In this episode of Green & Gold FC, Graham is joined by Aussie FC co-founder Jeffrey Gomez to explore an Australian football story unfolding more than 13,000 kilometres away in Quito, Ecuador.

Jeffrey explains how he and his brother built a club that brings together their Australian upbringing and Ecuadorian heritage. From its green-and-gold colours and kangaroo crest to its focus on education and community, Aussie FC was created to give young people opportunities that extend beyond football.

The discussion then turns to Ecuador’s fiercely competitive football pyramid, where around 250 clubs compete for just two promotion places. Jeffrey describes the financial pressures facing clubs outside the top two tiers, why relegation can mean disappearance, and how those realities have shaped Aussie FC’s ambitions.

Graham and Jeffrey also explore the club’s Australian connections, including sponsorship, potential relationships with Australian clubs and opportunities for Australian semi-professional players to test themselves in South America.

From there, the conversation examines how Ecuador produces players such as Moisés Caicedo and William Pacho. Jeffrey discusses the country’s football culture, access to senior opportunities and investment in youth development, while Graham asks what Australia could learn from a system that helps talent move from local clubs towards the highest levels of the game.

There is also a discussion about the trade-offs of exporting young players, the standard of Ecuadorian football and falling domestic crowds. Graham and Jeffrey compare the challenges facing both countries, including how promotion and relegation, supporter backing, sponsorship and transfer income can shape a club’s chances of survival.

Finally, Jeffrey outlines what success would mean for Aussie FC: building an institution that lasts for generations, helps young people on and off the pitch, and strengthens the connection between Australian and Ecuadorian football.

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