Football fans in Australia are one step closer to having a National Second Tier (NST) after Football Australia (FA) confirmed eight teams set to compete in the inaugural season.
The first edition of the NST will start in mid-2025, with two or four more teams set to be included by early 2024.
News of the announcement divided fans across the nation, as the eight teams named in the competition being exclusively from NSW and Victoria.
Seemingly due to concerns of financial distress and logistical issues, the NST will reduce travel between the teams as much as possible to create stability in what could turn into a volatile environment.
Renowned Australian football commentator, SEN’s Simon Hill admitted whilst he can understand the frustrations of certain fans, the competition must establish itself before expanding across the country.
“(The announcement) has led to a fair bit of negative commentary from the rest of the country which is completely understandable,” Hill told SEN 1170 Mornings.
“But I don’t think that’s how it will look when it kicks off in 2025, clearly, they looked at the clubs that have the financial capabilities and the football smarts to be able to set this thing up.
“I think it’s a good start, if you remember the A-League started with only eight clubs back in 2005, it’s probably better to err on the side of caution when you’re setting up something completely new, but it’s exciting.”
Hill believes the NST is the first step in what he feels the FA should strive for in the future, a pyramid structure similar to English Football.
“We hope as football fans that this leads to a fully interconnected pyramid with promotion and relegation between all the teams,” Hill added.
“That’s not necessarily easy to achieve in a country the size of Australia, I think it has to be our aim long term, it will be so good for our sport here.
“I think it will be fantastic, but first things first let’s get this thing up and running and make it work.”
The inaugural NST season is set to kick off in March/April 2025.