CommBank Officially Backs the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026

Avatar
Image credit: FiledIMAGE / Shutterstock.com

CommBank has confirmed it will be the Official Regional Partner of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ in 2026. The partnership will provide invaluable support for the 21st edition of the tournament, due to be held in Australia for the first time in twenty years.

Excitement Builds

As the CommBank Matildas look to seize victory in the competition for the first time since 2010, there is growing anticipation both on and off the pitch. With 12 national teams representing nations across Asia, the tournament promises to be a celebration of diversity and opportunity for all.

CommBank Group Executive Marketing and Corporate Affairs, Monique Macleod, has reflected on the excitement and importance of the competition.

“It’s a celebration of the world’s game and a reflection of our nation’s diversity and spirit. Football is a unifying force and a game for all that brings people together and inspires belief,” she said via press release.

CommBank’s Long-standing Support

The newly announced partnership isn’t the first time CommBank have displayed their ambition to back football in Australia. In June, the group became the largest supporter of football in Australia’s history in a collaboration with Football Australia to last the next six years. CommBank is not only committed to promoting both the men’s and women’s professional game, but also to providing opportunities for all young people across the nation.

Heading into the AFC Women’s Asian Cup preparations, CommBank is looking to continue youth and fan engagement through initiatives like the ‘Doubt Never Did Ball’. Passed throughout Australia, the ball will carry messages of hope and encouragement from fans hoping to inspire the CommBank Matildas to victory.

Inspiring a Team and Nation

National team captain and Chelsea star, Sam Kerr, has expressed how valuable domestic support will be going into 2026.

“We feel the belief of Australians everywhere we go, but there’s nothing like having it in the stands with you. It’s great to have CommBank alongside us again as we bring another major tournament to Australia and keep inspiring the next generation of players,” she said via press release.

Hosting a tournament on home soil is always an exciting prospect, and the top-to-bottom support provided by CommBank only amplifies this. By encouraging all communities to get behind the team, the group has solidified their role as more than just a corporate sponsor, but as the leading force in Australia’s most-played team sport.

Previous ArticleNext Article

Football QLD to team up with Restore Function Physiotherapy

Avatar
DedovStock / Shutterstock

Football Queensland announced last week it will be partnering with Restore Function Physiotherapy in a multi-year collaboration.

Elite preparation and performance

By establishing a long-term partnership with a business dedicated to supporting athletes in the region, Football Queensland are showing their commitment to supporting current and future players in their physical preparation.

Furthermore, by ensuring injuries are kept at bay through physiotherapy, strength and conditioning services, Restore Function Physiotherapy will help Football Queensland to keep their most talented players fit and firing throughout the season.

Football Queensland CEO, Robert Cavallucci, expressed his delight at establishing the alliance and what it means for Football Queensland’s football development going forward.

“Our partnership with Restore Function Physiotherapy is a key step in continuing to raise the standard of FQ Academy and State Team programs,” Cavallucci said via press release.

“Restore Function Physiotherapy will deliver a range of services across our boys’ and girls’ pathways, including training and match coverage, injury screening, rehabilitation and high performance support,” he continued.

“The experience everyone at Restore Function Physiotherapy bring from elite sport will help to further professionalise our programs and support the long-term development and wellbeing of Queensland players.”

 

Supporting long-term development

As Football Queensland looks to build a sustainable footballing future across the region, prioritising players’ health will be essential. With training partners like Restore Function Physiotherapy, clubs can help their players become elite athletes, ultimately improving the footballing standards on the pitch.

Restore Function Physiotherapy Owner and Founder, Miranda O’Hara, revealed her pride at having established an alliance with Football QLD for the upcoming season and beyond.

“We’re proud to partner with Football Queensland and support its Academy and State Team players with high quality, evidence-based physiotherapy and high performance programs,” O’Hara said via press release.

“Our role is to work closely with players and staff to deliver injury prevention, rehabilitation and S&C programs that support sustainable high performance and long-term athlete development.”

It is clear that the impact of a partnership between Football QLD and Restore Function Physiotherapy goes far beyond a mere commercial venture. It is an alliance which can help a local business, as well as nurture future talents coming through the Football QLD system.

Ultimately, by providing Queensland players with elite training and support networks, a distinct culture of excellence and professionalism is created before they step onto the pitch.

 

Read more about Restore Function Physiotherapy and the services they provide here.

 

Is the FW Regional Girls Training Camp bridging the access gap for talent?

Avatar
Image Credit: Football West

In Western Australia, the tyranny of distance has historically functioned as the primary barrier to talent identification.

For regional footballers, the logistical and financial burden of accessing elite pathways often renders the concept of “equal opportunity” a theoretical ideal rather than an operational reality. However, the recent Regional Girls Training Camp, hosted at the Sam Kerr Football Centre, suggests that Football West is moving to operationalise the structural changes announced in its 2026 academy overhaul.

Earlier this week, nearly 100 players aged 10 to 17 converged on the State Centre for Football in Cannington. The three-day camp invited participants from the previous year’s Country Week carnival, represents the first tangible application of the “real-match” and high-performance philosophy outlined by Football West Development Manager Gareth Naven late last year.

While the previous announcement of the Regional Academy model focused on the structural shift from training camps to competitive “State Carnivals,” this current initiative addresses the resource gap. For stakeholders and policymakers, the camp serves as a case study in how centralised infrastructure assets can be leveraged to service a decentralised demographic.

Infrastructure as an equity lever

A lack of high-performance environments defines the economic reality of regional football. The facility gap between metro NPL setups and regional clubs is often vast. Football West uses the Sam Kerr Football Centre to subsidise the “professional experience” for regional talent.

Sarah Carroll, Female Football & Advocacy Manager, notes the purpose extends beyond simple engagement. The curriculum fused on-pitch technical training with athlete development workshops.

Geography usually blocks access to this sport science for a 14-year-old Pilbara or Goldfields player. By centralising this education, the governing body helps standardise the player pool’s knowledge base. Naven’s alignment strategy demands closing the “knowledge gap” alongside the technical one.

The economics of the “Legacy”

Critically, the WA Government funds the camp through the Female Community Legacy Program. This highlights the Legacy Program’s ROI for the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries.

A stated aim to “enhance club capability” acknowledges that player development requires an ecosystem. The funding mechanism here is significant. Without state intervention, the cost per head would prohibit many families from attending.

Targeted funding bridges the gap between community participation and elite commercial viability. Regional Lead Tanya Amazzini calls these opportunities “essential” for player growth and confidence.

Strategic alignment with the 2026 pathway

Observers must view this camp alongside the Regional Academy system overhaul. The new “State Carnival” model demands players physically prepared for elite competition. This camp functions as the preparatory phase for that new competitive reality.

Football West uses elite exposure to mitigate the shock of transitioning to state programs. Furthermore, involving players from the Pilbara to the South West keeps the talent net wide. Maintaining sight on remote talent requires constant investment.

The residual challenge

However, the long-term impact warrants caution. The “re-entry” phase remains the primary challenge. Players return to clubs with significantly fewer resources than the Sam Kerr Football Centre.

Success depends on the “trickle-down” effect of the education provided. If players transfer this knowledge locally, the aggregate standard of regional football rises. If isolated, the experience may simply make the regional gap feel more pronounced.

Integrating 100 regional girls into the state’s premier facility executes the strategic plan. It signals that the Centre delivers dividends to the broader ecosystem, not just the elite.

Most Popular Topics

Editor Picks

Send this to a friend