A national second division (NSD) is now on its feet after the National Premier League (NPL) clubs in all states and the ACT voted in support of the new football competition.

The planning begun with the creation of the Association of Australian Football Clubs (AAFC) Championship Partner Group, involving 30 clubs across Australia.

Discussions to organise a NSD have been circling for years, with a concept discussion paper for a Championship competition launched in October 2017.

AAFC Chairman Nick Galatas said the level of support is reflected in the number of clubs who have joined the Championship Partner Group.

“The Championship is about creating stronger clubs and expanding the football footprint throughout our country for the benefit of our entire sport,” Mr Galatas said.

Victorian clubs showed a keen interest in the new league, as nine teams from the three NPL divisions expressed their desire to participate in the new national championship.

The list includes the four clubs that played in the old national league (NSL); South Melbourne Hellas, Heidelberg United Alexandros Melbourne Knights and Preston Lions, as well as Avondale, Bentleigh Greens (Pancyprian), Bulleen Lions, CS George Cross and Hume City.

Mr Galatas said AAFC has worked closely with key football stakeholders including representatives of Football Federation Australia (FFA), the state member federations, Professional Footballers Australia and the A-League clubs over the past three years to consider the most appropriate options for a Championship model.

Aspects of the model including considering a national vs conference-based competition, timing, player squads, the relationship with football academies, facilities, corporate governance and promotion and relegation will be finalised in the coming months

Mr Galatas noted that the AAFC believe that the new competition is what will boost the competition at all levels.

“AAFC’s view is that we cannot be properly considered as a ‘football nation’ without it and having it in place is our ultimate objective. While promotion and relegation with the A-League will hopefully occur little later, we aim for it to start immediately with the NPL below,” he said.

A state list of the 30 clubs that have so far submitted their application for their participation in the Championship is as follows (in alphabetical order):

VICTORIA

Avondale FC
Bentleigh Greens SC
FC Bulleen Lions
CS George Cross FC
Hume City FC
Heidelberg United FC
Melbourne Knights FC
Preston Lions SC
South Melbourne FC

NSW

Apia Leichardt
Marconi Stallions
Rockdale Ilinden FC
Sydney Olympic FC
Sydney United 58
Wollongong Wolves

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Adelaide City FC
Campbelltown City SC
Metrostars
West Adelaide
West Torrens Birkalla SC

NORTHERN NSW

Edgeworth Eagles
Hamilton Olympic

QUEENSLAND

Gold Coast United
Peninsula Power FC
Western Pride FC
Wynnum Wolves FC

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Bayswater City
Perth SC

ACT

Gungahlin United FC

TASMANIA

South Hobart