Afghan female footballers evacuated by Australian Government

Avatar

The Australian Government has evacuated a number of female footballers, athletes and their dependents from Afghanistan following an appeal by world bodies FIFA and FIFPRO.

The news was confirmed by FIFPRO, the association for professional footballers, that members of the women’s national football team were among a group of female athletes successfully evacuated from Afghanistan.

Last week, football’s world governing body FIFA joined FIFPRO in writing to governments around the world requesting assistance, as players feared for their lives.

A statement by the international footballers’ federation FIFPRO expressed gratitude to Australia, whilst acknowledging the need for further work in settling the women abroad.

“We are grateful to the Australian government for evacuating a large number of women footballers and athletes from Afghanistan,” FIFPRO said in a statement.

“These young women, both as athletes and activists, have been in a position of danger and on behalf of their peers around the world we thank the international community for coming to their aid.

“There are also many athletes still at risk in Afghanistan and every effort should be made to offer them support.”

Former Afghan women’s team captain turned team director, Khalida Popal, hailed the evacuation.

“The last few days have been extremely stressful, but today we have achieved an important victory,” she said.

“The women footballers have been brave and strong in a moment of crisis, and we hope they will have a better life outside Afghanistan.”

The evacuation came as a result of efforts made by prominent sports people, including Popal. Nikki Dryden, who swam for Canada at two Olympic Games, worked with an Australian lawyer to complete the visa applications for the athletes, which included two Afghan Paralympians.

In addition, the refugee advocates also secured the help of former Socceroos captain, Craig Foster, who lobbied Australian Government officials.

FIFPRO thanked Foster and Dryden, among others, for their efforts and urged the international community to ensure that the players receive the help they need in their new lives.

Central Coast Mariners appoint first female CEO

Avatar
Image credit: A-Leagues website

The Central Coast Mariners has confirmed the appointment of Alyssar Narey who will become the club’s new Chief Executive Officer.

Formerly working with the APL, Narey becomes the first female CEO of the club and brings a wealth of experience from her extensive career in sports administration, business development and agency management.

“I’m really excited to lead a club with a rich history, filled with great people and with such a strong connection to the community,” Narey said in a media release on the Mariners’ website.

“My goal is to make sure the Mariners continue to remain a pillar for the Central Coast and show what’s possible when a business and its community work together.”

The Central Coast Mariners also commented on the recent appointment:

“Under Alyssar’s leadership, Central Coast Mariners will continue its success, building on the remarkable achievements of recent years,” the club said in a media release on their website.

“Her commitment to the Mariners’ identity as “the community club” will see an increased focus on local engagement, developing talent and ensuring that the Central Coast remains at the heart of all the club’s endeavours.

“Her appointment marks the beginning of an exciting new era for the Mariners, one that promises to bring even greater achievements and a stronger connection with the community,” the club said.

The Central Coast Mariners showed their appreciation to Adam Thomson, who served as Interim CEO for the past six months, playing a crucial role in maintaining the stability and success of the club during their transitional period.

“I want to congratulate Alyssar on this well-deserved appointment. The club is in incredibly safe hands under her leadership, and I look forward to seeing the Mariners continue to thrive,” Thomson said in a media release on the Mariners’ website.

The club also confirmed that Chairman Richard Peil will be stepping back from his day-to-day involvement with the Mariners, playing an instrumental role in guiding the club through some of its most successful seasons.

Jordan Smith, who has been a trusted business partner of Peil’s for many years, will be taking over the role of Executive Chairman while Peil will focus on other business ventures.

Narey and Smith will start work immediately with the Central Coast Mariners, while Adam Thomoson will continue to help the club for a few weeks to help with the transition.

Football Australia joins with the Australian Government in supporting Pacific football

Avatar
Football Australia officials helping to run referee knowledge-sharing sessions with the Solomon Islands Football Federation

Football Australia has partnered with the Australian Government to support the growth of elite football in the neighbouring Pacific nations.

Through the four-year investment deal delivered by PacificAus Sports, this new partnership will focus primarily on regular international competitions between Australian and Pacific Island international teams.

The outcomes of PacificAus Sports are complemented by the Australian Government’s Team Up program, which focuses on sport for development in the Pacific.

These competitions will include both men’s and women’s teams from all age groups.

The renewed partnership follows a number of successful initiatives involving Pacific nations, starting with the 2019 Pacific Tour to the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Tonga by Australia’s Junior Matildas, before expanding to include Australian age-group men’s and women’s national football teams.

Furthermore, this will include futsal national teams and competitions and allow for regular competitive games for pacific nations against upcoming and experienced Australian teams.

This partnership will also aim to deliver capacity building initiatives for the development of players, officials and administrators in the Pacific.

In conjunction with this, PacificAus Sports also partners with the Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC) to promote Pacific sport through ABC Television’s ‘That Pacific Sports Show’ and ABC Radio’s ‘Fresh Off the Field’.

Though Australia left the Oceania Football federation (OFC) for the Asian Federation in 2006, due to the geographical proximity of the pacific nations, Football Australia has always tried to maintain a strong and supportive relationship with its island neighbours.

Football Australia’s Chair Anter Issac commented:

“Australian football has many natural connections and intersections with the Pacific through a long-shared history of the game in this region. The surge in interest and inspiration for the game across the Pacific, particularly after our co-hosting of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand™, is undeniable,” he said via media release.

“Our relationship with the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) is a cornerstone of our regional strategy.

“The collaborative efforts between Football Australia and OFC and Member Associations across the region have been critical in strengthening our ties within the Pacific, allowing us to work together towards common objectives and ensuring the continued development of football in the region.”

Australia’s wealth and talent in football is a massive asset for its neighbours and one which they count on for a lot of support.

It will also help to try and bring connection and personal links with the sport and the local communities to help with the growing support of the sport in the region.

Additionally, there is opportunity for investors and sponsors to gain huge benefits form this partnership and its future.

For Australia, this initiative in supporting the Pacific Island’s football both helps develop Pacific footballing quality, and connects the entire region closer.

Most Popular Topics

Editor Picks

Send this to a friend