Western United renews with Tapedesign to continue collaboration

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Image credit: Western United website

Western United Football Club and Tapedesign Australia have renewed their partnership for a fourth consecutive season.

Tapedesign has played a key role in boosting the performance of the club’s A-League Men and Women players by providing grip socks for both training and matchdays.

As part of the ongoing collaboration, Tapedesign will continue to sponsor A-Leagues goalkeepers Chloe Lincoln and Tom Heward-Belle, alongside providing matchday signage. Western United fans will also benefit from a 25% discount on Tapedesign Australia products.

A new initiative for this season is the joint effort between Tapedesign and Western United to promote World Mental Health Day on October 10. On this day, players will wear green Tapedesign socks during training, with green symbolising mental health awareness.

The partnership has grown significantly over the years, with Tapedesign Australia Director Blerton Belica also joining the A-League Women coaching staff. Both organisations are committed to supporting the players and the community, and they look forward to continuing this successful collaboration.

Western United Commercial Partnerships Executive, Nathan Perrone explained the great relationship both parties have as a result of this collaboration.

“It is fantastic to extend our partnership with Tapedesign Australia for a fourth season. It has become a special relationship in the past couple of seasons with Director Blerton Belica becoming part of the A-League Women coaching staff as well,” Perrone said in a club statement.

“We are grateful for the support Blerton and the broader organisation continue to provide our players.”

Tapedesign Australia Director, Blerton Belica spoke on the amazing initiative taking place as a result of this partnership.

“We’re incredibly proud and grateful to continue our partnership with Western United for a fourth season,” Belica said in a statement.

“Being involved with a club that shares our values and commitment to excellence has been truly rewarding. Seeing our grip socks enhance player performance and now joining forces for initiatives like World Mental Health Day makes this partnership even more meaningful.

“We’re honoured to support the club’s ongoing success on the field and in the community.”

This is great news for Western United and for the local community who benefit from discounts and a fantastic mental health initiative that has a great impact off the pitch.

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SBS expands Australian Championship broadcast coverage for 2026

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Image Credits: Football Australia

The Australian Championship will enter its second season with an expanded broadcast partnership between Football Australia and SBS. The 2026 competition will feature two live SBS broadcasts in every round, marking an increase from the tournament’s debut season.

Thursday night football will form a key part of the new broadcast schedule. The opening match will see Preston Lions face Wollongong Wolves on October 15th, with the game broadcast live on SBS2 and SBS On Demand. Saturday football will also remain part of the free-to-air schedule; first up, Sutherland Sharks’ clash with South Melbourne on October 17th will be shown live on SBS and SBS On Demand.

The expanded agreement gives the competition a greater presence across SBS’s linear channels while retaining its full streaming coverage, with every match across the 2026 Australian Championship available live on SBS On Demand. The platform also provides full replays and highlights for viewers to access at their discretion.

In addition to SBS’ coverage, Football Australia will also stream the competition via YouTube.

The Australian Championship consists of a six-round group stage, finals beginning at quarter-finals from November 26, and a Grand Final scheduled currently between December 10-12.

It features 16 clubs from seven states and territories. The broadcast schedule places several historic fixtures in front of a national audience: South Melbourne will meet Sydney United 58 in a repeat of the 1999 NSL Grand Final, and Sydney Olympic and Marconi Stallions will also renew a rivalry that includes NSL Grand Final meetings in 1989 and 1990.

GIS Sydney continues to connect students with Australia’s sports industry

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Image Credits: Global Institute of Sport

Following the launch of its Sydney campus in 2025, the Global Institute of Sport (GIS) is continuing to establish itself in the nation’s sports industry. A leading provider of degrees and executive education in sport, GIS provides students the chance to study at two of Australia’s biggest sporting venues: Allianz Stadium and the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).

Programs such as Sports Analytics and International Sports Business are delivered in collaboration with the University of Newcastle, and feature the chance for students to gain exclusive access to the sports industry.

More than 50 guest speakers have shared their experience with students studying at GIS Sydney, representing organisations like FIFA, Red Bull, Cricket Australia, and the AFL. While learning about the regional and national sports industry in the classroom, students have also had the chance to gain an international perspective through GIS’ signature Global Sports Summits, which have given Sydney students access to iconic sporting venues around the world from London to Miami.

Outside of the iconic venues students can call their classrooms, the organisation prioritises the real, industry placements needed to put theory into practice by providing each student with 140 hours of relevant work experience throughout their studies. Included in this are several sporting organisations who are keen to welcome GIS students on board, including the Professional Football Scouts Association (PFSA), Football Coaches Australia, and Basketball NSW.

GIS also has a partnership with popular network and app Yakka Sport to connect students with paid employment opportunities while they study.

Behind these advancements at the GIS Sydney campus is an Industry Advisory Board which features a host of experienced figures from the world of sport. Included in the Asia-Pacific branch is Chair James Rosengarten, GM of the Melbourne Renegades; Kevin Jang, Managing Director of CAA Stellar Korea; and Brad Lloyd, GM of the Carlton Football Club.

Since launching, GIS’ Sydney campus has ultimately combined its locations and industry connections to provide the next generation of sports professionals with the knowledge, network, and confidence to tackle the rapidly evolving sports industry.

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