Quizzed on Tasmania's chances of joining the national soccer competition, Chris Nikou was quick to point out that the "A" in A-League stands for Australia.
The Football Australia chairman said further A-League expansion was on hold but should include the island state when it returns.
"We want it for the whole of Australia," he said.
"I think Tasmania will be on the radar and under good consideration. The league needs to grow a bit. It will be up to the Tasmanians then to put forward a compelling case.
"I think there is sufficient interest to get behind a Tasmanian licence when the time comes. It won't be for next season but in the next couple of years I would like to see the discussion.
"I'd like to see as broad a footprint as possible and Tasmania offers geographic distinction."
Visiting the state for last week's A-League matches hosted by Western United at Launceston's UTAS Stadium, Nikou said he had been impressed with the state's passion for the sport and wanted to see a legacy from its bid to be a part of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.
"There's a really strong passion for the sport here and it's important that we create pathways around the country including here in Tassie."
Nikou used former England international Matt Le Tissier as an example of players emerging from small population bases and said Riverside Olympic's A-League star Nathaniel Atkinson could offer similar inspiration.
"Matt Le Tissier came from Guernsey which I think has a population of 60,000 so it doesn't matter where you came from. Our job is to allow that talent to shine.
"Each community needs a hero and if he (Atkinson) can play that role then that would be a great outcome."
The Melbourne lawyer attended Tasmania's previous A-League matches hosted by Melbourne Victory at the same venue in 2012 and '13, and was in regular dialogue with Football Tasmania and the state government.
He said there remains a big unticked box in the state's case for national content.
"A purpose-built rectangular stadium would be a massive plus. I'm comfortable with the passion of people down here. But that stadium and government support, those things will become important.
"It's a high participation sport and I think it's well placed for good things here in Tassie.
"I can't talk for other sports but in a previous life I was on the board of the Melbourne Renegades in T20 and have gone down to Hobart with them.
"I think its time will come. You've seen the basketball's been given a chance and I think it will happen, it's just got to put forward a bid that matches the criteria that's being put around and each sport is different."
Rob Shaw
Heralding the impact of Tasmanian sport without saying "punching above its weight" is not as easy as it sounds.
Heralding the impact of Tasmanian sport without saying "punching above its weight" is not as easy as it sounds.
