$750,000 facilities boost for Noranda City

Staff Writer

Noranda City have several reasons to celebrate their 45th anniversary season, thanks to hard work behind the scenes to develop the club.

Members are set to enjoy brand new changeroom facilities at their Noranda Sports Complex home, with a $750,000 investment from the Federal Government.

An upgrade to the existing two changerooms will extend the pre-existing building to include four new accessible changerooms – two for females and two for match officials.

The new facilities will increase participation at the club for women and girls, boost wider membership numbers and cater to users at the neighbouring Morley Noranda Recreation Centre.

Noranda City President Shaun Ennis views the project as one that would make a big difference in attracting and retaining members.

“Our club has been going through tremendous growth, and to allow us to go to that next level at Noranda City Football Club, we need these changerooms to accommodate more female participants,” he said.

News of this investment aligns with Football Australia’s #Equaliser campaign, an initiative supporting the Community Facilities pillar of its Legacy ’23 Plan. This aims to deliver adequate female-friendly facilities across the country and shine a spotlight on the urgent need for female-friendly facilities.

“The support in upgrading facilities plays a vital role in providing infrastructure and playing platforms to meet the increasing surge of female participation at clubs,” Football West Female Football Manager Sarah du Plessis said.

“It is fantastic for Noranda City FC to be a recipient of this grant and I look forward to seeing the new developments positively impacting the club and community football.”

Noranda City

Laying the platform for an investment like this, Noranda City has been immersed in a range of club development activities to help build a stronger club. These include:

  • Completing the Football Australia National Club Development Program and Football West Participation Agreement
  • Building an engaging new website for current and future members
  • Promotion of the Healthway’s Think Mental Health message on all training kits to raise mental health awareness
  • Implementing resources from the Football West Club House for good governance
  • Involvement in the United Reds Football League inclusive program

“Noranda City has been committed to becoming the best club it can be off-the-field. Congratulations to Shaun Ennis, the committee and all volunteers because these are the rewards for hard work,” Football West Club Engagement Lead Abid Imam said.

Ennis added:

“The National Club Development Program was a fantastic exercise and we encourage every club to consider doing this with Football West as there is a lot that can be improved at every club.”

“We were excited to learn that by working with Football West over the past six months we scored a four out of five, which was fantastic to see.

“One major benefit we found was it allowed us to connect with the Healthway Think Mental Health program, which our club has supported this year by having this on our training gear. Thank you again for your support.”

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Western United ruled out of 2026–27 A-League season

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Image Credit: Western United FC

Western United’s participation in the A-Leagues has officially been terminated, ending the club’s immediate pathway back into Australia’s professional football competitions.

The Australian Professional Leagues (APL) terminated Western United’s Club Participation Agreement on Monday, following months of discussions over the club’s future.

The decision comes after Western United’s attempt to secure a return to the A-League for the 2026–27 season was unsuccessful. Football Australia had previously determined that the club did not meet the requirements to retain its licence.

Western United has now turned its attention towards rebuilding the organisation under new ownership, with the club targeting a return to the A-League for the 2027–28 season.

In a statement, Western United said the termination creates an opportunity for “new custodians, new investment and a fresh start”, while emphasising the importance of maintaining the club’s identity in Melbourne’s west.

The club’s financial problems have been a major issue over the past two years with the club being placed into a conditional hibernation ahead of the 2025/26 A-League season.

The APL said its decision was made following the club’s breach of several obligations under the agreement, including compliance with Football Australia’s National Club Licensing Regulations.

The club’s proposed 2027–28 comeback will therefore depend on securing new investment, addressing its outstanding operational requirements and demonstrating that it can meet the conditions necessary to re-enter the A-Leagues.

While Monday’s decision brings an end to Western United’s current participation agreement, the club maintains that it is not the end for Western United.

Now, the club that won the A-League grand final just four years ago, will now turn its attention to restructuring the business and building a sustainable platform for a potential return to Australia’s professional football landscape.

 

 

Football Queensland Welcomes Musco Lighting as Official Lighting Partner

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Image Credit: Musco.com

Football Queensland has welcomed Musco Lighting as its Official Lighting Partner, bringing world-class sports lighting expertise to football clubs and facilities across the state.

The partnership will support Football Queensland clubs as participation continues to grow across the state, helping communities access safer, higher-quality and more accessible football facilities.

Musco Lighting is a global leader in sports lighting, with more than 50 years of experience delivering lighting solutions across sporting venues worldwide. The company was also the first in the world to be certified by FIFA as a Preferred Provider for Floodlight Systems and provided lighting for 12 of the 16 stadiums used at the recent FIFA World Cup.

Through the new partnership, Football Queensland clubs will have access to Musco’s specialist expertise and solutions as they look to improve and develop their lighting infrastructure.

Football Queensland CEO Robert Cavallucci said the partnership represented an important step in supporting the continued growth of football across Queensland.

“I’m proud to see this partnership between Football Queensland and Musco come to life.

“With participation continuing to grow across Queensland, the need for quality football infrastructure has never been greater. This partnership will help our clubs access world-class lighting expertise to create safer, better and more accessible facilities for their communities.

The partnership provides an opportunity to combine Football Queensland’s extensive network across the state’s football community with Musco’s global expertise in sports lighting, supporting clubs as they continue to invest in facilities that meet the needs of their growing participation bases.

Football Queensland and Musco will work together to help clubs identify lighting solutions that can enhance facility quality and accessibility, supporting more opportunities for players and communities to participate in football.

Football Queensland Official Lighting Partner – Musco Lighting

With more than five decades of experience in sports lighting, Musco has delivered projects across some of the world’s most significant sporting venues and events.

The company’s FIFA Preferred Provider certification and involvement in the recent FIFA World Cup further demonstrates its expertise in delivering lighting systems to the highest international standards.

The partnership with Football Queensland will bring this expertise closer to Queensland’s football community, providing clubs with access to a specialist lighting partner as the game continues to grow across the state.

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