Tuesday 3 October 2023
Message from Alasdair Gyngell
Managing Director, Premier Academy League

This message is directed to the entire Premier Academy League community: the Academy Directors, coaches, staff, families, and, above all, the players.

It is with incredible sadness that I announce the decision to discontinue the Premier Academy League, effective immediately.

I realise this decision comes abruptly, and I sincerely apologise for the shock and disappointment it may cause. I want to assure you that significant thought and reflection went into making this decision, but I truly believe it is the only viable option at this time.

I am not prepared to delve into too much detail, but it’s important for me to share some thoughts.

I fully understand and am aware that the Premier Academy League, and the majority of our academies, operate outside the traditional ecosystem of football in Australia. However, the inception of this league was never about creating animosity or division; it was not an 'us versus them' endeavour. Our primary aim has always been to create an environment where children could nurture their love of football and maximise their time on the field. We have always advocated for the freedom of choice in playing and have never discouraged players from participating in the traditional system.

Unfortunately, the ongoing pressure from certain sources within the Australian football landscape has made it an ongoing struggle to operate freely. This experience has taken a significant toll on my health and wellbeing.

We have always upheld extremely high standards for the league - in the standard of football, the manner in which matchdays are delivered, and the operations behind the scenes. Regrettably, I cannot guarantee the continuation of these standards at this time, and I’m unwilling to allow us to deliver anything less than what we, and you, now expect of us.

For families who were planning on being involved in this year’s Summer Season, I want to make it clear that we have received no funds from the academies and no fees have been paid to the league for any future competition, nor has this decision been forced upon me for financial reasons.

I am pleased to share that academies have formed working groups with the intention to organise Summer competitions and future seasons in each State. These are planned to be run either by the academies themselves or by other independent providers. The academies will share more information with families and players in due course.

Moving forward, it is my hope that other providers will emerge to fill the hole we will be leaving. I wish them the very best of luck and hope they can continue creating nurturing and progressive environments where young players can enjoy and grow in their football journey.

Whilst I cannot promise anything at this stage, I do not want to close the door entirely. If opportunities arise to restart the league in the future, I am prepared to discuss and explore ideas with relevant stakeholders, but this will need to be based on a new foundation and a renewed relationship within our football landscape. However, I’m also very conscious that given this decision, there is absolutely no guarantee that academies and families will be prepared to return to us, and that’s absolutely fine and understandable.

I am so proud of what we have achieved, the work we’ve done to put independent football on the map and the impact we have made on youth football in this country. We like to believe that our efforts have not only left a mark but have also driven advancements across youth football as a whole.

The league initially intended to last six weeks, featuring 8 academies and 500 players in Sydney. I don’t think anyone could have predicted it would grow to what it has become after five years of operation, the expansion into four states, over 70 academies and 5,000 players participating yearly.

Our two National Cups, held this year and last, highlighted the unity within independent football and the love that we all share for the game. The pure joy, excitement and passion shown by the players during these tournaments will always be our greatest achievements.

In closing, I wish to express my deepest gratitude to everyone for their unwavering support throughout this journey. It’s been an honour to be part of such an inspiring community, and I’m incredibly disappointed to have to step away.

I would like to make a special mention of Hunter and Connor Dent-McClean, my two right-hand men, whose dedication and loyalty to the Premier Academy League have been invaluable in ensuring the quality and essence of our competitions. I cannot thank them enough for their hard work and commitment.

I wish everyone the best, and I hope you continue to nurture your passion for football. Your understanding, your support, and your love for the game have always been the cornerstone of the Premier Academy League.