Anthony Di Pietro retires as Melbourne Victory Chairman

Staff Writer
Image credit: Olav Dias

Anthony Di Pietro has announced that he is retiring as the Chairman of Melbourne Victory FC, following the completion of the 2022/23 season.

Di Pietro has spent 18 years as a Director and 13 seasons in the position of Chairman for Melbourne Victory, as will now step away from official Club duties.

Di Pietro advised the Board and staff on Thursday morning that due to upcoming business commitments and confidence in Victory’s platform for growth, they were the deciding factors for his decision.

Di Pietro – who will still remain a major shareholder – thanked the Club, its staff, players, members, fans, partners, sponsors and fellow shareholders for their support since inception.

“Since joining our Board in 2006, we have enjoyed many highs and battled many challenges along the journey,” Di Pietro stated via press release.

“Whilst this season’s on-field performances did not yield trophies, or come close to our expectations, we are standing on a strong platform for the future.

“Melbourne Victory is now part of an international strategic partnership through 777 Partners with our Men’s and Women’s pathway programs linked from the grassroots to an international level.

“Our ability to recruit players, coaches and support staff is in the best position it has ever been and our community programs are the most comprehensive we have seen, with a focus to live our vision of leading, uniting, connecting and inspiring through football.

“Most importantly we continue to herald inclusion and diversity in football, which can be seen through our support and investment in the Afghan Women’s Team – which is something every member of the Melbourne Victory family should be proud of.

“Like families, we all have great times and challenging periods, but when we all stick together as proud Victory people, we know we will come out the other side bigger and better.

“This is a unique Club and I have met and worked with some fantastic people, all of whom have shaped Melbourne Victory and I’ll forever be grateful for the privilege of being a part of the Club’s journey.

“Melbourne Victory has been integral to my family and my life for 18 years and my family and I will continue to be dedicated members and fans. I will always be a strong supporter of the Board, management and Club.”.

Victory’s Managing Director Caroline Carnegie thanked Di Pietro for his leadership, investment and drive.

“As a Club, Melbourne Victory could not be more thankful for the dedication, service and commitment that the Chairman has provided to us all over the course of the past 18 seasons,” Carnegie added via press release.

“The amount of work and time, let alone passion, which goes into being the Chair of a Club like Victory cannot be underestimated and there will be no other Anthony Di Pietro.

“The Chairman, along with his family, have had an amazing journey and shaped and moulded this Club into the powerhouse we know and love.

“We are grateful that the Chairman will continue to be part of our boys and girls in blue as a major shareholder, albeit stepping away from his official Club duties.”

Under Di Pietro’s leadership, the Club has achieved:

  • Two A-League Men’s Championships
  • One A-League Men’s Premiership
  • Two Australia Cups (formerly FFA Cup)
  • A history making treble
  • Three A-League Women’s Championships (including back-to-back Championships in 2021 and 2022)
  • An A-League Women’s Premiership
  • Hosted international heavyweights including Liverpool, Manchester United and Juventus
  • Developed one of the strongest and most prolific community departments of any sports Club in Australia
  • Introduced the Afghan Women’s Team to the Club’s football structure
  • Returned the Club to its home at AAMI Park
  • Secured the future of Melbourne Victory through an historic sports investment partnership with the 777 Group.

John Dovaston has been appointed as the new Club Chair, replacing Di Pietro effective immediately.

Dovaston is the Current Director and has been an independent board member for eight years – he will be Melbourne Victory’s first independent, non-shareholder, Chairperson.

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Queensland Government grants boosts growth and affordability

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Image credit: PxHere website

Queensland’s sporting community will benefit from comprehensive state government grants, which will help kids join local clubs, support elite athletes, and upgrade facilities.

For children

  • Access up to $200 in FairPlay vouchers per eligible child to assist with sport and recreation club membership costs.
  • Support of up to $800 is available through Emerging Athlete Pathways for athletes and officials under 18 attending state, national and international competitions.

For clubs and organisations

  • Become a registered organisation to accept FairPlay vouchers, allowing eligible children to use up to $200 towards membership, registration or participation fees.
  • Register your organisation’s competitions at state, national and international levels through Emerging Athlete Pathways to enable athlete and official funding eligibility.
  • Apply for the Minor Infrastructure and Inclusive Facilities Fund to create accessible, safe and inclusive community sport and recreation spaces.
  • Not-for-profit sport and recreation organisations can access Active Clubs funding to support volunteers and deliver flexible, safe physical activities to boost participation.

Disaster recovery

  • Eligible not-for-profit sport and recreation organisations affected by significant weather events can apply for up to $5,000 through the Sport and Recreation Disaster Recovery Program to restart operations.

Other Sports and Recreation funding sources

  • Explore funding opportunities for not-for-profit organisations through your local council.
  • Contact your state sport and recreation organisation for information about activity-specific funding options.
  • Access various funding programs for individuals and sporting organisations through Sport Australia.

Sporting clubs have always been vocal about the importance that government backing has in the upkeep of the sporting industry.

Though it will take time to see the full effect of these grants, this comprehensive list of grants shows that Queensland’s government is dedicated to supporting its sporting industry.

It’s a positive sign and hopefully, it will help increase the sporting output and relieve the financial stress for the people of Queensland. A strong sporting Queensland is a benefit for sport in the country as a whole.

Learn more here.

Major grant boost for women’s football in NSW

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NSW Government - Level the Playing Fund
Image credit: Football NSW

In a major win for women’s football growth in NSW, a $654,000 grant from the Federal Government has been awarded to support the ‘Play Our Way’ initiative for women and girls.

Football NSW’s ‘Empower Her’ project, focused on leadership, education, and inclusion for women in football, was among 120 grants awarded as part of the Federal Government’s $55 million scheme.

The grant will focus on three key areas—leadership, education, and inclusion—to attract, retain, and develop women in football. It will also support intersectional communities through initiatives like the NAIDOC Cup for First Nations youth and community sustainability efforts for priority groups via Football4All and the State Parafootball team.

Football NSW CEO, John Tsatsimas, mentioned the crucial role that the funding will have for Football NSW.

“The generous funding from the Federal Government will play a pivotal role in supporting Football NSW’s mission to expand and elevate female participation in football across the state, ensuring that more women and girls can thrive in the sport at every level,” he said via press release.

“Female football continues to soar following the incredible success of last year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023™.

“Over the past 12 months, female participation has surged by an impressive 23%, reflecting the growing enthusiasm and opportunities for women and girls in the sport.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Federal Government for their invaluable support. This funding will help us grow and create more opportunities for women and girls to participate in all facets of football across NSW.”

Sport Minister, Anika Wells, added her comments about the Play Our Way initiative.

“Play Our way is the single biggest package for women’s sport participation and facilities ever and these 120 projects will create greater opportunities for women and girls to enjoy being physically active,” she said via press release.

“The huge response to this grant opportunity, and the range of great project ideas, show that Australian communities want to be more supportive of women and girls.”

The grants are part of the participation stream, the first funding confirmed under the Albanese Government’s $200 million Play Our Way program.

A second phase of the Play Our Way program, focused on facility grants, will be confirmed soon.

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