Senior National League officials are set to propose sweeping changes to the way the domestic game is run over the coming weeks with the long-talked about "summer soccer" among the innovations which Merrion Square will attempt to have endorsed by the clubs.

The proposed changes have been prompted by the recent study of the way in which Norweigan football has prospered over the past decade. Other changes which National League officials would like to see imported from Scandinavia include changes to the transfer system and a more centralised system of decision-making.

The proposal which will have the most immediate impact is the one to switch the season from its present schedule to one starting in March and running, with a short break in midsummer, until November. Some resistance to the move is anticipated from a number of clubs but league officials are convinced that the case for at least giving the proposals a trial run is compelling. Major benefits would include an anticipated improvement in the performances of Irish teams taking part in European competition as they would be playing their games in mid-season, the surfaces on which games would be played should be dramatically better than in January and February while spectator facilities at many grounds would be less of a problem.

Some period of notice would be required before the changes could be introduced but if sufficient support is received from the clubs over the coming months then this could be the last season run under the present system. The hope would be to run a shortened, one-off season between late summer and around Christmas one year, possibly during 2000 although more probably the year after, and then introduce the new format the following March.

Even if the clubs agree to the proposals - and that is far from certain; the late Dr Tony O'Neill was a strong advocate of such a switch but other prominent club officials like Pat Dolan have repeatedly expressed strong reservations - other hurdles will have to be negotiated.

Referees, whose representatives have previously indicated that there might be problems making enough officials available during the summer months, would have to be persuaded to come on board, as would players.

The PFAI have yet to be officially approached regarding the proposals but there would seem to be a feeling on both sides that whatever initial resistance there is can be overcome.

Everybody connected with the game certainly concedes that a dramatic improvement in Irish teams' performances in Europe is needed if the league is to make real headway over the coming years and if a change in the timing of the season helps to achieve this then players will ultimately benefit.

As with the referees, the issue of summer holidays will require some consideration but the fact that there will be no competitive football over the Christmas should go a long way towards making up for that particular inconvenience.

Of more immediate concern to the players' union just now is the delay in implementing changes to the transfer system that were anticipated in the wake of the Bosman ruling. Several meetings with the league have taken place already and another is planned for this week. Players are annoyed that the Republic is, they say, the only jurisdiction in Europe where there has been no change to the way the internal transfer system works.

Though there is some scope for a system of compensation for the development by clubs of players up to a certain level, the union's preferred option is for a total abolition of transfers, something that the league and its clubs are reluctant to consider.

Transfers are a key area of the proposals arising out of the Norwegian case study, however, and it does seem likely that the system will be overhauled as part of any package considered over the coming months.

As it happens, however, both the issue of the season's timing and the basis for the payment of transfer fees could end up being heavily influenced at FIFA level. The sport's world governing body has reportedly been sounding out various groups about the idea of introducing one co-ordinated season internationally, to start and finish within the one calendar year, and into which major international events could be slotted.

FIFA have also recently turned their attention to the issue of transfers, indicating that they would like to see a system in which the only fee to be paid for a player still under contract would be based on the amount of wages he is still due under his contract.

The idea has prompted a mixed reaction here but would face stiff opposition from some powerful quarters internationally.

Another key priority for the league here is the number of players leaving for England during their early teens. A recent study by the Norwegian FA found that only a handful of their teenage players had joined overseas clubs, a situation that has gradually come about because of a combination of the better terms, coaching, facilities and opportunities which clubs at home can offer the youngsters.

The league are likely to make proposals on this problem too when they make their presentation to clubs during the next month or so.

Emmet Malone can be contacted at emalone@irish-times.ie