Five Greek football clubs have submitted their Expressions of Interest (EoI) for Australia’s National Second Division, the Association of Australian Football Clubs (AAFC) has announced.

In total, 32 soccer clubs from eight states and territories want to be part of the national second-tier competition.

The five Greek clubs are Sydney Olympic FC, South Melbourne FC, Heidelberg United FC, Bentleigh Greens FC and Olympic FC.

Peter Filopoulos, FFA’s Head of Marketing, Communications and Corporate Affairs, took to Twitter to say that he is confident these club numbers released by the AAFC could increase.

“The Football Federation Australia will issue a statement early next week once it completes its review of submissions and payments [received after Friday’s 5pm deadline],” Mr Filopoulos said.

Love the enthusiasm but this is not an official confirmation by @FootballAUS as to the number or full list of the clubs who submitted their EOIs by Friday’s 5pm deadline. @FootballAUS will issue a statement early next week once it completes its review of submissions and payments https://t.co/SzO62ud6yr

— Peter Filopoulos (@peterfilopoulos) March 4, 2023

Only the Northern Territory wasn’t represented among the 32 clubs to formally lodge expressions of interest with Football Australia (FA) to join the proposed second-tier league.

The league is slated to start in March next year and feature 10 to 16 teams, according to AAP.

FA hierarchy will now assess the expressions of interest to create a short-list of contenders.

By June, short-listed clubs will be asked to then submit detailed proposals including formal bid documents, FA chief executive James Johnson said.

“We knew there would be great interest and we are thrilled with the … calibre of clubs which have expressed their interest,” Johnson said in a statement on Monday.

“It is also pleasing to see that we have received submissions from right across Australia, demonstrating that our football clubs have a deep desire and aspiration to compete at a national level.

“Australian football has undergone a journey of transformation over the last two years and the establishment of a national second tier which reconnects and realigns Australian football competitions is an important element of Football Australia’s 15-year vision for the game.

“The receipt of EOI submissions is another crucial step in bringing our vision for the game to life.”

THE 32 CLUBS TO EXPRESS INTEREST:
– ACT: Canberra Croatia FC, Gungahlin United FC.
– NSW: APIA Leichhardt FC, Blacktown City FC, Fraser Park FC, Marconi Stallions FC, Rockdale Ilinden FC, Sutherland Sharks FC/Cronulla Sharks, Sydney – -Olympic FC, Sydney United 58 FC, Wollongong Wolves FC, Valentine FC.
– Queensland: Brisbane City FC, Brisbane United FC (Wynnum Wolves FC, Brisbane Strikers FC, Virginia United FC), Gold Coast Knights FC, Gold Coast United FC, Olympic FC, Peninsula Power FC, Sunshine Coast FC Fire.
– South Australia: Adelaide City FC, Football SA (Campbelltown City SC, North Eastern MetroStars, West Torrens Birkalla SC), Playford City Soccer and Community Club.
– Tasmania: South Hobart FC.
– Victoria: Avondale FC, Bentleigh Greens SC, Brunswick Juventus FC, Green Gully SC, Heidelberg United FC, Melbourne Knights FC, Preston Lions FC, South Melbourne FC.
– Western Australia: Spearwood Dalmatinac/Cockburn City SC.

According to the AAFC, in the first three years of operation, teams in the National Second Division will not face relegation, due to the large financial outlay in joining the division. Australia’s National Second Football Division 2024 will commence with 12 teams, with the hope of increasing it to 16 by its third year.

NEW NATIONAL SECOND TIER EXPRESSION OF INTERESTS ARE IN! 

Congratulations to all the clubs and applicants who have submitted their EOI supporting this historic development in Australian football.

1/2 pic.twitter.com/5ERrxvRIPU

— AAFC (@AAFClubs) March 3, 2023