Ambitious Victorian champions Avondale FC have formed a partnership with Spain's premier football competition La Liga ahead of their entry into Australia's national second division.
Less than two weeks after it was announced Avondale FC would be a part of Australia's football second tier, the club has entered into an agreement with the Spain superpower in a bid to continue their club's growth.
The Sporting News has all the details surrounding Avondale's agreement with La Liga.
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What is the partnership between La Liga and Avondale FC?
Spanish football competition La Liga and Victorian club Avondale FC have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to "elevate the game through mutual collaborations".
According to the statement released on the partnership, the agreement will see "the objective of collaboration through bilateral relations, the MOU will amplify the flow of knowledge and expertise from La Liga - the largest football ecosystem in the world - into the Australian club".
It continues: "Both parties will work towards growing football participation and improving youth development pathways for aspiring boys and girls across Victoria".
Who are Avondale FC?
Avondale FC are the current Victorian NPL champions after winning the grand final 4-0 against South Melbourne in September.
They also only lost game during the regular season to finish top of the league, five points clear of South Melbourne.
The club, based in Parkville, were one of the eight Australian clubs accepted to become part of Australian football's national second division, which is scheduled to begin in 2025.
Avondale were in Provisional League Division 1 North-West in 2009, with the club achieving a famous run of promotion in five of the next six seasons to complete an extraordinary rise to the NPL's top division - Victoria's premier football league.
In 2018, Avondale reached its first NPL grand final, but went down 2-1 to Heidelberg United and also lost in the 2019 decider to Bentleigh Greens on penalties.
The 2023 grand final victory against South Melbourne was their first in their third appearance in the decider.
What La Liga said about the Avondale FC partnership
Ivan Codina, managing director of La Liga for Southeast Asia, Japan, South Korea and Australia.
"We are thrilled to embark on this exciting journey with Avondale FC to elevate football development at this crucial moment in their history in Australian professional football, taking advantage of the experience we have after more than 90 years leading professional football in Spain, and more specifically in the six years that La Liga has been in the country.
"This Memorandum of Understanding signifies our commitment to the football development beyond Spanish barriers through knowledge sharing and collaboration with regional partners."
Who are the National Second Division foundation teams?
Eight teams have been announced as the foundation clubs for the NSD.
According to Football Australia, the respective teams were selected "based on their strong proposals and readiness to meet the standards set" for the competition.
"The establishment of the National Second Tier is a transformative step for Australian football, aligning perfectly with our 15-year strategic vision outlined in the XI Principles," FA CEO James Johnson said.
"It symbolises our commitment to reconnecting the football pyramid and enhancing the competitiveness of our national game."
The selected clubs are:
- APIA Leichhardt FC
- Avondale FC
- Marconi Stallions FC
- Preston Lions FC
- South Melbourne FC
- Sydney Olympic FC
- Sydney United 58 FC
- Wollongong Wolves FC
An additional two to four clubs will be chosen in early 2024, with the second tier to feature 10 or 12 teams.
When does the National Second Division start?
The inaugural NST competition is set to begin in March or April of 2025.
