The Internet is a wonderful thing. It's very important these days for Football Clubs and Capital Football to be aware and attentive of their Internet presence. Websites that have old content, are not maintained or refreshed on a regular basis, or information not provided in a timely manner, really works against Football these days. A few smart Clubs in the ACT region have started to attend to this as a matter of urgency for season 2011. Good thing too!
Good information and debate is essential to keeping people in touch with the game. Lack of timely information too often means an unwillingness to tell people what they need to know and let them form a view. We don't need that in Football at any level.
The Australian Community Radio Network, and 2xxfm do so much good work for Football - and like real Football at the community level - they do it for free - all volunteers. I thought I might say something about it.
Sometimes, people in positions of authority in Football need to be reminded that this game belongs to all of us and we all have a right and an obligation to question decisions, ask for explanations and expect candid, open, truthful responses. Mostly, that's what we get. However, its easy for people in positions of authority in Football to come to the completely dumb arsed conclusion that only they are "in the know", or that "others couldn't possibly know more than we know", as though others can't think it through or have the collective expertise to work it out and proffer other workable and coherent solutions to Football problems. Behaviour you see organisations anywhere I guess. This is a big mistake and does nothing for Football.
Sometimes, not often, but every now and then, it can be incredibly hard to get a minor local Football official or apparatchik with egos only matched by their stupidity, to give you the time of day. Its as embarrassing as it is offensive. Most are without ego and concerned only for the game and those that play it and they are the bedrock of the game.
Curiously, I have often found that a national coach, Football expert or administrator or elite player (past and present) will simply go out of there way to have a yarn, talk Football, ready to share their knowledge with the rest of us. These people advance the game and our understanding of it.
But back to the Internet, websites, Podcasts and Community radio in support of Football.
Radio Station 2xxfm (98.3mhz) provides an extra-ordinary coverage of Football both at the National / International and Local levels. The Nearpost program is a two part endeavour - Nearpost National (Eamonn Flanagan and co) followed by Nearpost Local (self and guests). Then their is the Farpost, which provides live broadcasts for major games played it the ACT. That's is a remarkable effort and I can tell you this - a lot of people in our community listen and follow the Blogs we set up to support the programs. There's a message there for Football administrators - some get it and value it, a very few play silly buggers (and get nothing in return - everyone's loss).
Capital Football is damn lucky that the volunteers that make 2xxfm a reality are prepared to keep advancing Football and keep our Football community in touch with the game. I know the CEO Capital Football values the support given by 2xxfm to Football every week of the year, she makes herself available for interview, speaks candidly and that's just the way it should be - good leadership. The Club coaches and office bearers we deal with are overwhelmingly fantastic, which is as good as it gets for Football.
What is happening here in Football the ACT region is of interest to people all over the planet. Australians and in particular, citizens from the ACT or those that have lived and followed / played Football in the ACT region, like to stay in touch. Not for nothing do they call our game the World Game!
At 9:00AM this morning, the stats collected on the Nearpost Local Blog for the last 24 hours indicated that a lot of people have read the articles and / or downloaded / listened to the Podcasts.
This is where they were located:
Australia
United States
Germany
Portugal
United Kingdom
France
Russia
Spain
Netherlands
Slovenia
Brazil
Canada
Italy
Latvia
Indonesia
Israel