AFC Grassroots Panel confirms desire to grow football in Asia

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The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has reaffirmed its desire to establish soccer as the most popular sport in Asia at the AFC Grassroots Panel meeting 2024.

Hosted at the InterContinental Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Monday, the panel meeting outlined the organisation’s aspiration to connect more people than ever to soccer, regardless of their social, economic or physical disadvantages.

To begin the meeting, panel members reviewed the latest endorsements of the AFC Grassroots Charter. They focused on how to grow and develop the agreement, which currently has 43 Member Associations (MAs).

Through the meeting, members discussed the most recent grassroots objectives, including the standardisation of grassroots data collection systems and registration, and the introduction and reinforcement of mandatory child protection measures.

The panel examined the findings of a recent survey coordinated by the AFC and the Japan Football Association, which aimed to find effective ways to support MA’s development of players through gathering information on the landscape of grassroots and youth football in Asia.

Attendees also discussed the importance of a potential training course for grassroots leaders, that would teach topics such as skill development, motivation, and player safety, to help aide community figures.

AFC Technical Director, Andy Roxburgh, spoke about how important it was to reach young people through such courses.

“Grassroots football starts with young people. Therefore, it is essential that we establish a safe environment that provides a fun experience while promoting health, good habits, happiness, and hope,” he said at the conference.

“The proposed sessions are designed to equip teachers, parents, and volunteers with essential knowledge, ensuring they are well-prepared for the delicate task of introducing football to children for the first time.”

To finalise the meeting, panellists were also praised for their role in the 11th AFC Grassroots Football Day 2024. The day involved 43 MAs connecting together through tournaments, festivals and seminars, to celebrate the beauty and strength of grassroots soccer.

Furthermore, members were shown highlights of the AFC Annual Awards Seoul 2023, where AFC MAs had been rewarded for their work with the AFC President’s Recognition Awards for Grassroots Football.

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Football NSW 2025 Registrations Surge as Season Approaches

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Football NSW community registrations have rocketed beyond the 200,000 marks, keeping pace to eclipse the record numbers set in 2024, as the code’s popularity continues to boom across the state.

Australia’s most populous state has been breaking records the last couple years with rising participation numbers. This year continues to solidify that trend.

Junior participation is leading the charge with more than 115,000 children aged 5-12 already signed up with local clubs as the winter football season draws near.

This sustained growth follows an exceptional 2024 season that witnessed a 9% increase in overall player registrations, with female participation skyrocketing by an impressive 17%.

Football NSW CEO John Tsatsimas was particularly proud with the increased junior and female representation.

“It’s pleasing to see the healthy number of juniors registering for the upcoming community football season,” Tsatsimas commented via official Football NSW Press release.

“It’s equally great to once again see female participation at the forefront of our growth.

“Our club volunteers and Associations have done a tremendous job in overseeing registrations within their local communities and we’re looking forward to seeing the new season get underway in April.”

Not just grassroots football in NSW, but nationwide, football participation has seen huge growth in youth and female participation.

A strong NSW football environment at the forefront of this surge is key to maintaining and cultivating participation.

Though with every increase in participating numbers, the community-based clubs bear the brunt of more demand.

Now more than ever, associations and clubs need sufficient support from the state Football federation if they want to continue these exciting results.

Though time will tell how much of an increase in players there will be, the report is promising.

How to maintain the players and bring more into the footballing community in the coming years will be the next big questions for all levels of football in the state and in the country.

Liverpool FC and Adidas Reignite Partnership

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Image Credit: Liverpool FC website

Liverpool FC and Adidas have announced a new multi-year partnership, agreeing to the return as the club’s official kit supplier from August 1, 2025.

This renewed collaboration with Adidas will see the iconic brand supply match kits, training gear, and culture wear for the club’s men’s, women’s, and academy teams, as well as LFC Foundation staff.

This alliance marks the revival of a storied relationship, with Adidas having previously provided kits during some of the Reds’ most successful eras.

Liverpool CEO Billy Hogan commented on the importance of this partnership and what it means for the club.

“Everyone at the club is incredibly excited to welcome adidas back into the LFC family. We have enjoyed fantastic success together in the past and created some of the most iconic LFC kits of all time,” he said via press release.

“Adidas and Liverpool share an ambition of success and we couldn’t be more excited to partner together again as we look forward to creating more incredible kits to help drive on-pitch performance. We’d like to thank Nike for their support over the last five years and wish them well for the future.”

The initial collaboration from 1985 to 1996 saw Liverpool secure multiple domestic league titles and FA Cup victories, while the subsequent partnership from 2006 to 2012 delivered further silverware, cementing adidas as a fan-favourite kit provider.

Adidas CEO Bjørn Gulden expressed his excitement for the returning collaboration.

“We are extremely excited that adidas and Liverpool Football Club are teaming up once again. The club is one of the biggest and most iconic names in world football with a huge fan base,” he said via press release.

“The jerseys worn during previous partnerships are some of the greatest ever created.”

With the three stripes returning to Anfield, excitement is building ahead of the unveiling of Liverpool’s new home and away kits.

The designs will be officially revealed through Liverpool FC and adidas channels, with fans able to purchase the fresh range from the start of August.

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