Sydney FC lock in renewal with home appliance manufacturer

Alex Bagdasarian08/02/2023 6:05 am08/02/2023

Image credit: Sydney FC

In a collaboration that started in 2021 between Sydney FC and global prestige appliance manufacturer Smeg, an agreement has been made to a two-year extension until the end of 2024.

The establishment of Sky Park, Sydney FC’s new world-class Centre of Excellence, will see the facility include several of Smeg’s state-of-the-art domestic and professional kitchen appliances.

Smeg is an Italian home appliance manufacturer based in Guastalla, near Reggio Emilia in the north of Italy, the kitchen appliance company has subsidiaries worldwide, overseas offices and an extensive sales network.

Smeg has originated innovative household appliances for everyday use since 1948, the vision, intuition and international reach are the values that surround the business culture of which who places the most attention to detail on quality and technological content with maximum focus on energy savings.

Sydney FC Chief Executive Officer Adam Santo said via press release:

“Smeg and Sydney FC’s family values and teamwork are at the forefront of why our partnership has been so successful over the past two seasons and we couldn’t be happier to be continuing the relationship, Smeg are a premium brand with whom we are very much aligned and are a very popular member of our Sydney FC corporate family.”

Smeg Australia Managing Director Wayne Campbell added via press release:

“While the Smeg and Sky Blue families have integrated very well, I’m excited to continue to strengthen our bond with Members and fans as we enter a very exciting period in the club’s history, the Sky Park precinct will showcase Smeg’s total kitchen solution, from award-winning small appliances to major domestic cooking, dishwashing and refrigeration collections.”

Sydney FC and Smeg will carry on with their successful social media series including players such as Andrew Redmayne, Adam Le Fondre and Taylor Ray designing in the Smeg kitchen, the famous Italian brand will continue to enjoy a range of benefits at Sydney FC’s home games.

To find out more about any relevant information relating to Smeg and its products, click here.

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Victory unites with Roasting Warehouse in culture-led partnership

Patrick Irving16/04/2026 8:55 am16/04/2026

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

Patrick Irving15/04/2026 6:05 am14/04/2026

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.