Fan perspectives of change in the A-League

Abstract

(online) Football in Australia has undergone pronounced changes since 2003. Significant changes to national league competition structure have been made in an attempt to separate the sport from its socio-historical links with expressive ethnicity. This study employs a qualitative methodology to analyse members of foundation ALeague club Sydney FC to examine two specific research interests. Firstly, the study examines the extent fans perceive the A-League to represent a change from the NSL. Secondly, in a league that appears to have shed ethnic linkages, how do individuals identify as fans with a specific A-League club?