw will be numbered. Clubs will then be allocated positions in number order as drawn (i.e. first Hyundai A-League Club will be in position 1). Clubs will be drawn from Pot A until empty, and then Pot B until all Clubs have been allocated a fixture.

7. Why are Hyundai A-League Clubs seeded into the Round of 32?

Consideration has been given to season phasing and providing each Club with the best opportunity to compete at full strength.

This seeding for the Round of 32 provides Hyundai A-League Clubs with some certainty in order to plan pre-season schedules around FFA Cup matches. Appreciating this is a period when Hyundai A-League Clubs generally do not play competitive matches, it also ensures there is an equality of off-season across all 10 Hyundai A-League Clubs, as those Clubs who play later in the 2013/14 Hyundai A-League Finals Series are seeded into the later Round of 32 matches in order to maximise player availability during the traditional off-season.

The match schedule also avoids a Round 16 fixture clash for Hyundai A-League Clubs who may be participating in a AFC Asian Champions League Quarter Final on 17 September 2014, and provides a 3 week break and clear air in the lead up to the start of the 2014/15 Hyundai A-League Season (on 10 October 2014).

8. Why does the FFA Cup draw produce a Semi-Final with at least one Member Federation Club?

The Draw Principles provide for at least one Member Federation Club to qualify for the 2014 FFA Cup Semi Finals. It is important that the FFA Cup is differentiated from existing competitions and provides a genuine opportunity for grassroots and NPL clubs to compete on the national stage.

Member Federation Club(s) that progress to the FFA Cup Semi-Finals will have earned their birth. In order for a Member Federation Club to qualify for the Semi Final of the FFA Cup, the Club would have already had to, firstly, qualify via their relevant State Cup and, secondly, win three FFA Cup Final Round Matches.

9. Why is Wellington Phoenix participating in the FFA Cup?

As a Club licensed by FFA to participate in the Hyundai A-League Club, Wellington Phoenix should be afforded the same opportunity as other Hyundai A-League Clubs to play in the FFA Cup. As a professional club, Wellington Phoenix is not able to play in New Zealand Football’s Chatham Cup.

In accordance with FIFA Regulations, Wellington Phoenix’s participation in the FFA Cup has been approved by FIFA, the AFC, the OFC and New Zealand Football.

Wellington Phoenix will play all FFA Cup matches in Australia.

10. Will FFA cover the costs of travel for competing Clubs?

FFA will cover reasonable flights, ground transport and accommodation for a travelling party of 21 for each travelling Away Club.

11. Who retains the rights to ticket revenue?

The home Club will incur applicable venue hosting costs and receive all associated ticket revenue, excluding the FFA Cup Final which will be run by FFA.

12. How will the home Clubs be determined?

Where matches involve Member Federation Clubs only, the first drawn Club will be given hosting rights. Where matches involve a Member Federation Club and a Hyundai A-League Club, the Member Federation Club will be given the right to host. Where both Clubs involved are Hyundai A-League Clubs, the first drawn Club will have hosting rights.

13. Will suburban grounds be able to meet the FFA Cup Venue and Security Standards for broadcast matches?

FFA wants to embrace the unique atmosphere of cup competitions and play as many FFA Cup matches at suburban grounds as possible. However, each venue will need to meet appropriate Minimum Venue and Security Standards that will be in place for the FFA Cup.

14. Why are all matches scheduled to be played on a Tuesday night?

This creates a consistency for the viewer and fan to identify with Tuesday night as the night to watch the FFA Cup.

Not all FFA Cup matches will necessarily be played on a Tuesday night. For player welfare reasons, matches may be rescheduled to Wednesday depending on the league fixtures of the participating Clubs.

15. Why is the 2014 FFA Cup Final not on a weekend?

This was not possible for 2014 given the busy 2014/15 Season Fixture due to the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2015 AFC Asian Cup. It is the intention for the FFA Cup Final for 2015 onwards to be on a weekend, to emphasise the importance of the FFA Cup Final within Australia’s football calendar and consistent with national knockout competitions in other countries.

16. Where will the FFA Cup Final be played?

Similar to the Hyundai A-League Grand Final, the venue for the Cup Final will be determined in the interest of FFA, competing Clubs, their members and supporters.

17. Will the respective state Cups continue in 2015 onwards?

This is still to be determined and is a decision for each Member Federation.

As each Member Federation will operate the FFA Cup Preliminary Rounds for 2015 onwards, the Preliminary Rounds may replace some existing State Cups or the State Cups may vary in format.

 

[sydmariner]

I'm looking forward to away trips such as Marconi, syd olympic, syd utd etc

 

[VicMariner]

Looking at the way the draw works for 2014, we have to make it to the HAL semi-finals to avoid A-League opposition in the round of 32.
Adds a bit of spice to the finals.

I hope not too far down the track the FFA go for a fully random draw.

 

[VicMariner]

Finally! From the Melbourne Knights page...

Melbourne Knights and Perth Glory had some ill feeling at the end of the NSL era. It would be good if they drew each other.

Over the years to come it will be interesting to see what (if any) new rivalries develop between old sockah and new football.

 

[sydmariner]

Melbourne Knights and Perth Glory had some ill feeling at the end of the NSL era. It would be good if they drew each other.

Over the years to come it will be interesting to see what (if any) new rivalries develop between old sockah and new football.

Old nsl rematches like syd utd vs sth melbourne

 

[eenfish]

Melbourne Knights and Perth Glory had some ill feeling at the end of the NSL era. It would be good if they drew each other.

Over the years to come it will be interesting to see what (if any) new rivalries develop between old sockah and new football.

It will be interesting to see if some of the tiny clubs will get any improvement in support. I mean, what if a team like, say, Gladesville Hornsby Spirit got a win against Sydney FC. I mean, hypothetically speaking, of course.

 

[VicMariner]

It will be interesting to see if some of the tiny clubs will get any improvement in support. I mean, what if a team like, say, Gladesville Hornsby Spirit got a win against Sydney FC. I mean, hypothetically speaking, of course.

Don't know about tiny clubs, if one got a big win they would have to get some sort of boost. How long would it last though?
I would expect the big clubs to draw pretty good support.
Hope it does act as a springboard for greater attendances across every level and competition.

 

[dibo]

Melbourne Knights and Perth Glory had some ill feeling at the end of the NSL era. It would be good if they drew each other.

Perth should bring Slobodan Despotovski out of retirement for that tie if it ever happens.

 

[kevrenor]

My only gripe is that NINE of the state league clubs are from NSW. Its probably due to population base or number of clubs or whatever, but I think its a little lopsided...

Based on registration numbers ... which are dominated by NSW, Qld, NNSW in that order

 

[kevrenor]

Watch out for the Newcastle (NBN league) and Wollongong (IPL) teams coming through the early qualification rounds - dark horse, Urunga Raiders FC - winners of last seasons NNSW Cup.
My new local club, Sawtell Scorpions are already into the second round in NNSW's Northern section of the NNSW Cup.

 

[VicMariner]

Sydney United vs Bonnyrigg White Eagles. Faaark! I think some of the best games will be between NPL clubs. High stakes, a shot at the big guys, a major trophy and a potential run in Asia. They'll go all out.
Add to that some clubs that hate each other.....

 

[eenfish]

Don't know about tiny clubs, if one got a big win they would have to get some sort of boost. How long would it last though?
I would expect the big clubs to draw pretty good support.
Hope it does act as a springboard for greater attendances across every level and competition.

I think it'll increase the amount of people signing up to clubs in a hope they can take their amateur sunday league football club to a possible match against an A-League club.

Also, interesting to note: Wellington Phoenix IS being included in the FFA Cup.

 

[VicMariner]

I think it'll increase the amount of people signing up to clubs in a hope they can take their amateur sunday league football club to a possible match against an A-League club.

Didn't think of participation numbers. You're right and it might help to keep kids playing through till adults and cut the loss to other codes.

Also, interesting to note: Wellington Phoenix IS being included in the FFA Cup.

I'm glad Nux got in.
All in all I think the FFA have done pretty good with the first cup roll out.

 

[eenfish]

Didn't think of participation numbers. You're right and it might help to keep kids playing through till adults and cut the loss to other codes.

Exactly. This is the only competition where an amateur club will have the chance to play against fully professional sides.

I'm glad Nux got in.
All in all I think the FFA have done pretty good with the first cup roll out.

Definitely agreed. Only shame for Welly fans is there is a low chance they'll get a home game at any point. Can you seriously imagine a semi final being played there over Melbourne or Sydney or, hell, even Gosford?

 

[rbakersmith]

It's worth noting that CCMA could potentially end up in the FFA Cup, since as an NPL2 side they're required to participate in the Waratah Cup - they enter that competition in Round 3 on Wednesday 9 April.

 

[rbakersmith]

The Waratah Cup kicked off this weekend - here's the schedule.

CCMA will host the winner of Mosman FC/Cringila Lions FC (being played on Tuesday) & Prospect United/Knox United FC (was supposed to be played last night, but I haven't seen a score) in Round 3 starting Wed 9/4.

Assuming they win, they will then host Sydney Olympic in Round 4 (starting on Wed 23/4).

Local sides playing in Round 1:

• Ararat FC v East Gosford Rams @ Christie Park, Sun 16/3 10am
• Hills Pumas FC v The Entrance Bateau Bay United SC @ Christie Park, Sun 16/3 12:30pm
• Rydalmere Lions v Kincumber Roos @ Rydalmere Park, Sun 16/3 3:30pm
• Arncliffe Aurora FC v Berkeley Vale SC @ St George Stadium, Tue 18/3 7:30pm

 

[kenny bania]

Here is a great site for info regarding ffa cup.

http://www.pursuitofthecupau.com/#

 

[VicMariner]

Here is a great site for info regarding ffa cup.

http://www.pursuitofthecupau.com/#

Brilliant! Added to favourites.

 

[rbakersmith]

CCMA will face Sydney Olympic in Round 4 of the Waratah Cup after defeating Prospect United 3-1 this evening.

Prospect played a little better than I had expected, although they did like to hack a lot (which the referee did little to nothing about in most cases ) Hopefully there's a decent turnout for the next match...