FQ teams up with Asahi Beverages as its Official Beverage Partner

Patrick Irving26/02/2026 10:54 am26/02/2026

Steve Cukrov / Shutterstock.com

Football Queensland will team up with Gatorade, part of the Asahi Beverages family, as its Official Beverage Partner.

A partnership for all

News of a collaboration with Asahi Beverages comes as the latest of several recent partnership developments at FQ.

Their alliance will see clubs affiliated with FQ gain access to exclusive discounts on non-alcoholic options within the Asahi Beverages brand. This extensive list includes Cool Ridge water, Schweppes, Solo, Allpress Espresso, Sunkist, Pepsi and Gatorade.

Moreover, FQ CEO, Robert Cavallucci, outlined that the partnership will be beneficial to clubs, committees and volunteers looking to create an enjoyable matchday experience.

“This partnership will give clubs across the state access to competitively priced products that both support their operations and enhance the match-day experience,” Cavallucci said.

Through the Asahi Beverages Ordering Portal, we’ve secured discounts of up to 30% on a wide range of sports drinks, soft drinks, water and more, saving our clubs time and money where it matters most.”

Supporting the people who matter

Furthermore, Commercial Director Away from Home at Asahi Beverages, Nichola Richardson, highlighted, the partnership will bring huge benefits to the brands, as well as the volunteers helping to run matchday experiences.

“We’re very excited to partner with Football Queensland and its clubs. Together, we’ll bring our brands to life in local football communities across the state – supporting the game at grassroots level and connecting with fans where it matters most,” Richardson outlined.

Although a partnership such as this is an exciting prospect commercially, it is essential that fans and matchday staff also feel the benefit. Speaking of the collaboration, Cavallucci continued:

“It reflects our commitment to delivering real value to our clubs, not only through significant discounts, but by making it easier for volunteers and committees to run successful, community-focused canteens.

“We know the challenges club volunteers face week to week. This partnership is designed to make their job easier while improving the experience for players and supporters.”

Previous ArticleHow the AFC Women’s Asian Cup is Bringing the Tournament to the Next GenerationNext ArticleRCD Espanyol Launch Landmark Partnership with John Paul College

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.