Mitre extends with member federations to provide top quality footballs for all competitions

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Mitre have extended their current deals with Football Victoria, Football West and Football NSW to continue providing their Ultimax Pro ball for competitions country wide.

Football Victoria announced that Mitre will continue as the exclusive NPL ball provider for the NPL and VPL competitions in 2024 with an option to extend into 2025.

In Football NSW, the sponsorship with Mitre will extend till the end of 2026. It will remain as the Official Match Ball of the National Premier Leagues NSW, Football NSW Leagues, Football NSW Youth Leagues, and Association Youth Leagues for a further three years.

Football West confirmed that Mitre will be the Official Ball Supplier for another three years, taking the partnership to a total of six years.

Trusted for over 200 years, Mitre footballs have been a foundation of the brand since the early 1900s. Since then, they have been the competition ball of choice for many football associations across the world.

In 2017, Mitre started inside the Australian footballing landscape when they were unveiled as the football partners of the then FFA Cup, now called the Australia Cup.

Since then, Mitre has expanded towards the state member federations to try and grow amongst the local community. They are the Official Match Ball of NPL NSW, NPL Victoria, NPL Queensland, Football West and NPL NNSW.

The Ultimax Pro is Mitre’s flagship Elite-Professional football that is used amongst state competitions and the Australia Cup. It features Hyperflow debossed grooves across the ball, for incredible flight consistency across all speeds. It is Engineered with Hyperfoam, a cushioned, high elastic foam, for maximum power when you strike.  It is also a FIFA Quality Pro approved football which proves that it maintains a top quality and standard.

Football Victoria Sponsorships and Events Manager, Paul Iliopoulos, outlined this is a ‘game changing partnership’ going into the 2024 season and beyond

“We are thrilled to announce a partnership between Football Victoria and MITRE as the official ball provider for our NPL and VPL competitions,” he said via FV.

“The MITRE ball is recognised for its superior quality and performance and this partnership reinforces Football Victoria’s dedication to maintaining the utmost standards in our competitions.

“As we embark on this exciting journey with MITRE, we extend our gratitude to the football community for their continued support.”

Football West General Manager of Football Perry Ielati was excited to continue with the high-quality footballs through this partnership.

“Football West is delighted to continue our partnership with Mitre. Our clubs know they can trust the quality of footballs provided by Mitre and that is hugely important to us. We are excited to move forward together over the next three years.” Ielati stated via Football West.

Football NSW CEO John Tsatsimas was thrilled to see Mitre extend as well.

“We’re delighted to continue the partnership with Mitre. We are anticipating another season of unprecedented success, and we eagerly look forward to achieving it in partnership with Mitre who will provide a great level of professionalism through their product as they have done so in recent years.” Tsatsimas said via Football NSW statement.

Mitre’s relationship with Football in Australia is fantastic for the game with the highest quality footballs being used at all different levels. Ball quality is an integral part of football and clubs from all federations will benefit from the discounted prices and free supplies that Mitre provide to improve the game.

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Football Has the Audience. Does It Have the Commercial Strategy?

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Image Credit: One Nil Media

Soccerscene has launched Survey 4: Commercial Confidence in Football, calling on clubs, sponsors, governing bodies, commercial leaders and football industry professionals to assess whether the game is making the most of its enormous commercial potential.

Football has the audience, participation base and community reach to be one of Australia’s most powerful commercial platforms. But does the industry have the commercial strategy, professionalism and infrastructure required to turn that potential into sustainable growth?

That is the question at the centre of Soccerscene’s latest industry research.

The survey examines how attractive grassroots football is to potential commercial partners, what industry professionals believe is limiting football’s commercial potential, and whether clubs are presenting themselves professionally enough to sponsors.

It also explores what sponsors value most when engaging with football – from community reach and participation scale to brand alignment, values and purpose – as well as whether improved facilities could directly contribute to stronger sponsorship outcomes.

Is football fully capitalising on its commercial opportunity?

Football continues to provide brands with access to highly engaged communities across grassroots, community and elite environments. Yet the commercial landscape remains fragmented, with clubs operating with vastly different levels of resources, capability, governance, media infrastructure and commercial expertise.

Soccerscene’s survey is designed to capture the industry’s perspective on where the opportunities exist – and where football may be leaving commercial value on the table.

The research will look specifically at four key areas:

  • Commercial attractiveness – How attractive is grassroots football as a commercial partnership?
  • Commercial barriers – What is holding football back from reaching its full commercial potential?
  • Club professionalism – Are clubs presenting themselves effectively and professionally to sponsors?
  • Sponsor value – What are sponsors really looking for when they invest in football?

The survey also asks whether better facilities would have a direct impact on sponsorship outcomes, highlighting the potential relationship between infrastructure, commercial presentation and investment.

Have your say

Soccerscene is encouraging football clubs, sponsors, commercial professionals, governing bodies, administrators, media professionals and industry stakeholders to participate.

The findings will contribute to Soccerscene’s ongoing program of industry research, designed to provide a clearer picture of the challenges and opportunities facing football and the organisations operating within it.

Take the Survey: Commercial Confidence in Football

Complete the Commercial Confidence in Football Survey here

The survey will close on 30 August 2026 at midnight, with responses received before the deadline included in the final analysis.

Football has the audience. The question is whether it has the commercial strategy to match.

Football Queensland’s Logan hub plan rejected by council

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Image Credits: Football Queensland

Football Queensland’s plans for a major new football hub at Meakin Park have been rejected by Logan City Council. The proposed $76.1 million redevelopment aimed to create a state home for football in Queensland.

Council unanimously rejected Football Queensland’s request for longer-term leases and additional land at the Slacks Creek site. The decision leaves the organisation’s current leases in place. The proposed development would have delivered new playing fields, elite training facilities and a dedicated home for Football Queensland.

Three-stage development

The first stage of Queensland Football’s development carried an $8.5 million price tag. It would upgrade fields, lighting, drainage and irrigation across Meakin and Mappas parks. The goal was to create a six-field, international-standard training venue.

The second stage represented the largest investment. Football Queensland planned to spend $55.3 million on a new headquarters at the adjoining Queens Park site. The facility would include a Women and Girls Academy, sports science facilities, sports medicine and strength and conditioning services.

A third $12.3 million stage would add an indoor futsal academy and two synthetic fields. Football Queensland said the project could create a major football precinct for the region. It also saw the facility playing a role in Queensland’s preparations for Brisbane 2032 and beyond.

Lease decision creates roadblock

Queensland’s governing body sought a 25-year lease with an option for another 25 years. Chief executive Robert Cavallucci said longer tenure was essential to secure government funding and move the project forward. The organisation has around three years remaining on its existing leases.

Council took a different view. Concerns included community access, funding certainty, future costs and the level of use at the existing facilities. Councillors also questioned whether a long-term arrangement would deliver enough benefit to Logan residents and grassroots clubs. Logan Council has now ordered a review of Football Queensland’s performance under its current lease.

Grassroots football at the centre

The decision highlights a wider issue for football infrastructure. Major facilities can provide elite pathways, sports science and high-performance opportunities, but unless councils can ensure local players and clubs can access the fields, they will be rejected.

Meakin Park already serves several sporting organisations, including football users and community sporting groups. Football Queensland said it had invested almost $2 million at Meakin Park and Mappas fields. It also argued the precinct operates at around 130 per cent capacity. For Queensland football, the challenge now is finding a model that can deliver high-performance facilities while expanding access for the community.

The proposal may have been rejected, but the need for better football infrastructure remains. With participation growing and Brisbane’s 2032 Olympic Games approaching, the debate over where and how Queensland builds its next generation of football facilities is unlikely to disappear.

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