Football Victoria reveal NPL fixture

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Football Victoria (FV) have released the 2020 NPL Victoria fixture for the men’s competition.

The season will open with a clash between 2019 finalists Oakleigh Cannons FC and last year’s runner up Avondale FC.

Also round 1 will open with the traditional derby as South Melbourne FC will host 2019 premiers Heidelberg United FC at Lakeside Stadium in a first-round derby.

Eastern Lions SC and St Albans Saints SC are the two sides who have been promoted to the top tier of Victorian football for 2020. They will both start with home encounters in the opening round.

FV CEO Peter Filopoulos claimed he was looking forward to the start of next year’s competition with the introduction of two new clubs and several strong NPL clubs hoping to improve on last season.

“The NPL in Victoria is clearly a destination competition in Australia which delivers a very high standard of football week-in week-out,” Mr Filopoulos said.

“The competition’s popularity went to another level last year with all games live-streamed and averaging around 30,000 viewers per round. The triple-header Grand Final event also drew more than 110,000 viewers on that one day alone,” he said.

The first-round fixtures are listed below:

Oakleigh Cannons FC v Avondale FC – Thursday 13th February, 7:45pm at Jack Edwards Reserve

South Melbourne FC v Heidelberg United FC – Friday 14th February, 7:30pm at Lakeside Stadium

Port Melbourne Sharks SC v Melbourne Knights FC – Friday 14th February, 7:45pm at JL Murphy Reserve – SS Anderson Oval

Dandenong Thunder FC v Dandenong City SC – Saturday 15th February, 7:00pm at George Andrews Reserve

Hume City FC v Altona Magic SC – Saturday 15th February, 8:00pm at ABD Stadium Broadmeadows Valley Park

Eastern Lions SC v Bentleigh Greens SC – Sunday 16th February, 3:00pm at Gardiners Creek Reserve

St Albans Saints SC v Green Gully SC – Sunday 16th February, 5:00pm at Churchill Reserve

The U20s fixture for the men was also released alongside the senior draw.

Both of the full draws can be viewed here.

 

 

 

 

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WA announce TV series for Sam Kerr’s children’s novels

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Image Credit: James Ross/AAP

A new TV series based on Sam Kerr’s children’s books ‘Kicking Goals’ is set to begin filming in early 2027 in Western Australia.

The show follows a young Kerr before she became captain of the Matildas and a star at Chelsea FC. Set in her home state of WA, the story sees her navigate her way through growing up and chasing her dreams, alongside her family and friends, and the adventures that entailed.

Speaking to Screenwest, Kerr said, ‘It’s pretty surreal knowing that Kicking Goals is being adapted into a TV series. These stories are all about believing in yourself and having a go, so it feels really special that a whole new generation will get to experience them on screen.’

Co-authored by Fiona Harris, the books have been a success since their initial release in 2021, a period which has coincided with Kerr and her Matildas teammates growing from beloved within Australia’s football community, into a team of genuine national appeal and recognition. They are available nation-wide, sold at major retailers such as Big W and Dymocks.

The television adaptation will beproduced by Orange Entertainment for Paramount+.

‘Kicking Goals’ is set to inject AUD 5million into the WA economy and provide over 130 local jobs.

Creative Industries Minister of WA, Simone McGurk, said via WA GOV, ‘The series will showcase all that Western Australia has to offer – including our world-class talent, crew, and diverse locations – while celebrating the story of one of our sporting greats.’

Casting is currently underway, with a search for a young Kerr and her mates ongoing.

The months after the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australian and New Zealand saw an 11% increase in women and girl’s participation in football compared to the previous year, showing the direct impact the biggest stage can have on grassroots football.

Kerr has managed to build on that success and begin a new chapter, inspiring kids both on and off the field.

Former Socceroos captain set to headline coaching conference

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Mark Mulligan. Credit A League

Mark Milligan – former Socceroos captain and Newcastle Jets Premiership-winning manager – is set to be the guest of honour at the 2026 Football NSW Coaching Conference, held at Valentine Sports Park from November 21st–22nd.

The annual conference represents Australia’s largest gathering of football coaches, and is set to include expert insight into coaching, practical sessions and development plans for attendees. Milligan will partake in a Q&A session with MC Stephanie Brantz on November 21, adding significant gravitas to the conference.

Chris Gallo, Football NSW Coach Education Manager spoke highly of Milligan via Football NSW.

‘Opportunities to hear from people who have experienced the game at the highest level are incredibly valuable for our coaches. Mark brings a unique perspective on leadership, performance and the demands of elite football, and we want our coaches to be able to take those insights back into their own environments,’ he said.

Milligan traversed the globe across a near-twenty year professional career that started in the old National Soccer League, concluded in the A-League, and took in time across Europe, the UK and Asia.

He represented the Socceroos with distinction across 80 appearances, selected by four seperate managers in World Cup squads, and was captain of the Olympic team in 2008. His nascent managerial career has already seen two trophies at Newcastle, where he is presently leading them in the Asian Champions League.

But it all began on the local pitches of Bankstown. Milligan is an authentic, home-grown product of Football NSW, and emblamatic of the rewards that can be reaped from investing in the beginning of a player’s journey.

With the conference already selling out, attendees can now expect to learn plemty from one of Australia’s most exciting, up-and-coming coaches.

The opportunity Football NSW are providing showcases their commitment in helping coaches develop, and their continued pledge of giving back to the game at its foundation.

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