TOTM May 2022 - Is a National League Possible?

Is a National League Possible?

Let’s kick off the first TOTM ever with a bang!

There has been much discussion of a National League in recent years, with major issues currently occurring with the SAAL, and other leagues such as NSWAL, WCAL and QAL unable to offer a full calendar, some are saying it’s now or never for a national league.

So, what are your thoughts on establishing a National League moving forward. Do we really need it or are the states able to manage their leagues respectively?

Would it be best for each league to work closely with their Athletics Australia affiliate. For example, the VAL working with Athletics Victoria (AV) and the SAAL working with Athletics South Australia (ASA) to further strengthen their leagues.

Are athletes happy with the current climate of professional athletics in their state? I’d be interested to hear from those outside Victoria, we don’t hear much from NSW, QLD, or WA so this might be your chance to voice an opinion.

OneAthletics is an idea that has been floated around by Jason Richardson recently, highly recommend listening to his interview on the Walk To Your Blocks podcast (Episode 1 from memory).

So the question remains, will we ever see a national league happen?

Discuss.

Good in theory but I can’t see it happening anytime soon. SA are a basket case at the moment and need to come on board with the Vic system. There is no way VAL should be giving up any power given SA is in disarray. The VAL need to control the lot for there to be any chance of it happening. Vics already doing the handicapping for Tas and NSW and WA is non existent at present.
QLD could get Vics to handicap their races considering they only have a few meets and Bruce Duncan is getting too old to keep it afloat.

Pretty well make it like World Series Cricket.You want to join so be it , if you dont its your choice.
Yep SA is a basket case and a lot of us want out, Im sure you will find that the best SA athletes and the best coaches in SA would move over.

I think it is time. If I am to be involved on the SAAL committee it would be something I would propose, certainly from a handicapping perspective. The SAAL handicap system is poor, divisive, a deterrent and is killing the comp.
As far as other states jumping onboard look at it this way, the AFL was built on over time with added state teams so if for example Queensland isnt onboard first up they may jump on in a couple of years.