A-League bid finds a white knight - Who the hell is Melissa Fischer-Massa?

No- you need people like me to remind you that wildly optimistic, well meaning but poorly thought out schemes usually end in diappointment. LOL.

Nambucco Deliria you are so enthusiastic and inspirational – you should be leading the bid.

We need people like you who are prepared to roll-up-your sleeves and have a go and not just be a touchline expert LOL

So both the Altona Magic fans will switch their allegiance from the Victory to here? I see.

The Brumbies and the Raiders have demonstrated how hard it is to convince youngsters to move here from the big cities, and they are established sides with Championship winning pedigrees, albeit those championships have now become a faded memory…

It’s all very well having millionaire investors – I say again, where are the players coming from? The A-League teams already extant can’t find enough decent Australians to fill the spaces available in seven teams, let alone Ben Buckley’s promised land of a fourteen team league. If the salary cap isn’t lifted (which it won’t be) and Fischer-Massa’s largesse is going to be spent on superannuated South Americans or no-name Asians who can’t get a game in a decent league anywhere else (ie Europe)then I think I’ll pass.

The A-League needs to consolidate and at least make what it has now a viably entertaining product (and a quick glance at Foxtel every weekend will tell you that that is a goal that’s some way off yet) before trying to expand.

I am not Ms Fischer-Massa’s spokesman but I will attempt to address your questions.

Why does the Canberra team need a base in Melbourne?
To attract fans and more importantly juniors through a sister club arrangement. The same reason the Central Coast Mariners have a ‘relationship’ with Canberra at the moment and other A-League clubs have ‘relationships’ with clubs around Australia and overseas.

And why did she pull out of NQ Fury because ‘other investors and bids eventuated’? Does this mean she’ll hoppit if someone alse declares an interest in Canberra too?

She’d pulled out, I guess, because her bid team wasn’t going to be successful. A billionaire put up his own bid that was more favoured by the FFA.
Anyway, Danny Moulis said last night that if a Canberra based team was to succeed if would have to keep on attracting investors. So I hope more ‘millionaires’ come on board.

a canberra a-league team will do well to have as wide a base as possible (o/s, even: someone should start lobbying dfat now for diplomatic links with malaysia, indonesia, etc) to even begin to contemplate being competitive in a burgeoning national league. we’ll likely be phoenix whipping boys with significant support, and ms fischer is obviously keen to get her blahnik-clad toe in the football pool, so welcome welcome welcome, i say!

Why does the Canberra team need a base in Melbourne?
And why did she pull out of NQ Fury because ‘other investors and bids eventuated’? Does this mean she’ll hoppit if someone alse declares an interest in Canberra too?

I attended last night. It was a good roll-up.

It was a very upbeat function. Mark Parton was MC (did a great job – this man has so much passion for Canberra).

Ivan Slavich and Danny Moulis (former Cosmos Chairman)were the guest speakers. Danny’s address was especially frank and inspirational.

Mark interview Ned Zelic who is also very passionate about Canberra’s bid.

New MLA Steve Doszpot was also in attendance.

Ivan reported that they now had over 1,000 foundation members and that all the investors had been locked in – including Melissa Fischer-Massa. Sponsors were now being approached.

Melissa has been described in some media reports as a ‘nursing home mogul’. I am please she is on board as the only way the Canberra team will have a long term viability is by attracting ‘big business’ from outside Canberra.

She was involved in a bid in Queensland but withdrew when other investors and bids eventuated.

She owns the Melbourne premier league club Altona Magic which will give the Canberra A League team a base in Melbourne.

Go Canberra!

This is a copy of the email blurb I received yesterday…

Dear Holden Caulfield,

I’m pleased to report the Canberra A-League bid is moving ahead at a great pace. You may have seen the media coverage over the weekend so I thought I’d update you on what is happening.

Firstly I’d like to thank you for showing true belief in the Canberra bid. The Foundation Membership program has sent a vital message across the business and football community and has greatly assisted the committee in raising the required capital.

Developments:
Mrs Millissa Fischer, a successful Melbourne businesswoman and passionate football fan has joined forces with the Canberra bid as a key supporter. Football Federation Australia Chief of Operations John O’Sullivan rang me to congratulate me when he heard the news!

Former Socceroo and Canberran Ned Zelic has become our Ambassador. Ned has been doing numerous interviews with the local and national media to promote the bid. You may have seen him interviewed by Tim Gavel on ABC Stateline with myself last Friday.

All Foundation Members are invited to “A night at the A-League, A night with Ned Zelic,” tonight, Thursday 6th November 5.30pm. Canberra Deakin Club. This event is free to all foundation Members but places are limited so please RSVP to rsvp@links.com.au ASAP.

And check out our updated website http://www.a-league4canberra.com.au

What’s next?
I will meet with Football Federation Australia on November 18th to present our case for entry in 2010/11.

What can you do?
Come along on Thursday and share the journey with myself, Ned Zelic and other Foundation Members. I look forward to meeting you.

Join the Canberra A-League supporters bus, December 21st to watch Sydney FC v Perth Glory and make some noise for the bid. For more info see our supporters website.

And please encourage new Foundation Members. The more members we have the stronger the message we take to the FFA.

http://www.a-league4canberra.com.au is the place to sign up.

Thanks for your ongoing support, see you tonight.

Regards

Ivan Slavich
A-League4Canberra Bid Leader.