Western United announce Genius Childcare as Platinum Partner

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Western United have announced Genius Childcare as a Platinum Partner for the 2021/22 Isuzu UTE A-League Men season.

Genius Childcare is an innovative early learning centre for pre-school aged children, embodying United’s ‘Future is Now’ motto by teaching young kids fundamental life skills to take into the rest of their lives.

Genius Childcare is committed to educating children about all-important, contemporary issues in society. Genius seeks to form an early connection with the environment, encouraging children to be mindful of their surroundings and how to take care of them.

Genius also champions diversity, positive relationships and health and wellbeing of all children in its care, forming social skills and respectful relationships at an early age.

Western United CEO Chris Pehlivanis noted the alignment in both organisations’ values and was excited to see Genius join the United family.

“This is a really important partnership where we have found a natural alignment in our values and our shared plans for the future of Melbourne’s west,” he said.

“Both Genius Childcare and Western United are organisations that promote learning, growth and diversity. We want to support Genius Childcare in their expansion into the west of Melbourne as it is a community that is close to our heart and the people of the west are part of our DNA.

“The partnership with Genius is not only about today but it’s about what we can achieve together in the future.”

Genius Childcare Head of Marketing Kate Balme looked forward to the organisation growing alongside Western United and becoming part of the Club’s community efforts.

“We know all the great work that Western United does with communities, schools and clubs and we’re really excited to play a part,” she said.

“Our centre footprint is constantly expanding and we really identify with Western United’s ethos of growth and looking ahead to the future. I think our organisations will be great for each other and we can’t wait to get to work.”

With 30 centres currently operating across five Australian states, Genius is looking to add new venues across the West of Victoria, further enhancing Western United’s commitment to its heartland.

Genius Childcare will sponsor United’s Fan Friday promotions for the season, as well as contributing to innovative and engaging fan content on the Club’s owned platforms.

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Victory unites with Roasting Warehouse in culture-led partnership

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Image credit: Melbourne Victory

The Melbourne-based anf family-owned business will join the Victory family, uniting two institutions which represent the city’s culture and identity.

A partnership with local roots

As the newest partner of Melbourne Victory, Roasting Warehouse joins forces with a vital part of the city’s sporting landscape.

The club’s Managing Director, Caroline Carnegie, outlined why the partnership bears so much value to both parties.

“We are excited to collaborate with Roasting Warehouse, a community-oriented destination for high-quality coffee, proud of its foundations in Melbourne,” said Carnegie via official media release.

“Football and coffee sit at the epicentre of Melbourne’s culture. The two go hand-in-hand, consistently at the centre of the conversation that stirs Melburnians, which is no different to the conversation sport and Melbourne Victory stir in the State.”

Indeed, this is a partnership which combines the identity, passions and culture of an entire city, therefore giving it the foundations required for long-term, mutual success.

Representing the best of Melbourne

Both Victory and Roasting Warehouse are hugely successful in their respective industries. They are institutions with community-oriented philosphies, who pride themselves on craft and quality.

“We’re incredibly proud to partner with Melbourne Victory, a club that represents the heart, passion, and ambition of Melbourne,” revealed Roasting Warehouse Head of Brand, Alexander Paraskevopoulos.

“As a Melbourne-founded, family-run business, supporting a team that means so much to the local community feels very natural for us.”

Furthermore, through their high-quality blends, Roasting Warehouse will look to prepare Victory’s players and staff for high performances on the pitch as the seasons nears completion.

But this is about far more than just fueling athletes.

This is a partnership which embodies and unites two of Melbourne’s greatest strengths and cultural markers – a connection forged from the city’s very own DNA.

 

For more information about Roasting Warehouse, click here.

Marie-Louise Eta makes history as new Union Berlin head coach

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Image credit: FC Union Berlin

In an historic appointment, Eta will take over as head coach of Union Berlin until the end of the season.

History in the making

Previously the first female assistant coach in Bundesliga history with Union Berlin, Eta will now take the reigns of the men’s first team on an interim basis.

Currently, the club sit in 11th place in the Bundesliga table, but with only two wins so far in 2026, relegation appears an all-too-real prospect, and one which the club is desperate to avoid.

“Given the points gap in the lower half of the table, our place in the Bundesliga is not yet secure,” said Eta via official media release.

‘I am delighted that the club has entrusted me with this challenging task. One of Union’s strengths has always been, and remains, the ability to pull together in such situations.”

Eta will begin as Union’s new head coach with immediate effect, and will be in the dugout for the club’s matchup against Wolfsburg this weekend.

 

A step into an equal future

Eta’s appointment signals a major step towards a more level playing field in the football landscape.

Furthermore, Eta joins other coaches including Sabrinna Wittmann, Hannah Dingley and Corinne Diacre who, in recent years, have blazed a trail for female coaches to step into the men’s game.

Wittmann currently manages FC Ingolstadt in Germany’s third division, and was the first female head coach in Germany’s top three divisions.

In 2023, Dingley became caretaker manager of Forest Green Rovers, and thus the first woman to lead a men’s professional team in England.

Diacre, now head coach of France’s women’s national team, managed Ligue 2’s Clerment Foot between 2014 and 2017.

 

Final thoughts

The impact therefore, is that Eta’s appointment will show future generations of aspiring female coaches that men’s football is an equally viable and possible pathway as the women’s game.

The time is now to level the playing field.

And while it may be a short-term role, its effect on attitudes towards equality and fair opportunities in the game will hopefully resonate long after the season ends.

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