Peter Filopoulos is the Chief Executive Officer of the Victorian Football Federation (better known as Football Victoria). He also holds the same position at the club currently at the top of the A-League ladder Perth Glory. However, these aren’t his first experiences in an administrative role, as Filopoulos has been serving football (and sports in general) for more than two decades now, with a presence in several NPL clubs such as North Melbourne and South Melbourne, among others.
As CEO of Football Victoria, his role is to deliver on the strategic priorities of the organisation, ensuring the clubs’ capability to provide a better experience for the organisation’s 70,000 registered participants. Football Victoria managed to raise over $100 million in funding from state and local governments in the last six months, which will be invested in community club facilities and infrastructure by way of artificial pitches, upgrades to floodlights and gender equity change rooms.
“Our facilities strategy shows that to keep up with population growth and increases in participation, we will require 420 full size equivalent pitches by 2026 to be able to cope with demand. In 2018, 12,500 boys and girls of all abilities missed out on playing the sport of their choice because clubs were not able to cope as their facilities had reached saturation point,” says Mr Filopoulos, whose combined experience makes him ideal to weigh in on the current state of of football in Australia and the changes ahead for the sport.
What can be done to bring youngsters in Victoria closer to football?
We must educate parents that high cost programs don’t necessarily equate to great development programs. So often I hear disappointed parents and young players who pay large fees at clubs but don’t feel they receive the development they need. I often tell parents to look beyond the high cost programs for their children. Like all sports, parents and players need to find an environment which is suitable for their circumstances.
How, in your opinion, should the second division be formed? Should it include teams from the NPL or should entirely new teams be introduced like in the A-League?
The second division is something we need to aspire to, as we desperately need more teams in the A-League and a second tier of full-time professional clubs. This will only provide more opportunities for players, coaches, referees, administrators and volunteers. However, we need to match this aspiration with capability. The second division needs to be well thought through in terms of the financial model given that it will comprise of existing NPL clubs.
What is your opinion on the salary cap?
The salary cap served its purpose in the infant years of the A-League, however I think this protection mechanism is no longer necessary.
Do you believe the A-League can benefit from foreign investment?
Yes I do. A-League clubs need private investment as their membership bases are not enough to sustain a professional club. We can only grow with private investment to be able to create the professional environment we need as a sport.
Why do you believe there are not more Australians playing in high-quality teams like back in the early ’00s?
The environment overseas has changed remarkably where there is an influx of players into the European leagues from all over the world. It’s a different landscape (compared) to the 2000s, where Aussie players had more opportunities.
How do you see football evolving 20 years from today?
I see football in 20 years to have evolved in a way where our A-League is the second largest professional competition in Australia of all sports and that we have a second and maybe third tier and that we are competing in World Cups of all ages across men and women consistently.