APL confirms expansion of the A-League with two new clubs joining by 2024

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A-League expansion
Image credit: Kritsana Laroque / Shutterstock.com

The Australian Professional Leagues (APL) have confirmed that Canberra and Auckland will be the A-Leagues’ preferred markets for the next round of expansion for the 2024-2025 season.

The decision was based on judging key criteria in areas such as potential fan-base, appropriate stadia, whether or not it would cannibalise existing fans and expanding the competitions’ footprint.

The A-League Men’s competition is set to further expand by the 2025-2026 season, with a further two teams to join the league. Expansion candidates are understood to include a second team in Brisbane, Wollongong, Adelaide, Perth, Gold Coast and Tasmania.

“We’re focused on building really strong sustainable clubs into the future, and we definitely think Canberra and Auckland fit that bill,” APL CEO Danny Townsend said.

“We want to go and look at all the things that you need to deliver a really successful football club… so we can sort of build a club in a box, and then find the right owner for the box.

“We’ve got under-served markets as the priority in this round…next round… we’re certainly looking at derbies (as a reason for expansion).”

Danny Townsend
Danny Townsend addressed the media regarding the latest expansion.

AAFC Chairman Nick Galatas, in response to the A-Leagues announcement, stated to Soccerscene:

“The A-Leagues have always said they want to expand, so I understand their decision in that context,” he said.

“Having said that, that was before the new NSD was firmly in the works and it comes at a time when Football Australia has also flagged it aims to expand the number of strong clubs in the country, by means of a new national second tier. 

“In doing that, Football Australia has called for EOI’s from clubs with a demonstrated tradition and contribution to the game with a connection to their community – whereas the A-League is proposing to expand by creating new, private entities and then deciding on a location or territory for them. 

“My concern is about how the two diametrically opposite, and perhaps competing, approaches to building strong clubs will be incorporated into a coherent strategy, allowing unification of our tiers consistent with FA’s stated objectives.” 

Canberra will be returning to the national men’s top league for the first time in over 20 years with the Cosmos folding in 2001, while the Auckland-based Football Kings folded back in 2004.

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Mapping the Future: GIS Innovation Takes Off in Australia

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Image credit: Global Institute of Sport

Global Institute of Sport (GIS) is expanding its influence in the Asia-Pacific, in particular, Australia where they have already made significant progress and will be opening a brand new campus.

GIS is a leader in sports education, offering innovative online and in-person courses at campuses and iconic sports venues around the world, including the likes of Wembley Stadium in London, Chase Stadium in Miami, and Melbourne’s MCG.

But it’s Australia where GIS is now focusing its attention and they’ve already made some big strides.

In episode four of Soccerscene’s Off the Pitch podcast, Asia-Pacific Regional Director Ray Boggiano spoke about the progress GIS has made in Australia so far.

“We’ve had the MCG partnership since 2019, so we’ve been doing our first summit, so study tour was in January 2020, we had a couple of virtual ones in between and then we brought our students back for the last couple of years as well,” he said in the podcast.

“From last year we started doing these residentials, so we have various sites, the MCG, Darebin, our partner clubs like Preston, they’re signed off as sites that we can deliver for face-to-face teaching for our British programs.”

Additionally, Boggiano spoke about the new GIS campus opening in Australia next year.

“Our vision and something that’s very soon to be realised is to have a sports campus in Australia,” he said.

“We will be opening the doors to our Sydney campus next year so our first intake will be in January 2026.

“The partnership is with the University of Newcastle, but it’s with their Sydney CBD campus, and also in partnership with Venus NSW, so very pleased to be able to use the Allianz Stadium and the SCG as well, so we’ve got access to two incredible stadiums.”

Boggiano also added that the new campus will be taking applications as soon as this month and highlighted the importance of Australia to GIS.

“We will be starting to take applications likely from April this year and the first intake will be January 2026, so this is a major milestone for us,” he said.

“We have always had Australia central to our strategy, it is really a vibrate sports economy, sports market, and sports industry.

“Over the next ten years that’s only going in one direction with obviously the build-up Brisbane games in 2032.”

The new campus will offer a wide range of degrees and industry-focused programs designed to give students the skills they need to succeed in the global sports industry.

To hear and learn more about GIS, you can listen to the full interview with Ray Boggiano on episode four of Soccerscene’s Off the Pitch Podcast, available on all major podcasting apps and here.

Football Queensland Forms Regional Partnership with McDonald’s

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Image Credit: Football Queensland Facebook

Football Queensland (FQ) is excited to announce McDonald’s as the Official Quick Service Restaurant Partner for the Far North & Gulf region.

Under the two-year regional collaboration, McDonald’s will take on naming rights to the home of football in Cairns, with Endeavour Park now officially named Macca’s Park.

The partnership also includes support for grassroots football, with McDonald’s backing local clubs and celebrating junior players across the Far North and Gulf through the weekly MiniRoos Player of the Week voucher initiative.

FQ General Manager – Northern Conference, Craig Ramage, said the partnership was a major win for the region, highlighting FQ’s continued focus on growing the game in regional Queensland.

“This is an exciting opportunity to partner with an iconic brand in McDonald’s, whose long-standing support of community football aligns strongly with our vision for the game across the state,” he said via press release.

“We’re proud to extend this relationship into the Far North & Gulf, with the support from McDonald’s set to deliver direct benefits to grassroots programs, local clubs and junior players right across the region.

“The renaming of Endeavour Park to Macca’s Park is a powerful symbol of this partnership and our shared commitment to creating vibrant and welcoming regional football hubs that inspire the next generation of participants and bring communities together.”

McDonalds Far North Queensland Marketing Manager Jill Lennox, expressed that the partnership reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to supporting active lifestyles and local communities through sport.

“Active lives are happier and healthier lives. McDonald’s wants to deliver valuable benefits to the wider community. With the goal of helping people live a more balanced, active and enriched lifestyle, McDonald’s is passionate about its sports and community sponsorships program,” she said via press release.

“McDonald’s is very proud to be the naming rights sponsor to the home of football in Cairns now known as Macca’s Park. This partnership is our way of giving back to the community which supports us and to assist in the development of important life skills such as commitment, hard work, and friendship.

“On behalf of McDonald’s, we would like to thank all competitors, parents, organisers, volunteers and other sponsors for their incredible support of Football Far North and Gulf region and we look forward to seeing you at Macca’s Park soon.”

This alliance marks an exciting chapter for football in the Far North & Gulf, as Football Queensland and McDonald’s work together to support the growth of the game across the region.

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