For decades, women in Victoria were prohibited from participating in organised football, thereby being pushed aside as the men's game dominated the field. The tide, however, has turned. What was previously a sport confined to half of the population is being changed by girls lacing up their boots and women leading from the front.

Over 21,000 women and girls started playing football in 2024, fuelled by the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023™ and the Matildas' semi-final success. Football, with over 221,000 female players registered countrywide, is not only Australia's most popular team sport, but also one of its fastest growing.

This past week, Female Football Week 2025 (FFW) highlighted the movement that is restructuring the game. The nationwide initiative, which runs from May 2 to 11, is more than a celebration. It is a catalyst for sustained change.

A Nationwide Celebration with Local Impact

Organised by Football Australia in collaboration with member federations and clubs, FFW 2025 includes leadership panels, grassroots clinics, gala days, and coaching masterclasses to empower women at all levels of the sport.

Football Queensland’s Senior Manager - Game Development, Kate Lawson, anticipated an action-packed agenda that would capture the imaginations of both returning and new competitors.

“There are going to be more eyes on football in Australia than ever before. The increased representation of women in our game has everyone buzzing this year, which is why this Female Football Week is set to be the biggest and most exciting yet,” she said via press release.

Across the country, similar initiatives are igniting change. Football Queensland presented the FFW Awards to recognise local women's football legends, while Football Victoria continued its all-female commentary round in the NPLW, bringing women's voices to the forefront of the game.

At the grassroots level, activities such as The Gap FC's Mother's Day celebration and FFW gala in Brisbane highlight the important role that families play in developing the next generation of players.

Behind the Data: Real Growth, Real Stories

The statistics tell one story. Football participation across Australia has increased 11% to 1.91 million participants by 2024, with female participation up 16%. Queensland alone had a 44% increase in women and girls playing the game throughout its ten regions. Female involvement in Football NSW increased by 17% throughout the winter season.

However, behind these numbers are the individuals who are transforming the game.

The increase in female football involvement is more than just a statistic; it's a tapestry of personal experiences that illustrate the movement's depth and variety.

In the ACT, Tina McLeary serves as secretary of Brindabella Blues FC, a club with approximately 1,000 members. Her football adventure began with her children, but she rapidly became a significant driver of change, taking on management duties and guiding inclusive club strategy.

“We were able to get the boys there and show that these 10 and 11-year-old boys don't care, there's no gender relationship there. They just want to be a part of this. They just want to go kick the ball and see the game,” she shared, reflecting on the shifting culture in football.

In Western Sydney, Katelyn Smith is making her mark with CommBank ParaMatildas. After health issues halted her early football dreams, she discovered her calling with CP Football. Katelyn, a Golden Glove winner and national team striker, is not only scoring goals but also coaching the next generation of footballers with disabilities, demonstrating what is possible.

Women are also excelling in roles off the pitch. Jessica Jensen (Football QLD), Daphne Gounaris (Football Victoria), and Alana Zic (Football NSW) are three female referees breaking down boundaries in refereeing. Refereeing for the women allows them to improve themselves, connect with others, and lead with integrity and confidence.

In Tasmania, Jess Woodroffe of Launceston City FC has contributed to shaping her club's infrastructure and culture. The club has recently added gender-friendly changing rooms, in addition to increasing the number of female board members and players, primarily from their campaigning and inclusive community forums.

Challenges Ahead—and a Bold Vision for the Future

Despite the momentum, obstacles remain. Numerous clubs are operating above their capacity, putting a strain on coaching resources, infrastructure, and equipment. As more girls get involved with the sport, retention becomes crucial, especially throughout adolescence, when many abandon it due to a lack of clear paths or mentors.

Football Australia has set an ambitious goal: gender parity in community football by 2027.

Interim CEO of Football Australia, Heather Garriock, believes Female Football Week 2025 has highlighted just how vital women’s football has become.

“Female Football Week 2025 has underscored the critical importance of women’s football to the future of our game. The growth we’re seeing at every level, from grassroots to the elite, is not only remarkable, but also reshaping the landscape of Australian sport,” she said via press release.

Conclusion: From Moment to Movement

FFW 2025 is about more than simply celebrating progress—it's about maintaining it. Women's football is no longer an afterthought, through community-led events, national investment, and strong representation.

It’s at the centre of the conversation.

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Football West joins Football Australia in welcoming the 2025 Female Football Week, recognising the contributions of women and girls in football across the state.

Female Football Week (FFW) is a nationwide initiative that focuses on the crucial role that women and girls in football play in the community, whilst celebrating their achievements across every sector of the game.

FFW will take place from 2-10 May, and have numerous activations and events as part of the initiative, including coaching courses, webinars and a free girls five-a-side tournament.

Events taking place:

Monday 5 May

Coaching Webinar: Backing High-Performing Teams Off the Field

This session is tailored for community coaches, aspiring coaches, and parents of players. Learn how the off-field environment we shape can have a big impact on on-field success. Hear from guest speakers as they share strategies for creating safe, supportive spaces that help individuals thrive both on and off the pitch.

Hosted by Women Onside’s Samantha Lewis, the panel will also share their personal journeys in football and explore how we can continue to grow the game across Australia.

Time: 6–7pm (WST)
MC: Samantha Lewis (Women Onside)

Panellists:

• Janet Drakos – National Female Wellbeing Manager, Football Australia
• Faye Chambers – Coach Education Tutor, Football Australia
• Louise McColl – Coach Education Tutor, Football Australia
• Lizzie Ramsey – Coach Engagement Lead, Growing Football Fund, Football Australia

Register Here

Wednesday 7 May

Female Football Week Award Winners Announced

Join us as we reveal this year’s Female Football Week Award recipients, recognising the outstanding contributions of women across all levels of the game.

Awards include: Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, Referee of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Community Club Champion of the Year

Volunteers Webinar: Securing and Delivering a Successful Grant Project

Designed for clubs aiming to strengthen their grant applications and deliver impactful projects, this webinar will explore what makes a strong grant proposal, how to build relationships with key stakeholders, and how to plan and manage a successful grant budget.

Time: 6–7pm (WST)
MC: Samantha Lewis (Women Onside)

Panellists:

• Michaela Haley – General Manager, Growing Football Fund, Football Australia
• Jess Woodroffe – Director & Secretary, Launceston City FC
• Nikola Orgill – Senior Manager, Government and Stakeholder Relations, Women’s Asian Cup 2026 LOC
• Jessica Clay – Finance Manager, Planning and Reporting, Football Australia

Register Here

Thursday 8 May

Officiating Webinar: Breaking Down Barriers for Women in Sports Officiating

Aimed at community members and aspiring referees, this session features a panel of experienced female officials discussing their pathways in elite refereeing. Learn how they're shaping supportive environments to help more women and girls thrive in sports officiating.

Time: 6–7pm (WST)
MC: Samantha Lewis (Women Onside)

Panellists:

• Karen Hennessy – National Female Engagement Lead, Football Australia
• Belinda Sharpe – NRL Match Official & Project Coordinator, Strategy & Umpire
• Eloise Sheridan – Learning and Development Lead, Refereeing (Football Australia) & International Umpire (Cricket Australia)

Register Here

Friday 9 May

Women in Football Breakfast

Join us for a special celebration of women in football over breakfast at the Sam Kerr Football Centre. The event will feature a panel Q&A with inspiring voices in the game, reflecting on progress, challenges, and the future of women’s football.

Note: This event is fully subscribed

Saturday 10 May

Girls 5-a-Side Tournament

Football West invites girls to join a FREE five-a-side tournament as part of the Female Football Week celebrations.

Time: 8:30am – 12:00pm
Location: Sam Kerr Football Centre
Eligibility: Open to girls born between 2009–2011 (U14–U16)

A great opportunity to showcase skills, make new friends, and be part of the football community!

Register Here

All-Female C Diploma Coaching Course

Join us for the fourth and final contact of the FREE All-Female C Diploma coaching course at the Sam Kerr Football Centre.

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Football Coaches Australia (FCA) is proud to present The Advantages of Creating 2v1s in the Modern Game — a dynamic, hands-on coaching workshop led by Dr Ron Smith.

The session took place on Saturday, at the Home of the Matildas & Victorian State Football Centre.

With the continued support of Football Australia, this session contributes 1 CPD hour towards coach reaccreditation — an excellent opportunity to grow your knowledge and keep your qualifications up to date.

Dr Ron Smith, often referred to as the godfather of coaching in Australian football, brings an extraordinary breadth of experience to the field. His résumé includes roles as Technical Director at Football Australia and various Member Federations, Head Coach at the AIS, Assistant Coach and Analyst for the Socceroos, and coaching stints in Iceland, Malaysia, and Perth Glory. A true student of the game, Ron also holds a doctorate in how goals are scored.

This workshop offered a rare chance to learn from Ron “Smudger” Smith in a practical, pitch-side setting. His generous approach to coach education makes this session a must-attend event for anyone looking to deepen their tactical understanding.

The Advantages of Creating 2 v 1's in the Modern Game:

Smith's workshop consisted of three engaging 30–35 minute sessions, featuring Football Victoria Academy players in a 9v9 plus goalkeeper format. The sessions focused on:

• When and how to create a 2v1 situation
• How positioning influences decision-making and improves performance
• How to use available space in the final third

These learnings are designed to provide coaches with actionable strategies applicable across both community and professional environments.

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The Football West Academy was officially launched by Football West at the Sam Kerr Football Centre last week. The event brought together over 130 young players, their parents, coaches, and staff at the top-tier Queens Park venue.

Football West’s General Manager – Football, David Lewis, took the stage to outline the Academy model, its vision, and what it aims to achieve.

The program is being led by Football Development Officer Neil Kilkenny, in collaboration with Policy and Advocacy Manager Garth Naven.

Drawing on his experience as a former Socceroo and Premier League player, now a UEFA A-Licence coach, he highlighted the exciting opportunities ahead for the young athletes and the commitment required to reach the elite level.

"I'm big on standards, that's the one thing I will be pushing," Kilkenny said at the event.

"I've always had an interest in coaching. I want to give back to the young players coming through in WA, and hopefully I can contribute and help them realise their dreams."

Football Australia teamed up with Football West, as well as the state bodies from South Australia, Tasmania, and Victoria, to co-pilot the Academy program.

The program, part of a nationwide initiative, gives boys aged 12–15 and girls aged 12–18 access to elite training and a clear pathway to higher-level competition and national opportunities.

Throughout their development journey, players will be supported by top-tier coaching staff, as Football Australia works with FIFA and the AFC to establish Australian coaching credentials as globally respected qualifications.

Football West Academy is committed to developing top-tier players and preparing them to thrive in a professional sporting environment.

The system for player development includes:

• The FIFA Talent Development Scheme
• The Emerging Socceroos Championships and Emerging Matildas Championships (formerly the National Youth Championships)
• selection for the Australia U17 boys and girls national team

With the guidance of experienced coaches and a pathway to professional competition, the Football West Academy is set to shape the future of Australian football, cultivating the stars of tomorrow and ensuring they are fully prepared for the professional sporting world.

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The Ford Women in Leadership Graduate Network has been launched by New Zealand Football with the aim to continue supporting the learning and development of more than 100 graduates of the Ford Women in Leadership Programme.

The Ford Women in Leadership Programme, launched in 2020 and expanded as part of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 legacy plan, focuses on developing leadership skills, addressing biases in women’s football, and creating a community of female leaders dedicated to enhancing their influence on the game.

The programme has seen graduates from various sectors of football, including New Zealand Football, the six regional football federations, community clubs, and New Zealand Football’s partner, Ford.

The network is designed to provide a space for participants of the Ford Women in Leadership Programme to connect, learn, and grow together. It will also serve as a platform to celebrate the achievements of alumni in football, both in New Zealand and internationally.

As part of the network, participants will be invited to attend a series of events and engage in collaborative opportunities that will help further develop the game.

Paula Hansen, GM of Legacy and Special Projects at New Zealand Football, views the Graduate Network as an essential next step for the success of the Ford Women in Leadership Programme.

One of the notable graduates is Alana Gunn, New Zealand Football’s Women’s Talent Manager and U-17 head coach.

Gunn participated in the programme while coaching in the Women’s National League Championship, and since then, she has advanced to international coaching, further contributing to the growth of women’s football in New Zealand.

“The Ford Women in Leadership programme has been a great success, bringing together participants from across the country to share in an empowering experience," she said via press release.

“There are thousands of women involved in the game in various roles, yet football remains male-dominated so programmes like this are essential for building connections and creating opportunities for learning and growth.

“The Graduate Network takes this initiative further by connecting over 100 women who have participated in the programme, allowing them to continue growing together, learning from one another, and sharing their experiences of the biggest team sport in Aotearoa New Zealand.”

It will also serve as a platform to honour the achievements of alumni in the game throughout Aotearoa and beyond.

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Football NSW will be celebrating Female Football Week (FFW), recognising women and girls in football from May 2 to 11.

FFW is a nationwide initiative celebrating the significant growth of women’s football at all levels and recognising the vital role women play in developing the game.

The FFW Awards offer a valuable opportunity to recognise and celebrate the significant contributions of women and girls in football, highlighting their essential role in all aspects of the game. To honour the exceptional female champions within the club, nominations are being held for each of the following categories:

• Female Player of the Year
• Female Coach of the Year
• Female Referee of the Year
• Female Volunteer of the Year
• Community Champion of the Year

Each category winner will receive a prize and be nominated as Football NSW’s representative for the National FFW Awards.

Throughout the week, Football NSW and our Associations/Clubs will also actively participate in delivering female football events, including:

• Female Football Rounds
• Come + Try Sessions
• Free Skills Clinics
• Festival of Football

Football NSW's Head of Women's and Schools Football Hayley Todd expressed excitement about maintaining the momentum after a record number of community FFW events were held in 2024.

“As we reflect on the incredible growth of female football, it’s clear that the passion and commitment of female players, coaches, referees, administrators and volunteers are reshaping the landscape of the sport,” said Todd via press release.

“Celebrating the role of women and girls in football is not just about acknowledging achievements on and off the pitch; it’s about inspiring future generations to continue breaking barriers. Together, we are not just changing the game; we are redefining it.”

The growth of female football across all areas has been remarkable, with 2024 seeing record registrations across all participant types.

Female player registrations rose by 17%, while female coaches saw an impressive 36% increase, referees grew by 16%, and volunteers grew by 15%.

To learn more information on Football NSW's Female Football Week, click here.

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Football Queensland has announced the revival of the Queensland Football Convention, aimed to take place on Saturday, 25 October and Sunday, 26 October at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition centre, with early bird tickets available now.

Building on the success of its first event, the 2025 Queensland Football Convention will provide a unique opportunity for clubs, coaches, participants, and industry professionals from across Queensland to take part in insightful discussions, collaborate on key issues, and drive football’s continued growth in Queensland – all under the theme of ‘Elevate the Debate’.

Football Queensland CEO Robert Cavallucci expresses excitement for the future of the event.

“The inaugural Queensland Football Convention last year was a historic moment for our game, bringing together hundreds of industry leaders, global experts, and passionate members of our football community to drive the key discussions that will continue to shape our future,” he said via press release.

“The positive engagement and feedback we received from last year’s event showcased the commitment of Queensland’s football community, with clubs and individuals across the state eager to collaborate and hear from those at the top of their fields.

“As football continues to evolve, this year’s convention is a chance to come together, share ideas, and engage with experts as we reimagine the game’s future, using our convention pillars of Technology, Sustainability, and Growth to guide us in driving innovation and progress across all facets of our game."

Across the two days, attendees will engage in thought-provoking talks, expert-led panels, and hands-on workshops covering a range of crucial topics in football, including development, talent identification, governance, and more.

The convention will also again host two major social events – the Cocktail Networking Evening and the Queensland Football Gala, as we continue to recognise and celebrate those making a difference in the game across Queensland.

“Whether you’re a Technical Director, Club President, a group of coaches, officials, or passionate administrators and participants, this event is a valuable opportunity to learn from the best and build networks that will help benefit your club, your organisation and the game as whole,” he said via press release.

Early bird tickets are now on sale for a limited time, providing discounts on convention tickets and event packages that include access to the 2025 Queensland Football Gala and the Cocktail Networking Party.

Stay up to date with event updates, announcements and news with the lead up to the Convention in October by following FQ's social channels.

To secure tickets now for the 2025 Queensland Football Convention, click here.

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Football Queensland is thrilled to announce its return of WinterFest to the Sunshine Coast from Wednesday, 2nd July to Sunday, 6th July 2025.

The state's largest junior carnival will be set to welcome over 2000 footballers, being delivered in partnership with the Sunshine Coast Council and Visit Sunshine while featuring Under 9 and Under 11 boys and girls teams from across Queensland.

The event offers a platform for emerging athletes to showcase their skills and potential while also providing FQ coaches with opportunities to track the development of players.

WinterFest provides a professional environment for players to compete while also developing the next generation of referees.

Football Queensland CEO Robert Cavallucci commented on the upcoming event, highlighting its significance in junior football.

“After the success of previous editions, we’re excited to announce the return of WinterFest25, welcoming our most promising developing young talent from all regions across the state to the Sunshine Coast in July 2025," he said via press release.

“WinterFest provides a unique opportunity for players to compete in a professional setting while enjoying the vibrant atmosphere of the Sunshine Coast, renowned for its world-class facilities and natural beauty.   

“WinterFest25 not only gives players valuable exposure but also helps develop the next generation of elite referees. With support from experienced officials and FQ staff, these emerging referees gain essential matchday experience, contributing to Queensland’s football growth at all levels."

Sunshine Coast Strong Economy Councillor, Terry Landsberg, emphasised the Sunshine Coast Council's commitment to providing these opportunities for young athletes.

“Football Queensland has chosen to host the five-day event on the Sunshine Coast, and we are proud to support the juniors and their families coming here for the state’s biggest football carnival," he said via press release.

“This is especially significant as the Sunshine Coast is a Co-Host City for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. We are proposed to host nine Olympic and Paralympic events, including preliminary football matches at Sunshine Coast Stadium.

“These gifted youngsters have the potential to represent Australia in the near future."

Visitors to WinterFest will also have the opportunity to enjoy the Sunshine Coast’s diverse range of experiences, events, and attractions.

To find out more details on WinterFest, click here.

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Founder and CEO of INTIX, Alex Grant was the key guest in episode two of Soccerscene's Off the Pitch podcast to discuss INTIX's rise from a young Australian startup to one of the nation's premier ticketing solutions.

Grant founded INTIX in 2017 to address the problems he saw that event operators, leagues and clubs had with their outdated ticketing methods, or their reliance on ticketing organisations which held a stranglehold over their finances and customer data. To combat these rampant issues, INTIX utilised modern technology to revitalise and simplify how ticketing is done for event operators, whilst offering instant access to revenue and data from their ticket sales.

It has proven a successful strategy for the company, with INTIX achieving highly desirable partnerships with key names such as the Tasmania JackJumpers in the NBL and Melbourne Victory in the A-League. Most notably, INTIX kicked off an important collaboration with Football Victoria in the middle of last year.

Grant explained how INTIX was approaching the unique challenges of ticketing across Victoria's state leagues as the organisation prepared for one of the biggest years in NPL history.

"It was a lot of learning on our side," he said on the podcast.

"We spend a lot of time learning about a person's event; how they were doing things previously, maybe without technology. For us, it's very much a process of not just coming in and saying this is what you should be doing, this is the best way. It's year one, let's use our technology and provide a very similar experience to the customer, to what you what you were offering previously."

"I think particularly at most levels there's still this want to just turn up on the day and access the event. So, it's having our system set up to facilitate that and give the customer the same experience, so that next year, you can sort of bring them on this journey.

"We want to get to best practice, but we're not just going to ostracize everyone straight away, we're going to bring people on the journey."

To learn more about how INTIX is tackling the challenges of implementing its tech network across Victoria, listen to the full interview with CEO Alex Grant on episode two of the Off the Pitch podcast by Soccerscene; available on all major podcasting apps.

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Northern NSW Football and Football Coaches Australia (Newcastle) have presented an opportunity to offer this unique chance to learn from a top expert in sports and business coaching.

Discover the keys to achieving greater individual and team success with Dr. Mike Conway—a renowned mind coach who played a pivotal role in the Socceroos’ most successful World Cup run, Sydney FC’s record-breaking seasons, and New Zealand’s World Cup-winning cricket team.

Whether you coach grassroots or elite athletes, this live, in-person event offers valuable emotional intelligence and communication strategies to enhance your coaching performance.

Attendees will have the chance to connect with fellow coaches, expand their knowledge, and explore new approaches to leadership and performance enhancement.

The event will take place on 10^th March from 6:30pm to 8:00pm at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility, Park Road, Speers Point, NSW.

This exclusive in-person event won’t be recorded, so spots are very limited!

To register for this rare event, click here.

In the lead up to this seminar, a ghost-written piece by Mike Conway has previously been completed, click here.

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The Australian Sports Fundraising Foundation (ASF) has been consistently supporting initiatives and ways for clubs to elevate their fundraising capabilities to gain the best results in engagement and economic support.

Recently, the ASF has introduced 21 ways in which clubs and sporting groups can adapt their fundraising to achieve their goals.

The nature of grassroots sports (especially football) means that funding has been required for clubs in getting and maintaining the necessary equipment and basic amenities.

Fundraisers are also times when the club can solidify its connections with their participants and maintain the positive culture that is crucial to the survival of these clubs.

According to the ASF, clubs typically raise an average of $13,250 through this platform.

The ASF's Fundraising Platform is also a key tool clubs use to streamline their fundraising efforts and is the only way to accept tax-deductible sports donations in Australia.

Below is a shortened list of fundraisers which can be better utilised in a football environment:

Trivia Nights or Talent Shows are great fundraisers for afternoon/night slots at the club. You can set up team registrations and place it after training to increase player attendance.

Consider offering prizes and venues from local businesses to boost participation and engagement with the local community.

Another option is a Club Cinema Night, choosing films through social media polls to increase engagement with club members. Its adaptability means it could be hosted indoors during winter or create an outdoor cinema experience in nicer weather.

These events can be enhanced through extra fundraising ideas such as catering with themed food fundraising like Wine Tasting or BBQs.

Consider potluck options and involve local food suppliers.

Or if you have a good club venue with a liquor licence, running a bar can provide additional revenue and keep the costs down.

Having day-based activities is also a good way to get people back at the club and supporting the community.

Sports Days where clubs host traditional sports day activities like egg-and-spoon races and tug-of-war competitions are great engaging activities for all age groups.

 Coaches' Games also allow coaches and staff to engage in the sport they love. Including parent teams can also add entertainment, and the ASF expresses its popularity with younger club members.

Offering club merchandise as prizes is also a great reward.

Car Boot Sales, Merch Shop and Swap or even Auctions can be exciting events that allow people to give back to the club through supporting other club members and the local community.

People or even the club can sell spare items, club merchandise or even retro kits for added benefit.

Clubs should use rare items for the auctions or prizes and accept donations and sponsorship from local businesses.

Clubs can charge sellers a hosting fee and collect entry donations from browsers for the event.

Going beyond the club environment and engaging with local sponsors, councils or businesses is also a viable option.

Holiday celebrations are perfect times to add in fundraising opportunities. For example, an Easter Egg Hunt or Christmas-themed Event on the club grounds.

 A Fun Run or Community Chore-a-thon is a great way to get local councils involved and encourage healthy social activities. Keep entry fees affordable to encourage participation and accept donations.

Barefoot Bowls and other sporting venues are cornerstones of communities and a good place to partner for a relaxed social event.

Include entry for fundraising and allow the venue to cater. These are great ways to engage the local venues with the club and increase social togetherness.

These events could even be placed in a themed Club Calendar featuring coaches, players, or sponsors. Include important club dates and upcoming events to encourage participation.

It's important to point out that these activities will take time and effort. Juggling everyday life and club events is a difficult and time-consuming process and proper organisation from the clubs is key.

While these initiatives and options are great ways for clubs to participate in fundraising, it should not take away from a growing issue within the grassroots scene.

Government programs through grant systems, both federal and state-run, should still be central programs to provide clubs and footballing federations the support they need for larger projects and developments.

Football's rising popularity has presented clubs with very difficult situations where the demand is too high for the capabilities of the clubs.

The price to play football these days is a large sum. For many participants in grassroots and even NPL levels, paying over $400 to register to play is a struggle, let alone encouraging these people to also participate in fundraising.

Therefore, creating enjoyable and engrossing events is key to getting engagement and achieving positive funding.

With this, the value for local businesses to host or sponsor these events is a fantastic publicity option.

As life presents tough challenges for all, these gatherings can deliver the hope and togetherness necessary to savour positive outlooks, unite local communities and harness the larger Australian sporting culture.

To check out more from the Australian Sports Foundation read here.

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On Saturday, February 1st, over 200 attendees came together at Valentine Sports Park for the 2025 Football NSW Club Development Conference.

With registrations for the 2025 season still coming in, over 85 Football NSW clubs from both Sydney Metropolitan and regional areas gathered for a dynamic day of workshops, panels, and special guest speakers, celebrating community football.

Presented by Stephanie Brantz, the Conference included keynote addresses from Karen Jones, Acting CEO of Destination NSW and Chief Executive of the NSW Office of Sport, Dr. Catriona Rose of the Australian Sports Commission, and Matildas cap #167, Ellie Brush.

After the successful second edition of the conference, Trevor Huxley, Football NSW’s Program Manager for Club Development, expressed his excitement over the strong support from the community.

“The Club Development Conference is a fantastic opportunity to bring together all levels of the game to learn from one another, network and discuss best practice for grassroots football,” said Huxley via press release.

“It has been inspiring to see grassroots clubs across the state in attendance, illustrating a remarkable commitment to supporting their local communities. It’s vital that Football NSW continues to lead in this space, providing support to the volunteers and local administrators who are central to the ongoing growth of our game.”

Along with the keynote speakers, attendees were able to choose sessions tailored to their Club or role, covering topics such as safeguarding, volunteerism, marketing and data analysis, infrastructure and grant funding, player and spectator behaviour, women & girls’ football, diversity and inclusion, and grassroots coach education.

The Football NSW Club Development Conference serves as a pivotal platform for enhancing community football by Empowering Clubs, Facilitating Networking, Offering Targeted Education and Showcasing Leadership.

By focusing on these areas, the conference plays a crucial role in strengthening community football, promoting inclusivity, and ensuring the sport's sustainable growth.

To gain further details and access Club resources, click here.

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South Melbourne FC and Sydney Olympic FC hosted the highly successful second edition of the Greek Herald Cup at Lakeside Stadium.

Thousands of fans poured through the gates to enjoy a vibrant celebration of heritage, culture, and football. With Greek music and food creating a festive atmosphere, the event showcased the rich traditions of both clubs.

The match itself didn’t disappoint, delivering an entertaining 2-1 victory for South Melbourne, highlighted by memorable goals and moments that capped off a fantastic day.

In this exclusive interview with Soccerscene, South Melbourne President Nick Maikousis shares his thoughts on the Greek Herald Cup, the revival of ethnic clubs in Australian football, and the immense potential of the upcoming National Second Tier (NST).

Maikousis reflects on the club’s heritage, the significance of iconic rivalries, and how South Melbourne is poised to thrive in this new era for Australian football.

Theo Athans

What is the origin of the Greek Herald Cup?

Nick Maikousis

It started last year and that was the first time the competition took place. We flew to Sydney for that game. It's based on the fact that we started to develop a relationship with Sydney Olympic and in particular their President (Damon Hamlin) and CEO (Lawrie McKinna) over the discussions about the National Second Division.

The second division was announced as a standalone competition and we thought let’s get ahead of the game and lets show what two big clubs from Melbourne and Sydney can do and that’s basically how it all came about.

We spent so much time with Olympic and the other National Second Division clubs so we thought let’s get on the forefront of this and start the competition.

T.A.

In your eyes, how successful was the second edition of the Greek Herald Cup especially for the Melbourne Greek community?

N.M.

Yeah, it was certainly a success and given it's really just a friendly so we can build it up as much as we like but we're pretty delighted with the attendance.

It's a difficult time, it's a couple of weeks out from the season so whilst we really want to give it a good shot, we also don’t want to incur any injuries and as it turned out we had a couple of minor injuries which might affect us in the short term.

It allows us to go back to our roots, played a lot of Greek music on the day and doing things that we have not really done for decades now in terms of acknowledging our heritage.

Given that Football Australia and the various federations have relaxed their stance on ethnic names, it allows us to reach out to our past again. Both South and Olympic represent the same thing, we have different supporters, but we represent the same community so it's a great opportunity to showcase our heritage.

T.A.

Thinking back to the NSL days, can the NST and NPL ever get back to the passion we saw back then? 

N.M.

I think there’s a couple of stages to the commencement of the competition. Do I think it can get to the heights of the NSL? Look South Melbourne was a powerhouse back then and after the Cup game we had a look at some old footage with the 1984 NSL championship legends as a reunion dinner.

We had a couple of past legends there, including Alan Davidson, who wouldn't stop talking about the old supporter base, how big and passionate they were and how it lifted them during that time.

So I think during certain fixtures, for example South Melbourne/Preston, will fill Lakeside stadium.

Some of the other games between the Sydney clubs perhaps it won't be quite as full but I still believe we forecasted around 3,000-4,000 people per game so if we can get to that sort of number I'll be delighted in the early parts.

It's a competition that we need to build and we don't know what it's going to look like in five years or ten years’ time with the inter relationship between the NST and the A-League. I don't think anyone quite understands what it is going to look like yet but we all have our own idea on that.

Will it be as big as the old NSL? I doubt it. But certainly there will be some fixtures that will be significant and that's one of the reasons why I wanted Melbourne Knights to come into the NST. Their history and the original derby in this town would have made it even better.

T.A.

Do you think the South Melbourne and Preston game last year was a showcase into what we could expect out of the NST and its atmosphere?

N.M.

The atmosphere was incredible but not only that, it was a cold Tuesday night out at Reservoir. If you put that fixture on a Friday or Saturday night at Lakeside Stadium, you'd be filling both grandstands easily and you could get up to 10,000 people there so there's huge potential.

T.A.

Now with the NST, ethnic clubs are back in the mainstream, how important is that for Australian football considering its historical roots?

N.M.

I think what they had done to ban ethnic flags and names was going too far but now that they have relaxed their position in regards to that, it's a very positive thing.

It allows us to do what we did in the Greek Herald Cup and that is to celebrate our culture proudly from time to time.

Certainly, South Melbourne has evolved over the years as well so let’s not kid ourselves. In my case there's been four generations following South and two of those generations were born in Australia and we're all South tragics. So whilst we acknowledge our heritage, we have also moved on past that.

Whilst we have a very big Greek community, its reducing a little bit to how it was and the fact that South is in the NPL, soon the NST, we've also got a lot of other clubs have suburban level who are sort of competing with us.

Back when South Melbourne was a powerhouse, you'd find that everyone still had their suburban clubs but I'd say 75% of the Greek suburban clubs also followed South Melbourne.

Unfortunately when South Melbourne dropped divisions outside of the NSL, all of a sudden, we became competitors and that's never what we wanted. So the NST will help us significantly because people will follow their local clubs and now South Melbourne which is a great opportunity for the community and the club.

If you look at our juniors, the cultural diversity as well is extraordinary, so whilst we respect our heritage, it suggests we have moved on.

T.A.

The NST will bring something fresh because apart from the finals, there isn't much to play for in NPL so how will that benefit the club?

N.M.

Look the positive thing about this year is that there will be plenty of healthy games like Heidelberg, Oakleigh, Melbourne Victory got promoted and of course Preston is in there as well.

They have replaced teams which didn't have massive followings so I'm looking forward to quite a few games with great attendances. It'll be a great season.

The post Nick Maikousis on Greek Herald Cup, reviving heritage, and South Melbourne’s future in the NST appeared first on Soccerscene.

Football Australia and Football Queensland have presented a comprehensive infrastructure proposal for the Queensland Government’s 100-day infrastructure review for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, positioning the sport as a key driver of long-term regional development.

The submission champions a strategic approach that leverages football's significant community impact, highlighting the sport's 350,000 active participants across Queensland.

Central to the proposal is a purpose-built Tier 2 rectangular stadium, potentially located at Perry Park, designed to accommodate 17,000 to 20,000 spectators with capacity for an additional 13,000 temporary seats during the Games.

The proposal also includes:

Enhancements to Training Sites

• Strategic upgrades to Meakin Park's Queensland State Home of Community Football, creating a versatile multi-sport infrastructure in a rapidly expanding urban corridor.
• Guarantees FIFA tournament compliance while establishing enduring high-performance facilities for community and elite athletes.

Innovative Regionalisation Approach

• Champions a decentralised Games delivery model to amplify participation across broader Queensland communities.
• Introduces collaborative content-sharing and strategic partnerships to bolster regional sporting infrastructure and engagement.

Cost Savings and Value Creation

• Identifies potential savings and revenue opportunities exceeding $1 billion through optimised venue design.
• Commits to generating substantive economic benefits and sustainable legacies for Queensland's diverse communities.

Football Australia Chairman Anter Isaac emphasised the proposal's broader vision.

"Brisbane 2032 represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver a legacy for communities across Queensland and across the Asia-Pacific region. Football's submission aligns with a best for city, state and games, master planned approach with a focus on innovation and sustainability," Issac commented on FQ official press release.

Football Australia CEO James Johnson also joined in underscoring the stadium's significance.

"A purpose-built rectangular stadium is critical to addressing the needs of the sport in Queensland. This venue will not only elevate the fan experience but also position Brisbane to host future international tournaments," Johnson explained via FQ official press release.

Football Queensland CEO Robert Cavallucci was keen to highlight the grassroots focus that this investment would deliver.

"Football Queensland's priority is to ensure the benefits of Brisbane 2032 extend to every community in the state. By investing in regional and grassroots infrastructure, this proposal ensures all Queenslanders can be part of the Games' legacy," Cavallucci expressed via FQ official press release.

The proposal has garnered support from key stakeholders including the Asian Football Confederation, Oceania Football Confederation, Australian Professional Leagues, Brisbane Roar, and Professional Footballers Australia.

Football Australia and Football Queensland’s approach show a unified football push to try and garner an exciting sporting and footballing spine within the city of Brisbane and wider areas, using innovation and sustainability to enhance a positive prospect.

With a comprehensive vision spanning elite and community levels, football's Olympic submission represents a significant strategic play for the sport's future in Queensland.

Read the official proposal from Football Queensland here.

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Football West has confirmed the details of the 2025 Club Development Conference to take place at the Sam Kerr Football Centre in Queens Park on Saturday 8 February, running from 9am to 4pm.

This groundbreaking conference in WA is designed for everyone involved in grassroots football, including club administrators, coaches, referees, players, volunteers, and parents.

The event will feature numerous guest speakers and presenters from across the country, including representatives from Football Australia, SportWest, Monarch Leadership, Pride Cup, Helping Minds, and the Football Futures Foundation.

Football West General Manager Football, David Lewis, mentioned the great opportunities that will be involved at this event.

“The Club Development Conference is a great addition to the Football West calendar and a terrific opportunity for club representatives to gain new tools and to network with other key stakeholders ahead of the new season,” he said via press release.

Community Manager, Abid Imam, touched upon the insights on how it could progress your club.

“This will be our first club conference at Sam Kerr Football Centre so come along to this special opportunity where you can learn some great insights to progress your club, meet Football West staff and other club representatives in person, and kick off your season the best way possible,” he said via press release.

Some of the details included in the session are as follows:

Volunteers – Football Australia

Football Australia Manager of Member Services, Jamie Monteith, will share insights from his experience working with football clubs nationwide on effective strategies for recruiting, retaining, and recognising volunteers.

Participate in a Q&A session with other club representatives and gather valuable tips on supporting your volunteers.

Female Representation – Football Australia

Football Australia's Women’s and Girls Coach Engagement Lead, Lizzie Ramsey, will discuss the significance of female representation, the value of creating female-only learning environments, and the impact of mentorship programs for women.

Effective Communication – Monarch Management

Founder of Monarch Management, Monica Beazley, delves into how communication shapes positive relationships among coaches, players, and parents.

Attendees will gain insight into how different communication styles affect motivation, understanding, and team dynamics, while exploring strategies to strengthen connections, minimise conflicts, and foster an inclusive, supportive sporting environment.

To register click here.

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FCA, in conjunction with PFT director Roy Hunter, have organised one of the world's best GK coaches to show some GK activities.

Date and time: Mon, 27 Jan 2025 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM AEDT

Location: De Chene Reserve, 193 Urquhart Street Coburg, VIC 3058

ERIC STEELE is regarded as one of the world’s best GK coaches and has agreed to conduct a 90-minute practical series of goalkeeping drills and activities for FCA, whilst here in Melbourne working with Roy Hunter and his Premier Football Tuition group.

Eric has worked at the highest level of club and international football including spells at both Manchester United and Manchester City, Aston Villa, Derby County, Middlesbrough and across all levels of the England national teams. He has also been a GK coach educator for the English FA for many years.

The Goalkeepers he has worked with include such legends of the game as David De Gea, Emiliano Martinez, Edwin Van Der Sar, Joe Hart, Peter and Kasper Schmeichel and Jack Butland to name but a few of the many he has coached and mentored.

The session will include activities focusing on such topics as:

1. a) GK’s and outfield players working in harmony on possession of the ball.
2. b) Defending the goal
3. c) Multi Saves- Chaos
4. d) Decision Making in 1 v1 situations

Football Australia continue to support our FCA series of coach education workshops and once again has generously allowed attendees 2 CPD hours towards coach re accreditation.

FCA Members- FREE with Member Discount Code

Non FCA Members $24.61

Bookings via EVENTBRITE only:

Link here for bookings

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The Asian Football Confederation have confirmed the stadiums and dates for the upcoming AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027, with the tournament announced to take place between January 7 to February 5, 2027, across eight stadiums in three cities: Riyadh, Jeddah, and Al Khobar.

In Riyadh, five stadiums will host Asia's best: the King Fahd Sports City Stadium, the King Saud University Stadium, Imam Mohammed Ibn Saud University Stadium, Kingdom Arena and the Al Shabab Stadium.

Jeddah will have the honour of hosting games at two stadiums: the King Abdullah Sports City and the Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium.

While Al Khobar will develop a new state of the art purpose-built facility for the tournament.

Chairperson of the Organising Committee for AFC Asian Cup (OCAC) Mariano V. Araneta Jr. outlined the goals of the AFC for the upcoming tournament.

“The record-setting AFC Asian Cup™ in Qatar exceeded all our expectations. In every way, Qatar 2023 has set the benchmark of excellence for all future editions of Asia’s flagship tournament," he said via press release.

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On Thursday November 21st, Football NSW held its inaugural Futsal Expo at Valentine Sports Park, drawing over 100 coaches and members for a highly successful evening celebrating the sport.

The event featured an impressive line-up of international keynote speakers, including Vasco Da Gama’s Technical Director Gabriel Bussinger, former English FA Technical Lead and National Futsal Team Coach Peter Sturgess, and current Futsalroos coach Miles Downie, who all took centre stage during the evening.

Football NSW Futsal Manager, Jordan Guerreiro, said at the event.

“I think we all had an amazing opportunity to witness what great minds were able to provide through their advice and wisdom to our coaches in Gabriel Bussinger, Peter Sturgess and Miles Downie,” he said.

“The ideas and concepts on coaching at the younger phases of development of players and the importance of what we teach and how we coach is so crucial at this stage of development.”

Gabriel Bussinger provided valuable insights into the culture of Brazilian futsal, highlighting the significance of 1v1 situations and fostering bravery and creativity in players. He urged coaches to build players' confidence in challenging defenders and unleashing their creative abilities.

Peter Sturgess delved into the rising trend of the Flying Goalkeeper in modern futsal, offering strategies for training goalkeepers to effectively use their feet in different scenarios—a crucial skill in today’s game.

“Key takeaways from the event included the potential for football clubs and coaches to incorporate futsal into their overall coaching strategy,” Guerreiro continued.

“By doing this, they can offer a broader range of learning environments and scenarios that nurture the adaptability, bravery, and creativity in players. The global impact of futsal on player development is undeniable, and it should be an integral part of football programs."

Miles Downie shared his coaching philosophy and player development strategies, providing an in-depth account of his experiences with the national team and recent international competitions.

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Melbourne Cricket Ground will become a crucible of coaching insight on Tuesday, November 26, as Football Coaches Australia (FCA) and the Global Institute of Sport (GIS) collaborate to deliver a groundbreaking Coaching Philosophy Masterclass.

The two-hour professional development workshop, accredited for two CPD hours, promises to be a transformative experience for football coaches seeking to deepen their understanding of coaching methodology.

The workshop will be led by two distinguished experts in the field, the event will explore the critical intersection between theoretical knowledge and practical application in sports coaching.

Headline speaker Jono McPhail, Deputy Dean of the UK-based School of Coaching and Performance at the Global Institute of Sport, brings a wealth of academic and practical experience.

He has 6 years of experience in higher education including teaching roles in the UK and US, not to mention having executed academy coaching roles at numerous English football clubs and organisations.

McPhail has completed an Undergraduate in Sports Business & Coaching, a Masters in Sports Coaching, and a PGCE, and is currently pursuing a PhD researching "Coaching Philosophy from Theory to Practice."

McPhail will guide participants through the conceptual and practical landscape of coaching philosophy.

Complementing McPhail's strong academic perspective, Gary Cole who is President of Football Coaches Australia, consultant to Football Australia and former Socceroo will provide invaluable industry insights during the evening's Q&A session.

Cole’s wealth of experience includes leading coaching development at several Australian clubs and senior roles at AIS and Football Victoria, ensuring a robust, real-world approach to the discussion.

The workshop aims to equip coaches with three key outcomes: developing a comprehensive understanding of coaching philosophy, exploring how personal philosophy impacts coaching practice, and crafting a personalised coaching philosophy statement.

Though registration is closed, this interesting workshop can hopefully help the lucky recipients further disperse this knowledge through coaching channels to assist development of coaching and football. It’s also another great opportunity for coaches to network with like-minded individuals in the industry.

The event represents a significant step in professionalising coaching education, bridging academic theory with practical sports leadership, helping Australian coaches gain a more enlightened understanding of how to successfully develop their coaching roles and practices.

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The Shepparton Cup was conducted over the weekend, with the event being the largest weekend junior football tournament ever held in Australia.

The 3-day event was a huge overall success, with a record breaking 313 teams competing in the tournament across 21 divisions.

Matches were spread across 38 pitches at Mooroopna Recreation Reserve, Shepparton Sports City, Rumbalara and Wanganui Oval.

With around 4,000 players participating, 755 matches were played over the weekend - with finals matches concluding the event on Sunday.

“It was the biggest and smoothest tournament we’ve ever ran in our 17-year history,” Australian Football Skool (AFS) Director Rolando Navas told Soccerscene.

“There was of course really good football on show across the age groups and great sportsmanship, which was fantastic to see.

“I think the message is getting through about how important it is to provide a positive environment for kids to play sport in. It was pleasing to see everybody there, both players and parents/supporters, had a good time.”

Navas estimates that there were well over 12,500 people attending the event across both venues over the weekend, providing a giant boost to the local Shepparton area.

“You are talking about a wide range of people who are, at a minimum, staying in the city of Shepparton or close by for two nights,” he said.

“The economic impact was massive.”

[caption id="attachment_27095" align="alignnone" width="732"] Economic activity at Shepparton Cup - Image Credit: One Nil Media[/caption]

Director for Sustainable Development at Greater Shepparton City Council, Geraldine Christou, further explained the greater benefits the tournament had on the local community.

“Australia’s largest junior weekend football tournament right here in Greater Shepparton showcases the strength of our community spirit and our capacity to host major events that bring joy, talent, and visitors to our region,” she stated.

“The economic benefit of this tournament is immense with an estimated $3 to $4 million generated for the region, supporting our local businesses and creating lasting memories for thousands of young athletes and their families.

The Greater Shepparton City Council’s Parks, Sport and Recreation team played a big hand in the organisation of the tournament, which included looking after the setup of pitches to the placement of goals at the venues.

Football Victoria CEO Chris Pehlivanis, who attended the tournament over the course of the weekend, was impressed with the execution of it.

“I’m proud of the whole tournament, it was an amazing opportunity to come down here to Shepparton and see lots of boys and girls playing football and playing lots of games,” he stated at the event.

“I think most kids had six, seven, eight games which is an amazing opportunity and not only that, there was amazing organisation.

“Everyone should be extremely proud of what they have achieved here this weekend…the logistics, everything was run smoothly…the referees were great and all the parents and participants were great.”

[caption id="attachment_27096" align="alignnone" width="688"] Kids at play during the Shepparton Cup - Image Credit: One Nil Media[/caption]

The Shepparton Cup has continued to grow exponentially over the years, initially starting with just 30 teams in the inaugural tournament in 2007.

This year’s edition also featured a wide range of off the field activities that contributed to a carnival like atmosphere. There was live music, on stage entertainment, food trucks, a fun zone for players and families.

Navas detailed to Soccerscene that the enormity of the event was not lost on him and is investigating ways to make the competition better in the near future.

“(The growth of the event has been) overwhelming, compared to many of the previous years. It was the biggest by far this year and there was a great positivity around it.

“The plan is to not necessarily make it bigger in the future, just to tweak it and add more to it and make it a better experience for everyone.

“I’d love to be able to attract some more international teams, we are looking at that to see how we can get some of the Asian teams to come across to the event.

“This would be fantastic, as it would show the kids here how football is played in different parts of the world. The way we look at things is ‘if I was 10- or 12-years-old what would I want this tournament be?’

“That’s what drives a lot of our thinking and ultimately our initiatives. It’s important to us because if the kids have a good experience, they’re going to become better players and better people because of it.

“We’ve also received some really good information from the feedback surveys we put out, which is very beneficial in shaping the tournament suitably in future editions.”

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Victoria’s biggest junior football tournament kicks off this weekend, with thousands of players getting ready to lace up their boots for the Shepparton Cup.

This year’s edition of the tournament will see 312 teams participate in the competition, with matches to be played between Friday 25^th October – Sunday 27^th October.

Over 4000 boys and girls are expected to play across the 3-day event, with players ranging between the age groups of under 7s – under 18s.

“They are coming from all corners,” Australian Football Skool (AFS) Director Rolando Navas told Soccerscene, who’s organisation is in charge of running the Shepparton Cup.

“The majority (of players) are from Victoria, regional and metro, but we’ve also got teams from New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania and New Zealand, which we are definitely excited about.”

The tournament was introduced in 2007 and has been in operation in most years since then, but due to the COVID pandemic and floods in recent times, the tournament returned last year after a 3-year hiatus.

Last year’s event had 221 teams register, with numbers dramatically increasing for this year’s version of the tournament.

“The biggest participation we had was having 287 clubs compete one year prior to COVID, so with 312 teams this year, it’s the biggest junior competition ever in Victoria to my knowledge.”

Over 12,000 visitors are expected in Shepparton and the neighbouring towns across the weekend, in what is a huge economic boost to local tourism in the area.

“Obviously there are a lot of visitors, which is great," Navas said.

"People stay overnight (sometimes longer), and spend their money in town – not on just restaurants, petrol, groceries, they visit the local precents as well of course.

“It’s not just for Shepparton (there’s only 3000 beds to stay in the city), the other surrounding areas benefit as well.

“The clubs in the region there cater, local food traders get involved as well, so overall it’s a great boost.”

On the field, play begins on Friday night with 16 games scheduled - with the remaining 759 matches to be played across Saturday and Sunday at the Shepparton Sports Precinct and Mooroopna Recreation Reserve.

“From the football side of things, a lot of these kids have had a long season so it’s sort of a culmination of putting into practice what they’ve been training and learning throughout the season,” Navas said.

“It puts them in a different environment where there’s a lot of games, high pressure, competitive yet a lot of sportsmanship shown and it’s a unique experience.”

There have been a number of high-profile players who have appeared at the tournament over the years, going on to play professionally in leagues around the world.

“We’ve been quite lucky to have some really good players that have played in the tournament, who have gone on to become professionals and represent their country at the highest level," Navas said.

Players such as Garang Kuol, Ajdin Hrustic, Nishan Velupillay and most recently Luke Brooke-Smith - are just some of the well-known players that have played matches at the Shepparton Cup in previous iterations.

Some matches of the competition will be live streamed on the tournament's dedicated mobile app over the weekend, thanks to AFS’ partnership with YourSportLive. Other partnerships organised for the tournament include agreements with McDonalds, Kelme, Sports Centre, Ultra Football and many more organisations.

“Travel4football is also our travel partner for the tournament, they are organising the travel for 6 teams from New Zealand and a couple of teams form Tasmanina – which is exciting,” Navas said.

Outside of the matches to be played - there will be plenty of live music and entertainment on offer, an interactive fun zone, food trucks, and special guests expected from the large football community.

Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor, Councillor Shane Sali, expressed his enthusiasm for the football extravaganza.

“Greater Shepparton has had the pleasure of hosting the Shepparton Cup for a number of years…our local clubs are excited for the great opportunity to be involved with some of the key event operations, using this experience to invest back into their facilities and sporting groups,” he stated.

The Shepparton Cup is set to be a huge event for the region, with hopes of continual growth year-on-year.

Speaking on the event overall, Navas stated: “It’s a very social thing for players and parents, they get to have barbecues, hang out and watch other kids play – it really is a big celebration for the end of season.

“It is an important day on the football calendar and we want everyone to have a positive experience.”

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In 2025, the brightest minds in global sports will once again converge in Victoria for SportNXT Melbourne, the state’s premier sports business summit, supported by the Allan Labor Government.

Steve Dimopoulos, Minister for Tourism, Sport, and Major Events, confirmed earlier in the month that the three-day SportNXT event will return to Melbourne next March, featuring prominent speakers from around the globe to explore the latest trends in the sports industry.

Past speakers that have appeared for SportNXT have been Manchester United COO Collete Rochie, Football Australia CEO James Johnson, FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 Head of Marketing Kim Anderson and Head Coach of Western United John Aloisi.

The SportNXT summit attracts participants from diverse organisations, such as the NFL, The Walt Disney Company, the NBA, and the Australian Sports Commission. The 2024 summit saw nearly 1,000 attendees and featured a program packed with discussions on key issues, including the latest advancements in sports technology.

During the summit, speakers and delegates have the opportunity to explore Melbourne's world-class sporting infrastructure, which has positioned Victoria as a global leader in attracting major sporting events.

SportNXT will highlight Victoria's strengths in sports innovation and technology, with 40 percent of Australia’s SportsTech companies located in the state, employing nearly half of the industry's national workforce.

First held in Melbourne in 2022, SportNXT showcases Victoria's vibrant events calendar, which contributes approximately $3.3 billion annually to the state's economy.

The Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Steve Dimopoulos, mentioned the importance of this event.

“This three-day event brings global leaders from across the sporting world to Australia’s sporting and major events capital,” he said via press release.

“SportNXT has quickly become a must-do event for sporting heavyweights from around the world – and we’re giving them the chance to see first-hand how well we do major sporting events here in Victoria.”

SportNXT Co-Founder, Bart Campbell, mirrored the same thoughts.

“With the support of the Victorian Government, SportNXT brings together the most influential leaders in sport. It has delivered significant trade outcomes for the industry and is a must attend event for anyone engaged in the business of sport. It’s where senior executives from across the globe gather in Melbourne to connect, inspire and do business,” he said via press release.

Further details about SportNXT 2025, including the line-up of key speakers, will be confirmed in the coming months, for more information click here.

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Football NSW is excited to host the second annual Club Development Conference at Valentine Sports Park on Saturday, 1 February 2025.

The Conference aims to empower community clubs by providing valuable insights, information, and tools to enhance their capabilities and support continuous growth in participation.

The conference will feature workshops, panel discussions, and keynote presentations covering a range of topics, including:

• Club Leadership and Effective Governance
• Ensuring Player and Member Safety
• Strategies for Volunteer Retention and Engagement
• Transforming Club Operations for Success
• Facilities Development and Securing Funding Opportunities
• Leveraging Marketing, Communication, and Data Insights
• Promoting Positive Behaviour Among Players and Spectators
• Enhancing Opportunities for Women and Girls in Football
• Fostering Diversity and Building Inclusive Clubs

Tickets are currently available for purchase, with early bird pricing offered until December 31, 2024.

Click here for tickets.

Club Changer Ticket Offer

It has been confirmed that all Club Changer clubs will receive a complimentary ticket. To redeem the complimentary ticket, individuals should contact trevorh@footballnsw.com.au.

To qualify for a free ticket and progress toward the 1-star Club Changer accreditation before the conference, please fill out the expression of interest form and achieve your 1-star accreditation by December 9, 2024.

For more information about the event or anything else, click here.

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The 2024 Australia Sports Innovation Week (ASIW), the Southern Hemisphere's premier sports technology event, takes place in Melbourne from Tuesday, October 22 to Friday, October 25, 2024. Attendees can explore a variety of events to tailor their ideal Sports Innovation Week experience.

Some of the events that will be included in the week are the following:

Women-led Design

Presented by Australian Sports Technologies Network (ASTN), this event showcases pioneering women founders who have transformed the industry with their innovative products and solutions in sports apparel, protective gear, health and fitness initiatives, and children's physical development.

Participants will have the opportunity to engage with these innovations, uncover the stories behind their success, gain valuable insights into their design philosophies, and learn how they are influencing the future of sports, participation, and sportstech.

This event is ideal for those interested in the convergence of sports, technology, and women-led innovation.

Click here to find out more information about this event.

Performance Workshop Series

The Performance Workshop Series is crafted to provide an overview and insights into three critical areas where cutting-edge sports psychology approaches can be applied to sports clubs, organisations, and athletes.

Over the course of three workshops, attendees will gain a foundational understanding of developing a performance psychology curriculum, creating high-performance environments, and implementing mental conditioning programs.

Participants have the option to attend individual workshops or all three sessions.

Click here to find out more information.

Sport Textiles Innovation Workshop

In recent years, sporting apparel has undergone significant innovation, driven by research into new materials, manufacturing techniques, seamless bonding technologies, and other advancements that are paving the way for new consumer and professional sportswear.

The RMIT textiles team will offer insights into recent industry collaborations and projects, along with a tour of their textiles research and testing lab, which is spearheading innovation in Melbourne.

Click here for more information about this workshop.

Industry professionals should attend these events at Sports Innovation Week to stay ahead of cutting-edge developments in sports technology, network with leaders and innovators, and gain valuable insights into the latest trends shaping the future of sports, performance, and athlete well-being.

These events provide opportunities to learn about groundbreaking advancements, from performance psychology to sports apparel, that can enhance their expertise and drive innovation in their own organisations.

Click here to learn more about the other events.

The post The upcoming Australia Sports Innovation Week in Melbourne appeared first on Soccerscene.

Indigenous Football Week 2024, running from 23 to 29 September, will bring the football community together to highlight the sport's ability to transform the lives of Australia's most vulnerable children and youth.

Indigenous Football Week (IFW), an initiative by John Moriarty Football (JMF) with support from A-Leagues and Professional Footballers Australia (PFA), will feature the annual Moriarty Cup, Australia's leading charity football tournament raising funds for JMF's ongoing programs.

The 2024 Moriarty Cup, hosted at Sydney's iconic Allianz Stadium, will feature 14 teams from prominent Australian companies such as Paramount+, Optus, Stan, Channel Nine, MinterEllison, and Charter Hall. They will compete for football glory while supporting Indigenous children and youth in remote and regional Australia.

The theme of Indigenous Football Week 2024, ‘Breaking Barriers,’ is inspired by the life of JMF co-founder and first Indigenous Socceroo, Yanyuwa man John Moriarty, football and education transformed his life, lifting him out of poverty.

John Moriarty, Co-Founder of John Moriarty Football, explained the positive impact the initiative has on children’s faces.

“I love seeing the big smiles on the children’s faces when I visit community and join them on the football oval. Those smiles tell a story of wellbeing, resilience and opportunity. It’s why more children attend school on the days JMF runs its sessions. After our in-curriculum sessions, they concentrate better and show more positive behaviours,” he said via press release.

“More engagement with education, and improved mental and physical health – this is the power football has to change lives, just as it changed mine.”

A-Leagues and Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) will back Indigenous Football Week, celebrating alongside fans, players, and clubs.

A-Leagues Commissioner, Nick Garcia, added further comments.

“The A-Leagues is excited to see another instalment of the Indigenous Football Week, celebrating the ongoing contribution of Indigenous football players to the game. The power of football to influence impactful change is unlike any other and the A-Leagues is proud to support the John Moriarty Foundation,” he said via press release.

IFW and JMF are initiatives of the Moriarty Foundation, an Indigenous children's charity focused on creating a thriving future for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kids. Through innovative programs, the foundation is helping close gaps in education, health, wellbeing, and employment to achieve cultural, social, and economic equality for Indigenous children.

JMF's sister program, Indi Kindi, is an early learning initiative for children from birth to five years. It combines a distinct Aboriginal teaching approach with the Australian Early Years Learning Framework. Graduates of this program are culturally strong, ready for school, and equipped with a lifelong foundation for learning.

For more information on Indigenous Football Week 2024, click here.

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The Association of Football Coaching and Scouting (AFCAS) have confirmed that their recruitment and player scouting workshops are coming to Australia.

These interactive workshops are all online and led by AFCAS managing director Ged Searson - a professional football scout with over 15 years of experience and who has also been a football coach for almost 30 years, learning from the likes of Sir Bobby Robson.

Searson has previously worked as a scout for clubs such as West Ham United, Grimsby Town FC and Leyton Orient FC in England.

Most recently, he served as the chief scout and analyst of the Malawi national team during the 2022 African Cup of Nations in Cameroon going as far as the Round of 16.

The workshops run for three and a half hours over two evenings and are designed for both new and experienced football scouts aiming to enhance their skills and development.

This will also be helpful for football coaches and agents to help them improve their scouting abilities and also to gain an understanding of the recruitment process at professional football clubs.

Throughout these workshops, video footage will be used to complete scouting tasks giving participants the chance to practice scouting techniques.

Attendees will also develop a better understanding of how professional clubs scout players and how recruitment systems operate at the highest levels of football.

Some of the content in these workshops will include:

• Learning various professional football scouting techniques and skills.
• Learn how to write and create your own scouting reports.
• Understanding different types of scout reporting and assignments.
• Assessing player performance in different playing positions.

These workshops are limited to nine attendees, creating opportunities to interact with not only the presenter but also fellow attendees and it will provide potential networking opportunities with different people in the football industry.

Participants will also receive a scouting pack, including software, to complete their own scouting reports following the workshop.

The sessions will run on Wednesday, September 11 from 7 pm - 10:30 pm and on Friday, September 13 from 6:30 pm - 10 pm.

If you are interested in having a career in the football industry, click the link to claim your spot in these online workshops.

For more information about AFCAS, visit the website.

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Football Victoria has introduced a new program called GO Family, inviting families to enjoy football together focusing on improving fitness and building stronger family connections.

The six-week social program provides more opportunities to be involved in Football through the provision of inclusive and quality physical activity experiences.

The GO Family came about through a successful application by Football Victoria, the City of Maribyrnong and local football clubs.

Together, they secured funding through the Australian Sports Commission's Play Well Participation Grant, making the City of Maribyrnong the first to deliver the new program both statewide and nationwide.

Cr Cuc Lam, City of Maribyrnong Mayor, said about the launch of the new family program:

"Introducing GO Family to our community will provide families with a unique opportunity to bond over a shared love of football, recreation, and fun," she said via a Football Victoria media release.

"Council is committed to reaching as many individuals as possible and creating a sense of belonging within our community.

"With football growing in popularity, GO Family is an opportunity to engage the whole family—watching and playing together. This program hopes to inspire families to come together, stay active, and build lasting memories.”

Football Victoria also commented about the program via their media release:

"This program is about more than just football; it’s about having fun, staying active, and spending quality time together as a family. It also offers a pathway to connect with local clubs for future involvement, creating lasting memories and stronger community ties," Football Victoria said.

The program kicks off with a special launch event on Saturday, September 21, from 11am to 1pm at RecWest Braybrook.

The first official session of the GO Family program will take place on Tuesday, October 8, from 6pm to 7:30 pm at Johnson Reserve in West Footscray, and is open to participants aged 7 years and up.

The sessions will be led by Football Victoria coaches in partnership with three local FA Club Changer Clubs: Maribyrnong Swifts, Yarraville Glory Football Club, and Footscray United Rangers.

Registrations for both the launch event and the six-week program are now open.

For more information about GO Family, visit their website.

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Football Queensland recently released the central topics that will ‘Elevate the Debate’ of their inaugural Queensland Club Convention.

The convention will be held on Saturday, 2 November, and Sunday, 3 November 2024, at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre.

This event will bring international speakers and panellists with industry expertise to give specialised sessions for Queensland’s clubs, coaches, teams, and associations.

Before the event on the 1st^, there will be a cocktail networking event at the Sunset Lounge at Suncorp Stadium for Brisbane Roar Men’s home opener against Sydney FC.

Furthermore, on the 2nd^, there will be a Queensland Awards Night at Brisbane City Hall.

These Focused sessions for participants will be based on the three broad themes of Growth, Sustainability and Technology.

GROWTH 

• It’s Already Coming – The Next Phase – 50/50 – Football’s Growth Story

Unpacking the truth about the growth of the game – what is the role of clubs and how can they prepare for it

• Revenue Diversification – What Business are we in?

Case studies of clubs that have successfully diversified their income sources with an opportunity mindset

SUSTAINABILITY 

• Critical Transition of Club Culture through Phases of Growth & Time

An analysis of how static club culture can paralyse a club’s maturation and progress

• Dynamic Club Business Models

Breaking away from treading water, reducing reliance on volunteers & unlocking growth (case studies)

• Optimal Club Governance & Administrative Structures

What does best practice look like and how do we get there? (Case studies)

TECHNOLOGY 

• Digital Transformation in Sport Operations: Benefits of Deploying a Common Tech Stack

Reducing the volunteer burden – managing risk, data security, continuity of IP

• Achieving Alignment, Unlocking Value & Eliminating Key Person Risk

The benefits of a common CMS and fully integrated platform for all clubs

• Cyber Bullying – Protecting the Game, our Clubs and Participants

• Government Relations – #EQUALISER

In the coming weeks, details of the specialised speakers for each club, official and coaching session will be released.

This event will be a great opportunity for the state's clubs to network with some of the best in their respective field, as well as interested stakeholders and other FQ clubs.

It will also enhance the positive community-based focus that has been central to Football Queensland’s strategic plans for 2024-2026.

Tickets are selling out fast and with a limited supply, this event for the interested is not one to miss out on.

To purchase tickets to the Club Convention, click here.

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Football Queensland is introducing four nationally recognised hosts for the inaugural Queensland Football Convention, led by top football journalist Vince Rugari, with co-hosts Daniel Garb, Heather Garriock, and Amy Chapman.

The statewide convention, themed ‘Elevate the Debate,’ will bring together clubs, coaches, referees, and football enthusiasts from across Queensland to discuss key issues shaping the future of the sport on Saturday, 2 November, and Sunday, 3 November 2024, at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre.

Vince Rugari, the author of Angeball: The Definitive Biography of Ange Postecoglou, is celebrated for his detailed coverage of major events like the FIFA World Cups, Asian Cups, and A-League Grand Finals. His insightful reporting has been featured in prominent outlets such as The Guardian, Australian Associated Press, Stan Sport, and The Sydney Morning Herald.

Daniel Garb, a seasoned football presenter and reporter with over 20 years of experience covering national teams, domestic leagues, and international matches in Australia, will join Vince at the inaugural convention.

Heather Garriock, a revered Matilda and member of the Football Australia Hall of Fame, brings over 25 years of experience, including playing in three FIFA Women’s World Cups and two Olympic Games. She currently serves as a Football Australia Board Member and Vice President of Football Coaches Australia.

Amy Chapman, a former Matilda and Westfield W-League player, is recognised for her extensive commentary and analysis with Optus Sport, FIFA, Channel 10, and Channel 7. She has also made significant contributions to football by negotiating the W-League Collective Bargaining Agreement and leading player support initiatives.

“We are excited to welcome Vince as our host, and Daniel, Heather and Amy as co-hosts of the inaugural Queensland Football Convention and are confident that their expertise and unique perspectives will be crucial as we address key themes including Growth, Sustainability, and Technology within the game,” Football Queensland CEO Robert Cavallucci said via press release.

“Their diverse backgrounds and experiences in the sporting world will help guide discussions as we strive to harness the excitement and growth surrounding the game in recent years and use that momentum to build a promising future for football both within the state and across the country.

“The two-day convention will serve as a crucial forum for innovative dialogue and collaborative exploration, offering attendees the chance to engage in transformative discussions, discover innovative solutions, and partake in interactive and insightful sessions.

“With a comprehensive agenda that includes exploring governance and administration structures, sustainable club models, and the role of technology in football, the Queensland Football Convention promises to be an essential event for anyone eager to be at the forefront of our game’s evolution.”

Alongside two days of convention sessions, the Queensland Football Convention will feature a cocktail networking event at the Brisbane Roar Men’s home opener at Suncorp Stadium and the football in Queensland Awards Night at Brisbane City Hall.

Click here to get additional information on the Queensland Football Convention.

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Football Coaches Australia (FCA) will welcome Mark Torcaso to their upcoming online session on Monday, August 19 at 7.30pm (AEST), where he will discuss how to "Learn and Grow as a Coach".

Mark's coaching journey has been one of gradual progression, starting out as Goalkeeper Coach at St. Monica's Secondary School in Epping, before going into the local Football Victoria leagues, through to the FV NPL Women's league

From there, his experiences lifted him up to A-League Women with Western United and his achievements saw him enter the world stage of international women's football for the Philippines Women's National Team program.

Mark will reflect on his coaching methodology that has developed over time within the local and international scene, while also addressing some of the challenges faced.

He will touch base from the national training camp in the Philippines, to discuss the logistics of putting a camp together and the outcomes he hopes to achieve with his group of players.

This session is free for FCA members and all attendees will accrue 1 hour of CPD.

This is not to be missed, and it comes with 1 hour CPD.

To register, you can do so via the link here: https://lnkd.in/dQCPvFWD

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Football NSW is set to welcome Ernie Merrick as one of the guest speakers for the 2024 Football NSW Coaching Conference. Merrick, with his extensive experience and notable achievements in football coaching, will bring valuable insights and expertise to the event.

His participation is expected to inspire and educate coaches, fostering the development of football in the region.

Ernie Merrick is a highly respected figure in the football community, renowned for his extensive experience and knowledge of the sport. Since 2022, he has been serving as the Chief Football Officer of Football Australia.

Merrick's illustrious career includes numerous coaching accolades and leadership positions, making him a key influencer in the football world. His expertise continues to drive the growth and success of football in Australia, benefiting players, coaches, and fans alike.

Merrick, born on January 15, 1953, in Edinburgh, Scotland, started his football career playing for the semi-professional team Shettleston Juniors (now Glasgow United) in Glasgow.

He relocated to Australia in 1975 to join Frankston City as a player. In 1979, he moved to Doveton City, initially continuing as a player before transitioning to coaching, where he rapidly gained recognition as a successful manager.

In 1987, Merrick was appointed Head Coach of Preston in the National Soccer League, leading the team to finish second on the league ladder by the end of the season.

After a brief tenure as Head Coach of George Cross in the NSL, Merrick went on to become the inaugural coach of the Victorian Institute of Sport Football Program.

In 2005, Merrick was appointed head coach of Melbourne Victory in the Australian A-League. During his tenure, he guided the team to two A-League championships and two Premiership titles, solidifying his status as one of the league's top coaches. Beyond his success with Melbourne Victory, Merrick has also managed several other teams in Australia and New Zealand, including Wellington Phoenix and Newcastle Jets.

Merrick’s accomplishments and contributions to football have been widely recognised. He has received numerous awards and accolades, notably being honoured with the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in 2014 for his services to football.

As the Chief Football Officer of Football Australia, Merrick oversees the development and growth of football nationwide. His extensive experience and expertise make him an invaluable asset to the organisation, and he is dedicated to elevating Australian football to new levels of success.

Following the successful return of the conference in 2023, this year's event seeks to build on that achievement by featuring an impressive lineup of both local and international presenters.

Head Coach of the Socceroos, Graham Arnold will also be speaking at the event in November.

For a full list of the current confirmed speakers and a brief history about them can be found here.

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Football Coaches Australia (FCA) and Martyn Buckie will host an online session on Monday, July 29 at 7:30pm AEST.

As part of 'Benefits of Micro Coaching Sessions', Buckie will present insights on the benefits of micro coaching sessions for children and youth coaches.

Coaches will get a full understanding on what 'Micro Sessions' are and how to implement them into training sessions. He will explain the benefits they provide to both players and coaches and how to design effective 'Micro Session' practices.

Buckie is currently the 'Grassroots Coach Education and Development Manager' with the Scottish Football Association. He is a UEFA A Licence and Scotttish Advanced Children's Licence holder. In addition, he is also the advanced Children's Licence Tutor and Course Manager.

He has a wealth of practical coaching experience as Academy Coach at both Stenhousemuir FC and Falkirk FC.

Attendance to this event will qualify for one-hour CPD with Football Australia.

Sign up via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/martyn-buckie-benefits-of-micro-coaching-sessions-tickets-940768212047?aff=oddtdtcreator

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Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) has confirmed that the 2024 PFA Player’s Agent Conference will be held on the July 19 at the Veriu Hotel in Queen Victoria Market.

This conference is a longstanding initiative between the PFA and the Australian Football Agents Association (AFAA).

This official conference is an opportunity for discussion between the players’ representative union and the many accredited agents and experts in the football industry.

Here the floor will be open for conversation around the tactics and strategies of managing and encouraging the huge talent within Australian football.

Some of the ascribed organisations involved in this conference include with the PFA, Football Australia, the Australian Football Agents Association and FIFPRO.

This is a key space for all parties to deliver their opinions and guidance on how best to amplify the opportunities in football and maintain the well-being of the players and industry

This includes topics such as the latest National Team CBA, trends in Asian football and the management mechanisms of players and agents.

Within the conference, there will be dialogue on key issues that have been constant in this industry including:

• Agent Regulations
• State of the game
• CBA Analysis
• National Team CBA Update
• Commercial strength of athletes
• Tax and financial advice
• Trends in Asian football
• Legal update
• TransferRoom

All these topics are flagged by both player unions and agents as areas from which the collaboration needs to be further explored and resolved with all parties satisfied.

That’s why these conferences are held in such high esteem within the footballing community and a big step in productivity strategies.

“Football agents are an important part of the football industry,” PFA Co-CEO Kate Gill stated via media release.

“The PFA Player Agents conference, in partnership with the Australian Football Agents Association, is a platform that allows for ongoing collaboration and dialogue on emerging issues, reform and regulations within our sport.

“We recognise that a better-informed industry leads to better outcomes for all.”

The conference will be followed closely, and more information/outcomes will be presented when the conference concludes.

Key Information:

Venue: Veriu Hotel, Queen Victoria Market. Melbourne
Date: Friday, 19th July 2024
Time: 9:30 am to 5:00 pm

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FIFAe and Sports Interactive confirmed an exciting partnership that will see the first ever FIFAe World Cup of Football Manager take place for a prize pool of $149,718.

This is a one-of-a-kind event that will bring digital and traditional football together like never before, celebrating the best esports coaches from around the world.

In the first year of this partnership, chosen member associations will be invited to the final event. Invitations will be based on eligibility and the number of players from each country, ensuring a fair and representative competition worldwide.

The final event will take place from 29 August to 1 September with the location likely to be announced in the coming weeks.

Football Manager is the landmark digital coaching game that allows players to take control of all facets of the club of their choosing, from transfers to team selection to tactics.

The game has rapidly increased in popularity over time and boasted a record seven million players inside the first 100 days of Football Manager 2024's launch, after cracking a million streams for the first time in the 2021 edition.

However despite the games popularity, it doesn't have a robust esports ecosystem and lacks the one-on-one competitiveness of their online video game competitors like EAFC and eFootball.

Former Arsenal FC manager Arsene Wenger who is the Chief of Global Football Development at FIFA, has been appointed as the tournament’s ambassador.

Wenger explained the event and ramped up the excitement with a statement and an announcement video.

“I look forward to being part of this exciting new journey. This competition requires participants to demonstrate a profound understanding of football strategy and tactics. Success demands not only mastery of game mechanics but also in-depth football knowledge, making this format a fascinating blend,” Wenger said in a FIFA press release.

"At FIFA, we are dedicated to developing coaches and coaching techniques to give every talent a chance, so I look forward to seeing the best esports coaches from around the world compete at this event and contribute to the global advancement of football management and talent development.”

With more content on the way on the FIFAe social media channels, there is a real excitement about this groundbreaking event that combines one of the fastest growing football video games with a first-time competitive aspect, which will pit the world's finest gaming tacticians against each other.

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Football Coaches Australia (FCA) has confirmed details of their next webinar, to be held on Monday, June 10, 2024.

Dr Ron Smith will deliver an online session to share insights for players in a complex football environment, dubbed 'keep it simple'.

The session itself will be broken down into two parts, as Dr Ron Smith will outline what he thinks a coach can do to help players improve their performance and understanding.

Firstly, the focus will be on what players can do with and without the ball when the team is in possession. The second part of the session will see Dr Ron Smith explain why certain behaviours are better than others and why they will always be present.

Another important aspect will be how the language used to communicate with players can be more effective; by keeping it simple and easy to understand.

This event is free for FCA members, while all participants will qualify for one hour of CPD which links with Football Australia

The date and duration of the webinar is for Monday, June 10 at 7.30PM - 9PM AEST.

To register, you can do so by following the link here.

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Before Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United’s pre-season friendly match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, football codes came together on the day to test their skills in a first-ever junior clinic.

Hosted at Collingwood Football Club’s training facility of AIA Vitality Centre, the Aussie Rules AFL team was joined by the visiting Spurs.

Across two sporting codes, a common denominator is that AIA proudly supports both and through the affiliation, combined for a once in a lifetime coaching clinic.

Tottenham and Collingwood players were in attendance, along with AIA Ambassador and former Hawthorn premiership player Shane Crawford.

Junior soccer and AFL club players were treated to a memorable day of fun and skills training, aimed at promoting AIA’s vision of communities living happier and healthier lives. This included specialised drills, authentic coaching and a Q&A session for all kids to learn and benefit from.

AIA is a long-time partner of Tottenham, while their recent front-of-shirt deal with Melbourne Victory further emphasised their support for Australian football.

[caption id="attachment_24814" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] A day of fun at Collingwood FC's AIA Centre.[/caption]

Speaking to Soccerscene, AIA Australia CEO Damien Mu reflected on a hugely successful day for participants.

“The AIA junior clinic was fantastic, it was all about giving an opportunity for kids to get active and participate in training with Tottenham and Collingwood coaches,” he said.

“We thought it was a rare opportunity and fantastic way to really promote active participation in sport.

“At AIA, we encourage people to live happier, longer, and better lives and being active is one of those - with other important choices such as what you eat and looking after your mental wellbeing.

“We’ve sponsored Tottenham since 2013 and the fact they’re out here with Ange taking over was an opportunity we couldn’t miss.”

“We also sponsor Collingwood and most recently Melbourne Victory, so we thought what a great way to get the three clubs together and Collingwood were fantastic in hosting at the AIA Vitality Centre and getting behind it, with all three teams giving back to the community.”

It was a momentous occasion for Victorian fans, as Ange Postecoglou has completed his first full season at the Spurs.

Mu shared what the excitement was like on the day.

“Undoubtably, having Ange had a huge impact,” he said.

“We’ve been fortunate to have Tottenham come out a few times – in Sydney and then Perth last year – it’s always a massive buzz and gives such a good lift to football.

“With Ange now there, it’s given that a super boost and the energy that’s around him, along with having two EPL teams in town, which is why just over 78,000 people went to the MCG on a weeknight.

“All of this is a great way to get kids attached to the game and have active participation post-World Cup, rather than being stuck on smart devices.”

[caption id="attachment_24816" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Crawford (far right) chatting with Tottenham representatives.[/caption]

Melbourne Victory, who were preparing for the A-League Men’s Grand Final against Central Coast Mariners, were backed by AIA as a Finals Series sponsor.

Mu described what he and AIA saw in Victory leading up to the deal being struck.

“Melbourne Victory have had a great season, been long-standing as one of the original clubs in the A-League and a cornerstone of the league from the start,” he said.

“It was a great opportunity that arose given our affiliation with football globally through Tottenham.

“We had ongoing conversations with Victory about how we can partner up, and it seemed like a great way to support them at a time when they were seeking that support going into the finals.

“They’re a great club – it really is about family, community and business coming together. Even Ange touched on the community feel, all the way back in his South Melbourne days.

“We definitely love the community aspect of what Victory are trying to do and how they like to get out there and promote the game as well.”

Reflecting on the community theme, Mu added what he sees in collaborating with sporting organisations.

“When we think partnerships, we want them to be purposeful,” he said.

“It’s great to be on the shirt, but it’s more about what we do with clubs in relation to health and wellbeing.

“Our sporting clubs are great because it provides genuine role models to cheer on within family and friends.

“It allows us to get really meaningful health and wellbeing content from the players and coaches that we know fans and members absolutely love, rather than a company with three letters on it telling you what we do.”

[caption id="attachment_24818" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Collingwood FC's Will Hoskin-Elliott (left) with Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.[/caption]

From a long-term perspective, AIA are hoping to maintain their presence in Asia and Oceania.

Mu shared the overall success of the junior clinic where we can expect more to come.

“We’re really lucky with the partnership through Tottenham where there’s coaching clinics right across the markets we operate in Australia and New Zealand,” he said.

“The clinics are really important as they get out to schools and the clubs, especially at grassroots level.

“When the whole team comes into town, you get a boost, but this is something we’ve been doing for a while and part of the collaboration with Tottenham where we are proud to do these clinics in Australia and New Zealand.”

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Socceroos' Head Coach Graham Arnold addressed the 3rd Asian Football Confederation (AFC) National Coaches Conference on Thursday, 9 May in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The three-day conference reflects on insights gained from the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023, while also considering the forthcoming expanded FIFA World Cup in 2026.

It gave Graham Arnold and other AFC associated coaches a chance to exchange ideas and share information in a bid to help improve and inspire each other as Round Three of World Cup Qualification approaches.

Arnold was selected by the AFC and spoke amongst other eminent coaches from across the Confederation including former Manchester City legend Yaya Toure.

After a memorable 2022 World Cup campaign and over three decades of coaching within the confederation, it’s no surprise that Graham Arnold is held in such high regard, and this represents a step forward for Football Australia.

Football Australia CEO, James Johnson spoke on how important it was for Graham Arnold to speak at such an event.

“Arnie’s record and reputation within international football speaks for itself, and his leadership of the Subway Socceroos has been exceptional over the last six years,” Johnson said in an statement for Football Australia.

“His contribution to Australian football as a player and coach extends almost three decades, and he possesses a wealth of knowledge that can help assist the development of our game throughout Asia.

“Arnie is held in high esteem not just here in Australia, but throughout the Confederation and we’re extremely proud to see him playing such a key role in a conference of this significance."

Socceroos’ Head Coach, Graham Arnold spoke about how honoured he was to be involved in the AFC National Coaches Conference.

“It’s a privilege to be sharing the room with so many fantastic coaches and I’m looking forward to sharing some of my experience with the group,” Arnold said at the event.

“We’ve all taken different journeys into coaching and bring varied perspectives which I think can be really valuable to discuss in this type of environment.

“I’m sure we’ll all walk away with something to take back and share with our respective teams – it's a great initiative from the AFC."

It is always positive to see top Australian coaches share and learn critical ideas from other successful names within the Asian football space as the country continues to underscore is commitment to advancing coaching quality.

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Football Australia have directed the spotlight towards the nation’s diversity, celebrating Australia’s rich plethora of communities throughout the 2024 edition of Harmony Week.

Funded and endorsed by the Australian Sports Commission, the aim of the event is to build a connection with culturally and linguistically diverse newly arrived migrants, ranging between the ages of 5 to 18, through the sport of football.

The week showcased the importance of respect, inclusiveness and sense of belonging amongst everyone.

Victoria were the state in particular whom relished the harmony week on a football front. Three respective diverse communities across Manor Lakes, Croydon and Dandenong were involved in the celebration of diverse culture.

Those Melbournian suburbs include Asian, African and Middle Eastern communities in whom recently arrived to Australia as migrants. Given that football is the primary sport across each of those country’s, members of those experiencing life in Australia for the first time were able to be involved in something which reminds them of home.

Members of those communities had the chance to be involved within football related activities allowing them to showcase their flair and ability.

Those in whom had previously participated within the sport had the opportunity to participate in more advanced activities, while beginners were offered to participate in clinics while being provided information about Miniroos programs.

The events also allowed for new or existing players to seek the possibility of participating at a club level, junior or senior at clubs within close proximity of the suburbs listed.

Dandenong Primary School Teacher, Leanne Skaftouros talked about there being no barrier when playing football.

"There is no barrier, no language barrier. It doesn’t matter if I don’t know your language, you don’t know my language, we can get out and play a game of soccer, which is just amazing," she said via press release.

Endeavour Youth Australia CEO Mohammad Semra mentioned the importance of community involvement for migrants through the sport of football.

“It gives young people access to club football and also different opportunities to succeed," he said via press release.

The community event was a collaborative effort, the Wyndham Council alongside Endeavour Youth and migrant information centre were the primary pillars called upon to make the event a success.

FA understand the significance of establishing connections amongst new members of a community, that is the brilliance of Football. The globalisation of the sport allows for these inclusive events to occur. It’s an aspect of Australian culture in which can bring an abundance of people together, all while unifying and inspiring them along the journey.

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The Australia Cup is the nation's premier knockout cup competition which has reached its 10th year of existence.

The competition was founded as the Football Federation Australia (FFA) Cup and has been won by five different clubs, with nine unique sides appearing in its respective finals down the years.

Knockout cup football before the reintroduction of it was something which remained an unappreciated element of Australian football with the first attempt of sustaining a competition occurring back in the 1960s with the Australia Cup - the first and only national club knockout competition which was held from 1962 until 1968.

The FFA Cup was ultimately renamed to the Australia Cup in 2022, suiting as a more fitting title for what has become an important piece of silverware within Australian football.

The competition has contributed immensely to the sport in a variety of aspects. Semi-professional clubs across the country have the opportunity to compete against the nation's best upon their entry in the round of 32, providing spectators with the possibility of witnessing a David and Goliath like matchup. The 'cupsets' provide a sense of urgent, frantic football in which fans are jubilant to receive.

Those at the business end of the competition are recipients of prize money, with the winners claiming a cheque worth $131,000. As of 2021, competition winners are placed into continental football play-offs within Asia. Due to the consistent restructure of Asian continental club football, winners of the Australia Cup from 2021 were eligible to qualify for the Asian Champions League via a playoff position, in 2022 the AFC Cup playoffs were up for grabs, with the latter to be changed to the third instalment of Asian football being the newly founded tournament, the AFC Champions League 2.

10 years of cup magic within Australian football has complimented the competitiveness across the sport. The mind races back to all the 'cupsets' witnessed throughout the years including the notorious Green Gully victory over the Central Coast Mariners in 2015 where Liam Boland scored from his own half. Not to mention in more recent history, in the cup run Sydney United 58 had gone on.

For lower-ranked clubs across the nation to have the opportunity to compete with professional established clubs has not only provided fans with nostalgic moments, but has opened the another gateway into competing across the continent. The Cup has established itself amongst a trophy of significance in that has also acted as an attraction for international marquee players to venture to Australia from overseas, knowing there’s now three different titles within the sport they can compete for.

The more frequency of football - combined with the magic of the cup - will only serve to open more financial and beneficial opportunities within the sport across the nation.

Based upon its first decade, it’s safe to say its presence has been palpable.

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Venezia FC has confirmed it has joined forces with the New York University (NYU) Tisch School for Global Sport, embarking on an alliance targeted at merging academic understanding within the dynamic world of global football marketing.

This partnership, which was confirmed at an event that displayed synergy between scholarly authority and sports management, cementing an innovative step towards incorporating fan intelligence directly into Venezia’s FC international marketing strategies.

The significance of this collaboration is a unique experience set to commence in Italy this summer for students from NYU to have a chance at visiting Venezia FC, by having an hands-on project specifically designed to collect and analyse fan intelligence.

The information that will be accumulated from this enterprise are expected to have a pivotal role in transforming the club’s global marketing ambitions, making certain the approach are both successful and deeply linked to the core values and preferences of the supporters.

To commemorate the beginning of this collaboration, Venezia FC and NYU co-hosted an educational convention titled “The Emergence of a Renewed Global Soccer Phenomenon: Bringing Italian Traditions, Culture and Il Calcio to the United States.”

The event was led by Venezia FC’s Chief Marketing and Communications Officer and Head of Global Partnerships, Silvia Davi, as well as Academic Director and Professor at the Tisch Institute, Gina Antoniello, had gathered specialists in the industry to discuss the amalgamation of Italian football traditions with the American sports landscape.

The focus was not only on the academic and sporting characteristics but also celebrating the cultural ties between Italy and the United States.

Looking ahead on how much Venezia FC and NYU’s Tisch School for Global Sport can achieve to revolutionise sports in different areas is immense. This not only shows the evolving landscape of football globally, but also sets a model for similar partnerships between sports and educational institutions, aiming to further advance a profound understanding and appreciation of the world game across continents.

The post Venezia FC and NYU team up for innovative opportunity appeared first on Soccerscene.

Football within Victoria in a broad sense is difficult to unpack from multiple angles. What is clear is the passion displayed by fanatics.

Although not a traditional form of football, it's cousin futsal has slowly emerged as a popular indoor sport that has abundance of opportunity within Australia’s major futsal organisation, Futsal Oz.

Futsal Oz has been the manifestation of the football extraordinaire Peter Parthimos, who founded the entity in 2006. When discussing with Peter in regards to why he created Futsal Oz, he discussed how he wished to unify people, provide competitive competitions to those who played the sport, all the while providing opportunity to those who want to play on a leisurely level all the way to a professional level.

Despite having a turbulent tenure throughout the global pandemic in 2020. Futsal Oz came out of Covid-19 with a newly furbished Futsal court fit for its most talented players. The court resides in their Thomastown location. Series Futsal is currently the highest level of futsal across the country and features abundance of Australia’s most coveted football players.

Melbourne-owned Sport Recreational Wear manufacturer AKU is a proud partner, with many women’s and men’s series sides opting to use AKU as a kit sponsor. The company also designed and created kits which were featured in the monthly major event in Thomastown, combining the best players across the Series Futsal competition to represent their respective ethnicities. The event was broadcasted on FireTv, a subsidiary to American-Bulgarian Company TrillerTv, who specialise in combat and European Sport streaming. Melbourne born Commentator Michael Schiavello spearheaded the broadcast acting as executive producer.

Each Wednesday and Friday the competitions are streamed live via YouTube and its independently ran application “Wefroth”, allowing its humble yet passionate fanatics to watch each round of Series Futsal unfold.

Through the running of competitions and the opportunities it sets through broadcast, futsal is in a healthy position.

The post The serious waves Series Futsal have made and what it means for the sport appeared first on Soccerscene.

At the recent Preston in Business event, media personality David Davutovic spoke about Preston Lions' storied history, it's incredible impact on football in Australia and the Club's future as one of the eight foundation clubs in the emerging National Second Tier (NST).

The Lions are well known for their incredible fanbase, garnered over 77 years of history and have significantly broadened this over many years. This transition means that for the first time since 1993, Preston will be competing on the national stage of Australian football.

Davutovic, a special keynote guest, reflected on the Lions’ foundation and their growth to being one of the most popular NPL-based teams.

"The club has played a huge role in Australian football. The club had 30 pretty successful years prior to the NSL and there is a truly rich history at the club," said Davutovic, Managing Director of Bruce Media.

“The club has been in the top division, in the NSL for 13 years and before that from 1947 onwards there have been some great players come through and represent the country." he said at the event.

"More recently, Sasa Ognenovski came through in the post NSL era and was a product of this club. He was voted the best Asian player in 2010 and won an Asian Champions League over in South Korea then went on to play for the Socceroos.

"There's no doubt this club is right up there in its contribution to Australian football, and we are all very excited to see what the future holds."

The NST has been an attractive idea for many years but with very little action from Football Australia, it never really came to light until recently.

Preston Lions were one of the biggest drivers and immediately put their hand up to become one of the foundation clubs. The club's strong performance in critical revenue streams like sponsorship, gameday ticketing and membership have helped the club get into a position to take on this financial hurdle with an opportunity to dream of achieving the impossible.

"It's really exciting for the sport and it’s interesting as to how it's all come about,” Davutovic said.

“It's a bit like the A-League expansion project of five or six years ago. It happened somewhat organically because there was this groundswell of support, and Preston as a club have (arguably) played the biggest role in kickstarting this momentum that triggered the second division.

"When it kicks off next year it's going to be huge. Preston had the courage to step forward and immediately say yes and obviously it's a massive financial commitment for the club but they said 'we're doing it' and credit to the club for that.

"The current situation is eight clubs in the second division but my understanding is that they are looking at an expansion to 10 or 12 teams, maybe more from Victoria and they can really grow this second division."

Australian football cannot afford to waste the momentum gained from fantastic performances on the pitch in international tournaments.

With the fast-growing rates of participation and attendance at the national level, as well as the emergence of a few amazing young talents hitting their stride locally and in Europe, there has never been a better launchpad for growth within the community.

Davutovic spoke on the future of Australian football after fantastic Socceroos and Matildas international campaigns – adding to the emergence of the ever-important NST.

"The future of Australian football is really bright, evidently in the results from the Socceroos at the last World Cup then the quarter final exit at the Asian Cup to a very decent South Korea side,” he said.

“Of course, the Matildas with a brilliant campaign are growing women's football, even the representation here at Preston is great.

"I can actually see football taking on the other codes, because all of a sudden, teams like Preston and all the other state league and NPL clubs are getting recognised. They have been treated disrespectfully from around 2004 onwards."

"They are part of the system and have just as much of a right to compete in the top division and in the Asian Champions League as the A-League clubs because at the moment it's a pretty closed shop."

The opportunity for Preston to make an even bigger mark on Australian football has presented itself with the NST and the club clearly has every intention to grow because of it.

The post David Davutovic on Preston Lions’ rich history and ambitions for the future appeared first on Soccerscene.

The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) is partnering with FIFA’s football streaming platform, FIFA+, to broadcast its international and club competitions for two years.

The deal signifies a major win for the commercialisation and promotion of Oceanian football globally.

FIFA+ is a mobile and desktop application that provides subscribers with live streaming of various FIFA competitions, magazine shows, documentary films, and archived matches from previous tournaments.

The application will televise all major OFC competitions, such as the OFC Champions League (Men’s, women’s and youth), futsal and beach soccer competitions, and the men’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.

The World Cup qualifying campaign takes on greater importance this year, as for the first time ever, OFC nations will battle for one automatic spot at the 2026 Men’s FIFA World Cup.

It represents an important moment for Oceanian football, and while there is global scepticism about FIFA’s move to a 48-team men’s World Cup, it is the smaller nations like those in Oceania who will benefit greatly.

Adding OFC’s collaboration with FIFA+ to the mix only incentivises players and coaches further, providing them a platform to build their careers and future pathways.

“This partnership with FIFA+ marks a new era for Oceania football. It’s a monumental step towards realising our dreams and showcasing the talents of our region to a global audience,” OFC General Secretary Franck Castillo said via press release.

“We are excited about the opportunities this collaboration unlocks and the new horizons it opens for our players, teams, and fans.”

The increased coverage will be crucial to OFC’s commercial endeavours and future sustainability as an organisation. General Secretary Castillo paid tribute to the efforts of OFC members to secure this deal.

“In the last five years, OFC has gone to great lengths to grow football coverage across the Pacific and provide quality broadcast production standards to all fans,” he added via media release.

“As a testament to these efforts, our social media following has increased by 110% and live streaming views by 200% since 2019. We have rallied media rights in the broadcast space and expanded our distribution from four regional TV broadcasters to 26.”

“We have also expanded commercially through selling our live streaming, media and data rights for the next two years – 2024 and 2025; this is a major step forward for us in the commercial space.”

Below is the full list of competitions to be shown live and free on FIFA+ in 2024:

OFC Women’s Champions League – Solomon Islands | 10-23 March

OFC Men’s Nations Cup – Qualifying – Tonga | 20-26 March

OFC U-19 Men’s Championship – Qualifying – Vanuatu | 9-15 April

OFC U-16 Men’s Championship – Qualifying – Tonga | 13-19 April

OFC Futsal Men’s Champions League – New Caledonia | 23-28 April

OFC Men’s Champions League – Tahiti | 11-24 May

OFC U-16 Women’s Championship – Qualifying – New Zealand | 14-20 June

OFC Men’s Nations Cup – Vanuatu | 15-30 June

OFC U-19 Men’s Championship – Samoa | 7-20 July

OFC U-16 Men’s Championship – Tahiti | 28 July-10 August

OFC Futsal Women’s Nations Cup – Solomon Islands | 18-24 August

FIFA World Cup 2026™ – Oceania Qualifiers MD 1 & 2 – Samoa | 2-10 September

OFC U-16 Women’s Championship – Fiji | 8-21 September

FIFA World Cup 2026™ – Oceania Qualifiers MD 3 – New Zealand & Vanuatu | 7-15 October

OFC Beach Soccer Men’s Nations Cup – Solomon Islands | 20-26 October

FIFA World Cup 2026™ – Oceania Qualifiers MD 4 & 5 – New Zealand & Papua New Guinea | 11-19 November

The post FIFA+ delivering valuable exposure for Oceania football appeared first on Soccerscene.

The first iteration of Unite Round has not gone by without criticism, but the product itself may well have saved the Australian Professional Leagues (APL) from a complete disaster.

With high-scoring thrillers, player milestones, and little controversy, A League football delivered when it really needed to, and it should give the APL plenty of marketable content for future editions of the round.

In addition, match-going fans performed admirably to help create atmosphere within the grounds.

This includes valiant efforts from interstate fans, particularly Adelaide United and Brisbane Roar, and not least those from the Wellington Phoenix and Perth Glory.

These fans were treated to some rip-roaring football, but there simply was not enough of them, with data analysis reporting a total attendance rate to be 47,425 across 12 games; an average of 3,952 per match.

Attendances continue to be the major talking point for fans and critics of the A League, but a simple fixturing change to the round could make the difference next time.

Wellington Phoenix and Perth Glory fans had their women’s sides play at Leichhardt Oval on Friday night, before having to wait until Sunday night for their men’s match.

Given the distances fans from both sides have to travel, situating their games as bookends was far from accommodating and recorded a combined attendance of under 5,000 across the club’s three games.

The reverse of this occurred to Western Sydney Wanderers and Melbourne City, with the men’s match taking centre stage on Friday night, whilst the women’s encounter took place at 5:00PM on a Sunday.

While some Wanderers fans did turn out in the grandstand for their women’s team, the RBB was nowhere to be seen and contributed to the low crowd of 1,515.

Finally, there was a same-day clash for Adelaide United fans, who had to make an incredibly tight public transport connection between Leichhardt Oval and Allianz Stadium, or fork out money for a taxi/uber fare between grounds.

It led to many Reds’ fans either leaving their women’s team early, or arriving late to their men’s encounter.

A mirroring of the men’s and women’s league fixtures could have alleviated some of the pressures on attendances, and delivered a more economical and logistically sound solution for fans.

In addition, the APL would be allowing clubs to do its own Unite Round marketing for them, by encouraging their fans to attend both their men’s and women’s fixtures.

We could have seen popular active supports’ such as the RBB, The Cove, The Red Army and The North End, supporting their men’s and women’s teams throughout one night.

Instead, we had disjointed looking crowds at the men’s double-headers, with women’s double-headers left hung out to dry in Leichhardt.

Furthermore, the APL’s decision to pair its newest clubs Western United and Macarthur FC to play at 5PM on a Friday only accentuated doubts over its fan base growth.

The logic may have been to capture match-going fans of Wanderers and City, but it simply did not work, recording an attendance of just under 3,500, with many fans not arriving until the conclusion of what turned out to be a thrilling encounter.

Again, the APL could look at scheduling games between clubs with smaller fan bases, as well as clubs with the greatest amount of travel, Perth and Wellington, to take place at smaller venues that will enable a greater atmosphere.

Twelve games across three venues makes sense, but the scheduling did not. Thankfully, this should be an easier fix for the APL if Unite Round returns next season.

Most disappointing from the perspective of match-going fans, though, was a lack of entertainment at the grounds.

Whilst in-stadium DJ’s and compares did their best to engage the crowd in-between games, there was very little activities on offer with no food vans or sideshows present.

Regardless, with grassroots participation in football so strong the APL cannot let up in finding solutions to entice juniors and their families to A-League matches.

Player and fan interaction could be the place to start, evidenced by the frenzied post-game atmosphere involving Wanderers and Adelaide United fans, who stayed well after the final whistle to meet the players, take selfies and sign shirts.

Could the APL have created exclusive areas, similar to those at the Melbourne F1 Grand Prix, for fans to meet players across the weekend?

There is also the potential to replicate what AFL sides did during Gather Round by conducting open training sessions the day before their matches begin, so that fans can again interact with their clubs.

Even further afar, Major League Soccer continually provides examples of how to engage fans into football whilst battling several high-profile codes.

Offering free merchandise to fans outside the ground such as scarves, hats, banners or even t-shirts are a fixture of the MLS fan experience, whilst brand partners of clubs and the league itself immerse their names and products around stadiums.

To the latter point, sponsor involvement has been so successful that a 2022 survey revealed 73% of MLS fans would try the products of brands associated with their MLS club.

Connecting league and club sponsors, especially during a landmark event like Unite Round, should be pivotal to its success. Of course, the APL will need its representative clubs to pull their weight by getting their sponsors on board.

Finally, in relation to off-field entertainment, the APL cooled some doubts about the round clashing with the Socceroos Asian Cup opener against India, announcing it would provide a fanvzone outside the stadium for spectators to watch the match.

However, fans leaving the Allianz Stadium were led on a merry dance around Moore Park, as the big screens in the designated fan zone failed with very little explanation.

A pub in the entertainment quarter graciously re-opened its doors to show the match on its two big screens, but many fans had already called it a night, leaving them disgruntled despite a terrific night of A-League football.

Indeed, situations like this re-ignite lingering resentment towards the APL, particularly from clubs outside New South Wales, who still hold the organisation accountable for its now-reversed decision to move grand finals exclusively to Sydney.

The reversal gave birth to the Unite Round, and it is likely that many fans chose not to support the initiative because of its connection to the APL’s initial decision.

Meanwhile, reports of financial turmoil within the organisation are being attributed to its redundancy measures, which will see its digital content arm KeepUp effectively removed.

This turmoil could explain the APL’s hasty approach towards its organisation of the round, as well as its conservative approach to its marketing and promotion.

Responding to the redundancies, an APL statement released on Tuesday offers reassurance for stakeholders, clubs, and fans.

“With the original three-year strategy coming to an end, a planned full strategic and commercial review has taken place over the last several months,” it read.

“The review has identified significant opportunities to create efficiencies through consolidation and this necessitates an organisational restructure that is now underway.

“APL’s priorities remain the same – to deliver commercial growth and sustainability by creating the most exciting competitions possible for our fans – with strong teams producing great young players across Australia and New Zealand.”

If the APL stays committed to these priorities, we will hopefully be treated to a more successful edition of Unite Round, and more importantly, a football experience befitting of what is being delivered on the field.

The post Scraping through: What the APL can improve ahead of the next Unite Round appeared first on Soccerscene.

Football Queensland's 2024 State Referee Conference will be held Saturday, January 20 and Sunday, January 21.

The conference will be available in a hybrid format as it was in 2023, with attendees able to join the in-person event at St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace or access the sessions from regional hubs in an online platform.

The State Referee Conference is an annual get-together before the upcoming season as Queensland-based referees learn from special guest speakers, get to know their peers and build relationships with fellow match officials.

The two-day format of the conference will first be open to all referees on day one, before more in-depth practical sessions on the second day exploring specific referee concepts for NPL Queensland, FQPL and FQ Referee Academy match officials.

At the time of confirmed conference dates, Football Queensland CEO Robert Cavallucci expressed why the State Referee Conference is an essential part of the football calendar.

“The annual State Referee Conference provides an important opportunity for Queensland referees to come together ahead of the new season to learn from special guest speakers, get to know their peers and build relationships with fellow match officials,” Cavallucci said in a statement.

“After the success of the hybrid event format in 2023, we’re excited to again deliver the 2024 State Referee Conference both in person and online, accommodating match officials at every level of the game from every region.

“Metro based referees are encouraged to register early to attend the in-person event at St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace with only 250 spaces available, while FQ will also host in-person events in regional parts of the state for referees located across Queensland.”

Register here to attend the in-person event at St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace.

Register here to view the conference online from a regional hub or from home.

The post Football Queensland gearing up for 2024 season with State Referee Conference appeared first on Soccerscene.

Football Queensland will host an inaugural Queensland Football Convention towards the end of the year - unifying clubs, coaches, referees and participants from the length and breadth of Queensland across three engaging and immersive days.

The convention is scheduled to take place between 1-3 November 2024 in Brisbane city.

The 2023-2026 Strategic Plan that was released by Football Queensland stated that they would have a 'One Football Approach' which is an initiative to improve and focus on all areas of the game.

The convention was not mentioned in the Strategic Plan, but the idea was certainly raised with their ambition to unite the game and unlock football’s true potential in the state.

FQ CEO Robert Cavallucci mentioned the importance of gradually improving the sport in many areas in Queensland.

“Recognising that to move the game forward, we need to continue innovating and elevate the football debate, we’re excited to unite members of our football community for the first edition of the annual Queensland Football Convention,” Cavallucci said via press conference.

“The first conference session on Saturday 2nd November will begin to unpack the strategic direction of the game with guest speakers and expert industry panels before breaking out into Part 1 of the Referee, Coaching and Club conferences, with FQ committee sessions and FQ Board and FQ member sessions closing out the day."

There will be a range of guests from different sectors of the footballing space in Queensland and Australia invited to the convention, however, currently no names have been confirmed.

“Headlining the Queensland Football Convention on Saturday evening will be the 2024 Football in Queensland Awards Night at Brisbane City Hall, an event which is always a highlight of our football calendar. With well over 500 in attendance we will celebrate the achievements of the state’s most outstanding individuals, teams and clubs," Cavallucci continued.

“Featuring tailored content for clubs, referees and coaches in addition to strategic and operational planning sessions, the convention will conclude on Sunday 3rd November with Part 2 of the Referee, Coaching and Club conferences.

“The innovative Queensland Football Convention will bring all facets of our game together for one unmissable weekend while connecting our football community with each other, alongside key business and government contacts to support the ongoing growth of football in Queensland,” he concluded.

Further information on ticket packages and hosts/guests will be released by Football Queensland.

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Soccerscene would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year for 2024.

We have now closed for the holiday period and will resume on January 8, 2024.

Now into our fifth year, Soccerscene would like to take the opportunity to thank our major partners Football Coaches Australia (FCA), Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) and Box2Box for their support.

Additionally, we will continuously work with state and national federations such as Football Victoria, Football NSW, Football Queensland and Football Australia to highlight key news for the industry.

There's been significant strides made within 2023, most notably as the Matildas captured the hearts of Australia in the FIFA Women's World Cup tournament.

Soccerscene is committed to growing, promoting and enhancing the soccer industry in Australia.

From the entire team, we are excited for what lies ahead in 2024 and look forward to promoting the game further!

The post Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2024 appeared first on Soccerscene.

Football Victoria (FV) has locked in key presenters for the 2023 Coaching Conference, taking place on December 16 at La Trobe University's Bundoora Campus.

The yearly event is a key part of Victorian football's calendar, designed for coaches of all backgrounds and skill levels.

Louise McColl will be the host of the conference that will welcome a range of international and domestic presenters.

Key topics of note involve leadership, tactical collaboration and reflections of the recent FIFA Women's World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023.

As confirmed by FV, all the presenters for the day are as per below:

• Louise McColl - Conference Host
• Mami Yamaguchi - Washington Spirit Coach
• Dr. Janos Toth - Vasas Kubala
• Elena Sadiku - Everton FC
• Ernie Merrick OAM - FA Chief Football Officer
• Gary Cole - Football Coaches Australia President
• Beau Busch - PFA CO-CEO
• Michael Fabian - FV NPL Referees Manager
• Siem Nijssen - PEC Zwolle GK Coach
• Sean Gale - Football Victoria

Key details:

• Where: La Trobe University, Bundoora Campus
• When: Saturday, December 16, 9am-5pm
• Cost: $200.00
• CPD Points will be awarded to coaches who attend

To register, you can do so here: https://education-ffa.sportingpulse.com/event.asp?EIDMC=1546201&MenuID=%2f17038%2f0

The post 2023 Football Victoria Coaching Conference ready for full-day event appeared first on Soccerscene.

The Sport Australia Hall of Fame presented the Matildas with The Don Award, one of the highest Australian sport honours awarded to an athlete or team.

The Don Award, named in recognition of the Sport Australia Hall of Fame’s inaugural Inductee, Sir Donald Bradman AC, and introduced in 1998, honours an athlete or a team for providing the most inspiration to the nation through performance and example in the past year.
 
The Matildas earned The Don Award after they became the first Australian team to make a senior FIFA World Cup – men’s or women’s – semi-final. The Matildas changed the landscape for women’s football by bringing the country together and inspiring the next generation of hopefuls, encouraging junior players to reach the national stage like Sam Kerr, Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord, Mackenzie Arnold, Mary Fowler or Cortnee Vine who all became instantly recognisable.

The latter a household name as she stepped up to convert the decisive penalty against France to book the Matildas a semi-final match against England. That was also the longest shoot-out in FIFA World Cup history, men’s or women’s.

The Matildas' FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 tournament saw extraordinary crowds to their games with nearly two million spectators at stadiums and hundreds of thousands at live sites across the country. Their semi-final against England achieved the highest TV ratings in Australia since the current television ratings system began in 2001.

Despite losing 3-1 in the semi-final and then going down 2-0 to Sweden in the bronze medal match, the Matildas did Australia proud with many memorable moments created.

The Matildas are proud to create a legacy from the FIFA Women's World Cup, which they now want to continue for future generations.

The post The Matildas recognised for World Cup efforts with Don Award appeared first on Soccerscene.

Before becoming Brand Director of Nike Pacific – an organisation he’s been part of since 2015 – Nick Atkinson knew very early on that he’d be working in football.

Growing up in Wales of the UK, he was brought up through the school, college and university system that paved the way for his passion to come to life.

From starting off with his first training session at Wick Dynamos in West Sussex, football has been a consistent part of his life.

In this interview with Soccerscene, Nick discusses his role of Brand Director in more detail, Nike’s involvement with the Matildas, working with Sam Kerr and giving back to the grassroots level.

As Brand Director, can you outline your role in helping promote football?

Nick Atkinson: I’ve been involved with Nike since 2015 and even before becoming part of the swoosh family, football has very much been something I am deeply passionate about.

I remember during the final round of my job interview for Nike, I was asked why I wanted to join the team. I didn’t give a great answer, but I had said that I wanted to work on a brand that propelled the game of football and had close ties to the World Cup. And I feel that my love for the game really shined in that moment.

Since taking up the role I’ve been fortunate to be part of so many firsts - seeing how football can uniquely unite and inspire people and nations.

With Nike’s level of global impact, I am aware of the responsibility and part I play in shaping how our athletes are seen, and leading this work on home soil has been a dream.

The Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand for example, was a major project that I led. It was Nike Pacific’s most significant investment in a sporting moment yet – from unmissable out-of-home, a world-first tiktokumentory, football accelerator legacy programs to the first female football-led retail door – the Dream Arena.

I’m immensely proud of what we, as a team, achieved to build a better game for all. It makes all the work we do behind-the-scenes so satisfying when we know it means that the next-gen athletes will have new-found heroes to look up to.

On a local level, after personally playing eight to nine seasons in Victoria’s state and metro leagues, I knew I wanted to get Nike involved as there was so much potential for impact at that level.

Seeing so much success in the sport both at the domestic and international level is a true highlight.

Nike proudly sponsor the Matildas; how do you reflect on FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023?

Nick Atkinson: I’ve worked with both our national teams (Matildas and Socceroos) for many years and have had so many amazing moments - I even remember a free-kick competition with Brett Emerton and Mark Bresciano in 2016 on ANZ Stadium!

If you look at the Socceroos performance in 2022, you can say it’s the ‘greatest assist’ before the 2023 Women’s World Cup because they had set that benchmark for performance and awareness across the country and reignited football.

This year’s tournament has undeniably been a generational moment for sport and culture, having the global tournament on home soil and the home team of the Matildas was the moment to accelerate sport into the future – we know sport creates change, and this was the largest accelerator of women’s sport and culture for the next five years.

The Matildas post tournament are now household names and have shown the world the power of women’s sport. From record-breaking crowds, jersey sales and viewership – the Matildas continue to inspire us all with their captivating performances and genuine love for each other, their fellow athletes and the game.

It felt like it’s been a while coming, but we saw the nation finally galvanise and get behind our national teams – and without a doubt, we’ll look back on the 2020’s as the greatest decade of women’s sport.

Living and breathing football in both my professional and personal life, I can say that we’ve got such a unique Australian football identity. We’re in arguably the most dynamic period that Australian football has ever seen and we’ve opened the sport up to the most diverse audience, which is so exciting and refreshing.

What did you make of user/social media engagement throughout the World Cup - was there anything significant you or your team saw in relation to aspects like shirt sales?

Nick Atkinson: We started working on our plans almost the day after the bid win got announced, so we were 100% ready going into the Women’s World Cup.

We have so much equity and history to elevate women’s sport at Nike, so this wasn’t new for us and has been a journey we’ve been on for a very long time.

When you look at a Matildas match, it is so different compared to the Socceroos. For example, lots of school trips and big groups of young fans, so that is really amazing.

One of the things that we anticipated was going to happen, was the emergence of new voices wrapped around this game. We knew this moment would be successful because it opened opportunities to grow and nurture these new voices in the game. That was one of the rewarding elements, to see different sections of the media and social platforms emerging to give us a new and youthful perspective on the sport.

Our partnership with TikTok saw the creation of 1000 Victories – one of the most successful pieces of media that we worked on through the Women’s World Cup.

This was co-created with a young generation of fans who emerged with a point of view on football and women’s sport. That enriched the game and really took it to new heights, making it bigger and more diverse and gives people a bunch of ways to be involved.

Sam Kerr is hugely popular in Australia and overseas - what was it like building her brand campaign?

Nick Atkinson: It’s been amazing, this is something I’ve personally worked on for a really long time, I’ve enjoyed and am so proud of.

It’s not only Sam but the whole group that we’ve had a relationship with for so long now and that has allowed us to get to know who they are as individuals as well as athletes.

To build a brand plan, you do need to have that full understanding of a person or team to work out how to best approach it.

I placed Sam in her first brand campaign for Nike in 2017 for the launch of the Mercurial Superfly 360 boots. That was at a time where she had just came off winning a Golden Boot in the NWSL and we knew at that point, we had a superstar on the rise.

We featured her in the launch campaign for the boots using billboards and the like, as well as an athlete experience at Rebel. We had an incredible turnout, not only from supporters but across the entire community.

At that time, it was clear that Sam had that star power to take her even further which proved to be the case. Fast Forward and she’s shared a few Mercs with Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe.

I’ve had the privilege to get to know Sam over the many years of collaboration and it has helped us build a strong, authentic platform and brand around her journey.

There’s nothing that we believe in more at Nike than listening to the voice of the athlete and doing work that resonates with them - such as their values and beliefs, and what they stand for. An example of this is something we’ve always told Sam, “We’ll get it right on the pitch first and then build from there.”.

The journey has been amazing and to be part of that is truly special. Our goal is to support Sam and build her brand while she’s delivering ground-breaking performances on the pitch and creating an unbreakable connection with fans.

More broadly, at Nike we believe that it’s not a one-person team with the Matildas by any stretch.

We have an incredible roster of athletes across the Matildas such as Elle Carpenter, Steph Catley, Kyah Simon, Alanna Kennedy, Mackenzie Arnold, Hayley Raso and more, and we’re focused on supporting and elevating the whole roster.

Our brand investment in the Women’s World Cup was the single biggest investment we’ve ever made in this country to elevate the team. We were prepared, we started early and I believe played a critical part in connecting the fans and the team.

Matildas brand stories:

All For Tomorrow

Sam Kerr – Flip The Game

Show the World Your Victory

You are also supporting Fitzroy Lions Soccer Club – what is it like switching back to the grassroots level and giving back?

Nick Atkinson: Football would not happen without volunteers at the grassroots level - it’s an area of the game that we really believe in and want to have a positive impact.

I shared my story coming through the UK, starting out in grassroots football, and being one of those kids that had to hustle for rides from other people’s parents, or ride my bike to games with my brother, and wear my boots until they fell apart, I know what a huge enabler it can be for kids.  Getting involved in Fitzroy Lions has been a real personal love of mine.

We’ve been partnered with Fitzroy Lions Soccer Club since 2018 – they are an incredible organisation where many of the kids come from refugee families and football plays a critical role in uniting that community. It’s where you really feel the power of the world game.

Our relationship started simply, going down to training sessions to meet the team and see what they’re about – they are a rare team in Australia that offers a route into structured league football for kids whose parents can’t quite afford it normally, in a sport that can be quite expensive to play. Through the time spent with them, I really got to know the kids and their families.

It was so enriching and an awesome experience where the club simply provides the opportunity for everyone and eliminates those barriers that people face when looking to play.

So many of us at Nike live and work around those communities so it’s a great opportunity to directly support people related to what we do. We’re proud to be part of something like this and seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces when they’re playing on the field is a real highlight in my career.

Excitingly, like many other grassroots clubs, they have seen a 200% increase in girls participating this season which is so encouraging.

In addition, we’re in the fifth year of naming rights for the Nike FC Cup and recently announced the Nike FC Accelerator Program. This is a four-year commitment with Football Victoria to drive gender equity in the sport by increasing the number of female coaches and giving better access to football at The Home of Matildas.

Overall, we want to provide equal opportunities and this is the legacy that Nike wants to leave in the long run to drive the sport forward.

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Indigenous Football Week (IFW) 2023 was celebrated October 30 to November 5, recognising the impacts of Indigenous football program John Moriarty Football (JMF).

Putting into consideration that it is Australia’s longest-running and most successful Indigenous Football initiative for 2-18-year-olds, JMF perseveres with its mission to create a beacon of light for social change as well as providing a pathway for Indigenous footballers and communities.

Overseeing JMF is an expert advisory council, Indigenous Football Australia (IFA), which was established to increase social change through football, expand the operations of JMF and ensure equal access to football for grassroots and elite Indigenous players.

Speaking with Soccerscene, JMF Program Director Jamie Morriss and JMF Scholarships Coordinator  & IFA Council member Allira Toby discussed the overall impact of assisting Indigenous peoples and their communities around the country.

What was the process involved in organising the Indigenous Football Australia Council?

Jamie Morriss: We looked at bringing in expertise across a range of different areas, including previous Socceroos and Matildas, and also sport more broadly as well as academia and media. The council has majority Indigenous membership and is gender equal. Its goal is to strategically guide John Moriarty Football. The IFA Council meets once a quarter to discuss where the strategy and direction of the program is going.

Having lots of great experience along with great individuals on that council provides expertise and thinking to help us unlock doors and continue to drive the program forward.

What is the procedure for kids to be involved in the Scholarship?

Allira Toby: A lot is involved in the scholarships. We have a criteria that identifies kids in the communities that have the potential to go far professionally in football. A key component of this is the individual Scholarship Holders, with the support of their family, making a commitment to attend school.

A JMF Scholarship starts at the grassroots level in our community hubs. We provide football training and development, mentoring, help with their studies, providing football equipment and club fees, and even travel to tournaments. As their talent and skills develop, they may then qualify for a Sydney Scholarship during their high school years. In Sydney they will attend a top sports high school, receive extensive football training and development, wrap-around pastoral care, mentoring, tutoring, placement with a football club, and much more.

How many kids have gone far in becoming a professional footballer?

Allira Toby: We have one individual so far playing professional football. Marra woman Shadeene (Shay) Evans is the inaugural JMF Scholarship Holder. She has played for the young Matildas and is currently playing for the Central Coast Mariners in the A-Leagues.

We also have a number of talented Sydney Scholarship Holders who are well on their way to playing professionally and are already playing in high level tournaments and competitions.

What is the vision for JMF?

Jamie Morriss: To grow it across Australia. Ideally we would have a hub operating in each of the states - currently we are in three states, but we would like to offer the program nationwide, with the view of having more staff on the ground to run the grassroots program so we can impact as many kids and communities as possible.

Are there any fees involved for this program?

Jamie Morriss: Not for us - we offer the program free of charge to all the communities that we are delivering to.

We have some contributions from schools and partners that we are delivering to so they help with our fundraising efforts. For the scholarship players that we support in Sydney, we cover their registration fees, boots, shinpads, additional training sessions and we support their travel to and from community so they can go home for the school holidays.

[caption id="attachment_22251" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] John Moriarty and Shadene Evans in 2018[/caption]

The sister program of JMF, Indi Kindi, is an innovative early years education initiative for birth to five year olds, delivered by locally employed Aboriginal staff.

The Indi Kindi program includes Indi Footi which activates young brains through movement and develops basic football and motor skills, balance and coordination in a fun and non-competitive environment.

Having been recognised across the A-Leagues, JMF will continue to have an everlasting impact.

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Football Victoria will wrap up the very best of 2023 as part of the Community in Business (CIB) Full-Time Lunch at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Thursday, November 16.

With the theme of 'Keeping the Momentum' for the day, all attendees on the day will celebrate the highlights from within Victoria and nationwide. Following the World Cup success of the Matildas, strides made by the Socceroos, the record-breaking start by honorary member Ange Postecoglou and the A-Leagues season off to a great start, there will be a stack to discuss.

Hosted by Michael Zappone, he will speak with a variety of guest speakers and panellists, as per below:

• Former Socceroos Legend and Western United head coach, John Aloisi
• Melbourne Victory FC Managing Director Caroline Carnegie
• Melbourne City FC CEO Brad Rowse
• Pararoos Stars Christian Tsangas and Cosimo Cirillo
• Paul Trimboli of South Melbourne FC - former player of Ange Postecoglou

Guests will take part in networking opportunities throughout the day, as well as being treated to live music from Belle Lynch.

With the Socceroos playing at AAMI Park against Bangladesh for the Asian Cup qualifier that night, it will be a short walk to attend after the lunch.

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The 2023 Football NSW Coaching Conference details have been confirmed ahead of the two-day event taking place this weekend (November 11 & 12) at Valentine Sports Park.

Hosted by well-known football personality Stephanie Brantz, the Conference will include a wide array of special guests both domestically and internationally, (as per below), all delivering presentations that pass on their experiences and advice for all levels of the game.

Coaches will be able to tailor their learning based on their area of expertise, such as;

• Goalkeeping
• Leadership
• Player Development
• Women’s Football
• Strength & Conditioning
• Futsal
• Management

Football NSW Coach Development Manager Christopher Adams is an instrumental part in organising the Conference, sharing his thoughts with Soccerscene ahead of a jam-packed schedule.

"After a COVID hiatus, we're back to having a face-to-face Coaching Conference which is fantastic," he said.

"We're really excited to be welcoming over 600 attendees across the weekend to Valentine Sports Park.

"We've got coaches from all levels of the game from community football to Pro Diploma coaches across NSW clubs.

"They'll be treated to theory and practical sessions that will suit their interest and offers them the chance to choose their own journey throughout the conference with a mixture of keynote sessions and breakout groups."

With up to 50 CPD Points across the two-day for coaches, there will be plenty of incentive to get involved.

"We hope that coaches can leave the event inspired and eager to develop themselves into the best coach that they can be," Adams said.

"The conference's theory and practical sessions will discuss key coaching trends across Australia and the world, while there's also leadership, management and tactical understanding to cover all bases for a coach in the game.

"In addition, we also look at women's football, goalkeeping and futsal to deliver all experiences for a coach."

Full attendance at each day earns participants 25 points per day towards FA/AFC licence reaccreditation as per the AFC Coaching Convention.

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For Stephen Conroy and the Australian Professional Leagues (APL), it has been a time of significant change.

In his new role as Independent Chair, Conroy has recently seen the departure of former Chief Executive Officer Danny Townsend, leaving A-Leagues Commissioner Nick Garcia and KEEPUP Managing Director James Rushton to lead the APL.

Ahead of launching the 2023/24 A-Leagues season, it has proved to be a very busy period for the APL in amongst the CEO change – with the reversal of the Grand Final decision, announcing the brand-new U-Nite Round to take place in Sydney, confirming the sale of Perth Glory and identifying the preferred bidder for the Auckland licence.

After bidding farewell to the APL’s inaugural CEO, the focus has shifted to restoring faith in the A-Leagues fanbase – as the men’s and women’s World Cups need to be the kick-starter for football in Australia.

Speaking at Melbourne Victory’s Chairman function at AAMI Park before the Round 2 match against Newcastle Jets, Conroy reflected on a whirlwind period for the APL and football as a whole.

“It’s an exciting time coming off the back of the exceptional performance of the Matildas,” Conroy said.

“The standalone women’s round for the Liberty A-League was hugely positive with the record crowd and atmosphere we saw at the Sydney Derby.

“You’re seeing the enthusiasm with 1.6 million Australians and two million New Zealanders watching the two respective nations play.

“In funny because people almost forget the Socceroos and how well they did at Qatar – we talk about 2006 and the Golden Generation, but genuinely the performance in this tournament was absolutely stunning.”

The record attendances and memberships have been a huge plus for Conroy and the APL, particularly for women’s teams with numbers reaching unprecedented levels.

“As an example we’ve already seen Melbourne Victory go past 20,000 for memberships, so that’s a huge tick,” he said.

“With record turnouts and memberships, we are getting the sense that it is really happening now for people around the country in football.

“There’s so much in front of us at the moment.”

An integral part of the APL has been KEEPUP, which has recently undergone a revamp to split A-Leagues content into its own site.

Conroy outlined the digital strategies behind KEEPUP which has been a major inclusion since the APL’s inception.

“KEEPUP was launched when we unbundled from Football Australia – recently people might have been wondering why the app has morphed back into A-Leagues,” he said.

“In the rush to unbundle, we didn’t own the rights to call it the A-League app, but now we’ve got that sorted.

“What we will now start to see is a more rich product and this turns eyeballs into bums on seats or viewing on TV.

“KEEPUP’s mission is to drive people to watch the game at the ground, through free to air or streaming.”

Conroy also linked back to the numbers we saw from the Women’s World Cup, and how that will be a motivator for future growth of the A-Leagues.

“For all of us that went to any of the World Cup matches, part of it was needing to download the FIFA app,” he said.

“As we saw earlier, there’s 1.6 million Australians who want to watch a game of football – so we’ll be sitting down with Football Australia to work out how to succeed together.

“What we want to see is which team people want to support, get them to more games in-person and turn more casual fans into fully-fledged members.”

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Melbourne Victory have recently announced that Sports Entertainment Network (SEN) will be the Official Media Partner of Victory in Business (VIB) for the 2023/24 season.

This partnership will allow any VIB members a chance to pay for advertising that will be played and viewed across all SEN platforms during VIB events. It will provide a network for VIB members to grow in and allow them to gain access to exclusive advertising opportunities.

SEN currently own broadcast rights to both A-League Men's and Women's competitions as well as Socceroos and Matildas home games, proving it has an extensive network and current relevance in the local football landscape.

SEN also provide a big audience and different avenues to view their content making it a very valuable partnership for Victory's business side of the club.

Melbourne Victory Managing Director, Caroline Carnegie said that this collaboration will help Victory grow their network in VIB.

“We’re thrilled to have SEN partner with our business and networking program, to offer a new dimension to our network of close to 100 businesses,” Carnegie said viaVictory press release.

“One of the many goals of the VIB network is to connect like-minded businesses together to build relationships and develop synergies in an environment where businesses wouldn’t normally connect in.

“The chance to open our network to the wide range of advertising opportunities SEN can provide is exciting for everyone involved in VIB.”

SEN Chief Commercial Officer Daniel McGuire expressed his excitement for the potential for growth through this partnership.

“We are thrilled to partner with Melbourne Victory and Victory in Business and we’re looking forward to working closely together to open doors and connect business within their network,” McGuire added via press release.

“Whether it be via our national radio network or expanding digital platforms, SEN connects brands with fans and this initiative will provide the opportunity for different businesses to experience the wide reach the SEN can deliver.”

This partnership is a smart way for Melbourne Victory to involve their VIB members and expand their already impressive network of close to 100 businesses. It's an exciting move for the VIB members who will be glad they can grab a huge advertising opportunity for their business.

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Football Australia has recently announced that SBS will be broadcasting the 2023 IFCPF Asia-Oceania Championships.

SBS will deliver unrivalled coverage of the Championships with live and free access via SBS On Demand, providing greater visibility of the tournament and its athletes than ever before.

The tournament kicks off on November 4 and will end on the 11th, one week later. SBS will be broadcasting over 45 hours of football during that time period across both the Men's and Women's IFCPF Asia-Oceania Championships, which is set to be played at the Home of the Matildas at La Trobe University in Bundoora, Melbourne.

The free coverage of these championships is a fantastic way to engage people with physical disability from many households with varying interests in the sport, and to hopefully attract and inspire the people in this community to participate in the sport.

Football Australia’s Head of Inclusion, Sarah Walsh, explained how important it was to have increased coverage of the event via free to air TV.

“SBS has a long and proud relationship with Australian football, and we are delighted they will support the 2023 IFCPF Asia-Oceania Championships,” Walsh said in a Football Australia press release.

“At the recent FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 we witnessed the transformative power of visibility and representation on the national level. Providing effortless access and increased opportunities to watch the CommBank Pararoos and the CommBank ParaMatildas, and show what is possible through football, could be lifechanging for an Australian living with cerebral palsy, acquired brain injury or symptoms of stroke.”

Pararoo captain and legend David Barber is excited at the opportunity to showcase the sport in front of a large TV audience.

“It’s incredibly humbling to know that this year, SBS will be helping to share our beautiful game with all of Australia,” he added via press release.

“This will bring fans not just of the green and gold, but the vast and rich diversity of our Asian Cup visitors as well, the chance to come together, and enjoy the pure competition that will light up Melbourne this year.”

SBS Director of Sport Ken Shipp also shared his thoughts on the broadcast agreement with Football Australia.

"SBS was established more than 40 years ago, and it is the only media organisation dedicated to inspiring a shared understanding and promoting the value of cultural diversity. One of the best ways in which SBS can bring Australians together in this way is through great sporting moments like the 2023 IFCPF Asia-Oceania Championships," Shipp explained via press release.

The CommBank Pararoos and CommBank ParaMatildas will feature in the opening day of match action on Saturday, November 4 as the men’s team faces Thailand (5.15pm AEDT) and the women’s team opens their campaign against Japan (3.00pm AEDT).

The finals will begin on Friday, November 10 with the women’s final followed by the men’s final on Saturday, November 11, 2023.

The 2023 Women's World Cup showed the amazing influence that the Matildas had on the next generation of footballers in Australia and the Pararoos and ParaMatildas hope to make a similar impact in their respective communities.

The clear goal with the agreement is to expand the audience for this competition and try to increase participation among aspiring Australian footballers who suffer with cerebral palsy, acquired brain injury or symptoms of stroke.

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Indigenous Football Week (IFW) 2023, held October 30 to November 5, will highlight the impacts of Indigenous football programs that are supported by John Morairty Football (JMF).

As Australia's longest-running and most successful Indigenous Football initiative for 2 to 18 year olds, JMF continues to roll out vital programs that foster positive change, such as improving school attendance and achieving resilient, healthier outcomes in Indigenous communities.

IFW is supported by the A-Leagues and Professional Footballers Australia (PFA), where we will see this recognised in Isuzu UTE A-League Men and Liberty A-League Women matches, as well as in JMF communities and schools across NT, NSW and Queensland.

As Co-Founder/Co-Chair of JMF, John Moriarty AM has been at the heart of pathways from the grassroots to professional level, supporting talented young Indigenous footballers to not only play the game they love, but succeed in school.

“We draw on the cultural strengths of our local coaches and community advisory groups, made up of local elders, Traditional Owners and community members. JMF is all about self-determination to address the extreme social disadvantage and barriers to football opportunity that Indigenous players face in many remote and regional communities across Australia,” Moriarty said in a statement.

David Williams will be the 2023 IFW Patron, a prominent Indigenous footballer that played internationally for the Socceroos and now plying his trade for Perth Glory.

“Being Patron for IFW23 is a huge honour. As one of the few professional Indigenous footballers in Australia, I believe it’s important to be a role model and help create pathways for young Indigenous players, particularly those from the bush. The work John Moriarty Football does is inspirational and I’m proud to be involved,” Williams said via media release.

IFW will now be in its third year of partnership with the A-Leagues - a Welcome to Country ceremony will be conducted prior to each A-Leagues match.

"Indigenous Football Week is an important part of the A-Leagues calendar as we celebrate the contribution of First Nations people to the game and reflect on how we can make our game ever more culturally safe and inclusive. We are proud to support the work of the Moriarty Foundation," Australian Professional Leagues Commissioner Nick Garcia added via media release.

Professional Footballers Australia Co-CEO Kathryn Gill spoke on behalf of the organisation about their care and support for JMF, who delivers to over 2,000 primary and secondary school Indigenous children every week.

"JMF is an excellent example of how the most impactful organisations in addressing indigenous issues are indigenous-led. The PFA is delighted to again partner with JMF in support of Indigenous Football Week 2023."

IFW and JMF are in conjuction with Moriarty Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation that provides successful Indigenous program solutions through resilient local engagement.

JMF’s sister program is Indi Kindi, an early learning program for the under-fives and their families to improve the global readiness of Aboriginal children entering pre-school and school.

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Inter Miami CF has announced that it will commence its first-ever overseas tour to China in November, trying to broaden its footprint in a new region and begin preparations for 2024.

The club will face two Chinese Super League teams in friendly matches, first against Qingdao Hainiu F.C. on November 5 at the Wuyuan River Stadium in Haikou, China, and then against Chengdu Rongcheng on November 8 at the Phoenix Hill Sports Park in Chengdu, China. Details about the broadcast and ticketing will be released in the following weeks.

Inter Miami Chief Business Officer Xavier Asensi outlined the purpose of the team heading to China and the impact it will have on the club.

“We’re very excited to continue to expand our Club’s global reach, bringing our team to play in front of incredible fans across the globe,” he said via media release.

“This is a special opportunity to share the passion as we reach new audiences and put ourselves on display in new places, and we’re looking forward to beginning this adventure.” 

Inter Miami will kick off the tour against Qingdao Hainiu F.C. of the Chinese Super League at Wuyuan River Stadium in Haikou, China. The Chinese team, created in 1990, is now coached by Spanish coach Antonio Carreo and has been a regular member of China's top flight since 1997, without being relegated in 26 years.

Inter Miami's next destination will be at Chengdu Rongcheng's Phoenix Hill Sports Park, which accommodates over 60,000 people. Chengdu Rongcheng was created in 2018, around the same time as Inter Miami.

Chengdu Rongcheng debuted in the country's fourth level - the team went on to gain promotion in three of its first four seasons, eventually reaching the Chinese top flight. Last season, its debut in the top flight, the squad maintained its rising trend, placing fifth out of 18 teams. The squad is now sixth in the Chinese Super League rankings and has fresh new cutting-edge facilities.

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U.S. Soccer have recently announced a strategic partnership with Ticketmaster to become the Federation's official ticketing partner for the next several years.

The partnership is set to use Ticketmaster's industry-leading technology to support all ticketing initiatives and solutions with a goal to enhance the match day experience for fans at the stadium.

Ticketmaster is one of the world's largest ticket sales and distribution companies. They have serviced millions of events across many different countries they operate in, providing a quick and reliable online service for fans that is focused mainly on convenience.

There is an unprecedented line-up of soccer events coming to the United States over the next few years and the Federation is being proactive in its approach to ensure a reliable ticketing service.

The features being brought in will be a fresh change for fans who have previously struggled acquiring tickets to matches because of the multitude of unreliable services that were selling them outside of the U.S. Soccer website.

Ticketmaster plan to incorporate features such as mobile app integrations, use of a 3D Interactive Seat Map to enhance seat selection, and the ability to save tickets to mobile devices which eases access at the gates.

U.S. Soccer and Ticketmaster will also recognise fans through custom content that will highlight the undying commitment of fans and their journeys to U.S. Soccer-controlled events, including U.S. Women’s and Men’s National Team matches, and create unforgettable moments through engaging sweepstakes.

U.S. Soccer Chief Commercial Officer David Wright expressed his excitement for what the partnership was going to bring to U.S. Soccer

“Fans are the heartbeat of our business. Supporting our commitment to super-serve our passionate fans, we are excited to partner with Ticketmaster in our efforts to enhance the customer experience,” he said in a U.S. Soccer press release

“Ticketmaster has been at the forefront of technology and innovation in this space for years and is the perfect match as we continue to elevate and evolve as a property.”

Ticketmaster Executive Vice President & Co-Head of Sports Clay Luter explained how the partnership was going to improve fan engagement.

"The expansion of our partnership with U.S. Soccer is a testament to our commitment to celebrating passionate soccer fans,” he added via press release.

“As the game’s popularity continues to rise, we’re eager to take engagement and connectivity to the next level while actively discovering and connecting with new fans. Through our platform, we'll deliver must-have ticketing solutions, unique content and innovations that further fuel the interest in soccer across the country.”

The focus on fan engagement through augmented reality and app activations is a fantastic touch from the U.S. Soccer Federation, doing something that Australia has yet to attempt.

The country would definitely benefit by following the U.S. in their fan-first mentality, with an overall goal of making the matchday experience memorable and addictive, especially off the back of the Matildas World Cup success story.

This partnership is attempting to put the building blocks in to ensure crowd numbers are healthy as this new generation of soccer fans start to emerge. It is very strategic and has a forward outlook that must be applauded.

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The Western Australian Government has released details on a financial support program to assist sport and active recreation organisations within the state, in hopes of strengthening and diversifying the sporting and physical activity options for WA and increase participation.

The Sport and Recreation Events Funding Program looks at bolstering the arts, culture, sports, and Indigenous Australian attractions of the state to a global audience.

Grants up to $50,000 are available, with 3 distinct categories on offer:

1. Event Projects: Funding support for specific sports and recreation projects. Funding of up to $15,000 is available
2. Event Hosting: Assistance for organisations hosting sports events. Funding up to $50,000 is available.
3. Country Sport Enrichment Scheme: Focusing on enhancing sports opportunities in regional areas. Funding up to $30,000 is available.

The WA Government is encouraging all groups that qualify to apply, to do so in order to grow the sporting sector of Western Australia. All levels of sporting organisations from local to national are viable to apply, as well as national league clubs, community and recreation organisations, and any other sport clubs.

To be eligible, organisations must have the following:

• Possess an Australian Business Number (ABN)
• Hold sufficient insurance cover during the entirety of the grant period (this needs to be provided in application). Public Liability Insurance needs to be set at a minimum of $10 million per claim.
• The state or national body (if this applies to your organisation) must provide evidence of support of the event being conducted in Western Australia.
• Compliance with all relevant COVID-19 regulations and safeguards.
• Be incorporated under the Associations Incorporations Act 2015 (WA) or a company limited by guarantee under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) or a registered local government entity in Western Australia.

For projects to be completed between January and June 2024, applications close at 5pm AWST on Monday, October 16, 2023.

A second round of funding is available for projects for July-December 2024. These will open January 29 next year 9am AWST, and closes February 26 at 5pm AWST, 2024.

It is essential that all applicants read and understand the Sport and Recreation Events Funding Program guidelines prior to submitting an application.

Click here for more information.

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German beer titan Bitburger has been announced as the official beer of the UEFA Euro 2024.

The beer will be available to fans at all stadiums and fan zones when Germany hosts the prestigious tournament next year.

Bitburger is the third largest supplier of beer in Germany and is the best performing draft beer in the nation that loves the beverage so much.

Partnering with such a well-known and culturally significant brand the Euros will be hoping to bring a special flair of uniqueness to the tournament.

UEFA marketing director Guy-Laurent Epstein expressed UEFA's pleasure in welcoming a uniquely German partner to the tournament.

“UEFA is delighted to partner with Bitburger for UEFA Euro 2024, a well-recognised German beer brand with a long history and connection with football and football fans,” he said via press release.

“UEFA Euro 2024 in Germany will be extremely festive and football fans, both local and travelling, will get to enjoy a wide variety of refreshing Bitburger beers in the stadiums and fan zones while enjoying thrilling matches and making memories that will last a lifetime.”

Bitburger Brewery Group Managing Director Jan Niewodniczanski also shared their company's joy and pride in being selected as an ambassador of German culture.

“The world is a guest in Germany - as the number one hospitality brand, we consistently live by this motto at Bitburger. As the Official Beer Partner of UEFA Euro 2024, it is exceptional for us to contribute in presenting Germany as a top host country,” he added via press release. 

This deal will allow fans from all over Europe and the world to partake in something uniquely German when kick-off happens in 2024.

Not only will Bitburger help fuel a great atmosphere with its range of alcoholic beverages, but it will also supply non-alcoholic beer so all patrons no matter preference can enjoy a classic German brew as play gets under way.

Bitburger joins other classic German brands Deutsche Telekom, German railway transportation provider Deutsche Bahn, and insurance company Ergo as UEFA Euro 2024 national sponsors.

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The first edition of ‘LALIGA Extra Time’ was recently held in Melbourne at the end of last month.

The event, organised by LALIGA, looked to bring together experts from the sports and entertainment industry in a two-panel format. It also served to introduce the new identity of LALIGA.

The LALIGA Extra Time event included the participation of Villarreal CF, EA Sports, Optus Sport and Matildas international footballer Elise Kellond-Knight.

“We are proud to have been able to publicly present here in Melbourne LALIGA’s revolutionary new identity to the biggest players in the country’s sports and entertainment industry. For us it is not just a change of symbol, but the symbol of change: with a new partner like EA SPORTS, with a profound transformation in the strategy, positioning, business, technology and audio-visual broadcasts… As we all have been able to enjoy during the first exciting matchdays of LALIGA EA SPORTS and LALIGA Hypermotion in the season 2023/24 that recently started,” stated Glen Rolls via media release, LALIGA delegate for Australia and New Zealand.

The first panel focused on the digital transformation of football, and how partners, broadcasters and rights holders are working collaboratively to the grow the sport across the world.

Theresa Bray, EA Sports’ Head of Marketing and Communication ANZ & Emerging Markets, and Aaron Lea, Associate Director of Digital Media & Platforms at Optus Sport were involved in the panel discussion. Bray expanded on the recent partnership between LALIGA and EA Sports, as well as the ever-changing viewing habits of the younger generation. She claimed that the partnership between the two companies was exciting for EA Sports, as it brings together two global brands that have a strong focus on innovation and authenticity.

Lea explained that Optus Sport, who broadcasts LALIGA in Australia, have focused heavily on displaying the competitions across the company’s digital and social platforms in an effort to find new and increased audiences.

"LALIGA content is playing a key role in our shortform digital video strategy, and we've seen strong viral engagement across YouTube Shorts, Tiktok and Instagram Reels,” Lea added via media release.

The second panel focused on the future of football and the vital importance of having a well-constructed foundation in grassroots football, in order to be successful at the elite levels of the sport.

LALIGA clubs are well aware of this notion, as within the competition itself it gave the most playing time to youth players out of the top five major European leagues this past season (this equated to 17.2% of the minutes in 2022/23, according to a CIES study).

One of the LALIGA clubs with the best youth development structures across the world is Villarreal CF. In 2021, they became Europa League champions - becoming the smallest city ever to win a European trophy. The club have a strong presence within Australia, with Nano Márquez, Villarreal’s International Academies Coordinator, attesting to this.

“Australia is a very important market for Villarreal CF as we have three academies in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane all of which focus on the development and growth of the players with the hope that this contributes to the local football ecosystem as well as opening up possibilities in Spain,” he said.

The future of the women’s game was also discussed heavily through this panel section. The success of the recent World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, where Spain beat England in the final in Sydney, was huge boost to the women’s game.

Australian international player Elise Kellond-Knight shared her experiences and expectations for the future during the event.

“The Women’s World Cup was incredible as it brought everyone together here in Australia to cheer on the Matildas and celebrate football. Spanish football has always been very technical and skilful and perhaps lack what we talk about in Australia to be 'physical',” she said.

“However, in the World Cup we saw a very complete Spanish team with not only the skills and technical ability, but also the physicality with the likes of Salma Paralluelo, who in my opinion played a decisive role in helping Spain lift the trophy.”

This first edition of LALIGA Extra Time event in Melbourne also featured the trophy of the “LALIGA EA SPORTS” champions and the 2023/24 Puma LALIGA ball.

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The first ever Women's Football Coaching Summit was held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 25, featuring a variety of speakers who covered a range of topics regarding the Matildas and the growth of the game in Australia.

Made possible by the Global Institute of Sport in conjuction with Football Coaches Australia, the full-day event covered some of the pressing issues in the game.

As the women's game has only become professional in recent times, many key points revolved around if the country is doing enough to promote women's football and how we can build on the momentum hosting a world cup has provided.

Socceroos legend Gary Cole hosted a 'Let's Talk Football' discussion with a panel consisting of Canada assistant coach Tom Sermanni and former Matildas Heather Garriock and Catherine Cannuli.

It was highlighted that only 12 out of 32 head coaches at the World Cup were women, and while it is a women's World Cup nations still appoint the person they believe is most suitable for the job, with the fact women's football has not been professional for a long period of time.

Sermanni added: “As the game becomes more professional we will see more female coaches transition from playing to coaching”. Garriock would also explain “there is no career in Australia for coaching (women)” - suggesting the game is still tender and much development still needs to be made.

The resources available in developing the next generation of Matildas is in question, with Australia needing a strategy in place after the conclusion of the World Cup to develop the next generation of players.

Sermanni stated: “We are not doing enough to develop the next generation because there are no longer rescuers and no one in full time development”.

On the back of A-league clubs being handed the responsibility of developing Australia’s talent, Cannuli also shared that “now you have to pay $2500, back when I was playing it was free. We haven’t qualified for a youth world cup in years”. The pathways for women to make it to the top level are limited and should be a key focus the country has in ensuring the future is successful.

To retain and increase the talent in women's football, Australia must prepare for the rise of participation levels and make the most of the potential on offer. Garriock believes “we are not ready for the influx of participation after the World Cup”. The Matildas success has seen the entire nation support them and sell out stadiums throughout the tournament - the momentum the team is building is something that Australia must capitalise on as the increase in girls playing the game will climb, particularly at the grass roots level.

As the Matildas success continues, they face England in the semi final of the World Cup on Wednesday, August 16 where the nation will watch on to see if they can make history.

Due to the overwhelming support the country has shown the team, multiple watching venues including AAMI Park will be opened for spectators. Channel Seven will show the game live on free-to-air and on its streaming service 7Plus, while Optus Sport will also show the game live, given its broadcast rights for the whole tournament.

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Football Victoria will welcome the women's football community when they host the 'Lunch Her Way' event at the Carousel in Melbourne's Albert Park on August 4.

The day will focus on female leadership and empowerment, alongside the push of Victoria's target of achieving equity in the game. This event will also be the perfect time to reflect on all of the progress made so far and looking ahead to what the future brings - highlighted by the FIFA Women's World Cup going great guns.

As confirmed by Football Victoria, special guests are listed below:

• CommBank Matilda Chloe Logarzo will share her own insights on how the women's game is changing, forever.
• Paralympic Gold medalist Madison de Rozario will share her own story of reaching the pinnacle of her sport.
• Keynote speaker and author, Bron Williams, will inspire the room to rediscover their power, showcasing the tangible benefits of female leadership.
• Football fan and MC Cassie Lindsay will entertain guests for the day.
• Music from Sarah Valentine, showcasing some of our favourite tracks.

In addition, photographers on site will offer a free professional headshot for those who attend.

EVENT DETAILS

• Friday, August 4, 2023
• 12-4pm
• Carousel, Albert Park
• Three-course lunch with beverages, gifts and entertainment
• Tickets: $85 each or $700 for a table of 10

To register for 'Lunch Her Way', you can do so here.

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The University of Sydney will be hosting The Business and Development of Women’s Football Conference 2023 in a four-day event.

The conference - held from Monday, July 31 to Thursday, August 3 - is sponsored by The University of Sydney, in partnership with Sydney University Sport and Fitness.

It will offer a unique insight into women's football and its future in global business.

Regarded as one of the prodigious universities in Australia, The University of Sydney is a fitting choice for the event as academics and sporting professionals from around the world will unpack a program that is sure to kick-start discussion on the issues of diversity, access, inclusion, globalisation, commercialisation, the emergence of women’s football and its future.

This is an event that will also be held in amongst the FIFA Women's World Cup, adding a football-oriented atmosphere with all attendees having the opportunity to meet, greet and network during each of the four days the conference is run - featuring local and international contributors.

The highly-anticipated event will celebrate the rise and place of women in football, particularly as the Matildas push on to do the nation proud.

To register and to see the planned Conference Outline, you can find it here.

Places are limited and expected to fill quickly. Attending the conference from Tuesday to Thursday inclusive will add 30 points towards the maintenance and revalidation of AFC/FA Coach License Accreditation.

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The Connect & Support Participation Network will bring participation and inclusion staff together at Melbourne's Albert Park on Thursday, July 20.

This will welcome a variety of people from State Sporting Associations (SSAs), Local Government Authorities (LGAs), Regional Sport Assemblies (RSAs) and other peak bodies.

Made possible by Vicsport and VicHealth, the topic for the day will be Access All Abilities (AAA).

AAA Sports Ballarat will be represented by Kellie Britt, where she is the Founder and Coordinator of the not-for-profit organisation which provides grassroots sporting opportunities for children with special needs and disabilities.

As a mother of an autistic boy herself, she understands the importance of creating a welcoming and inclusive environment to play sport.

Britt manages the AAA Sport Consultancy, which offers practical workshops, guidance and support to schools, clubs, councils and individuals.

Britt will share her experience that spans across all sports - featuring programming, coaching and club structures.

The session details can be found below:

Time: 11am - 12:30pm

Date: Thursday 20th July 2023

Location: Champions Room, located at Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre

Contact: Meredith via admin@vicsport.com.au

Cost: FREE for Vicsport members | $25 for non-members

To register, click here.

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At Football Victoria's Community in Business Half-Time Luncheon, Michael Zappone sat down with three panel members to discuss the upcoming Women's World Cup, as he shared a discussion with Matilda cap #204 Karly Roestbakken, Young Matilda Paige Zois and Channel 7 commentator David Basheer.

The line-up of players in the Matildas' squad boasts a dynamic blend of youth and experience and is selected from across Australia, representing seven different Member Federations.   

The team will be led by forward Sam Kerr as captain in her fourth FIFA Women’s World Cup, and defender Steph Catley as vice-captain in her third appearance at the prestigious quadrennial tournament.

Lydia Williams and Clare Polkinghorne, revered figures in Australian football, have earned the distinction of being the only male or female Australian players to participate in five FIFA World Cup finals tournaments. Their inclusion in the squad is a testament to their immense skill, dedication, and enduring legacy. 

CommBank Matildas’ head coach Tony Gustavsson said the team are looking forward to sharing the FIFA Women’s World Cup experience with the nation. While he has selected 15 players who were part of the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign and with seven players in line to make their FIFA Women’s World Cup debuts.   

With all panel members stating the significance of the event, Basheer offered: “I think it’s going to be transformational for Australian soccer because the game grows every four year cycle, if things go right we could see a really special performance from the Matildas.”

The Matildas may have their best ever chance at lifting the world cup trophy, with the panel members all predicting Australia to win the tournament. Roestbakken discussed the confidence the team has, especially playing on home soil making it a special place to play and a motivational boost.

“In all four previous world cups I’ve covered, this is the deepest squad Australia has ever had” Basheer said after backing up everyone's prediction of Australia winning the tournament.

After being prompted ‘what do you think this will do for women's football in Australia’, Zois offered: “It’s a rare thing to have a world cup in your backyard, football has already come a long way and this world cup is an opportunity to further grow the profile of the sport in Australia and I’m excited to see the impact this has on the legacy we are all contributing to.”

Basheer added that the game has evolved heavily in the last 10 years, noting the Ireland women's national team - who are a competitor of the Matildas recently - recorded their highest ever crowd of 7,000, while the Matildas will soon play in front of 50,000 against France at Marvel Stadium. The numbers speak for themselves as the Matildas are building momentum heading into the tournament.

However, Zappone suggested the public aren’t aware of how big of a deal this is for the country. 

Basheer highlighted the Socceroos' success and the country heavily supporting them during their World Cup performance and suggests the same will happen with the Matildas. He spoke on the growth of the game but suggested the women's game has evolved almost too quickly and suggests the squad size should be 26 players so the game 'hasn’t got that right'.

Women's football as a whole will be positively impacted by the tournament and the excitement it will create amongst football fans.

“There’s a commercial market, it is a big sport waiting to show its face,” Basheer explained on the growth of the game.

The Matildas' opening match of the World Cup will take place on July 20 when they take on the Republic of Ireland on the opening day of the tournament.

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In the recent Football Victoria Community in Business (FVCIB) Half-Time Luncheon, Football Victoria Hall of Famer and Matilda cap #2 Dr Shona Bass delivered a powerful speech about the history of women's football in Australia - before the Matildas embark on a huge step forward when the nation co-hosts the FIFA Women's World Cup with New Zealand.

The domestic and international successes have included the introduction of the W-League in 2008 as well as The Matildas becoming AFC Asian Cup champions in 2010. The women's game in Australia is only progressing further in the current day and this World Cup will bring millions of new eyes to the Matildas team and their culture.

Shona Bass, originally from Greensborough in Victoria, was part of a group of pioneers in 1974 who started a state competition with enough teams for two divisions - western and eastern.

In 1979, history was made when The Australian Women's National Team competed in their first ever 'A' international, facing Trans-Tasman opponents New Zealand. Shona Bass was part of the 16-women squad who participated.

No governments were willing to pay an expense for the women's teams to travel abroad, one of the major obstacles that Shona mentioned in her recent speech.

She worked multiple jobs in order to pay for the privilege of putting on the Australian shirt and it was symptomatic of the troubles they faced earlier in the development of women's football a decade earlier.

Eventually, Bass would be involved in coaching and player development and was studying for a career in teaching at the time.

"Being a full-time footballer as a woman in Australia at the time was beyond dreaming," she explained in the speech.

Bass outlined the importance of taking a stand and progressing the game for women in order to create the current environment that has allowed them to co-host the World Cup.

"There have been key pivotal moments in Australian Women's football, and my own journey, and its those things that bring us to the world stage right now," she said.

Bass summarised her speech by explaining that how against all the odds and disapproval from the men in the 70's, they were able to create a force and change for women.

She also mentioned that the courage to make mistakes, persistence to pick themselves up from major obstacles and a healthy group of advocates by her side were the main reasons for their overall success in building a foundation for the next generation of women to progress.

It's the three C's that were vital in her journey; Choice, Chance, and Change.

"I cherish the strong women contributors who tirelessly invested and supported the women who played the game, and the game itself," Bass said.

"You must make a choice to take a chance, or your life will never change."

The growth of the game has grown exponentially over the last 25 years in particular, with the 1999 Women's World Cup marking a stepping stone in how the players were treated.

Australia still did not have much attention and respect, with the Matildas forced to train with second-hand equipment from the Socceroos, not getting paid and with very few games to play. However after that event, the 2000 Sydney Olympics provided them with a great chance to leap forward into the mainstream, and they took advantage of that opportunity.

Even in the current day, with the excitement, sold-out crowds, and parades around the country, there has been a lack of a real media push or presence through advertisements to sell the event as something even bigger than what it already is. A talking point that highlights there is still a long way to go in the progress of making the Matildas a household name in the country.

There is absolutely no doubt that the roaring success of the Matildas in this century would not have been possible if it was not for some of the amazing and inspirational people that brought the women's game out of decades of obscurity in the 1970's, with Shona Bass being one of them. Her hall of fame status in Football Victoria ranks as a symbol of her impact.

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Football Victoria's Community in Business (FVCIB) Half-Time Luncheon held on Friday, July 7, 2023 offered the perfect opportunity to celebrate the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 with a strong crowd in attendance at Leonda By The Yarra in Hawthorn, Melbourne.

FVCIB is a time for Victorian community members to network, reconnect and celebrate the game, with the Women's World Cup a key focus for this event.

Hosted by Michael Zappone, attendees were presented with a recap of the spectacular Home of the Matildas facility at La Trobe University to open proceedings, featuring a launch video and photos.

[caption id="attachment_20644" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Football Victoria’s Community in Business 2023 Half-Time Luncheon | Leonda by the Yarra, Hawthorn, VIC | July 7, 2023 | © Mark Avellino Photography[/caption]

One of the keynote speakers was Dr Shona Bass, Matilda Cap #2 and a Football Victoria Hall of Fame inductee. Her story was told in front of a captivated audience where she reflected on how the women's game started and what it has grown to at the present day.

Among the other highlights, Football Australia Legacy 23' Ambassador Kate Jenkins provided an address to guests, while a 'Locker Room' panel rounded out the afternoon, which included Paige Zois (Junior Commbank Matilda), Karly Roestbakken (Commbank Matilda) and David Basheer - he leads Channel 7's commentary team for the upcoming global tournament.

To see a full album of photos taken by Mark Avellino, you can click here.

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The long-standing collaboration between Football NSW and NOVA Employment as the presenting sponsor of the annual Football4All Gala Day has been extended, as confirmed by the member federation.

Football4All is a Football NSW programme that was launched in 2008 with the goal of providing persons with special needs or disabilities with a way to enjoy "The World Game" with family and friends.

With NOVA Employment returning as the naming partner for the NOVA Employment Football4All Gala Day, NOVA Employment Football4All League, and the NOVA Employment AWD Futsal League in 2023 and 2024, the partnership between Football NSW and NOVA Employment, which has been going for ten years, will continue.

NOVA Employment is a non-profit organisation that seeks to place disabled individuals in award-paying jobs among the general population. They are a Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE) Programme that works only with persons who have significant impediments to employment or a range of impairments and provides specialised job searching help and post-placement support.

Football NSW’s CEO John Tsatsimas was delighted with NOVA Employment’s partnership extension.

“I am pleased to announce the continuation of our long-standing partnership with NOVA Employment who have been instrumental in the growth of our inclusion programs in NSW,” he stated via press release.

“Through their support we have been able to kick many goals in this space and look forward to another successful two years starting off with this Sunday’s Football4All Gala Day.”

NOVA Employment’s CEO Martin Wren added via press release:

“We’re privileged to have worked together for 12 years, and the NOVA Employment Football4All Gala Day is one of the most enjoyable days of the year, If you haven’t been a part of it, you don’t know what you are missing out on.

“Participating in team sport is something NOVA Employment really encourages, and Football4All provides a fantastic environment where lifelong friends are made and skills developed in a safe and fun environment.”

The NOVA Employment Football4All Gala Day successfully took place on Sunday, 18th June at Valentine Sports Park.

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Football Queensland (FQ) have announced a radio partnership with popular Sunshine Coast radio stations Sea FM and Mix FM which will see them both provide broadcasting support across a range of big FQ events held within the Sunshine Coast.

The events included are: WinterFest23, FQ Junior Cup, the Pacific Club Championships and the FQPL 3 Sunshine Coast Grand Finals, running in-person activations with giveaways and broadcasting on air throughout the tournaments.

Football Queensland CEO Robert Cavallucci explained via press release about his excitement for what the partnerships will do for the future of football in Queensland as a whole.

“This radio partnership is a very exciting announcement for all looking to attend the events on the beautiful Sunshine Coast; it is always great to bring these events to the community with the support of local businesses, optimising the fan experience,” he stated.

“I would like to extend my thanks to both Sea FM and Mix FM teams for their support and we look forward to welcoming them to our events as our Queensland football talent is put on show.”

In Football Queensland's Strategic Plan, set for the 2023-2026 period, the organisation listed Participants and Clubs as their first major pillar and focusing point on the overall growth of the sport in the state and the country.

Their main focuses, listed in the Strategic Plan are: "to be the most accessible sport in Australia where everyone can play anytime, anywhere." which they continued by mentioning their 'drive to improve participation retention & growth, especially amongst women and girls.'"

Group Marketing Director Brooke Papamanolis shared the same enthusiasm for the move.

“We are thrilled to support Football Queensland with their 4 major events coming to the region this year across both of our brands forging an alliance that will elevate the passion and excitement of football across the Sunshine Coast,” she added via press release.

“This partnership will extend far beyond the field, as we will work hand in hand to support Football Queensland through joint initiatives and events as well as assisting in fostering a sense of unity and belonging amongst the Sunshine Coast football community.

“We look forward to playing a role in the growth and development of football in our region and can’t wait to get out there with the kids of the Sunshine Coast!”

Especially in the Sunshine Coast area of Queensland, this is a fantastic initiative to encourage the next generation of kids to participate in Football.

Clearly for Football Queensland and Australia, creating the transition towards a more modern and upgraded framework for developing talent in this country is of upmost importance, and lifting standards to match the world's best is next on their agenda.

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Football Coaches Australia is passionate about improving high performance environments for women football coaches in Australia.

In a collaboration between Football Coaches Australia (FCA), Global Institute of Sport (GIS) and XVenture, FCA will host a Women’s Football Summit at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Tuesday July 25, 2023. The Summit is being held exclusively during the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, which begins on July 20.

Hosted by BBC Sport Presenter Mark Clemmit, the Summit will focus on the Australian women’s coaching landscape, discussing the evolution of coaches and the cultural changes required for the women’s game, based on past and current experiences.

Accredited coaches who attend the Summit will receive 30 CPD Points as determined by Football Australia Coach Education

For full details and to register for the event, please visit the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/global-institute-of-sport-football-coaches-aus-womens-football-summit-2023-tickets-618400250797

The Summit will feature presenters who are  leading women’s football coaches and/or experts in their areas of coach and player professional development, wellbeing, advocacy and equity.

Belinda Wilson:

Belinda is the Senior Technical Development Manager at FIFA working with the Women’s Football Division based in Zurich She is responsible for developing and executing football development programs linked to the objectives of the FIFA Women’s Football Strategy.

Michelle De Highden:

Michelle is a member of the AIS High Performance Coach Development Team and is leading a national project to shift the dial on the underrepresentation and experiences of women in high performance coaching. Michelle is an experienced high-performance coach and coach developer, passionate about facilitating coach development at the high-performance level.

Aish Ravi:

Aish is a FCA Executive Committee member the Women’s Coaching Association Co-Founder/ Director , a Football Australia Women’s Council member; Secondary School and Tertiary Educator, Head Coach of Cobras FC. Aish has recently completed her PhD paper ‘Exploring the lived experience of women coaches in Australia’, which is the topic she will present at the Summit

Dr Deidre Anderson:

Dr Deidre Anderson AM is an outstanding social scientist and leader, who has worked with a variety of organisations and elite international athletes. She has held executive positions both at international and national level within elite sport and the private sector.

Mike Conway:

Mike is the founder/ CEO of  XVenture and was the Emotional Agility and Mental Coach, for the Socceroos at the FIFA  World Cup in Qatar having previously worked with Socceroos coach Graham Arnold as part of the team behind Sydney FC’s historic A-League Men’s success, He is a TV Director, writer, business leader, clinician and mental coach for organisations, teams and elite sports stars, senior executives and entertainers.

Glenn Warry:

Glenn is the CEO of Football Coaches Australia and has worked in professional sport since 1983 in all football codes in Club management and national player/coach professional development roles. FCA’s key pillars are advocacy, professional development, wellbeing and equity. Glenn is leading discussions with Football Australia and Australian Professional Leagues regarding benchmark employment conditions for coaches.

Mark Torcasio and Helen Winterburn - Western United Football Club Coaches

A-League Women’s Coach of the Year in Season 2022-23, Mark has been passionate about women’s football for many years and has only ever worked in the women’s game. He led Western United FC to the A-League Women’s Grand Final in their inaugural 2023/24 season. Western United welcomed Helen to the Club as the inaugural Liberty A-League Women Assistant Coach. After beginning coaching in the United Kingdom at the age of 16, Helen went on to earn UEFA B Licence and take on a four-year scholarship at Limestone University in South Carolina, United States.

The FCA/GIS expert football panel: Let’s Talk Football - FIFA Women’s World Cup

The expert football panel will discuss all the talking points of the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Members of the panel are:

• Gary Cole (facilitator): Host of “The Football Coaching Life” podcast and former Socceroo.
• Heather Garriock: Optus Sport Football Expert & 130-capped Matilda Midfielder; FA Board member; former A-Leagues coach - Canberra United FC; CEO Taekwondo Australia.
• Catherine Cannuli: Optus Sport; former Matilda; Technical Director Southern Districts Soccer Football Association; former Western Sydney Wanderers FC A-League Women’s Head coach.
• Sarah West: FCA Vice President; former Canberra United FC A-League Assistant Coach.
• Tom Sermanni: FCA Ambassador; Canadian National Team Assistant Coach; former Matildas, USA and New Zealand Head Coach.

Glenn Warry, Football Coaches Australia CEO:

“Football Coaches Australia seeks governance, professional standards, policies, regulations and professional development to appropriately support coaches within the women’s football coaching pathway and full time sustainable coaching roles at the professional level.

The A-League Women’s 2023-24 season will be a 20-round season extending to the full, 22 rounds (132 total matches) in 2024-25, bringing the league into line with global benchmarks. Whilst the structure was approved by the players through the Professional Footballers Australia, it is important that FIFA rules and regulation benchmarks, regarding the employment of coaches, are also adopted.

From an equity point of view, as we are about to kick off the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia, we only have two female head coaches appointed for the  A-League Women’s 2023-24 and only three women who hold a full time professional coaching role in the country.

We welcome coaches and leaders to join our outstanding speakers who will share their insights and drive interactive discussion in their areas of expertise, during the full-day professional development and networking event at the greatest sporting stadium in the world.”

Sharona Friedman, Global Institute of Sport President:

“We're delighted to be able to host the Women's Coaching Summit alongside our partners Football Coaches Australia during our annual student conference at the MCG.

This Summit is exactly what we aim to do at Global Institute of Sport to ensure our students have opportunities to learn from and network with the best in the game. It promises to be a fantastic opportunity not only for our sports degree students from across the globe but also for the Australian football industry to learn from those at the forefront of the drive for gender equity.

It is imperative that we work together as an industry and leverage the once in a lifetime opportunity of hosting the FIFA Women's World Cup to create an environment that helps to provide better and increased opportunities for female football coaches.”

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The long-term vision for Australia's sport industry will be discussed at the Business of Sport Summit, throughout an agenda-setting event.

Held on Wednesday, June 21, The Business of Sport Summit presents an unrivalled opportunity for the nation’s Sport leaders to connect, combat shared challenges, and leverage the opportunities this time in history presents.

Now in it's 12th year, the Business of Sport Summit has a wide array of speakers and influential people that shape the industry.

From footballing sense, the key 2023 speakers will be the following:

• James Johnson - Chief Executive Officer at Football Australia
• Dr Sheila Nguyen - Head of Sustainability at FIFA Women's World Cup 2023
• Alejandro Scannapieco - Chief Executive Officer at LaLiga Tech

In a time where fans are returning in waves in excitement and anticipation post lockdowns, it will focus on the next era of sport.

From unleashing the power of fans through to harnessing digital ecosystems, broadcasting innovation and live experiences, future trajectory of the industry will be analysed, as well as chart a new path to progress.

Registrations are still open for a limited time. For full details about how you can see the event in action, you can register HERE.

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In a collaboration between CMSport & Vicsport, they are running an in-person forum to encourage inclusion of women and girls from all backgrounds.

Taking place on Wednesday, June 21, the forum is hosted by Australian Athlete, Nana Owusu-Afriyie, who discusses her own learning through lived experience and best practice for engaging multicultural women and girls, by:

• Increasing participation among multicultural women and girls
• Recruitment and retention of female leaders
• Redistributing important knowledge by the sports sector

Event Details:

The day starts with a networking opportunity, before heading into a discussion with the host,keynote speaker, Aish Ravi (founder of the Women’s Coaching Association) and an expert panel:

• Meghan Mayman: Executive Officer of Regional Sport Victoria (RSV)
• Sarah Styles: Director of the Victorian Government's Office for Women in Sport and Recreation
• Marta Hintsa: Acting Senior Sport and Recreation Coordinator at Reclink Australia

A series of workshops are conducted by:

• Dr Tuba Boz (Research interests on social cohesion, migration and intercultural interaction) and Megan Harper (Sports Inclusion Officer at the City of Whittlesea in Melbourne’s North)
• Professor Clare Hanlon (Susan Alberti Women in Sport Chair, Victoria University), Amal Hassan-Ali (Western Bulldogs Community Foundation Community Programs Officer) and Nisha Wijesekera (Project Officer - Governance and Integrity, Sport and Recreation Victoria.

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Following the completion of Mental Health Round in conjunction with CALM Inc, the two organisations are teaming up to kick-off a number of information sessions.

The Mental Health Round is part of a multi-layer effort to raise awareness, promote education and support mental health.

It also aims to improve mental health outcomes for football players and community members, support connections to local mental health agencies, and empower clubs.

The following information sessions are taking place:

Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Webinar

Taking place on Monday, June 5 at 6:30pm (tonight) is the Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Webinar open to all members of the football community.

With a panel of mental health experts, topics for discussion are:

• How to navigate mental health in pressure situations
• Dealing with pressures from the outside
• Practical strategies to deal with mental health
• Who can I go to
• Q & A

Register for the Webinar here.

SafeTALK

SafeTALK Gatekeeper Training will also be provided to upskill coaches & volunteers of your club in suicide prevention strategies. (Face to Face workshop in the Hunter Region).

Register for SafeTALK here.

START

START allows all clubs/members, no matter their location, to complete suicide intervention training on the go, through a 90 minutes self-paced online course.

Register for START here.

Each of these programs have been supported by funding provided by NSW Ministry of Health.

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FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 and Destination NSW have teamed up to transform Sydney's iconic landmark on Sunday, June 25.

Dubbed the festival of football, it will celebrate the 25 days remaining until the official kick-off of FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023.

The exciting event will provide fantastic views of Sydney, where it will be a celebration of football, culture and community, all free to the public to attend.

As part of the celebration, fans will experience the unique opportunity of walking, jogging or dancing across Sydney Harbour Bridge, acknowledging all participating nations and creating fan engagement activations.

It's expected that thousands of fans will take part, involving grassroots and multicultural communities, coupled with local and international football legends  FIFA and NSW Government representatives will also be present.

“Football unites the world, and this month on the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge the power of our game to bring people together will once again be showcased,” FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura said via press release:

"This FIFA Women’s World Cup will truly be a unique event and a once-in-a-lifetime experience. With its thriving culture and world-class experiences, Sydney is a fantastic location to celebrate the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup. The Sydney Harbour Bridge will be the perfect setting to rally and unite our communities and create an enticing and distinctive experience that truly goes Beyond Greatness.”

Sydney will be one of the prominent nations throughout the upcoming tournament, hosting 11 matches in two venues, while also having the privilege of hosting the final.

“The FIFA Women’s World Cup is another mega event for Sydney, attracting thousands of visitors from around the world and millions of dollars in visitor expenditure for the state. NSW is ready to host football fans, families and visitors in Sydney to cheer on their favourite team at one of the biggest tournaments in the world,” Minister for Jobs and Tourism, John Graham, said via press release.

“Akin to hosting the first Women’s World Cup south of the equator, being part of this activation on our iconic bridge on June 25 is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I encourage football fans to get involved in the opportunity to help showcase our state and women’s football to the world.”

The Sydney Harbour Bridge will close to traffic on Sunday, June 25 from 4.00am to 10.30am (local time) for the FIFA Women’s World Cup event. The Sydney Harbour Tunnel will remain open, but delays are expected. Trains will continue to operate across the bridge and the footpath and cycleway will remain open. For more information on public transport visit transportnsw.info and for details on road closures visit livetraffic.com.

Click here register to be part of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Sydney Harbour Bridge celebrations.

The FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 will run from July 20 - August 20, 2023. To secure your tickets visit fifa.com/tickets.

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With the Women’s World Cup set to begin in just under 60 days’ time – areas and local clubs all around Australia and New Zealand are set to benefit from the monumental event.

Based in Werribee, Melbourne – the Moroccan Women’s National Football Team have selected Galvin Park Reserve as their training base for the upcoming Women’s World Cup.

Werribee City FC, who play their home games at Galvin Park Reserve, are already reaping the rewards of this outcome.

FIFA have invested $227,000 into the precinct, installing international standard LED Lighting on the main pitch as a part of the FIFA Training Site Infrastructure Grant program.

The club is thrilled to host the Moroccan side at their home ground and the Werribee area as a whole.

The Moroccan players are set to reside at Lancemore Mansion Hotel Werribee Park for their time in Melbourne.

“WCFC will be welcoming Morocco’s National Women’s Football team (Atlas Lionesses) where they will make their World Cup Debut,” a club statement read.

“The Atlas Lionesses will train at our fantastic venue while they prepare for and compete in the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

“This is an amazing opportunity for our entire club and all of our participants and the broader football community in Wyndham as we get to play an important part in a Football World Cup, one of the biggest sporting events in the world.

“Further to this, as part of the training base selection, FIFA have invested approximately $230,000 to install international standard lighting to our main pitch No.1 – with the new lighting enabling WCFC to play senior and U21 night matches.

“Congratulations to all involved and a huge thank you to everyone at Wyndham City Council who drove the entire process and provided WCFC with this fantastic opportunity.”

Wyndham City Council have recently completed a $3.8 million redevelopment of the pavilion at Galvin Park in 2021, which has left a lasting legacy for the local community there.

Wyndham City Mayor Cr Susan McIntyre expressed her delight for the Moroccan Women’s National Football Team to be based in the council area and claimed Wyndham itself is a made up of a “World Cup” type of community.

“We look forward to cheering the Morocco women’s national football team on, during the largest women’s sporting event on the planet, that showcases our region on a global stage,” she said.

“Our city is vibrant and diverse with more than 50 per cent of our residents born overseas coming from more than 160 different countries, we’re passionate about football and have the honour of being called home by Australia’s newest A-League Club, Western United FC.

“We are incredibly excited to inspire the next wave of spirited girls and boys who will commence their football journey across our nine community football clubs.”

Wyndham City’s Active City portfolio holder, Cr Peter Maynard, stated he was looking forward to the Moroccan Women’s national football team’s arrival in the coming days.

“It’s another milestone for football in Wyndham and marks an exciting year ahead, with the Regional Football Facility also on track for delivery later in 2023, further positioning Wyndham as the home of football in the west,” he said.

Western United is confident they will move into the Regional Football Facility out in Tarneit by July/August and begin to play A-League Women home matches out of their 5000-capacity training stadium by later in the year.

“Our city has much to offer visitors, located 30 minutes from the Melbourne CBD (with direct freeway access), Werribee is surrounded by natural beauty, with a stunning river, wetlands and coastal regions to explore and a cosmopolitan dining scene,” they said.

“Players, officials and fans will have the opportunity to explore our major attractions, including Werribee Park Mansion and the Werribee Open Range Zoo. that features many of Australia’s native animals.”

Morocco will be playing in their first ever Women’s World Cup later this year, playing games in Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth against Germany, South Korea and Colombia.

A full list of the 32 Teams and their Team Base camps can be viewed here.

The 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand will run from July 20 - August 20.

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Football Victoria held their Community in Business (CIB) Kick-Off Breakfast event recently, with a topic of discussion being on responding to the preferred communication preferences of an individual transmitting a message via email or phone call, as well as talking about the significance for The Home of the Matildas.

One of the panel representatives present at the event was women in sport advocate and communication expert, Carol Fox. She discussed her book Confident Communication for Leaders that she was the co-author of - providing the most effective methods for confident communication, including the ability to communicate through various platforms on the phone and email.

“Emails are really interesting when talking about communication because the problem with an email is you never get to see how it actually lands, so one of the reasons why we need rapport with our team members and our clients, if we ask a team member to do something if they like us they will do it for us, but emails are actually the one place where we lose rapport and we don’t even know,” she said.

“My lesson over the years in watching audiences has been in an ideal world you mirror how they start their email, how they finish their email and just leave the ‘cheers’ until someone cheers you.

“When talking about communication styles, there will be some people who would much prefer an email to a phone call, so it really comes down to what we enjoy and l think that’s the key with rapport - enter your clients model of the world, so if they like emails use email, if they like a phone call even if it’s not my favourite way of communicating then l pick up the phone.”

Fox then spoke about The Home of Matildas which is the largest football-specific infrastructure project in Australia’s history, the significance it will be for the sport, an elite facility made by women and for women.

“The most important thing is that football is competing against other sports so we need to be up there and providing facilities so that this sport is attractive to athletes.

“For our young girls to go there and see the Matildas, for them to see that and say ‘that’s what l want to be’ will be huge to have a stadium that’s being built for them, it’s about attracting them to the game and keeping them.”

Carol Fox remains a prominent and vocal advocate for an individual to be self-assertive when it involves tools for leadership giving women a platform to stand on and a presence on the field, in the workplace and in the boardroom.

Her book Confident Communication for Leaders can be ordered here.

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Football Victoria recently held their Community in Business (CIB) Kick-Off Breakfast event, with a topic of discussion being the obstacles that the state federation currently face, as well as the upcoming Women’s World Cup being mentioned.

One of the panel representatives to appear at the event was the CEO of Football Victoria, Kimon Taliadoros. He discussed the current state of football in the state, participation and also assisting the families who can’t afford to play the game.

“Our strategy says we should be doing three things - first and foremost we should make the game available to anyone who wants to play it, historically it’s been primarily the domain for men and boys and that’s not good enough, the game belongs to everyone,” he said.

“Historically and currently, it can be problematic for some families to afford to play it - again that’s not good enough, so these are the most significant challenges that we face and therefore they’re the ones we have to stand out and overcome and a lot of that comes back to how we work with our clubs and their communities to address those issues.

“It means having to change and accepting this change, but that might not be easy - it forces us to confront preconceptions and what we've always known.”

“All in all, it provides a really interesting time for us.”

Taliadoros then spoke about how the imminent FIFA Women’s World Cup can have a meaningful impact in the state, nationwide and more importantly in Asia and worldwide.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for us to have a meaningful impact on the trajectory and profile of football in this state and in this country, and for our reputation not just in Asia but globally, and to elevate what the Socceroos achieved so we go even further because we are hosting it and because it’s our very best women playing against the best in the world.”

The Women’s World Cup 2023 will commence July 20 at Eden Park in New Zealand, with the Matildas kicking-off their tournament later on at the newly rebuilt Sydney Football Stadium.

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At Football Victoria’s Community in Business Kick-off Breakfast, Jackie Sher from the Regan Milstein Foundation addressed the audience about the initiatives being put in place to highlight the true meaning of what they do.

The Reagan Milstein Foundation was established in honour of Reagan Milstein, a 14-year-old boy who loved sports and loved to help people. Unfortunately he was a victim of a freak diving accident in 2010.

The foundation was established to make sure every child is able to play and regardless of their personal circumstances, while also hoping that it will keep Reagan's memory alive in the community and ensure his wish to make a difference in the lives of others.

Jackie spoke about the foundation and mentioned the impact of Kevin Milstein on the progress of the foundation.

“He’s dedicated his life to the foundation. he's truly passionate about the wonderful game of football and what it means, especially for children,” she said.

“To date this year alone, we've sent football gear to 16 countries across the globe. From within Australia, across the Pacific and beyond to Africa and the Middle East.”

The Foundation has received gear from over 44 clubs and organisations across the globe and features Liverpool FC as an official charity partner in Australia. A collection bin was set up at the breakfast for anyone with any type of football gear to drop off, which in turn will get distributed to communities in need.

Jackie also highlighted the association with Football Victoria and the overriding goals for the foundation in the near future.

“Our aim is to ensure that no child is prevented from playing the game due to lack of equipment or lack of funds for club fees or transport and whatever. We hope that with the ongoing support of Football Victoria and you all here today we will be ever closer to achieving that goal,” she stated.

Every charity needs the support of communities and with a vast range of them associated and connected through the love for the global game foundations such has the Reagan Milstein Foundation, it plays an important part in development and nurturing of grassroots football.

To learn more about the RMF Foundation and Reagan Milstein, visit: https://www.rmf.world/

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Football Victoria's Community in Business (CIB) Kick-Off Breakfast took place at Ultra Football on Friday, May 12 - connecting clubs, government representatives and members of the football community.

Hosted by Michael Zappone and made possible by MSE Events Group, the morning was a great opportunity to network with likeminded people in the football industry, with coffee and food for guests to enjoy.

As a major partner, Ultra Football welcomed guests to the CIB Breakfast and proceedings took place on their indoor pitch.

The event featured speeches from Jackie Sher at the Reagan Milstein Foundation, as well as Football Victoria CEO Kimon Taliadoros.

In addition, Zappone ran a Q&A with Carol Fox, who assists clients with confident communication and shared her new book called 'Confident Communication for Leaders'.

Among the other highlights for the day were some prizes on offer from Ultra Football, as well as everyone breaking out into groups following the speeches to get to know each other and share little snippets about what they do.

At the conclusion of the event, Football Victoria Commercial & Sponsorship Coordinator Paul Iliopoulos spoke to Soccerscene about the Kick-Off Breakfast.

"We're really happy with the turnout and was a great vibe," he said.

"As the first business event of the year it was exciting and it was fantastic to see a mixture of people in the room, such as CEOs from A-League clubs, government representation and community NPL clubs.

"It was also brilliant to have our guest speakers such as Carol who is well respected in women's sport and her tips can relate back to all organisations on how to improve."

Community in Business Kick-Off is the first of three major events in the calendar year - coming up next is the Half-Time Luncheon at Leonda By The Yarra on July 7.

To become a member, you can find the membership packages here.

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Business First Travel will be the new Official Travel and Accommodation Partner for Football Queensland (FQ) in 2023.

The corporate travel company based in Brisbane will be the Travel and Accommodation Partner for every FQ representative program and all the major events - including but not limited to WinterFest, FQ Academy carnivals, National Futsal Championships and the FQ Community Cup.

FQ employees, also including coaches, educators and administrative staff will have the option provided by Business First Travel, for corporate and leisure travel.

Football Queensland CEO Robert Cavallucci said via press release:

“Delivering growth in commercial partnerships such as this agreement with Business First Travel, is just one-way Football Queensland is reinforcing the ‘Unifying Football’ pillar of the 2023-2026 Strategic Plan by forming these connections with the commercial sector.

“The partnership with Business First Travel will see improved administrative efficiencies through Zeno, the very latest cloud-based travel technology which is designed to be user friendly, and to ultimately achieve savings and deliver improved service.”

Business First Travel Executive Director Remy Koh said via press release:

“Our role is to play our small part to ensure football happens; from ensuring players, coaches and staff get to their matches well rested before kick-off, to stretching Football Queensland’s budget as far as possible, we will achieve this through our use of leading travel technologies, coupled with our team of expert travel managers who are also well versed in the niche requirements of groups and sporting travel.”

The corporate travel company offers services such as Travel Management, Airline and Hotel Perks, Private Charter, as well as Repatriation and Medical Travel.

Travel costs can amount to taking a significant hit to the budget of the company if not managed strategically. First Business Travel provides savings and risk reduction solutions.

To find out more about First Business Travel and its services, click here.

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Cadbury is continuing on with two of the biggest clubs in the English Premier League.

A British multinational confectionery company owned by Mondelez International, Cadbury has been working with Chelsea and Manchester United since 2020, supplying a sense of goodness for the initiatives of the community.

The partnership will scale up and bring forward the right set of circumstances to attract the powerhouse duo of English clubs and their faithful followers around the world, materialising by way of the creation of flavoursome dual-branded snacking items and national campaigns at the same time putting the community as a priority at the collaboration once again.

Particularly for Chelsea, it will include providing aid and encouraging greater inclusion for the deaf community across England, with statistics revealing 27 per cent of the British public say they don’t know how to approach or talk to someone who is deaf, leading to an obstacle between the deaf and hearing individuals resulting in missed opportunities of connection.

Manchester United CEO of Alliances and Partnerships Victoria Timpson said via press release:

“Both Cadbury and Manchester United take pride in supporting local communities, Cadbury recognises the ability football has in uniting fans for a common cause and we look forward to once again utilising the partnership to amplify important community campaigns.”

President of Businesses at Chelsea Football Club Tom Glick said via press release:

“We are proud of the impact that our partnership has had for our fans, both locally and internationally, our commitment to amplifying community-driven initiatives starts today, with the inclusion of a Chelsea fan from our deaf community in our renewal announcement.”

Sponsorship Lead of Northern Europe and Mondelez International Nick Rogers added via press release:

“At Cadbury, we’re dedicated to supporting families and fans, and, as we approach our 200^th birthday, our shared ‘glass and a half’ ethos with Manchester United and Chelsea has never been more important, in the last three years, we’ve supported over 700 businesses and 200,000 fans nationwide, donating millions of pounds worth of sponsorship assets, and we’re only just getting started!”

When the 2023/24 season commences in August, Cadbury will set in motion a massive ticket giveaway in its history, fans will be given the opportunity to win thousands of awards every week, counting hospitality experiences, match tickets and cash prizes. Click here to find out more.

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• Denmark v People's Republic of China on 22 July;
• Republic of Ireland v Canada on 26 July;
• Panama v Jamaica on 29 July;
• Haiti v Denmark on 1 August; and
• Morocco v Colombia on 3 August.

In a press release, Recreation Minister David Templeman said:

"With 99 days to go until the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023, the countdown is truly on, and I'm delighted to share that we're almost pitch perfect at Perth Rectangular Stadium.

"The McGowan Government funded project involves 800 rolls – about 30 truckloads – of grass, weighing 80 kilograms per square metre. The weight means it will be ready to play as soon as it is down, and the world-class hybrid turf is more durable, stable, and safe than the previous natural grass.

Overall, Perth Rectangular Stadium has undergone works to the tune of $35 million to make it Women's World Cup ready. This includes new change rooms, players tunnel and dugouts, as well as new LED floodlights that meet FIFA's broadcast standards, allowing our five WA hosted matches to be shown on TV."

The other improvements to the stadium include:

• New, larger high-definition video boards
• Revamped changing rooms
• A new tunnel for players to enter the pitch
• Facilities made more accessible
• New gates at the entrances to the ground

Perth Rectangular Stadium played host for Perth Glory against Adelaide United in their A-League Men's encounter, after the former was temporarily playing home fixtures at Macedonia Park as the changes took place.

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The Melbourne Victory Female Forum presented by AGL aims to unite and support female business leaders, linking several times annually on pertinent and crucial topical issues faced in the workplace every day, to inspire changes in the community.

The inaugural MVFC Female Forum took place on Thursday, March 9 in commemoration of International Women's Day and will recognise the significance of encouraging female leaders by promoting their increased representation in business and leadership positions.

Melbourne Victory Managing Director, Caroline Carnegie, who hosted the forum said via press release:

“We’re thrilled to be able to launch this initiative with AGL and be able to connect female leaders across a plethora of different industries to share their ideas in this space. The AGL Female Forum will be held multiple times over the year, bringing to the fore key topics and talking points for women in business and will host a range of high-profile guests in the industry, gaining invaluable insights into their career and experience.”

Prior to the final forum of the 2022–23 season in June, the next MVFC Female Forum presented by AGL will be held in May emphasising leadership development and strategies for getting the best performance out of staff.

AGL, GM Sales, and Channel Development, Melanie Laing during the forum added via press release:

“We have partnered with Melbourne Victory since 2014, so putting our name to this exciting new female forum was a natural extension for AGL I am delighted that it will bring together like-minded women from different industries, helping to inspire the next generation of female leaders.”

Overall the forum will provide a network for like-minded female executives to analyse strategies in business and the corporate world.

For more information on the Female Forum and how you can be part of the program, visit: https://mvfccorporate.com.au/female-forum/

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Heartbeat of Football has launched its first Heart Health Round, with the Make it Red campaign to be held on April 28-30, 2023.

Heart Health Round is a national awareness campaign that will turn sporting grounds red to remind us of heart disease and sudden cardiac arrest.

By playing or participating in red, a club or organisation will be raising funds to support life-saving heart research and to achieve the ultimate goal of having zero heart-related deaths on the sporting ground.

A fundraising target of $200,000 has been set to address the number one killer for men and women in Australia.

HOF Founder Andy Paschalidis said via press release:

“We want people to keep being weekend warriors and playing the sports they love, but we also want them to be able to return home to their loved ones - so being aware, informed and taking preventative actions is a great start,” he said.

“We are so appreciative that Bing Lee is supporting this life-saving initiative as the Official Sponsor of the Heart Health Round - Make it Red campaign and we hope it's part of a longer term community focused relationship.”

The initiative has also garnered the backing of Tim Cahill, Caitlin Foord and Heather Garriock - who provided messages of support and encourage everyone to get involved.

Bing Lee General Manager Peter Harris added via press release:

“One of our shop managers was playing a game of soccer a few years ago when someone on the field suffered a cardiac arrest on the field,” he said.

“Luckily there was a defibrillator at the ground and it saved his life.

“Too often we hear stories about fit and healthy people being active and doing what they love, and dying when they shouldn’t.

“This is our way of trying to eliminate those deaths and encouraging people to keep participating in sport without the fear that they might not make it through a game.”

Campaign Details

Date:  Friday 28 to Sunday 30 April 2023

Venue: Your Club. Your Ground. All sporting fields across Australia.

Fundraising Target: $200,000

Official Sponsor: Bing Lee

Funds Recipients: Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute; EndUCD and Heartbeat of Football

Supporters: Football NSW, Northern NSW Football, Football Victoria, Professional Footballers Australia, Football Coaches Australia, Heart Foundation, Heart of the Nation, Response for Life, Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, EndUCD and more.

Community sporting clubs can register to take part in the Heart Health Round - Make it Red by visiting heartbeatoffootball.com.au/makeitred.

Or you can simply Donate to this campaign here.

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The Australian College of Physical Education (ACPE) will hold a Coach Mentoring Course on March 18-19.

The university in Sydney, who is partnered with Football Coaches Australia, will conduct the course where coaches will enhance their coaching and mentoring skills, learn to be more effective as a change agent, and explore self-awareness - including one’s own personal leadership potential and how to influence others.

There is the opportunity to engage in discussion with academic and industry experts, while exploring issues and able to learn in a collaborative, personalised and nuanced way.

The keynote presenter, Dr. Gareth Jones, has been immersed in delivering coaching and mentoring courses both in education settings and in high-performance sports contexts.

Dr. Jones has also acted as a personal coach/mentor to international coaches for Sports Coach UK, while also working as a consultant to the Rugby Football Union and the English Football Association.

A discount is available for FCA Members and you can register your interest here: https://acpe.edu.au/courses/short-certification-course-for-sport-coach-mentoring/ 

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For the very first time in the competition's 150-year long history, the Emirates FA Cup touched down in Australia, as part of an international tour spanning multiple countries.

Alongside Malaysia's Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Seoul's South Korea, Sydney was the representative for Australia in a landmark occasion celebrating the rich and authentic heritage that the cup brings.

In collaboration with Paramount+, the tour was also made possible by The Football Association (FA) Commercial Director, Navin Singh.

Having been at the FA for a year now, Singh has played a pivotal role in managing the organisation's commercial strategy and digital transformation for not only the men's and women's FA Cup, but also Wembley Stadium connected by EE and the Barclays FA Women’s Super League.

Speaking exclusively to Soccerscene, Singh shares the key objectives behind the tour, engaging with a wide audience and future plans for the competition itself.

Were there many discussions surrounding the tour to Sydney and what did it take to get it off the ground?

Navin Singh: Yes, there were a number of discussions and months of planning.

We have worked with our delivery partners who know the region to ensure we deliver appearances and events that are both engaging for the participants and media worthy, to help spread the message of what the competition does.

I'd like to give a huge thanks to our broadcast partner Paramount+ who have been instrumental in making this event happen.

Can you give a rundown of what you hope to achieve as part of this tour?

Navin Singh: We want to continue to grow the international appeal of the Emirates FA Cup.

For that to happen we must engage directly with the fans in these international regions that have a passion for the product – helping us to ensure there is fan retention and aiding with attracting greater audiences in the future. The trophy coming to the region is just one way of trying to achieve this.

We want to entertain and excite fans with the stories of unparalleled drama of FA Cup football and demonstrate why it's the greatest domestic knockout tournament in the world. We are also demonstrating value to our broadcast partner (Paramount+), who have helped shed the competition in a positive light.

Is there a reason why Sydney has been targeted as the first destination in Australia?

Navin Singh: Sydney, like many Australian cities, has a rich sporting history.

We could have gone to a few cities, but the opportunity that Sydney provided, by working closely with our broadcast partner as well as Sydney FC, meant it was the right fit.

Given this is the first time the trophy has touched down in Australia, is it fair to say that this is the start of strengthening the relationship between the Australian football fanbase?

Navin Singh: We feel we have a good relationship with the Australian fanbase already, but will always want to strengthen any relationship.

We want to show our commitment to them and our commitment to growing the competition in this region and the trophy tour is one way of demonstrating that.

We know the Australian audience is engaged with English football and our products. There are a number of ex English Premier League players, both currently playing or managing a team in the A-League as well. There are also several Australians with a club who are yet to be knocked out of the Emirates FA Cup.

We hope to continue to strengthen our relationships via tactics such as this tour, in addition to working closer with our broadcast partner to ensure the fans are able to watch the best of the action.

Are there any business objectives that the tour may help the FA achieve?

Navin Singh: There are two key goals that the organisation is hoping to achieve.

We're looking at the growth of our domestic and international audience – with an increase in engaged fans being healthy for any brand.

The second target is to continue to strengthen relationships with the fanbase and our broadcast partner Paramount+, as the agreement continues to evolve.

Hopefully we are able to carry out more tours like this in the future to help spread the message.

At this stage, what is the state of play regarding worldwide media rights, and do you expect any upcoming changes?

Navin Singh: The FA has an existing agreement for the FA Cup media rights in APAC (including Australia), Africa, Latin America and Eastern Europe, which lasts until the completion of the 2023/2024 season. The FA will go to tender for the FA Cup broadcast rights in these regions in March.

You can catch all the action of the FA Cup on Paramount+, with every match streamed live and on demand.

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Jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand, the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 is going to be one of the biggest events on the calendar for Western Australia.

Football West, the sole governing body for football in Western Australia, has ensured that the state is prepared and enthusiastic about being given the opportunity to host matches at their historic venue, Perth Rectangular Stadium.

As part of the build up to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and beyond, Football West has put together their Legacy Plan, recently announcing its first female football Legacy Ambassador - resource geologist, Ivy Chen.

The Legacy Plan focuses on delivering lasting benefits for the football community of Western Australia. Aimed at creating opportunities and enduring outcomes, paying particular attention to female football, the FIFA Women’s World Cup will bring a lot of awareness around female participation and the surrounding community.

Along with inspiring males and females of all ages to become involved in the sport, the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup is anticipated to bring in millions of dollars of economic benefits to the state. The five matches scheduled in Perth will no doubt generate more tourists and promote the state in all corners of the globe.

Acknowledging the persuasion the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup can have in highlighting everything Western Australia, and Perth in particular, has to offer, Chen expressed her excitement about the potential benefits the FIFA Women’s World Cup can bring for the state in a statement: 

“I think that the Women’s World Cup is going to bring so many new people to Perth. A lot of people who watch soccer are going to see us, WA, Australia in general, will probably have never even thought to have come here,” she said.

“It’s going to be a whole new demographic, and they’ll all learn about us”.

In order to meet FIFA venue requirements for the upcoming World Cup, Perth Rectangular Stadium is currently undergoing a variety of improvements.

The upgrades, worth $35 million, will be advantageous to the state, competition and future matches and events held at the stadium. New lighting, turf replacement, and new player races and bench areas are just some of the integral upgrades being conducted at the Perth stadium.

The Australia and New Zealand 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup begins on July 20, with Denmark vs China scheduled to be the first of the five games played at WA’s Perth Rectangular Stadium on July 22. The match is set to be a thriller, with only limited tickets remaining.

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Football Queensland's annual State Referee Conference returns for 2023, which is set to be held on Saturday January 21 and Sunday January 22, 2023.

The state federation will be providing greater flexibility to view the conference, with a hybrid set up allowing those who are interested with adequate access.

Attendees are invited to join the in-person event at St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace or can also join Saturday’s sessions via an interactive virtual platform from one of 11 regional hubs. 

The 2023 Assessor Seminar will be held in-person on day two of the event, welcoming assessors and any referees who wish to mentor next year. 

“Ahead of the 2023 season kicking off, new and experienced referees from every level of the game across the state are invited to join us for the State Referee Conference which is always a highlight of the Queensland football calendar,” Football Queensland CEO Robert Cavallucci said in a statement. 

“After successfully hosting this year’s conference online due to the impacts of COVID-19, we’re excited to offer a new hybrid format for the State Referee Conference in 2023 to accommodate match officials in every part of the state. 

“For the first time, hubs will be created across all regions to allow local referees to attend the virtual version of the conference in a physical venue alongside their peers. 

“We’re delighted to be able to provide this opportunity for our Queensland match officials to come together in each region, not only to learn but also to build relationships and get to know each other ahead of the 2023 season.” 

Registrations for the physical event at St Joseph's College, Gregory Terrace will be snapped up quickly as only 200 spaces are available - metro-based referees are encouraged to register as soon as possible.

For those unable to attend the physical events hosted at FQ’s regional hubs, the conference will also be available to view from home via the virtual platform. 

Further information on the 2023 State Referee Conference guest speakers and agenda will be confirmed in due course. 

Register here to attend the physical event at St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace 

Register here to view the conference online from a regional hub or from home 

2023 STATE REFEREE CONFERENCE – REGIONAL VENUES

South Coast
Gold Coast Croation Sports Centre
181 Nerang Broadbeach Rd, Carrara QLD 4211 

Darling Downs
Clive Berghofer Stadium
47 Arthur St, Toowoomba City QLD 4350 

Sunshine Coast
Maroochydore FC
462 Maroochydore Rd, Kuluin QLD 4558 

Bundaberg 
Martens Oval
8 Ritchie St, Norville QLD 4670

Hervey Bay 
Fraser Coast Sports Precinct
Woods Rd, Nikenbah QLD 4655 

Gladstone
Philip Street Communities & Families Precinct (Maxine Brushe Meeting Place)
1 Pengelly St, West Gladstone QLD 4680 

Rockhampton  
Frenchville FC  
105 Clifton St, Berserker QLD 4701 

Mackay 
Mackay Football Park
Corner Heath Road and, Glenella Rd, Glenella QLD 4740

Townsville
Brolga Park
William Angliss Dr at Murray Sporting Complex, Annandale QLD 4814 

Mt Isa
Venue TBC

Cairns 
Endeavour Park
Mayers St, Manunda QLD 4870

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Over the years, the Shepparton Cup has been a staple in the football calendar. It is an event which has plenty to offer, not only for young girls and boys but for the community as well.

The town of Shepparton receives enormous economic injection through the tournament and is an ideal weekend getaway for families of all sizes.

The event provides an opportunity for rising stars of the game to participate, with the overall quality of the tournament improving every year. A very successful Goulburn Valley Suns team won back-to-back Cups in the U16 division during 2018 and 2019, which at the time featured Socceroo Garang Kuol, his brother Teng Kuol and Melbourne City goalkeeper James Nieuwenhuizen.

Australian Football Skool (AFS) has been organising events like the Shepparton Cup since 2007 and has seen tens of thousands of great players participate in these events.

Another key Socceroo in Ajdin Hrustic participated in the 2007 and 2008 editions of the tournament, winning all accolades as an outstanding junior player who showed he had the x-factor, even at the tender age of 12.

Unfortunately, due to the unprecedented flooding which had a significant impact in Melbourne and regional Victoria, the Shepparton Cup had to be cancelled for a third year in a row as the facilities and the entire surroundings had been severely damaged.

In an exclusive chat with Soccerscene, Rolando Navas, the founder and a member of the board of directors for AFS, shared some insights from the family-owned business who have been organising the Shepparton Cup for many years now.

He also touched upon their commitment and ways of helping the Shepparton community during this difficult moment in time.

Since the event was cancelled the AFS has partnered with Greater Shepparton Foundation, how did this come together?

Rolando Navas:  The AFS has been hosting the competition in Shepparton for over 10 years now. It started with 40 teams and the highest we have had is 287 teams. We haven’t been able to host the event for a couple of years now due to Covid and the floods earlier this year, so we collaborated with the Greater Shepparton Foundation along with other partners to help the people affected by the floods.

The Shepparton Cup is more than just a sporting event for the community. We teamed up with the foundation in assisting the town to navigate through this unprecedented time and help spread some positivity. This is the biggest football tournament in Victoria, and it means a lot to us.

You mentioned that the Shepparton Cup is more than just a sporting event for the community. What impact does the cup have?

Rolando Navas: It’s massive for the community with respect to attracting over 10,000 people over a weekend. Local accommodations are boosted during the cup weekend, as well as other various local businesses such as sporting outlets, food markets and the surrounding towns of Shepparton due to this influx of people over the course of the event. Grassroots soccer clubs and associations also benefit as they often organise catering for the teams involved and the local food truck businesses also receives a massive boost during the event.

The atmosphere we want to create is more of a carnival type and not just a sporting event. We had planned to have a local expo this year to encourage families who aren’t involved with soccer to showcase their artwork and handicrafts. The cup also provides councils an ideal platform to market themselves and the tourism sectors of Shepparton and its neighbouring flourishes along with creating employment for local contractors, referees and many more to help stage this carnival.

The Shepparton Cup is massive, and we hope to see it return in the near future. What are the things to look out for during next year’s event?

Rolando Navas: There is a massive appetite for the event. I always get asked about it and we continuously look for ways to grow and expand. It is one of AFS’s marquee events and we are working towards getting teams from not just other states but also international teams from New Zealand and Asia to grow the cup into the biggest - not just in the state but also the country. We are also working closely with the council to cater for the demand and have added another venue in Mooroopna which is an eight minute drive from Shepparton. We also want to add more accommodation options for the expected influx of guests for the cup as well. We intend to raise awareness through our other events that run throughout the year and tentatively plan to host the Shepparton Cup in October 2023.  Additionally, we have organised an indoor flood relief futsal event in February 2023 to help the town and bring positivity to the community. Shepparton is our flagship event and we are constantly looking to evolve this further.

AFS also partnered with Shout For Good, how did this come along?

Rolando Navas: They are a great platform to fundraise which doesn't charge any fee and collects funds sophisticatedly along with being tax beneficial for all donors.  We reached out to them and we plan to work with them for future events. In addition, we introduced them to the Greater Shepparton Foundation which is a charity themselves and all three organisations decided to collaborate to help provide relief for the town.  All the funds being donated go directly to the people who are in need and are recovering from the floods.

You can make a donation via the Greater Shepparton Foundation, which will provide valuable assistance towards the Shepparton Cup and local community.

To donate, please click here.

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In an event hosted by Investopia on December 8, 2022, global business leaders, football league senior official and policy makers discussed the future of sports investment.

Among the attendees were H.E. Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Chairman of Investopia, and Bernard Caiazzo, President, Global Football Alliance and President, World Corporate Summit.

Investopia is a global investment platform, who is partnership with World Corporate Summit (WCS), delivered sessions that centred around the current FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

The event’s 10 sessions covered major topics in sports business - from Harnessing the Media Power of Sports for Business to Creating Global Champions in Sport, Achieving Sustainable Development Through Sports, Unique Assets: Alternative Opportunities in Sports Finance, The Future Now: Innovation in Sport, The Intersection of Technology and Health in Sports, and Building the Smart Stadiums of the Future.

Investopia CEO Mohamed Naser Al Zaabi said in a statement:

“Investopia, the global investment platform, engages with business leaders and decision makers at the global level, in all prominent business events, in order to achieve its vision of creating and leading global dialogues to discuss economic topics, and channel investments towards sectors of the new economies. In partnership with the World Corporate Summit Investopia concluded today special event on sports which also comes within the context of the FIFA World Cup 2022. The event was rich with profound discussions about sports and football industry that attracts millions of people, particularly football, aiming to enhance the benefit from the promising economic aspects of sport activities.”

Bernard Caiazzo added via press release:

“Sport has the power to change the world. The World Cup demonstrates this by uniting more than 4 billion people around the globe over four weeks.”

“Investopia: The Future of Sport will bring together decision-makers from the most prestigious professional clubs and leagues major investors and brands to discuss the future of the sector, which has evolved more in the past 10 years than in the previous 30 years, and is on track for tremendous growth over the coming decade.”

Prominent sports personalities from international football clubs have also attended the event, such as La Liga President Javier Tebas, and Vincent Labrune from French soccer's Professional Football League (LFP).

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Ernie Merrick has been confirmed as a keynote speaker for the 2022 Northern NSW Football Coaching Conference, to take place on Sunday, December 4.

Merrick, who is Football Australia's Chief Football Officer, is highly regarded as a two-time A-League Premiership and Championship winning coach with Melbourne Victory.

With his background not only at the Victory but also Newcastle Jets and Wellington Phoenix in the A-League and internationally for the Hong Kong National Football Team, Merrick has a wealth of knowledge in player development and elite football coaching.

As Chief Football Officer, Merrick plays an integral role in the key objectives expressed in Football Australia’s XI Principles for guidance and decision making within the national governing body.

The conference is an opportunity to upskill for season 2023, with an informative day of lectures and workshops from high profile industry leaders and experts.

Attendees will gain player centric insights, tips and processes to implement next year. Participants are also eligible for 30 CPD points by taking part.

2022 NNSWF Coaching Conference details

• Date: Sunday 4 December 2022
• Time: 9:00am - 3:30pm
• Location: Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility (Jet’s seminar room)
• Cost: $100 per person
• Who: Open to all coaches, with individuals holding a current advanced license receiving 30 CPD points
• Register here

Previously announced NNSWF Coaching Conference speakers:

Northern NSW Football has released the details of the first three keynote speakers and has plans to announce additional speakers in the coming weeks.

Warren Grieve, Technical Director, Football NSW 

Warren Grieve is Football NSW’s Technical Director, his role is to improve the up and coming talent of both players, coaches, and support staff, providing a challenging and rewarding environment for all to develop.

Grieve has spent the last 14 years in Australia and held the role of Technical Director for Capital Football. He holds his AFC/FA Pro Diploma and is an active Advanced Coach Developer for the FA C, B and A licence.

Dr O’Neil Maharaj, Director of Sports Medicine and Counselling, Return 2 Play

Dr O'Neil Maharaj from Return 2 Play Medical is an ACA accredited counsellor, ACA counselling supervisor, Sports Doctor and university educator.​ He is an Associate Lecturer at the University of Newcastle.

His approach to sports medicine is to 'walk beside you'. Dr Maharaj is eager to find out who his patients are beyond their injuries. This ensures they receive appropriate instruction and have an individual recovery plan.

Ryan Doidge, Talented Player and Coach Development Manager, Northern NSW Football

Ryan Doidge is Northern NSW Football’s Talented Player and Coach Development Manager; his role is to oversee the talented player pathway and all coach education across northern NSW.

Since commencing his role in July 2022, Doidge has played a part in managing our players on the talented player pathway at National Youth Championships and at the SingaCup in Singapore. He has also provided opportunities to over 90 coaches to start their advanced coaching journey and to nearly 50 coaches to complete their outstanding advanced assessments.

Through previous roles with New York Red Bulls, Western Sydney Wanderers, North Shore Mariners, Northbridge Bulls and Dee Why FC, Doidge has built a wealth of experience in improving opportunities for players and coaches.

Doidge is accredited by Asian Football Confederation and Football Australia to deliver B and C advance coach accreditation courses and has earned an AFC A coaching licence.

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Over the weekend, FIFA announced that Commonwealth Bank (CommBank) has signed on as a FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Official Supporter for next year’s tournament, with the bank further affirming its commitment and investment into women’s football.

By supporting the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023, Commonwealth Bank becomes one of the largest brand investors in women’s sport in Australia – which only further highlights the growth and trajectory of the game not only locally, but across the globe.

CommBank and FIFA will work together on many initiatives and activations as the countdown to the largest women’s sporting event on the planet continue, most notably the CommBank FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Player Escort Programme, which will see 1,500 children aged 6-10 accompany players onto the pitch before matches in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Sarai Bareman, FIFA Chief Women’s Football Officer, said in a Football Australia statement:

“Through their investment in Australian football since 2021, Commonwealth Bank has demonstrated a genuine commitment to growing women’s football participation, creating opportunities, and championing leadership. These goals are closely aligned with the objectives of FIFA’s own women’s football strategy, so this partnership truly is an exceptional fit. We look forward to working closely with Commonwealth Bank over the coming months as together we aim to inspire kids and communities through the power of women’s football.”

Monique Macleod, Group Executive Marketing and Corporate Affairs, Commonwealth Bank, said via press release:

“This is an exciting time for women’s sport in Australia and around the world. With 64 games taking place in Australia and New Zealand, the FIFA Women’s World Cup is the biggest women’s sporting event in the world. Following almost 25 years of investing in women’s sport through our partnerships with Football Australia and Cricket Australia, this partnership reinforces our commitment to supporting Australian football from the grassroots to the elite level.”

Sam Kerr OAM, Captain of the Matildas, Australia’s senior women’s national football team, added via press release:

“When I was growing up, women’s football didn’t have the visibility and support it has today. To have a partner like CommBank supporting the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 shows how far we’ve come. I want to use the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 as a way to show all Australian girls that they can achieve great things through football.”

Under the arrangement, ASB in New Zealand will be actively involved in leveraging the rights in Aotearoa New Zealand.

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The celebratory atmosphere sparked by the CommBank Matildas’ 4-0 triumph over world No. 2 Sweden on Saturday at Melbourne's AAMI Park was further enhanced by Football Australia’s induction of six greats of Australian football into the Football Australia Hall of Fame.

Matildas’ greats Moya Dodd and Collette Gardiner (née McCallum), former Socceroos’ Head Coach Ange Postecoglou, globally revered administrator Brendan Schwab, leading Tasmanian media personality Walter Pless, plus past Socceroo and significant contributor to the Australian game off the pitch, Ted Smith, joined an esteemed list of Australian football personalities in the Football Australia Hall of Fame.

All six were nominated to be inducted into the Football Australia Hall of Fame via a public process, with the nominees then considered by a panel of Australian football historians.

The panel of historians provided their recommendations to the Football Australia Board, with Football Australia’s Directors subsequently ratifying each person’s elevation into the Football Australia Hall of Fame.

Football Australia Chair Chris Nikou said in a statement:

“The Football Australia Hall of Fame is the highest honour bestowed upon players and participants who have served the game – either on or off the field – with distinction, with no better demonstration of this than our Class of 2022.

“These six highly regarded figures of the Australian football community have not only made significant contributions at a local and national level but in the case of Moya (Dodd), Ange (Postecoglou), and Brendan (Schwab), their impact and influence has been felt on the global stage.

“With Australia to co-host the FIFA Women’s World Cup next year, it’s timely that one of Australia’s greatest female footballers in Collette Gardiner is acknowledged for her pioneering feats, along with former Socceroo Ted Smith who continues to play an important role with our men’s national team, and Walter Press for his unwavering dedication to the promotion of football in Tasmania.”

Since the initial induction of 84 players and participants in 1999, more than 250 male and female players, coaches, referees, administrators, and media representatives have been recognised for their outstanding contributions to our game.

Following the induction of the sextet, Football Australia Chief Executive Officer James Johnson added via press release:

“The Football Australia Hall of Fame is an exclusive club featuring members of our community who have represented Australia with the highest of distinction, have influenced the corridors of power to drive our sport forward, or given tirelessly to support the growth of the game.”

“The six newest inductees are outstanding ambassadors for Australian football, and I would like to provide our warmest of congratulations to Moya (Dodd), Collette (Gardiner), Walter (Pless), Ange (Postecoglou), Brendan (Schwab), and Ted (Smith) on their richly deserved recognition and thank them for their important contribution to our great game.”

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In the seventh year of John Moriarty Football’s (JMF) delivery of its Indigenous Football Week initiative, the transformative organisation has embraced a theme of ‘Mayamantharra’ to honour the community support that has allowed the JMF program to run consistently.

Translating to ‘collaboration’ in the Yanyuwa language – which is spoken by families in Borroloola, Northern Territory, John Moriarty’s birthplace – Mayamantharra is intimately tied into the Moriarty Foundation’s delivery of the JMF program in remote and regional Indigenous communities around Australia.

Having grown from 120 children in Borroloola to now delivering to 2,000+ Indigenous children in 19 communities and 23 public schools across three states, the JMF program has both nurtured budding Indigenous footballers and assisted in areas of education, health, mental health and community engagement.

Soccerscene sat down with JMF Program Director Jamie Morriss and Wailwan woman and JMF Dubbo Community Coach Jorja Fuller, to discuss the significance of and opportunities that arise from Indigenous Football Week.

The theme for this year’s edition of Indigenous Football Week is “Mayamantharra: Partnerships for Success”. What is the intention behind this theme?

Jamie Morriss: Mayamantharra translates to ‘collaboration’ in the Yanyuwa language, spoken by families in Borroloola, NT, John Moriarty’s birthplace and where John Moriarty Football (JMF) was established in 2012.

The continued delivery of JMF is made possible by the partnerships we have at the community, national and international level.

JMF is embedded in the local communities we deliver in. As such, we work closely with local community groups, councils, schools, businesses and local health organisations. For instance, throughout the year our JMF Select team in Borroloola, NT is invited to play in Katherine, the closest town with an organised football club. Katherine is a 7-hour drive and we have to stay overnight when the team goes to play. These trips are made possible by the support of organisations like MacArthur River Mine Community Benefits Trust, Roper River Council as well as local businesses.

Earlier this year, Indigenous Football Australia (IFA), which oversees the delivery and expansion of JMF, formed a partnership with adidas. The partnership will see adidas sponsor JMF scholarships and provide high quality football equipment, including footballs, boots, and bags; as well as custom uniforms.

When we talk about success, we don’t just talk about the successful delivery of JMF, it also refers to the successful transformation outcomes JMF has. JMF is achieving proven progress in 13 of the 17 Closing the Gap targets and we have a track record of improving school attendance and achieving resilient, healthier outcomes for some of Australia’s most remote Indigenous communities.

What initiatives will the Australian Professional be delivering and promoting as a part of Indigenous Football Week? 

Jamie Morriss: We are very proud to have A-Leagues as a partner for IFW22. IFW22 will be the centerpiece of the Round 4 of the Isuzu UTE A-League Men 2022/23 season. Each match will include a Welcome to Country ceremony, a celebration of Indigenous culture and the opportunity for fans to join our story and donate to further the work of JMF. Expect to see a lot of Indigenous Football Week artwork at the games, plus lots of coverage about our story across A-Leagues’ channels, plus on Channel 10.

A-Leagues and Paramount+ (Channel 10) are also taking part in our IFW22 Charity Football Tournament on 25 October at Allianz Stadium in Sydney. They are part of 10 teams that are competing and raising money for JMF.

From starting with 120 children in Borroloola, to now delivering the John Moriarty Football program to over 2,000 Indigenous children across three states, why has JMF been so successful?

Jamie Morriss: We succeed because we are Indigenous-founded, Indigenous-delivered, embedded, holistic and authentic. JMF is co-designed and community-led. In each of the communities we deliver in we work closely with a Community Advisory Group made up of community Stakeholders, Elders, and Traditional Custodians, to guide and advocate for JMF.

We are deeply embedded in the communities we deliver in and have a permanent presence, we are not a fly-in, fly-out program with a sporadic presence. Our coaches come from the local community, they often know the children and families we deliver to, they understand the challenges, they are trusted.

Jorja Fuller: JMF has only been running in Dubbo for three years, but in that time it has become a trusted community organisation. We often participate in community events to help out because we are embedded in the community and highly respected by children and families.

How important is the continued embracing of initiatives supporting Indigenous communities to the growth of Indigenous football?

Jamie Morriss: There is enormous football talent in the communities we deliver to and for the most part, football as a sport is not well represented in these areas. The predominant sport tends to be AFL or rugby. Programs like JMF provide pathways for Indigenous players, through our grassroots delivery, Scholarship program and the coaching career opportunities we provide in local communities. These can be pathways to a better future through health and education, or through the game itself.

Right now, we have 14 players in our Scholarships program. Some based in their local community getting support with mentoring, advanced coaching, school tutoring, equipment, club fees and more. A number are studying in top sport high schools in Sydney. They are a talented bunch and we are confident we have some future stars of the game in the group.

Jorja Fuller: In the Dubbo region we’ve seen a growth in the uptake of football thanks to JMF. A lot of this is because of our school programs, the kids love it and so do the teachers. After a JMF session they focus more on their school work and they are more likely to come to school on the days JMF is running. We even see small clubs are having more junior registrations.

Jamie Morriss: For around 20 years the Peak Hill local football club had no junior teams due to a lack of participation. However, after JMF began delivering our in-school program to the local public school, interest began increasing and the club entered a junior team for the first time in 20 years.

What are the next steps for John Moriarty Football in the coming years?

Jamie Morriss: Under the guidance of our Indigenous Football Australia Council we’d definitely like to grow our program to reach more communities and Indigenous children. We’d also like to guide more aspiring young Indigenous footballers into pathways to advanced and elite football, like our Inaugural JMF Scholarship holder Marra women Shadeene Evans, former Young Matilda who will be playing in the upcoming A-Leagues Women season for Sydney FC.

We get asked all the time by schools and communities around Australia to bring JMF to their children as they see the success we are having at building health, wellbeing and resilience, as well as promoting education. We’d love to be able to answer the call, it really comes down to funding which is why Indigenous Football Week is so important. This year we are asking football fans to make donations to support our work.

The post Mayamantharra theme drives Indigenous Football Week 2022 appeared first on Soccerscene.

Football Victoria’s recently held Community in Business (CIB) event saw women’s football discussed in depth by a panel of representatives from the sport.

Taking place at Hyatt Place Essendon Fields, the latest edition of Football Victoria’s annual celebration of the state’s burgeoning football industry provided an opportunity for Football Australia Head of Women's Football Sarah Walsh, young Matilda Naomi Chinnama, and Football Australia Legacy Ambassador Azmeena Hussain to explore the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for women’s football in the lead-in to the men’s and women’s World Cups.

Speaking on her excitement for the year ahead in Australian football, Ms. Walsh (a Matildas legend and longtime advocate for the growth of women’s football) acknowledged the steps being taken to effectively capitalise on the momentum of the international tournament.

“I’ve started to see through this major event and hosting it, that we’ve been able to elevate our sport within conversation with not just major corporate and government but within the sports sector itself,” Ms. Walsh said.

“As an organisation I’ve got Arnie [Socceroos head coach Graham Arnold] in front of me and there’s no doubt we have a massive 10 months ahead. We’ve never had two senior World Cups so close together, so, it’s going to be a challenge and a lot of fun.

“The first opportunity for us is obviously in Qatar but I can’t stress enough how important it is for our sport to have two healthy national teams, you cannot just have the one. Particularly in today’s society, there’s an expectation that in order to drive equality you actually need to see really strong male and female role models together.”

Further affirming Ms. Walsh’s words was the fact that first release tickets for the Matildas’ Women’s World Cup games had been sold out, a result the Women’s Football Head felt was a testament to the growth strategies behind the marketing of the Matildas.

“In terms of the High Performance pillar, we’ve done a really good job with the Matildas thinking about the fact that you’re only given a small amount of content opportunities for them to play in the country. So, we’re quite deliberate as an organisation as to where we play these matches and actually who we bring out to play,” she said.

“Opening Sydney Football Stadium, bringing out the Olympic Gold Medalists – even though we didn’t win both of those matches the team would be better for it – plus the Disney docu-series, these are all really deliberate moves by us to make sure more people in Australia see more of the Matildas and get that intimate access.”

[caption id="attachment_17448" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Sarah Walsh speaking with David Davutovic[/caption]

Ms. Hussain, who is also a Football Victoria Board member and a Principal Lawyer for Maurice Blackburn Lawyers, offered eventgoers an insight into the role of the Legacy ’23 Final XI.

“We have a tremendous opportunity to make our mark and leave a legacy following the Women’s World Cup next year,” she stated.

“We’re less than a year away from the World Cup and from a legacy perspective the World Cup is really just the starting point and it’s what’s to come thereafter that really is exciting for the ambassadors.

“As an outward Muslim woman, I’m really keen to ensure that we have greater representation of the diversity that’s represented in the game. We all go to games every weekend and you’ll see there’s so many women from so many different walks of life that play the game at that grassroot level, but whether or not they’re infiltrated right through the game is a different story and Naomi is the modern face of football and we need to make sure we’re reflective of that.

“The 10 other incredible ambassadors plus myself hope to shape the blueprint for what football will look like into the future. Football Australia and Football Victoria have a commitment to 50-50 gender equity by 2027, no doubt the Women’s World Cup will fast track us to achieve that goal well before that target hopefully.

“There’s no doubt huge momentum building already and there’s a real buzz around the World Cup. I think we have a wonderful opportunity to showcase to the rest of the world our greatest talents, and at the same not only showcasing our current greatest talent, but harnessing those opportunities for casting a much wider net for increasing participation, removing barriers to participate in the sport, and really growing the sport. The whole eyes of the world will be on Australia and New Zealand come next year.”

[caption id="attachment_17449" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Azmeena Hussain with Naomi Chinnama (left)[/caption]

When questioned about the steps being taken to ensure the game is able to satisfy the inevitable increase in demand that is set to be ignited by the Women’s World Cup, Ms. Walsh reaffirmed the moves being made to maintain Football Australia’s commitment to 50-50 equity within Australian football by 2027.

“When it was announced that we had won the right to co-host the Women’s World Cup in the middle of COVID 2020, we brought our stakeholders in to make sure that we were building something that was not only sustainable but intersectional,” she said.

“Thinking about not just white women, but women of colour, First Nations women, all the abilities, ages, and you’ll see that reflected in our ambassadors in making sure that we reflect the true multicultural nature of our game.

“To my knowledge there’s no other sport talking about 50-50 equity. We’re putting it out there and we’ll probably have to adjust the timelines as it’s actually 2027. But that’s still another 400,000 women and girls playing the game.

“Our numbers are on the up and there will obviously be a spike around the tournament, but we want to make sure that our clubs are ready. In Victoria it’s one of the best states we have in terms of percentage of female-friendly facilities, but our challenge down here is that we’re running out of places to play, so, when these players turn up, we want to make sure clubs are prepared.

“We have to pull all of the levers to make this work and it will take all parts of the community to be a part of that. We’re just the national sporting body, Football Victoria are the sporting body for the state, it will take the people on the ground to actually start mobilizing around it.”

As the panel came to a close, Ms. Hussain provided attendees with an update on the development of the future Home of the Matildas in Melbourne.

“It’s incredible to see it in real life after seeing it on paper for so long. It’s coming together and once complete it will certainly springboard women’s football in Victoria and Australia. The centre is designed for women, by women, it will most certainly springboard out commitment to gender equity by 2027,” Ms. Hussain expressed.

“What’s terrific about the centre is there isn’t just a focus on the players but also on looking at football holistically. It's building the capacity of referees, coaches, administrators, and of course women’s leadership in football. I believe that’s so important to ensure that women are infiltrated inside and out every aspect of this game. And to know we have a centre to help achieve that is terrific.”

The Women’s World Cup 2023 is set to begin July 20 next year at New Zealand’s Eden Park, with the Matildas kicking-off their tournament later at the newly rebuilt Sydney Football Stadium.

The post Women’s football future discussed at Football Victoria Community in Business luncheon appeared first on Soccerscene.

The world’s superior fan engagement and rewards platform, Socios, have confirmed they will once again be the official partner of the 2022 Ballon d’Or Awards for the second year in a row.

The award is a yearly football honours occasion for the best player over the previous year, it has been the leading individual acknowledgement event since 1956.

This year’s edition will take place at the elegant Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on the evening of October 17, with the prestigious players who currently are involved with partner clubs of Socios.com, to dream of winning the biggest individual prize in their careers.

Almost 200 major sporting organisations - including numerous well known clubs from Europe, South America and North America - have collaborated with Socios to create once in a lifetime experiences for their faithful fans through fan tokens.

Fan tokens are assets in digital form that allows fans access to engaging communities where they participate in club votes, predictors and other features of the app, which opens up opportunities to rewards such as club merchandise, VIP tickets and memorable life time experiences.

Socios is committed to increasing brand exposure from a valuable partnership, as well as taking advantage of this collaboration to highlight the beneficial aspects of its platform to all corners of the world, to include logo on signage at the Theatre du Chatelet, on the red carpet, and in the background for international TV, press conference and hospitality.

The amazing benefits that every football fan will enjoy of owning fan tokens and joining Socios ever increasing fan engagement and rewards community will include:

• A fan token holder and their choice of a guest will be able to attend the ceremony and enjoy a memorable evening among football’s elite.
• An international known influencer will be joining the lucky fan token holder and their guest to record the events throughout the night.
• The lucky fan and guest will also be rewarded with VIP tickets to the event.

“Millions of fans are already enjoying Socios.com and exposure on this scale allows us to present our thriving rewards and engagement community to many millions more,” Socios CEO Alexandre Dreyfus said via press release.

To see more of what Socios has to offer, click here.

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Football Victoria's Community in Business Full-Time Luncheon will take place on Friday October 7 at Hyatt Place Essendon Fields - wrapping up this year's CIB calendar.

Key stakeholders - including businesses, football clubs, media and government - will be in attendance for the twice-annual get together.

Hosted by Michael Zappone as Master of Ceremonies, special guests include Subway Socceroos head coach Graham Arnold ahead of the 2022 World Cup, Football Australia Head of Women's Football Sarah Walsh, upcoming young Matilda Naomi Chinnama and Football Australia Legacy Ambassador Azmeena Hussain.

After the unforgettable qualification to the Qatar World Cup, Arnold will be able to reminisce on the entire campaign and what we can expect heading into a fifth straight tournament.

Walsh is a big coup for the luncheon as she'll discuss what lies ahead for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023, while Chinnama is a CommBank Young Matildas defender who will discuss her journey from Point Cook to the Blacktown Spartans and Liberty A-League.

Hussain rounds out the panel as not only an FA Legacy Ambassador but also as a Football Victoria Board member and a Principal Lawyer for Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - listed in the prestigious Doyle’s Guide as a preeminent Australian personal injuries lawyer.

Ahead of the luncheon, Football Victoria Commercial & Sponsorship Coordinator Paul Iliopoulos looks forward to what will be another quality afternoon of insights with a strong line up of guest speakers.

"Our FV Community in Business Luncheon is our last event of the year that will once again offer an exciting business network opportunity for our members and guests," he told Soccerscene.

"We love bringing together key stakeholders within football in Victoria including businesses, football clubs, media and government.

"Being one of our most popular events, it will provide unparalleled networking opportunities.

"We are going out with a bang as our special guest speakers include Sarah Walsh, Naomi Chinnama and Azmeena Hussain.

"With six weeks to go till the men's World Cup, we are excited to also speak to Socceroos Head Coach Graham Arnold!"

Following on from the Half-Time Luncheon back in June at Leonda By The Yarra, this upcoming event is another great opportunity for the football community to connect, network and celebrate together.

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FIFA is set to debut a reimagined fan destination and on-site entertainment experience for fans at future FIFA World Cup and FIFA Women’s World Cup events called the FIFA Fan Festival.

Beginning with World Cup Qatar 2022, this multidimensional, inclusive event will provide new ways for fans to celebrate their shared passion for football and experience the best in music, entertainment, local culture, food, games and lifestyle trends in a true festival environment.

Formerly known as the FIFA Fan Fest, this one-stop destination for fans previously appeared at four editions of the World Cup – starting with the 2006 World Cup Germany – and welcomed almost 40 million visitors across five continents.

Following its debut in its new form in Qatar later this year, the FIFA Fan Festival will premiere at the Women’s World Cup at the tournament in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand in 2023.

“To support our mission to make football truly global, accessible and inclusive, we are thrilled to introduce a new vision for the entertainment experience surrounding future FIFA World Cup events,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in a statement.

“The FIFA Fan Festival provides an incredible opportunity for fans to come together beyond the stadiums and the on-pitch action and experience football in new and unique ways. We are truly excited about the future of the FIFA Fan Festival and the enhanced entertainment offerings that will bring fans and partners alike closer to both men’s and women’s FIFA World Cups, as well as global football culture.”

The newly reimagined FIFA Fan Festival was designed to tap into the unique energy felt around major FIFA competitions. It will give all types of fans – from avid supporters to casual football enthusiasts and lovers of music, food and culture – new ways to connect and engage with football in a fun, entertaining and festive atmosphere.

For the World Cup Qatar 2022, the FIFA Fan Festival will be held at one central location at Al Bidda Park in Doha over the 29 days of the tournament (November 20 – December 18 2022). This go-to destination for fans on-site at Qatar 2022 will feature the following attractions:

• Live broadcasts of every match on giant screens, with views of Doha’s futuristic skyline in the background
• Concerts starring top global and local music acts and live works by internationally acclaimed performance artists
• A food court offering unique culinary experiences featuring local cuisine and international delicacies
• Unique football matches with FIFA Legends, in addition to interactive physical and digital football gaming stations for fans of all ages
• Innovative sponsor activations, as well as an official FIFA Store with licensed FIFA World Cup products

FIFA will also extend the reach of the event around the world by enabling fans to watch, experience and interact with content from the FIFA Fan Festival through the FIFA+ digital platform. Throughout Qatar 2022, fans will be able to access content from the FIFA Fan Festival by visiting the World Cup page on FIFA+.

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With the Socceroos set to celebrate the Centenary of their first ever international match against New Zealand in Dunedin later this month, the Granville District Soccer Football Association have taken the opportunity to honour Socceroo cap Number 5 William “Billy” Dane.

A Granville local who has the distinction of being a part of that inaugural Socceroos international match, Dane’s wonderful achievement was acknowledged by the GDSFA this past Grand Final weekend by awarding the Player of the Match of every one of their competition Grand Finals the specially crafted Billy Dane Medal.

Granville Association historian Noel Dona said via Football NSW:

“It is very fitting that we immortalise our Socceroo pioneer as it will be a reminder to every player and especially every winner of his medal, that they walk in the footsteps of a local champion.

“Billy was born and raised in Blaxcell Street and lived all his life in Granville. As a teenager he played for the Association club, Holroyd United, and in 1914 won our Challenge Shield, Australia’s oldest soccer silverware.”

The following year the baby-faced, fleet-footed right winger caught the attention of the all-conquering Granville Magpies and was invited to join the team where they enjoyed immediate State League success winning the Championship.

Then as with many of his teammates, he joined the war effort in 1916 and fought in Europe. Upon his return, he continued playing for the Magpies and would soon make a name for himself taking Granville to the 1920 and 1921 Gardiner Cup Grand Final and then winning it in 1922.

When the Socceroo tour of New Zealand was then announced, he was soon selected and played in the first and third Test Matches – only injury prevented him from playing in the second Test Match.

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The Football Association England and UEFA have announced that the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 tournament is set to be the biggest women’s European sporting event in history.

The Pre-tournament Impact Report, produced by EY, projected that the tournament is expected to deliver £54 million (just over $95 million AUD) in economic activity to the nine Host Cities of Brighton & Hove, London, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Rotherham, Sheffield, Southampton, Trafford and Wigan & Leigh.

The Host Cities are expecting 96,000 international visitors from 95 territories and there will be engagement from fans from all over the world as the international broadcast audience could reach over 250 million across more than 195 territories. Host cities will also see a positive socio-economic impact thanks to over 5,500 people taking part in the volunteer programme.

The report reveals ticket sales for the tournament are on track to double the attendance of the UEFA Women’s EURO 2017 in the Netherlands that welcomed just over 240,000 fans. 51% of football fans plan to attend or watch the games that will take place up and down the country across nine English cities in 10 stadiums.

Providing a platform for greater participation in the game and community engagement, the tournament also represents a huge opportunity to drive a further step change in women’s football in England.

The UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 aims to leave a lasting legacy by inspiring the next generation of players and fans, providing opportunities for more than 500,000 women and girls to participate and engage with football through focused efforts of legacy groups within each of the Host Cities, with many more additional opportunities nationally.

Baroness Sue Campbell, EURO 2022 Board Member and Director of Women’s Football at The FA, said:

“With less than 50 days to go until the Tournament gets underway, this report highlights what we can achieve with a continued focus on capitalising on the opportunities offered by UEFA Women’s EURO England 2022 and importantly how we can measure our success.

“Our aim is twofold: to deliver a record-breaking tournament and to leave a tangible legacy to grow the women’s game. By inspiring fans at home and abroad, and by committing to provide playing opportunities to girls in every school and club across the country, I am confident we can deliver on both aims.”

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Football Australia will celebrate the Centenary of the Australian men’s national team on June 17 of this year.

The date marks the 100th anniversary of the Socceroos’ first ever match when a team coached by Alf Morgan - and captained by Alex Gibb - took on New Zealand in Dunedin.

Players from New South Wales and Queensland were chosen for the tour which consisted of 14 games, including three ‘Tests’ against New Zealand. New Zealand won the first game of the series 3-1, with the history books highlighting that William Maunder became the first man to score for Australia when he found the back of the net shortly before half time.

Throughout the remainder of 2022, Football Australia will be acknowledging this significant milestone in Australian sport with a program of activities, events, and initiatives, including the possibility of hosting a celebratory match featuring the Socceroos and New Zealand’s All Whites later in the year.

“The Socceroos are arguably Australia’s most identifiable and popular national sporting team, both at home and abroad, uniting the nation like no other sporting team,” Football Australia Chief Executive Officer James Johnson said in a statement.

“2022 marks the Centenary year of the Australian men’s national team, and since formation, the Socceroos have embodied the spirit of Australia, a local team forged through hard times and adversity, always punching above their weight on the global stage who pull on the green and gold jersey with great pride and a steely sense of responsibility.

“Throughout 2022, Football Australia will pay homage to the players and personalities involved in the Australian men’s national team over the past one hundred years through a series of initiatives, including the unveiling of the Socceroos’ Team of the Century.

“The Socceroos are Australia’s team, and we hope that the Australian football family and supporters alike join Football Australia in celebrating the rich history of the Australian men’s national team during this special Centenary year.”

The first item to be unveiled as part of the program of activities is a coffee-table book titled, “Socceroos: 100 Years of Camaraderie and Courage”, curated by Are Media Books in connection with Football Australia.

Football Australia’s and the Socceroos’ websites and social media channels will also pay tribute to both past and present Socceroos, with an ongoing series of digital and written interviews and features, podcasts, galleries, and interactive experiences to be shared throughout the year.

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Football representatives from across New South Wales came together to celebrate 140 years of organised football in NSW on Wednesday evening at Parliament House.

Hosted by Football NSW and Northern NSW Football, the milestone event saw the launch of ‘The Great Save’ initiative, aimed at preserving and celebrating the game’s proud history.

The evening witnessed some of the greats of the world game including Ron Lord and Kevin O’Neill, along with Trixie Tagg, Leigh Wardell, Julie Dolan, Heather Garriock and Mara Watts from the women’s game.

Members of Parliament - including The Hon. Stuart Ayres MP, The Hon. Mark Coure MP, Guy Zanguri MP, Sonia Hornery MP, Julia Finn MP and Lynda Voltz MP - were also present amongst a throng of football administrators and media personalities, joined together by their shared recognition of football’s historical significance across NSW.

Football NSW Chairman Gilbert Lorquet paid a glowing tribute to legends that helped shape what we see today in our game.

“Over the past 140 years, the game has seen so many highs and lows, witnessed an inordinately high number of games, and we can all be pleased and proud of where football currently stands in the state’s sporting landscape,” he said.

“It was amazing to have seen so many players, coaches and administrators, who have in their own way played a part in making football in NSW the highest participant sport.”

Football NSW CEO Stuart Hodge recognised the hard work and efforts that were put together to form ‘The Great Save’ project.

“We were delighted to launch a new initiative to formalise our efforts and ensure that we hold on to the past, and recognise the many wonderful people, clubs and organisations that have all contributed to make the sport what it is today,” he said.

“The Great Save is an initiative that first began in England, and we are delighted to be working with a group of enthusiastic, volunteer ‘football aficionados’ and historians who have been able to breathe life into the concept here in Australia.

“A big thank you to Greg Werner and Greg Stock, in addition to the likes of Noel Donna, Ian Holmes, Travis Faulks and Phil Mosely, who have all supported and contributed to this wonderful cause.”

Northern NSW Football CEO David Eland supported the collaborative efforts in preserving our rich history.

“Football NSW and Northern NSW Football are pleased to support The Great Save as the respective governing bodies and provide a structure and formal framework for this initiative.

“Our commitment to this area can be best summarised in its objective; Archiving, preserving, recognising, and celebrating our great game’s history for now and the future.”

Football NSW and Northern NSW will now continue the work being undertaken with historians, Associations, Clubs, and the wider community, to collect, archive and preserve artefacts, documents, trophies, photos and other memorabilia from the game’s 140 years of history.

In weeks and months to come, what will be rolled out is how the community can help preserve the game’s treasures before they are lost forever.

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Football Victoria's Multicultural Settlement Program is continuing to build connections within the community and provide opportunities for newly arrived families through the power of football.

On the second weekend of April, Multicultural Programs Officer Abraham Abraham and Greater Geelong Club Ambassador Foddy Kyprian delivered a successful program in the Geelong Region.

Newly arrived Afghan, Karan and African families united for a day of social football and fun, connecting through a shared love of our game. Following the successful initiative, eight of the participants are preparing to transition into their local football Club, located in Corio.

While the Multicultural Settlement Program has created pathways for Miniroos to connect with their local football communities, it is also assisting young leaders to make the step into coaching through paid casual coaching opportunities.

Prior to the weekend's trip to greater Geelong, the program worked alongside up and coming coaches Suliman and Asfaw.

The pair have played a key role in introducing football to Culturally and Linguistically Diverse children to students from the WELS Language schools in the Sunshine and Melton areas by hosting free football programs over weekends.

As a result of their their tremendous commitment to growing our game, the Multicultural Settlement Program was able to employ them on a casual basis and provide new equipment for them to continue to run their programs.

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Football Queensland is delighted to confirm the return of the state’s largest junior football carnival, with the announcement of WinterFest22.

Delivered in partnership with Sunshine Coast Council and Visit Sunshine Coast, WinterFest22 will be held at Maroochydore FC from Wednesday, 6 July to Sunday, 10 July with over 100 junior boys and girls teams participating.

"Following the success of the inaugural event in 2021, WinterFest22 will once again welcome players and families from across the entire state for the largest football carnival of the year," Football Queensland CEO Robert Cavallucci said.

"Over 5,000 attendees including more than 2,000 players will come together for five days of football fun for the whole family, with MiniRoos and Walking Football sessions running alongside the junior matches and providing an opportunity for everyone to get involved.

"We’re excited to partner with Sunshine Coast Council and Visit Sunshine Coast to deliver this event in the region, and look forward to welcoming members of our football community to the beautiful Sunshine Coast this July.

"In addition to enjoying the on-field action, families travelling from both regional and South East Queensland will be able to explore the many visitor attractions as part of their visit to the region for WinterFest22."

Sunshine Coast Council Economy Portfolio Councillor Jason O’Pray outlined the council was a huge supporter of pathways development for up-and-coming players across many sports, particularly with the region likely to host several sporting events during the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games including football.

"Our region hosts national and state level events like WinterFest to showcase our beautiful region, with a key draw card for event organisers and participants being the many attractions to keep families busy in between competition days," he said.

"Supported by council through the Major Events Sponsorship program, our accommodation and tourism providers are set to welcome the many thousands of football visitors expected over five days of WinterFest."

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The NSW Government has secured an exciting four-team football mini-series to be played at Sydney’s Accor Stadium in 2022 and 2025.

Named the Sydney Super Cup, the tournament will feature Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic and fellow Scottish giants Rangers taking on A-League Men sides Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers FC.

In addition, the tournament will host the first-ever Old Firm derby to be played outside of Scotland, with the friendly series set to be played in late November when the Scottish Premiership and the A-League Men seasons are set to break for the World Cup in Qatar, and will be played again in 2025.

Stuart Ayres - Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade, Minister for Tourism and Sport and Minister for Western Sydney - hailed the great coup for Sydney.

"Sydney has kicked another goal as Australia’s home of football with the world’s best clubs coming out to play our hometown heroes in the Sydney Super Cup. What better way to start than with a historic rivalry like the Celtic vs Rangers derby," Ayres said.

"This will be the first time in history this iconic matchup has been played outside of Scotland, so this will be a huge attraction for football fans domestically and abroad.

"With three big matches played over five nights, visiting football fans will have an opportunity for an extended stay in the Harbour City, enjoying our vast cultural offerings, and vibrant hospitality and nightlife in one of the world’s great sporting cities.

"The benefits for our city and state will be huge, as we look to bring visitors back to Sydney by creating a regular blockbuster bi-annual event that will showcase our city, our local teams and our world-class stadiums to the rest of world.

"The NSW Government is focused on delivering marquee events like the Sydney Super Cup that capture the world’s attention, drive the NSW visitor economy and build Sydney’s reputation as the major events capital of the Asia Pacific."

The NSW Government has secured the Sydney Super Cup for 2022 and 2025 through its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW in partnership with TEG Live.

The 2022 Sydney Super Cup kicks off on Wednesday, November 16.

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Football Queensland has released the agenda for the 2022 State Referee Conference, which will be delivered online this Saturday, February 5. 

The conference will be free to access for all referees from all levels of the game across the state via a new interactive virtual platform. Login details will be supplied to all registered participants prior to the commencement of the conference.

In addition to acknowledging the achievements of the 2021 season including referee award winners, graduating Referee Academy members plus retiring and new FIFA Panel members from Queensland, the 2022 State Referee Conference will feature three main sessions.

Participants will be split into two breakout rooms for a Laws of the Game update delivered by special guest presenters and highly respected match officials Eddie Lennie and Renae Coghill.

Lennie, a Football Australia Hall of Fame member and FIFA Referee Instructor for Oceania, will deliver the Laws of the Game update for senior referees, while the session for junior referees will be delivered by Coghill, a member of the FIFA International Panel of Referees for seven years and elite coach for match officials in the Liberty A-League. 

Following this will be a referee wellbeing session, featuring guest presenters Ash Synnott, Managing Director of Officiating Collective and Diana Sheehan, Executive Director of Daly & Ritchie Consulting.

The third and final session will include important information for the 2022 season on team sheets, the referee pathway, Strategic Plan and more. 

Football Queensland requests that each attendee is to check in on arrival using the QR code embedded in each presentation. 

To register, you can do so here.

Full details of the sessions are below:

2022 State Referee Conference Agenda 

Session One: 9.30am – Welcome & Acknowledgements  

• Housekeeping / Welcome to Country (MC) 
• Acknowledgement of 2021 Referee Award winners 
• Acknowledgement of 2021 Graduating Referee Academy 
• Acknowledgement of Renae Coghill retirement 
• Acknowledgement of Adam Kersey FIFA Badge 
• Nathan Magill from Football Australia

Session Two: 10.00am – Laws of the Game Update by Football Australia (60 minutes) 

• Junior Referee Update – Renae Coghill 
• Senior Referee Update – Edward Lennie 

Session Three: 11.30am – Referee Wellbeing 

• Part A: 11:30am: Professional Debriefing – Diana Sheehan (45 minutes) 
• Part B: 12:15pm: Officiating Collective – Ash Synnott (45 minutes)  

Session Four: 1.30pm – Match Day Process 

• FQ Team Sheet 
• Pathway – Upgrades 
• Code of Conduct / Expectations 
• Strategic Plan and Structure 2022 
• Response to Survey 

Session Five: 3.00pm – Closing Remarks (inc. door prize winners) 

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The 2022 season is about to begin which means that Football NSW's next grants webinar is set to take place at the start of February to mark the occasion.

The webinar will be hosted by Football NSW in conjunction with The Grants Guy's Keith Whelan, and will be held on Wednesday February 2 at 7pm.

Keith Whelan from ‘The Grants Guy’ has extensive experience in drafting, reviewing, assessing, and appraising grant applications. He also develops grants calendars and funding strategies for organisations to approach these grants in a proactive manner.

Whelan started out writing and proof-reading grants for organisations in Australia in 2012, which is how he got to become 'The Grants Guy'.

He has worked with not-for-profits, charities, universities, government departments & agencies, sports clubs, Aboriginal groups, arts organisations and educational bodies.

The upcoming webinar will focus on the Multi-Sport Community Facility Fund.

The Multi-Sport Fund was recently made available by the NSW Office of Sport, with $100 million being allocated in Round 1 of the fund.

Applications for the first round of the Multi-Sport fund close on Friday, February 25, 2022, at 1pm.

The Multi-Sport Community Facility Fund is a fantastic opportunity for clubs and associations to collaborate with local councils in order to negotiate upgrades and developments to local football facilities and infrastructure.

The upcoming webinar details are as follows:

Date: Wednesday February 2 2022

Time: 7pm to 8pm

Where: Online via Zoom.

Register: Football NSW have provided this link to register.

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