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done an incredible job. In ever measure
they are either number 1 or in the top 3 in
the league. We are thankful for what they
have achieved in the marketplace – they
have set the benchmark that we continue
to look at and continue to aspire to. But
from our perspective we have a very clear
strategy, a board that are very committed
to the long term and absolutely committed
to engaging grass roots, fostering youth
and picking local talent and that is where
we will focus. We are not about short term
solutions, this is a long term build.
Which teams do you think will be
the strongest this year?
Everyone about this time of the year is
looking good. We will have a clearer idea
around round 6 to see how everyone is
tracking. I think both Brisbane and CCM
will be up there again. No doubt Melbourne
Victory will be up there – they have just
recruited well and I wouldn’t be surprised
to see Sydney bounce back. They have
had a lot of squad changes – they are a
very proud team and I expect they are
going to be performing significantly better
than last year.
Some people are saying that this
is a make or break year for the
A-League. How do you view it?
I think a lot of people have been saying that
from season one. I believe that it is a year
in which we can continue to grow off the
field. Last year on the field really improved
and I think the job that GrahamArnold and
Ange Postecoglou did was just incredible.
It is absolutely immeasurable the work
they did for the code as a whole last year
on the pitch. This year the opportunity is
there for the administrators off the pitch to
improve as well, both at a club level and
at an FFA level, from a marketing aspect.
The Harry Kewell signing is going to be
fantastic for that - I think he is going to
increase awareness of the game. But it is
then up to every individual club to improve
both on and off the field.
What impact do you think Harry
Kewell will have on the league?
I think he will be fantastic for the league.
He is a high profile player, who has played
all around the world and is instantly
recognisable, so I think he will be a great
asset to the league and to Melbourne
Victory. I look forward to playing them in
round three and I hope that Harry is fit and
will play.
What do you think the future holds
for the A-League?
I think the future is really good - continued
growth in youth participation, significant
growth in female participation. The league
is learning and growing and continuing to
improve on the field. The challenge now
for us is to improve off the field. I have
absolute confidence that we will continue
to challenge other sports and we will
continue to be the best that we possibly
can.
The Aftermath of the
Death of Wouter Weylandt
The death of Wouter Weylandt has
sent shock waves through the global
cycling community.
The Belgian rider (pictured right during
the 2011 Tour de France) was going
downhill at an estimated speed of 70-
80km/h when he lost control and was
hurled 10 metres. He collided with
the road, taking much of the impact
with his face. Despite resuscitation
attempts, experts later established that
he died on impact.
He was wearing a helmet, as mandated
by rules established in 2003, but this
precaution was not enough to save his
life.
Tributes were made shortly after the
devastating news reached the sporting
community.
A statement from the International
Cycling Union said:
“The UCI has learned of the tragic
death of Wouter Weylandt during
stage three of the Giro d’Italia.
“On behalf of the whole cycling
family, the UCI President Mr Pat
McQuaid wishes to extend his
deepest sympathies to all members
of Weylandt’s family, all his friends
and team mates, but also to all his
colleagues on the Giro, who will have
to overcome their grief to continue in
the race.”
Cycling great Lance Armstrong
twittered that he was “shocked and
saddened. May he rest in peace.”
Those close to him, the Quick-Step
Team, made this heart-felt tribute:
“For all of us, Wouter was a friend
before he was a colleague. We
remember him as an honest man,
always available with a smile on his
face and forever generous towards the
next guy.”
“Wouter leaves us with a terrible sense
of loss and unbearable grief. We want
to remember him with arms held high,
crazy with joy after a victory, like the
one at Middelburg last year.”
Beyond the grief felt within the sport,
there have been serious questions
raised about the Giro course. Former
Australian professional Patrick Jonker
has questioned routes such as the
24km decent of Monte Crostis over
concern for rider safety.
In an interview with The Sydney
Morning Herald he asked ‘’Are the
organisers going too far by pushing
riders physically beyond their limits
and capabilities of doing a descent like
that at high speed?’’
When asked how the death would
impact on the way riders approach the
race, he said that ‘’I think the majority
of riders will approach the descent with
more caution than before Wouter’s
death.”
Despite this caution, the nature of
the sport will continue to have riders
pushing themselves to dangerous
levels of performance.
‘’You are going to have 10 per cent of
the peloton are going to be desperate
bike riders who have nothing to lose,
looking to make a name for themselves
and make money and risk everything.’’
This sentiment was reflected by Giro
stage leader David Millar. “Our sport
is very tragic at times, it has been
throughout its history, but we get mixed
up in a lot of stupid things in this sport.
“But the bottom line is that it’s a sport
that has its risks every single day,” he
said to reporters.
Weylandt is the fourth rider to die
competing in the Giro d’Italia. Judging
from the nature of the sport, he may
not be the last.
He is survived by his pregnant
girlfriend, who was 5-months pregnant
at the time of his death.
Insight