FA and the ABC partner to cover AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026™

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Football Australia and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) have announced a partnership ahead of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™, which will see the tournament made accessible to listeners through live audio of all CommBank Matildas games.

What will the partnership include?

Australians looking to follow the tournament throughout the coming weeks will be able to do so with ease, now that Football Australia and the ABC have entered into partnership.

Through ABC Sport and ABC Listen, audiences can follow a minimum of 17 matches. This includes every match played by the CommBank Matildas, as well as selected key fixtures during the Group Stage, and all matches in the knockout stages.

Further, Football Australia CEO, Martin Kugeler, outlined the value of making the tournament and the Matildas’ matches available to the nation.

“This is an important partnership that ensures live audio coverage of the CommBank Matildas and the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026™,” said Kugeler via official press release. 

“The CommBank Matildas are one of the most supported teams in the country, and the live audio broadcast on ABC will allow everyone in the nation to get behind the CommBank Matildas and follow their quest to become Asian champions.”

Ultimately, this partnership is not simply about broadcasting football matches; it is about making the tournament accessible and encouraging all across the nation to support the CommBank Matildas and women’s football as a whole.

 

Growing and sustaining the buzz

While many will remember the disappointment of the quarter-finals in the tournament’s last iteration in 2022, this year’s build up contains immense optimism.

“The AFC Women’s Asia Cup is a significant tournament on the global football calendar, and the ABC is pleased to bring it to audiences across Australia as the exclusive audio partner for the event,” explained ABC Managing Director, Hugh Marks.

“With Australia playing host, it’s even more important that audiences across the country can follow the tournament to cheer on our mighty Matildas.”

The partnership between Football Australia and the ABC ensures that football fever can spread to audiences across the broader ABC network, which includes eighty metro stations, 40 local stations and over 60 station on ABC Listen. 

Indeed, Australia’s role as host is a huge opportunity for players, fans and the game’s governing bodies to create a real, nationwide buzz for the women’s game. What remains important, however, is that this buzz continues to grow long after the tournament ends. 

 

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Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia to release vouchers to promote sport and recreation

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Image Credit: Victoria State Government

The three southern states of east Australia to release vouchers encouraging Australians to participate in physical activities.

Victoria -Get Active Kids Program

The Victorian states offer up to $200 vouchers per child to families. This grant aims to coverup front costs of memberships, registration fees, uniforms and equipment across a wide range of sporting codes and recreation activities, soccer being in the list.

To be an eligible candidate for the voucher the child must be 18 or under and named on a Commonwealth Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card, and named on a Medicare Card. A special consideration stream is also available to support children in care, temporary or provisional visa holders, migrants and international students.

The voucher are available from now until the 26th of April 2026.

Tasmania -Ticket to play 

Tasmania recently launched its Ticket to play program. This voucher offers up to $100, it covers sports’ club membership fees. They can be used at two different activity providers, or both can be used at one activity provider.

Only children aged from 5 to 18 will be able to apply for this voucher. They must be listed on a Services Australia Health Care or Pensioner Concession card or have received Family Tax Benefit A in the previous or current financial year.

However, exceptions occur for children in approved out of home care or temporary or provisional visa holders. Undocumented migrants or international students can also apply.

After the 29th of May 2026, vouchers won’t be available for purchase. However, Tasmanians are able to use their vouchers up until the 5th of June 2026.

Southern Australia -Sports Vouchers Plus 

The southern state also provides its residents with vouchers dedicate to supporting more physical activity among the youth. Children attending primary school from year 6 to year 9 can apply for two vouchers of $100. The provider might request for the 11-digit Medicare number or Australian visa number of the child.

These vouchers can be used to get discounts on sports or dance membership/registration fees. It also covers the cost of swimming lessons programs and music lessons.

Southern Australians are free to use their Vouchers for the whole year of 2026.

JH Allan Reserve in Keilor East to undergo lighting upgrades

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Image credit: Football Victoria

After strong backing from the community and Football Victoria, Moonee Valley City Council confirmed the green light for upgrades to proceed later this year.

Resounding support

Ahead of the council meeting on Tuesday 24 March, Football Victoria and five Moonee Valley Council clubs created a petition backing lighting improvements at JH Allan Reserve.

What followed was an astounding 624 signatures – a demonstration of the power of united, community support. As a result, main tenants Moonee Ponds United SC and four addition clubs (including Essendon Royals FC, Avondale FC, FC Strathmore and the Moonee Valley Knights) will all benefit from the developments.

“As one of the only facilities within Moonee Valley not shared with other codes, ensuring that JH Allan Reserve meets the needs of our participants is crucial for Football Victoria,” said FV Head of Government Relations and Strategy, Lachlan Cole.

“It was fantastic to see participants and officials from those five clubs come together, support this project, and unite to speak on behalf of their needs. And it was even more heartening to see the wider football community throw their support behind the development by signing the petition.”

 

A long-awaited verdict

The decision comes as a huge step forward for the local football community, arriving after an extended process of consultations and surveys.

In September 2022, Moonee Valley City Council endorsed the Moonee Valley Soccer Strategy, which sought to identify potential upgrades at JH Allan Reserve.

Furthermore, during the community consulation between March and April 2023, 365 people participated in a survey regarding the developments. In the end, 65% of responses supported or strongly supported the installation of sports lighting at the ground.

It is therefore clear that, for much of the community, this was a cause worth fighting for. Over three years since the initial endorsement from Moonee Valley City Council, JH Allan Reserve is now set for a vital upgrade.

Final thoughts

More importantly, however, are the current and future athletes who will feel the benefit from these developments.

Football participation is growing and will continue to do so, in Moonee Valley, Victoria and Australia as a whole. That is why developments like this are so vital.

They are not merely nice to have, but are fundamental to supporting future footballers in the community by providing them with the facilities and environment to play.

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