The game will shortly confront some difficult conversations that we need to conduct openly and always with one fundamental principle in mind: the best interests of the game must prevail at all times. One such conversation was discussed here last week – the future of youth football in NSW and the roadblocks being thrown up by incumbent clubs that are contrary to both good practice and the game's interests.

The overriding context is that each of us is only of value to the game to the extent that we contribute to taking it forward. None of us are immune from this test, and playing a role in football is a privilege, not a right.

Right direction: Sydney FC’s Bernie Ibini breaks free against Melbourne City. Credit:Getty Images

This test is universal and many sections of the game will be assessed shortly with the imminent release of the FFA's Whole of Football Plan. Essentially, this was a consultation process to uncover the most pressing and strategically important challenges facing the game and to plot the path towards becoming the No.1 sport, a meritorious goal, as distinct from what used to be merely a dream.

The various pillars of the plan to be released will be, in themselves, worthwhile but I strongly believe that without taking a fully integrated approach as the starting point, football can never fulfil its true potential.