After months of deliberations from Football Federation Australia officials, it was confirmed earlier this month that the Canberra A-League bid missed out on being one of the two expansion teams that will be welcomed into the competition.
Canberra was viewed as an attractive expansion option with a well organised bid, with over 8,000 members, and an ownership model based on the Bundesliga’s ‘50 plus one’ set-up which sees club members hold majority control of the club.
It was also deemed strong, as Canberra currently has no major men’s summer sports team based here; neither the Big Bash or the NBL has an established presence in town.
The FFA’s decision to place a new team in both Sydney and Melbourne is believed to satisfy their broadcasters’ desire to create more local derbies in Australia’s most heavily populated cities, rather than expand into more regional markets.
Despite missing out on an expansion licence, at the time of going to print it is understood the bid team have since announced their intentions to remain active in the hope of establishing a Canberra A-League team in the future.
At a glance
Cavs Bite back in Adelaide
In what was a crucial series for both sides, the Cavalry have bounced back from a shaky start to their campaign with an away win against high quality opposition in the Adelaide Bite, three wins to one on 13-16 December.
The Cavalry return to the Narrabundah Ballpark on 20-23 December when they host Geelong-Korea; gocavsgo.com.au
Topsy turvy round 10 for Capitals
The University of Canberra Capitals managed mixed results across their inaugural Indigenous Round, but finished on a high after defeating the Perth Lynx in their last face-off before finals.
The Caps have struggled in their previous clashes with Perth this season, but thrashed their top-ranking opponents at home by 32 points in front of their crowd of the season.
Earlier in round 10, the Caps dropped an away game to the Adelaide Lightning 93-73.
The Caps currently sit in third place with eight wins and five losses, with five rounds remaining before WNBL play-offs.
The Caps will host Dandenong on Friday 21 December at the National Convention Centre, Civic; ticketek.com.au
For most:
