Socceroos legend Robbie Slater accuses football heavyweight of bullying in war of words

• Robbie Slater is on the warpath with Sydney’s football identity
• Claims that David Mason ‘expelled’ talented academy coaches
• The rise of countless football academies has frustrated Football Australia

Former Socceroo Robbie Slater has called a prominent sporting ruler “un-Australian” in connection with his allegedly aggressive behavior towards numerous football academy coaches on Sydney’s northern beaches in recent years.

It comes as countless football academies have sprung up across the country over the past decade, much to Football Australia’s frustration.

That development is one of the reasons why Socceroos coach Graham Arnold expressed his “massive concerns” for the sport’s juniors in Australia last November.

Slater, 58, believes Manly United and Manly Warringah Football Association (MWFA) boss David Mason has abused his power since 2020.

The English Premier League title winners with Blackburn Rovers told Daily Mail Australia Mason allegedly forced a handful of junior academy coaches to stop mentoring footballers – either in individual or team capacity – as the programs took place in direct competition with training sessions at Manly United or the MWFA.

Coaches reportedly include Patrick Weir – who runs Game Ready Football – and Ryan Doidge, who was previously the face of Dee Why Football Academy.

According to Slater, both coaches were allegedly “chased out” by Mason after working closely with local MWFA clubs.

He goes on to claim that it was in direct competition with Manly United, who have long been a route for emerging talent at representative level.

‘What he [Mason] what he’s doing is un-Australian,’ Slater fumed.

“They are academy coaches trying to make a living and they have been practically driven out of the sport.

“Nor should it be up to Manly United coaches or local clubs to decide what sports children can play [besides football] or which academies they wish to join.

“If they want football, cricket, rugby or whatever they want, that’s their choice.”

Slater didn’t finish, explaining Mason allegedly informed parents who are enrolling their children in junior academies that they are “compromising” the ability to represent Manly United or local MWFA teams stretching from Avalon to Manly.

Academy games are played every Sunday as opposed to Manly United and MWFA games being held on a Saturday.

“At the end of the day, it’s the kids who get punished,” said Slater, who is involved with Peak Football Academy.

“If they want to do extras, good to them, whatever helps them in their football journey.”

In response, Mason said many of Slater’s claims were factually incorrect.

In an email to Daily Mail Australia, Mason explained how Manly United and local coaches actively encourage parents to send their children to try other sports such as futsal.

The same letter explains that private academies will not be registered or sanctioned by Football Australia or Football NSW.

“The ‘private academy’ mystery has been brewing for several years and we believe the situation is now adversely affecting the physical and mental well-being of young players, causing confusion and concern among players and parents,” the letter reads.

Mason added that both Manly United and the MWFA – where he is the CEO of both organizations – will not apologize for trying to stamp out the growing influence of football academies.

“The academy and additional training environment in the field of talented football has developed rapidly in recent years and the multitude of opportunities offered to players has spiraled out of control and confused many families who want the best for their children” , he said.

‘[Manly United]The MWFA Board and its member clubs have no problem with parents seeking additional coaching and support for their children’s development…but [we believe] Creating academy teams goes against the fundamental principles of grassroots football.”