"Clubs would have greater control over the strategic and commercial direction of the leagues, in turn triggering significant new investment in the quality and marketing of all three leagues; and FFA would be able to focus its energies and resources on the national teams, grassroots and the overall strategic direction of the game in concert with all of FFA’s members, including the Women’s Football Council, State and Territory Member Federations and Professional Footballers Australia.

"Importantly, FFA would retain influence in key areas of the leagues through the Good of the Game Share."

He added: "I thank the members of the NLWG that have worked tirelessly over many months to produce these recommendations.

"Once finalised, the FFA Board will consider the full details of the proposed reorganisation of the Leagues in accordance with their director’s duties.”

women's Council chair Ros Moriarty hailed the deal as a breakthrough for the game but was keen to see its specifics.

"The unanimous support from Australian football leadership to a commercial restructure of the W-League, A-League and Youth League is a significant step forward," she said.

"The FFA Women's Football Council looks forward to seeing the detail of the deal for W-League in the period before it is ratified, in the context of our charter of equality in football for women and girls.

"We applaud the recognition of the rising value of women's football in reinvigorating the game in Australia and look forward to working closely with the new Leagues management organisation.”

State federations were said to be reluctant to agree a deal that they felt was too heavily weighted in favour of the clubs over grassroots, but today said this deal was for the long term good of the game.

"The Member Federations have appreciated the collaborative way all stakeholders were able to participate in robust discussions towards advancing this significant and necessary evolution in Australian football," said Anter Isaac, Member Federation Council Chair on behalf of all nine state and territory member federations.

"Progress has been achieved because of the commitment we all have to Australian football and by embedding the long-term interests of all its participants at the centre of every discussion.

"The enduring development and support of grassroots and community football, their pathways to the professional leagues and the competitiveness of our national teams must receive the paramount attention and resources they require for the game to prosper.

"Our hope is that this outcome validates the deep and collaborative relationship the stakeholders have with one another, as well as demonstrate to the football family the commitment we all have to the good of the Australian game.”

And Professional Footballers Australia CEO John Didulica added: “This consensus reached between FFA and the clubs is an essential step forward.

"It is now critical that we shift our focus and start designing a footballing future that drives commercial growth, fan engagement and our international competitiveness; through reforming the A-League model, turbo-charging the W-League and ensuring we develop the Y-League into a genuine development pathway.

"It also remains necessary to embed the rights of the players and the position of the PFA in the new governance framework, and we will be working to reach agreement on these matters as a matter of urgency.”