Australia to host AFC youth women’s qualifiers

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FFA have announced Australia will host two AFC youth women’s qualification tournaments in 2021.

The AFC has awarded Australia the right to host a group of the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup 2022 Qualifiers (Round 1) in Shepparton, Victoria and a group of the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup 2022 Qualifiers (Round 1) in Cessnock, NSW.

The AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup 2022 Qualifiers are set to take place in March of next year, with the U17 qualifiers due to start a month later, in April.

FFA CEO James Johnson believed hosting these types of tournaments was important for the development of the game.

“On behalf of the Australian football community, I would like to extend our thanks and gratitude to the AFC for granting Australia the hosting rights for these important youth women’s football tournaments which will be held next year,” he said.

“The hosting of these two tournaments aligns with our desire, espoused within the XI Principles for the future of Australian football for Australia, to become the centre of women’s football in the Asia-Pacific region.

“We are excited that our future stars will have the chance to play for Australia on home soil and to showcase their talent in front of friends and family. It also our great pleasure to bring international football to the communities in Cessnock and Shepparton and we hope to provide more opportunities for Australian communities, particularly those in regional areas, to share in the spectacle of the world game.

“We are looking forward to working with the Greater Shepparton City Council and Cessnock City Council to host these important fixtures for the Westfield Young Matildas and Westfield Junior Matildas.”

Johnson added: “We will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation nationally and internationally,” with these games to be held in 2021 we hope and expect that the situation locally and within the Asian region will have improved by the kick-off of these tournaments.”

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Arsenal Secures Exciting New Deal with Paramount+

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Image credit: Maciej Rogowski / Shutterstock.com

Arsenal FC has unveiled a global partnership with Paramount+, drawing the major streaming service further into top-tier football as the race for fan engagement intensifies across sport and entertainment.

The deal makes Paramount+ an Official Partner of the club, embedding the platform’s branding and content across Arsenal’s matchday experience and digital channels throughout the 2025/26 campaign.

The agreement highlights a broader industry shift, with major entertainment platforms turning to leading football clubs to expand global visibility, drive subscriber growth and place their brands at the centre of highly engaged fan communities.

The collaboration will see Paramount+ integrated throughout matchdays, including in-stadium branding, big-screen presence, programme features and themed activations at both men’s and women’s games. The platform will also be showcased across select retail and digital fan-experience channels.

Executive Vice President and International General Manager of Paramount+, Marco Nobili emphasised the shared global reach and enthusiasm behind the collaboration.

“We’re beyond excited to unite Paramount+ and Arsenal– two global iconic brands with supporters that live and breathe passion,” he said via Official Club media release.

Arsenal’s Chief Commercial Officer, Juliet Slot underscored how the strategic collaboration enhances the club’s commercial strength and fan experience.

“We’re delighted to welcome Paramount+ into our Arsenal family. They’re a world-class, global entertainment brand, and we’re so excited to work together and create new ways for our supporters to feel even closer to the club. Their expertise, creativity and investment strengthen our ability to deliver outstanding experiences for our supporters and supports our ambition to compete for major trophies,” she said via Official Club media release.

Paramount+ will tap into Arsenal’s strong social media presence, especially on TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram to share content aligned with key releases during the 2025/26 season. The initial activation, centred on the new season of Landman, will showcase first-team players alongside influencer Sharky, Eberechi Eze, William Saliba, and Gabriel Martinelli.

Shake2Go by Optislim Named Major Sponsor of Oakleigh Cannons

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Image credit: Oakleigh Cannons FC

Shake2Go, by Optislim, has been named major partner of the Oakleigh Cannons for the 2026 season, with the brand to feature prominently on the front of the club’s playing shirt. The sponsorship brings together a fast-growing Australian nutrition brand and one of the country’s most respected grassroots football clubs.

Meet Shake2Go – Australia’s first high protein + vitamins shake packed into a can . Each ready-to-drink can delivers 30g of premium protein, essential vitamins and minerals, is low in sugar, gluten-free, and packaged in eco-friendly cans. No mixing. No mess. No compromise. Just grab, shake, and go. With its smooth, milkshake-like taste, it delivers proper nutrition without slowing anyone down.

“We’re proud to welcome Shake2Go by Optislim as our major sponsor for the 2026 season,” said Aki Ionnas, General Manager of the Oakleigh Cannons. “To have such an innovative brand on the front of our shirt is a major endorsement of our club. This sponsorship is about more than logos  it’s a real investment into our players, our programs, and our wider community. At a grassroots level, that kind of support makes a genuine difference.”

The sponsorship will directly support player development, community programs, and the ongoing operations of the club. Shake2Go will have a strong presence across matchdays, community events, and player initiatives throughout the season.

At its core, this sponsorship reflects shared values of performance, wellbeing, and giving back to the football community that helps shape the future of the game.

For more information on Shake2Go, click here.

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