Football Victoria releases History and Heritage website

Staff Writer
Football Victoria
Image via Football Victoria

Football Victoria has released its dedicated History and Heritage website, comprising more than 100 pages of content that explores various aspects of the game over 140 years.

After 15 months of planning, design and research, the FV History and Heritage website brings together many of the stories that have laid the foundations of the game and honours the legacy of the pioneers that have achieved much over decorated and distinguished careers.

The FV History and Heritage website includes nine distinct sections:

  • History and Heritage News – Summary news feed.
  • FV Historical Committee – profiles on the current members of the Historical Committee, which has played a vital role in protecting football’s legacy in Victoria.
  • The Story of Football in Victoria – an abbreviated history of the game authored by esteemed historians Roy Hay and Ian Syson. Originally published in 2009, it has been updated and is now available for the first time in digital form.
  • Hall of Fame – detailed biographies on all 28 inductees to Football Victoria’s prestigious Hall of Fame.
  • Life Membership – short biographies on over 200 Life Members honoured by Football Victoria and its historical predecessor bodies.
  • Representative Teams – records for Football Victoria’s Senior Men’s and Women’s representative teams, including detailed match line-ups for stand-alone matches and full squads for national championship teams.
  • League and Cup Honours – the complete honour roll for the NPLM, NPLW, Dockerty Cup and Nike FC Cup, incorporating records dating back to 1909 and summaries of each competition.
  • Personal Honours – a comprehensive honour roll for Football Victoria’s top-flight personal honours, along with several historically significant awards.
  • FV Football History on Facebook – a link to Victoria’s Football History, a public group dedicated to sharing the game’s history with the football community.

The FV History and Heritage website was driven by historian John Punshon. Without official records, he took it upon himself to research the history of football in Victoria during the 1990s, spending thousands of hours at the State Library of Victoria trawling through local newspapers.

His efforts over a quarter of a century have brought a rich depth to the game’s statistical records, and he was formally recognised for his work earlier this year when honoured with Life Membership.

Football Victoria History and Heritage Coordinator, Tony Persoglia, is pleased these records are now available via one dedicated website.

“There have been various independent websites which have showcased these records in some form or another, but they have not always been easy to find and can be difficult to navigate,” he said via press release.

“Bringing together the work of some of our most dedicated historians such as John Punshon and Mark Boric, has enabled us to share a rich tapestry of our history with the broader football community.”

The History and Hertiage can be viewed here.

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Clifton Hill FC Set for New Era as Pavilion Upgrade Nears Completion

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Image Credit: One-Nil Media

Community football in Melbourne’s inner north is set for a major boost, with Clifton Hill FC preparing to usher in a new chapter following the redevelopment of its pavilion at Quarries Park.

The upgraded facility, delivered with support from Yarra City Council, is expected to significantly enhance the matchday and training experience for players, families, and volunteers while supporting the club’s continued growth.

A long awaited upgrade for Clifton Hill FC

Club President Michael Tyrikos said the redevelopment represents a long-awaited milestone for the grassroots club.

“We’ve been waiting close to 10 years for this,” Tyrikos told SoccerScene. “I’ve been involved with the club for over two decades and improving the facilities has always been a major goal for us.”

The new pavilion replaces previously limited amenities, with the club formerly operating with just two change rooms and minimal communal space. The upgraded facility will provide modern change rooms, social areas, and improved spectator amenities.

Supporting growth in participation

Tyrikos explained the redevelopment will be particularly significant in supporting participation growth, including the club’s expanding girls’ program.

“Previously, we only had two change rooms, which made it difficult as our girls’ program continued to grow,” he said. “Now players can feel comfortable using proper facilities with access to showers and dedicated spaces, which is something we simply didn’t have before.”

Image Credit: One-Nil Media

Beyond player development, the pavilion is also expected to strengthen the club’s role as a community hub. The addition of indoor social spaces will allow families to engage more closely with the club environment, particularly during Melbourne’s winter months.

“Parents can now sit inside and watch games, and we can finally host club events, kids’ parties, and social gatherings,” Tyrikos said. “Before, we just didn’t have the capacity to bring people together like that.”

A new era at Quarries Park

Tyrikos also acknowledged the broader infrastructure improvements delivered alongside the pavilion redevelopment, including new lighting towers and an upgraded playing surface, highlighting the importance of council support in driving the project forward.

Clifton Hill FC is hopeful the new pavilion will be operational in time for its anticipated first home fixture scheduled for mid-May, marking the beginning of a new era for the community-focused club.

Image Credit: One-Nil Media

Mastering Influence: FVBL’s Networking Event Set to Empower Football Leaders

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Image Credit: FV Business League Launch

Football Victoria (FV) Business League powered by Sharp EIT Solutions opens its 2026 calendar with an event that addresses a core driver of success in sport and business: “The Power of Persuasion & Influence.” FV convenes a distinguished panel of leaders for an evening dedicated to real-world leadership, advanced negotiation tactics, and practical perspectives directly informed by top-level experience.

The Speakers

David Stevenson, CEO of the National Basketball League and “The Dealmaker,” brings more than twenty-five years of executive leadership to the discussion. His track record includes transformative commercial and operational roles at Nike, where he served as Vice President across multiple global business units, and at the AFL, where he led industry-defining initiatives such as Gather Round and AFL Finals. As CEO of the Western Bulldogs, Stevenson oversaw a landmark premiership year and drove record membership and revenue growth. Most recently, he has positioned the NBL as the fastest growing sports league in Australia, securing major broadcast partnerships and expanding fan engagement across the region.

Belinda Neil, “The Behavioural Expert,” offers unparalleled expertise in communication and crisis management. With eighteen years serving in the NSW Police, including roles as Hostage Negotiator, Undercover Operative, and Homicide Detective, she has cultivated advanced skills in behavioural analysis, conflict resolution and team leadership under pressure. Her post-policing career as an acclaimed author and sought-after corporate trainer further extends her impact, equipping organisations to manage critical negotiations and complex stakeholder interactions.

 

The panel will soon add “The Communicator,” a leader renowned in elite sports coaching, with an announcement forthcoming from Football Victoria.

FV Business League continues to provide a platform for senior decision-makers and professionals to access actionable strategies and genuine insight from proven leaders. Attendees will benefit from practical knowledge to elevate negotiation, leadership, and organisational influence across all commercial and sporting domains. Tickets are out now for April 24th at The Edge, Melbourne CBD.

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