Football Federation Australia (FFA) is the governing body for the sport of association football (soccer) in Australia. Before January 1 2005, it was known as the Australian Soccer Association which in turn succeeded the former body Soccer Australia in this role (in 2003).

Among other duties, FFA oversees Australia's national soccer teams (including the Socceroos (men), the Matildas (women), and various youth teams); national level coaching programs; co-ordination with the various state and territory soccer governing bodies; and the national level soccer competition. Until 2004 the national competition was the National Soccer League, however the FFA is seeking to establish a new national league in 2005, the A-League.

The ASA was formed in 2003, following the collapse of the previous soccer governing body, Soccer Australia. Following an independent inquiry established by the Australian government, the Crawford Report recommended the reconstitution of the body with an interim board, headed by prominent businessman Frank Lowy. Other recommendations were eventually adopted by the stakeholders in Australian soccer after considerable persuasive efforts.

In 2005. the ASA renamed itself to utilise the general international usage of the word "football" in preference to soccer. Also in 2005, FFA began talks with the Asian Football Confederation regarding a possible Australia move to the AFC from its current federation, the Oceania Football Confederation. In March, the AFC executive committee unanimously endorsed the proposed move, while the OFC gave the move its blessing in April. FIFA still must approve the move; it is expected to make its decision by the end of 2005. Any Australian move will not occur until after the 2006 World Cup.

State football federations

FFA is associated with the various state and territory football bodies. These include:

• Australian Capital Territory: Capital Football - http://www.soccercanberra.com.au/
• New South Wales: Soccer NSW - http://www.soccernsw.com.au/home/
  • Northern NSW: Northern NSW Soccer Federation - http://www.isport.com.au/soccer/nnswsf/
• Northern Territory: Football Federation Northern Territory http://www.footballnt.com.au/
• Queensland: Queensland Soccer - http://www.qldsoccer.com.au/
• South Australia: Football Federation of South Australia - http://www.sasf.com.au/
• Tasmania: Soccer Tasmania - http://www.soccertas.org.au/
• Victoria: Victorian Soccer Federation - http://www.soccervictoria.org.au/
• Western Australia: Football West - http://www.footballwest.com.au/

External links

• Football Federation Australia site
• Independent enquiry that led to the ASA's establishment.