Filopoulos hails success as Football Victoria sets broadcast audience record

Liam Watson

The 2019 Senol Grand Final Triple Header at AAMI Park last Sunday drew record audience numbers for a National Premier Leagues Victoria live-stream event.

A statement from the Football Victoria can be found here:

The showpiece of Victorian men’s and women’s football attracted a milestone reach of 111,122 people and 78,515 views across the NPL and NPLW Victoria’s Facebook and YouTube platforms. This compares to a total reach of 96,357 and 53,079 from 2018, up 13.2 per cent and 32.4 per cent respectively.

2019 Broadcast Numbers

 

Engagement was an impressive 58 per cent for the NPL Promotion/Relegation Playoff match between Dandenong Thunder FC and FC Bulleen Lions (reach 39,753 / views 22,860), a commanding 77.3% for the NPL senior men’s Grand Final between Avondale FC and Bentleigh Greens SC (reach 62,086 / views 47,973) and a remarkable 83% for the NPLW Grand Final between Calder United SC and FC Bulleen Lions (reach 9,283 / views 7,682).

This year, the broadcast was hosted by Michael Zappone and featured NPL coaches and players Scott Miller, Moreland Zebras skipper Cam Watson, former Socceroos Sasa Ognenovski and Goran Lozanovski and former Matildas Melissa Barbieri and Kate Gill.

Match commentators featured emerging callers from Football Victoria’s media network such as Chris Gleeson, Joey Lynch, Bryce Ruthven, Katie Lambeski, Brandon Galgano, Damir Kulas, Josh Parish and Steve Curtain.

Football Victoria CEO Peter Filopoulos said all NPL, NPLW and selected NPL2 matches were broadcast weekly in 2019, promoting many clubs across the state. He said the Senol Grand Final Triple Header broadcast was a high-quality production, backed by a high-quality line-up and well supported by SBS’ promotion on its The World Game platform.

“To see so many viewers tune in throughout the day was a fantastic endorsement for football in Victoria. We have clearly struck a chord with fans across the NPL and NPLW competitions in this state and the fan base continues to grow,” Mr Filopoulos said.

“The quality of Victorian football, week in and week out, is well worth watching and it was also very satisfying to see comments from fans tuning in from as far away as Scotland. We very much thank SBS for their support in promoting it as well,” he said.

“We’re also working hard to grow crowd attendance on the day as we keep building on this marquee event on an annual basis. There’s no doubt AAMI Park is the showcase venue for football in Victoria and it’s a huge opportunity and honour to showcase the best of our state’s NPL and NPLW competitions each year.

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Football NSW calls on clubs to Make It Red for Heart Health Round

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Football NSW is calling on clubs and associations across the state to register for the 2026 Make It Red campaign, joining a national awareness movement aimed at reducing heart-related deaths on sporting grounds ahead of Heart Health Round on the weekend of June 5 to 7.

The campaign, developed by the Heartbeat of Football Foundation, asks sporting clubs to wear red, raise funds and build awareness around heart disease and sudden cardiac arrest, which is the leading single cause of disease burden and death in Australia for both men and women, and one that health authorities say is largely preventable through modifiable risk factors.

The call to action comes as the Foundation continues its work to map and register Automated External Defibrillators across NSW sporting facilities, a project that has already engaged twelve football associations and fed data into both the NSW Ambulance GoodSAM registry and NSW Health’s public AED map. The availability of a functioning, registered AED on site is among the most significant determinants of survival following sudden cardiac arrest, with survival rates declining sharply for every minute without defibrillation.

Football NSW is encouraging clubs to engage with the campaign across three areas. Clubs can register for the Make It Red campaign to help fund research, education and prevention programs. Participants, particularly those aged over 35, are encouraged to seek a free heart health screening test from their local GP or enquire about hosting a Heartbeat of Football testing day. Clubs are also urged to ensure their grounds have active, accessible AEDs in place, with guidance available through Football NSW’s Rescue Ready Guide.

The Make It Red campaign runs from June 5 to July 12, with Heart Health Round taking place across the opening weekend. Clubs can register and access participation resources at makeitred.org.

Community Spirit Shines on AFC Grassroots Football Day 2026

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Image credit: Football Australia

This week, Football Australia (FA) celebrated AFC Grassroots Football Day 2026, championing the people and communities who continue to hold up a safe, inclusive and supportive environment in the football landscape.

‘For all, for life’

In collaboration with Football NSW, Canterbury Football Association and community club, Balmain & District Football Club, the day reflected the very best of what football provides.

The event brought in participants of all ages – from 4-74 years-old – and reached a total of 400 people. Girls-only programs, all-abilities sessions and over-age football ensured all were catered for.

Such a diverse range of participants builds on a wider drive during FIFA World Football Week, which seeks to promote the sport not just as the dazzling lights of 100,000-seater stadiums, but as a way to foster community spirit and social development.

Furthermore, FA support through its Club Changer program was a welcome addition to the action, emphasising the organisation’s commitment to nurture a real love for the game across communities in Australia.

“Through Club Changer we support our clubs to provide a safe, fun and enjoyable environment where everyone is welcome; whether that be as a player, volunteer, referee or supporter,” explained National Program Manager Club Development at FA, Grace Lambourne.

“Everyone should feel they belong and are welcome to play, stay, and love the game.”

 

A welcome celebration

While the upcoming FIFA World Cup will no doubt inspire millions of future Socceroos and Matildas, events like the AFC Grassroots Football Day represent something beyond just inspiration.

It is a platform. An opportunity to express a love for football and to connect with others while doing so.

And connections between the professional and grassroots game is more important than ever if Australia is to nurture the next generation of talent.

This is particularly clear in the rise of women’s football across the nation. Since the FIFA Women’s World Cup, female participation rose by 32%, and registrations for the MiniTillies Program skyrocketed from 264 in 2023, to 1223 in 2024.

The professionals spark passion. But communities turn that passion into playing time.

That is why celebrating grassroots football – and the volunteers and families who sustain it – is a vital part of Australia’s football future. Together, FA and the AFC are creating strong foundations built on positivity, engagement, and inclusivity for all with a love for the beautiful game.

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