RYAN Reynolds is the Geelong Advertiser’s chief football (soccer) writer, but he also covers other sports for the long running daily including AFL, golf and racing. A self confessed Everton nut, he recently caught up with new FFV intern, Lorcan Mathews.

It’s always interesting to get another person’s perspective of our sport and someone like Ryan is more than qualified to present his view on the state of play in World Game locally.

LORCAN MATHEWS (LM): Football has always had to fight for legitimacy in an AFL dominated town. Do you think that has changed in recent years?

RYAN REYNOLDS (RR): I don’t think it’s hard to fight for legitimacy, as such. I think it has always been seen as legitimate especially with the amount of top end players the town has produced and the numbers of people that go to matches. I think what has changed around the country – probably post the Socceroos heading to Germany – is that there is a real thirst for soccer news from the general public. A lot more people are interested in the round ball now and many of those wouldn’t have been able to name two Socceroos 20 years ago. That’s some amazing progress for the sport. I think we are starting to see that filter down to local level with participation through the roof and interest levels overall have gone up because of this.

LM: How do you view the development of the game in Geelong and the wider Geelong region?

RR: It’s been interesting to watch. Obviously, like I mentioned before, we are seeing a big growth in participation numbers at a junior level. The one thing I have noticed is that the junior numbers at all the traditional clubs is still very strong. This goes against the grain of most other northern suburbs sporting clubs who are battling to attract juniors into their programs. So while that remains strong we are also seeing those new suburbs – Armstrong Creek and to an extent Torquay – starting to burst with juniors too.  The game looks very healthy, but the numbers need to be harnessed and turned into participation at senior level as well.

LM: Being crowned Australia’s number 1 sport in terms of participation, how far have we come in terms of media coverage from say 5 years ago in the region?

RR: Significantly. I think we have listened to what the public has wanted and soccer coverage continues to grow, especially in the Geelong Advertiser. Could it be bigger and better? Of course it can and we are always looking to build on and improve the way we cover our local sport and in particular soccer.

Five years ago we didn’t have anywhere near the amount of coverage we have now and I’d like to think in five years’ time I can look back and say the same thing when comparing 2017 to 2022.

But what people have to remember is that numbers do count. The best way to increase coverage is to increase readership. These days everything can be tracked, so we can see what stories are popular online.

I can’t stress enough of the Geelong soccer community coming on board and supporting our local soccer coverage. If you can, subscribe to the Geelong Addy online and do via accessing a soccer story. The more subscriptions we get through soccer stories the more resources we are able to dedicate to the round ball.

As I journo I love to support local soccer clubs and always try to get as many stories into the paper as I can. Hopefully those loyal soccer devotees can support us and the coverage we are trying to deliver. It’s a win-win situation as far as I am concerned. If we work together then anything is possible.

LM: North Geelong Warriors are flying the flag for the region in the PS4NPL Vic Comp, how important in your eyes is that representation in the NPL for a Geelong side?

RR: The more clubs we can get in the top divisions the better. I love the fact North Geelong and Galaxy United are flying the flag for us in the NPL and WNPL systems. It is crucial that Geelong has a development pathway into the top tiers of football. But it would be great to have even more! How fantastic would an NPL local derby be between say North Geelong and Geelong?

LM: From your initial days at the Advertiser, how have you seen the game flourish in Geelong?

RR: Probably pretty similar to my previous comments in regards to growth etc.

LM: As a region, Geelong is number one in terms of participation growth and grassroots registrations across the nation. Does this legitimise our push for an A-League bid even further in your opinion?

RR: Geelong is a legitimate A-League option even without those numbers. We have a world class stadium and public that loves sport and a population that is growing and already big enough to support a top class summer sporting team. The fact our game continues to grow is just further proof that we deserve representation in the A-League. The league has pushed into markets previously that have a worse chance of succeeding that Geelong.

LM: What is your view in terms of a potential A-League franchise based in Geelong?

RR: It’s time. Steve Horvat and his team are doing a brilliant job with our bid. But it’s not just a bid for Geelong, it’s a bid for the western region. It’s important that those from Warrnambool, Colac and western Melbourne get on board too. The potential is endless for the club.

LM: Do you think it’s viable/possible in the short term? And sustainable in the long-term?

RR: Any new sporting club is going to have some short term issues. It’s not cheap to run an elite team in a national competition. But once a club gets a foothold then financially that can turn around. It’s crucial that any potential A-League club has some early success. Geelong can be a fickle town at times and there would be no better way to get people through the doors than with wins and titles.

LM: There have been ideas and planning for stadiums and state-of-the-art facilities being built across the region. Is there a location you feel could thrive as the host stadium of a potential A-League franchise in Geelong?

RR: I think there are two main options. One north of Geelong – Lara or Avalon. And one on the other way out – Waurn Ponds or Amstrong Creek. North of Geelong is a soccer heart land, while the other is a growing area with a decent sized population. It’s crucial that any stadium has access to public transport, is close to hotels, shops and restaurants and can be used as a community facility. 

LM: Through ex-Socceroo Steve Horvat, alongside the likes of prominent businesswoman Jo Plummer, the possibility of an A-League Franchise in Geelong is quietly taking shape. What in your opinion does the region have to do to really stamp its authority for an A-League license?

RR: The weight is in the numbers. If Geelong can go to the A-League with a strong business plan, a stadium design and significant backing from the community then we will be a massive chance at getting a team.

LM: Player numbers increased 9% in 2016 alone, off the back of an 18% rise in 2015 throughout Geelong. Do you feel that the sky is the limit for ‘the world game’ in this region? Why?

RR: Of course. We are recording a surge in population in pockets of areas and those youngsters are all playing soccer. These numbers will eventually level out, but we have to make the most of the rises while we can. It’s a great game and it’s amazing to see so many people playing.

LM: The W-League is almost a decade old, while more locally a distinct initiative aimed at expansion of the Women’s game through avenues such as a GRFC Women’s Taskforce have been formed with the aim of increasing participation numbers in the female game. Do you feel football has really paved the way for women’s sport throughout the nation and consequently made other codes such as AFL take notice?

RR: Whether soccer has led the way in terms of women’s participation or not, I’m not too sure. But the more initiatives and programs we have getting people into the sport the better. Has the W-League made the AFL take notice? Probably not. Certainly the AFLW numbers in its inaugural season have been significant and well above anything the W-League has achieved. That’s a concern.

Does the W-League pay the price for competing with the A-League? Yes. The women’s game isn’t given a chance to breathe while there is a competing product on at the same time.

Is the FFA doing enough to promote the W-League? No. That’s reflected in attendances between the W-League and AFLW. It’s a concern for soccer that it hasn’t been able to grab mainstream media attention like AFLW and netball has.

LM: What in your opinion is ‘the next step’ to put Geelong on the map as a football town?

RR: It has to be an A-League team.