a-league4canberra, a canberra-based consortium led by transact ceo ivan slavich, was determined to apply for and receive a licence to compete in the a-league, commencing in the 2010–11 season. ffa agreed to slavich's request to extend the deadline for bids until august 2008, and australian international players carl valeri and ned zelic became foundation members. however, a-league4canberra failed to secure the 12th licence they had applied for as sydney rovers was later given the licence instead. the slavich-led consortium then moved forward with the intention of competing for the 13th licence. the first formal step in that process was to present an application to the a-league licence review committee in august 2008. at the time, canberra was one of ten bids expected by football federation australia (ffa) for up to four available licences, but was considered to be strongly positioned to succeed and had support from the highest levels within ffa.