AFC digital platforms break records

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The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has reached several milestones for its digital platforms, achieving a high amount of growth despite the suspension of fixtures.

The AFC had implemented a ‘fan-first’ digital strategy which proved to be successful, the 2020 figures so far have surpassed the number of engagements the AFC’S website and social platforms received in 2019.

Traffic on the AFC website increased by 185.5% between the last AFC Champions League match before lockdown on March 4 and the restart of the tournament on September 14.

The Arabic website of the AFC saw a 410.9% increase in traffic while over 10 million people engage with AFC polls across social media.

The AFC said that traffic had been strong in Vietnam, Iraq, Jordan, Palestine, Indonesia and Lebanon.

“Keeping our fans engaged with Asian football during the time when the AFC Competitions were postponed was a key objective and I am delighted to see the growth that the AFC has achieved,” Dato’ Windsor John, the AFC General Secretary, said in a statement.

“Now that our club competitions are beginning to return, we believe that the mix of live content alongside the very popular fan focused content of the last six months will drive the continued expansion of the AFC’s digital properties.”

On Wednesday, the AFC also thanked the Qatar Football Association and Qatari authorities for their efforts in hosting the opening match days of the AFC Champions League (West) group.

“The experience of all the participants – teams, officials, match officials and staff – has been outstanding from a world leading airport, to smooth and efficient immigration, to some of the best hotels in Asia, to cutting edge training facilities and now matches have been played in state-of-the-art stadiums with the very latest technology,” the AFC said in a statement.

“The medical support provided by the Qatari authorities in safeguarding the health and welfare of all the participants during this difficult time of the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated that Qatar’s non-football care is also exceptional.”

Qatar will host the FIFA World Cup in 2022. Three stadiums will be used for the FIFA World Cup – Khalifa International Stadium, Al Janoub Stadium and the Education City Stadium were used for the AFC Champions League.

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Weston Bears Park to Transform into a State-of-the-Art Sports Hub

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Weston Bears Park upgrade new clubroom facilities

The Weston Bears Park upgrade will deliver modern, accessible facilities for football players, spectators, and the local community in Newcastle. Construction is well underway and the project scheduled to finish by February 2026.

The upgrade is part of Cessnock City Council’s ongoing community projects. It will improve local sports infrastructure and support community engagement. Weston Bears Park hosts daily training and matches for Premier League and junior teams. Additionally, it serves as a venue for community events.

The project includes:

  • Refurbishing the grandstand to create new clubrooms, a canteen, office space, and members’ area

  • Building team change rooms, referee facilities, and a gym

  • Upgrading spectator amenities, including toilets and better access

  • Constructing a new car park and improving landscaping

The Weston Bears Facility Upgrade follows the adoption of the Weston Bears Park Masterplan in September 2020. Council consulted with Weston Bears Football Club, Weston Junior Football Club, Weston Workers Club, and the community. This ensured the upgrades meet the needs of all users.

Funding comes from the Australian Government’s Growing Regions Program and Council’s operational budget. This partnership shows a shared commitment to local sport and community wellbeing.

Cessnock City Council Mayor said: “This upgrade marks an exciting step for Weston Bears Park. It will provide modern, accessible facilities for everyone—from grassroots players to long-time supporters. We are proud to invest in infrastructure that brings people together and strengthens our sporting culture.”

Ultimately, the project will transform Weston Bears Park into a state-of-the-art sporting hub. Consequently, it will remain a key centre for football and community activity in Newcastle for many years.

Elite Coaching Secrets Revealed: Chris Ramsey MBE to Inspire Australian Youth Coaches

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Chris Ramsey MBE presenting youth coaching strategies

Football Coaches Australia has announced a special online CPD session featuring Chris Ramsey MBE on Monday, November 17th at 7:30 pm AEDT. The timing is significant: Ramsey will be joining the session immediately following his involvement with the FIFA U17 World Cup.

This means Australian coaches will receive fresh, real-world insights from one of the game’s most respected youth development experts while his observations are still current.

Elite Experience Meets Youth Development

Ramsey brings a rare dual perspective to the session. As a former Premier League coach and current Professional Development Phase Lead for England’s youth teams, he has worked across both elite senior and youth environments.

This combination gives him unique insight into what young players actually need to succeed at the highest levels. He’s not theorising about development pathways; he’s actively shaping them for England’s next generation of elite footballers.

The Maturation Factor

The session will focus on a critical but often misunderstood aspect of youth coaching: “The Need to Consider Growth and Maturation when Developing Young Players.”

Ramsey will explore how physical, psychological, and emotional maturity impact player performance. More importantly, he’ll share how the world’s best youth systems adapt their coaching to account for these differences.

This isn’t about treating all players the same. It’s about recognising that young athletes develop at different rates and adjusting coaching approaches accordingly.

Practical Takeaways From the World Stage

The U17 World Cup provides the perfect laboratory for observing these maturation differences in action. Players from different countries, backgrounds, and development systems compete at the same age level but often display vastly different levels of physical and mental maturity.

Ramsey will draw from these specific observations to illustrate how elite programs identify and work with these variations. Australian coaches attending the session will gain access to strategies currently being used at the highest levels of international youth football.

Session Details

The CPD session takes place on Monday, November 17th at 7:30 pm Australian Eastern Daylight Time online. This represents a valuable opportunity for coaches to learn directly from someone actively working at the forefront of international youth development.

With Ramsey’s MBE recognition and his current role shaping England’s youth teams, the session offers Australian coaches a direct connection to elite European development thinking and practice.

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