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Football NSW and NOVA Employment renew long-standing partnership
Football NSW has announced that Disability Employment Service and Registered NDIS Provider NOVA Employment, has renewed their long-standing partnership as the presenting sponsor of the annual Football4All Gala Day.
Established in 2008, Football4All is an initiative led by Football NSW aimed at providing people with a special need or disability an avenue to enjoy ‘The World Game’ with family and friends.
Run by Football NSW’s member Clubs and Associations, the Football4All programs provide inclusive playing opportunities in a safe and secure environment. All 44 programs from around NSW vary in their offerings depending on the players within, however all initiatives highlight the significance of inclusion, health promotion and skill development.
The partnership renewal sees NOVA Employment return as the naming partner for the NOVA Employment Football4All League and NOVA Employment AWD Futsal League in addition to the NOVA Employment Football4All Gala Day for both 2021 and 2022.
Football NSW Chief Executive Officer Stuart Hodge was pleased to have secured an extension of the partnership with NOVA Employment.
“NOVA Employment first joined forces with Football NSW back in May 2012. The almost decade long partnership has been crucial in our ability to support and grow our inclusion programs in New South Wales,” he said.
“We look forward to working with Martin and the NOVA Employment team over the coming years.”
NOVA Employment CEO Martin Wren echoed Hodge’s sentiments.
“We really enjoy being part of Football NSW’s Football4All program and feel privileged to be on board again for 2021 and 2022,” he said.
“NOVA Employment encourages participation in team sports and Football4All provides a safe, fun environment where lasting skills and friendships can be developed.”
NOVA Employment is a not-for-profit charity that aims to achieve the employment of people who have a disability in award wage work within the general community. They offer specialist job seeking assistance, post placement support and work exclusively with people who have a disability.
The NOVA Employment Football4All Gala Day will take place at Valentine Sports Park on Sunday June 27, 2021.
Football Queensland (FQ) are currently preparing for a fantastic week of football, showcasing and celebrating the continuous contribution made by female football participants, beginning on Friday May 3rd FQ have facilitated activities and events that will transpire across two weeks, culminating on Sunday the 12th.
Female Football Week (FFW) is an initiative undertaken by the nation, spotlighting the significance showcased through the brilliance of our female athletes within the football plethora. The recognition of participation, acknowledgement of excellence, appreciation of contribution, all aspects for which this important week will be represented for.
Since 2014, FFW has also aided the growth of female football on a nationwide scale, given that the events and activities on offer throughout are created to not only acknowledge current female football contributors, but also inspire a new generation of young females who wish to participate in the sport.
Female football within Australia at the moment is a prosperous commodity. PM Anthony Albanese had already pledged a healthy investment into women’s sport, primarily football. This is coming off the back of Australia’s 2023 Women’s World Cup involvement as host nation.
FQ have been busy in establishing female football as pivotal points of future strategic planning. In conjunction with FQ’s 2024-2026 referee strategy plan, FQ are looking to double the current amount of female referees.
General Manager of Strategic Game Development and Referees, Andy Allan said via press release:
“Football Queensland is committed to achieving 50/50 gender parity by 2027 across all participants, which underscores our dedication to inclusivity and equity in football,” he said.
“Female Football Week provides us with a wonderful opportunity to showcase all the pathways available for women and girls in our sport.”
FQ intends on having a busy FFW in 2024, 5 events have currently being listed upon their website, involving Interactive School participation sessions, The commencement of youth female football leagues across Metropolitan and bayside regions across Queensland, Q-League Schools Girls round in the southern Metropolitan region, and Football Carnivals taking place in the Wide Bay region.
Furthermore, coaching and referee courses are also on offer, including 20 female junior match official coaching courses are set to take place over the 9 days, as well as 8 coaching workshops and courses are also available, covering all aspects of the game and spanning across six regions.
Queensland have already declared their provisions, we now await what is going to be on offer from the other states across the country.
American firm 777 Partners are nearing the completion of their takeover at Everton after a long seven-month process is heading towards its conclusion.
As reported by TEAMtalk, 777 sources have confirmed that they have now passed the Premier League’s Owners’ and Directors Test on the basis that they pay back an outstanding loan to MSP Sports Capital.
The firm are not expecting an imminent announcement from the Premier League but as mentioned, are confident that the takeover will be finalised around May time, ready for the all-important summer window.
However, Everton are keeping their options open and are actively looking at backup options in case this deal falters at the last minute. It remains a real interesting story that has mixed reports and an air of scepticism about it.
MSP and two Liverpool-based businessmen Andy Bell and George Downing loaned Everton £158m ($303m AUD) which was due to be returned on Monday this week.
A short-term extension of the loan – taken out by majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri but which 777 have to pay if their takeover is to proceed – has been agreed in principle.
777 have stakes in many other clubs around Europe and the world including Hertha Berlin, Genoa, Standard Liege and A-League giant Melbourne Victory.
There is little doubt that there are mixed results regarding the clubs they takeover with a few angry protests and controversies shining the light on a potential shaky move that Everton couldn’t afford to go wayward.
At German side Hertha Berlin, they say that they ‘don’t have as much control as they would like’ and ‘haven’t been able to make the changes they would like there’, hindered by the German rules on ownership.
After the German side’s relegation last season from the Bundesliga and slow start to life in the 2. Bundesliga this season, there were many fan protests and banners attacking 777 owner Josh Wander however the cub have managed to steer the ship this season and sit in 7th place with four games remaining.
777 believe that they have done a good job with Italian club Genoa, however, who were promoted back into the Serie A last season under their stewardship.
They managed to improve finances, particularly through smart transfers like buying Radu Dragusin for £4.3m ($8.25m AUD) and selling him on to Tottenham just a year later for a huge fee of £26.7m ($51.25m AUD).
777 have missed payments on occasion at Standard Liege, but they have since been paid. They claim that they are battling against the financial mismanagement of previous owners and have lifted the carpet at the Belgian side to find many skeletons.
For Everton, after two points deductions that added up to eight points, the key for this move to run smoothly is to remain a top flight club in 2024/25 which they are in a fantastic position to do so after a controversial 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest on the weekend.
Everton will ‘not be a closed shop’ once they take control of the club and they aim to build their income and sustainability in the years.
It also leaves an interesting discussion as to Everton’s transfer strategy following their strict FFP rules that can’t be broken again.
The firm, led by CEO Josh Wander, intend to back the Toffees’ sporting director Kevin Thelwell and are hoping to strengthen the side this summer.
They do concede that the sale of key players such as Amadou Onana, Jarrad Branthwaite and Jordan Pickford may be required to balance the books, however.
777 claim they will do everything they can to avoid a third points deduction which would be placed on the club in 2024/25.
They also say that they will put a big focus on improving the Merseyside club’s academy, insisting that it will be utilised “correctly” and hope to have more homegrown talent break into the first team.
With the new stadium built and ready to go in 2025/26, the revenue streams will improve and there is a tiny light at the end of the tunnel, as long as the Toffees can continue to do their job on the pitch and secure the Premier League broadcasting money that is required to pay off loans and debt.
Despite the very loud outside noise and criticism, 777 remain calm about the debt being paid off before the deadline and the deal will be finalised.
777’s history and mixed results at other clubs leave this one in the air, and despite fans not wanting this move to occur, it could be one that saves Everton from a worst case scenario of administration after years of financial hardship.
