THE magic of the cup is about to arrive in Australia.

Football Federation Australia announced on Monday the inaugural FFA Cup competition in Australia will kick-off in July, with the final on December 16.

600 clubs across Australia have started preliminary knockout matches ahead of the round of 32, when the 10 A-League sides will enter the fray. They’ll be pitted alongside 22 clubs from competitions in Queensland (four clubs), New South Wales (seven), Northern NSW (two), Victoria (four), ACT (one), Tasmania (one), South Australia (one) and Western Australia (two).

The number of clubs from each member federation is determined by the number of registered players in each jurisdiction. Northern Territory will participate in 2015.

There is a huge incentive for non A-League clubs, as the draw’s structure ensures that a minimum of one non-professional club will make the semi-finals.

“This is a moment we have dreamed about for years and to finally have it happen is really exciting,” FFA CEO David Gallop said at the Ilinden Sports Centre.

He added: “The holy grail for Australian football for so many years (has been) the connection of grassroots to professional football – the FFA Cup embodies that, which is why we’re so excited.”

Gallop also unveiled the competition’s trophy. The silverware is a mix of a traditional Cup competition prize, and a nod to Australian football history, with a resemblance to the old “Australian Cup” trophy.

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There is the real prospect of member federation clubs having the opportunity to host A-League giants and take the gate receipts. FFA will work with those clubs to ensure their venues meet standards, particularly to accommodate broadcast requirements. Where they are drawn against an A-League club, they will host. When a club faces another club from its same level (ie: A-League club v A-League club), the team drawn first from the pot will host.

Gallop also revealed that reasonable flights, ground transport and accommodation for a travelling party of 21 will be covered for away sides.

The final, at this point, won’t be at a Wembley style venue but will be moved around and Gallop admitted that the roof body will need to sit down with the Asian Football Confederation to discuss whether the final winner gets a spot in the AFC Champions League.

“The idea across Asia is that the cup knockout team winner gets into Champions League,” Gallop said. “That’s something we need to talk to AFC about.”

FFA won’t use replays for drawn matches as takes place in England – all matches will get a result on the night through extra-time and penalties.

Socceroos legend and former Sydney FC player Brett Emerton, who played in Cup competitions in England with Blackburn and Holland with Feyenoord, said it’s an opportunity for young players to relish and another shop window for talent.

“A lot of the young players playing in this competition will hope to showcase themselves in front of the other A-League clubs,” Emerton said. “Let’s hope this competition will help unearth some young talent in Australia.”

Former A-League midfielder Paul Reid, who plied his trade with Adelaide, Melbourne Heart and Sydney FC, experienced the FA Cup in England. He now plays for Rockdale City Suns NSW Premier League and says players across the country will be glued to the television when the draw comes out.

“Everyone talks about the tradition of the FA Cup, and one of the things I remember (in England)… all the teammates stay around after training and watch the live draw … that’s one of the big buzzes – the draw you will get,” he said.

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