Blacktown City announce Walker as their new Principal Partner

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Blacktown City FC have announced a long-term partnership with the Walker Corporation to be their Principal Partner for the club’s National Premier League Men’s and Women’s sides.

Blacktown, the defending NPL NSW Men’s Champions, confirmed the partnership at their season launch for the upcoming NPL NSW season. Significantly, the club has reaffirmed that its new partnership with Walker stems from an alignment of philosophies and ambition to create a sporting icon for the city it represents.

“The Walker attitude of seeing an opportunity where others simply see a challenge, is the same vision we have to build on the reputation, history and culture Blacktown City FC has developed over our 70-year history,” Blacktown City FC Executive Chairman Bob Turner said.

“We could not ask for a better partner to support our future growth. The commitment of Walker to Western Sydney will not only stimulate the city of Blacktown, but their community spirit will lead to Blacktown City FC utilising its players and coaches to establish a free schools development programme with a goal to spread the Blacktown City FC word and find the next Matilda or Socceroo.”

Walker Corporation Executive Chairman, Lang Walker, expressed that his team is proud to continue its strong support for Western Sydney and its communities.

“Sport unites communities and that passion and drive from Blacktown City FC and its fans to be the best, aligns with what we stand for at Walker,” he said.

“Our goal is to help Western Sydney flourish with great communities and workplaces and to do that properly, it’s vital to invest in cultural, education and health outcomes across the region.”

At their season launch, Blacktown City FC also outlined their partnership with the new owners of Blacktown City Sports Centre, Momento Hospitality. CEO of Momento, Marcello Colosimo, has wasted little time since acquiring Lily’s Function Centre and Blacktown City FC’s home late last year. Renovations began immediately to revamp the facility to ‘The Star Hotel and Event Centre’. The Star will become the home for post-game celebrations and events for Blacktown City FC.

“We are excited to revamp both the function centre and stadium and with Blacktown City FC we have an ideal partner to profile both organisations,” stated Marcello Colosimo.

“Our philosophy is also to give back to the community and together we have developed a ‘Grass Roots Training Programme’ to provide first class training for those not fortunate enough to participate in NPL or SAP football. The goal is to identify potential talent and offer scholarships to the proven Blacktown breeding ground through Momento.”

In a further announcement, Momento has allowed Blacktown City FC to seek a naming rights partner for their home ground. Blacktown City FC and Momento confirmed that Landen Property Group has agreed to a long-term commitment for ‘Landen Stadium’.

With a portfolio of work across the state, Landen currently has three major projects in Blacktown. Sharing a similar philosophy to Walker and Momento to build and give back to a community, Landen Director, Rashed Panabig, said the company was honoured by the opportunity to contribute to the future of Blacktown City FC.

“Our culture and business are built around a shared vision to make a meaningful, positive change to the communities we serve, and we are delighted to have this chance to support this great sport and the people who love it.

“Blacktown is one of the most progressive areas of Sydney, and we’re excited to be part of its future.”

Blacktown City FC’s first home game for the 2023 season is Sunday, February 5 in a Grand Final replay against Manly – game time is 5pm. The Women commence their second season at the senior level at home on Sunday, March 12th against Marconi.

“We are delighted to be able to announce three main partnerships prior to the opening round of the 2023 season,” Turner said.

“Walker, Momento Hospitality, and Landen Property Group provide, not only financial support for Blacktown City FC, but the credibility three mainstream business groups offer to the wider corporate community to get on Board.”

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Australian Championship set to revolutionise domestic football

Football Australia has unveiled the “Australian Championship,” a groundbreaking new competition that promises to reshape the nation’s football landscape.

Officially launching in October 2025, the Championship will serve as a vital bridge between state-based competitions and the Isuzu UTE A-League Men’s system, bringing clubs, players, and communities closer together.

This announcement comes on the heels of the October confirmation of the National Second Tier (NST) format, marking a significant milestone in Australian football.

The Australian Championship will provide a national platform for clubs and players to showcase their talent while fostering stronger connections with fans and communities across the country.

Competition Format and Vision

The Australian Championship will feature 16 teams competing in a dynamic format designed to balance competitive integrity and fan engagement. The competition will include:

Group Stage: Four groups of four teams playing home-and-away fixtures.

Elimination Finals: The top two teams from each group advancing to knockout rounds.

Grand Final: The inaugural champion to be crowned in December 2025.

This structure highlights Football Australia’s ambition to create an inclusive, exciting, and commercially sustainable competition that celebrates the depth of Australian football talent.

Football Australia Chief Executive Officer James Johnson spoke on the importance of this announcement for the future of Australian football.

“The Australian Championship is much more than a competition – it’s a national celebration of football; uniting proud historic clubs, emerging talent, and inter-generational community connection. It reflects the core values of Australian football: authenticity, opportunity, and ambition,” Johnson said in the press release.

“This competition will complement the A-League, NPL, and Hahn Australia Cup, providing a connected, meaningful pathway for players and fans alike. Today’s brand launch is a statement of our commitment to grow domestic football in Australia and unlock its full potential.”

Founding Clubs and National Representation

The competition will include eight Foundation Clubs with storied histories, such as APIA Leichhardt FC (NSW), Avondale FC (VIC), Marconi Stallions FC (NSW), Preston Lions FC (VIC), South Melbourne FC (VIC), Sydney Olympic FC (NSW), Sydney United 58 FC (NSW), and Wollongong Wolves FC (NSW), representing some of the strongest footballing traditions in the country.

Joining them will be eight Member Federation clubs drawn from the National Premier Leagues (NPL) across all states and territories.

This model ensures representation from every corner of the national football community, giving grassroots and state-level clubs an opportunity to compete on a larger stage.

Core Pillars of the Australian Championship

The Australian Championship aims to unite Australian football under the following key values:

Authenticity: Honouring historic clubs, iconic venues, and long-standing rivalries.

Discovery: Showcasing emerging talent and rising stars from across the nation.

Connection: Strengthening ties between grassroots, state competitions, and professional pathways.

Pride and Belonging: Celebrating football’s ability to bring players, fans, and communities together.

A New Era for Australian Football

With its launch, the Australian Championship is set to redefine the country’s domestic football ecosystem, creating new opportunities for players, clubs, and fans. Football Australia’s initiative reflects a commitment to building a thriving national competition while staying true to the rich heritage and passion that underpin Australian football.

As October 2025 approaches, anticipation will only grow for what promises to be a transformative moment in the nation’s sporting history.

The Club Development Conference highlights community football

Significant Sporting Events Program 2023-24

On Saturday, February 1st, over 200 attendees came together at Valentine Sports Park for the 2025 Football NSW Club Development Conference.

With registrations for the 2025 season still coming in, over 85 Football NSW clubs from both Sydney Metropolitan and regional areas gathered for a dynamic day of workshops, panels, and special guest speakers, celebrating community football.

Presented by Stephanie Brantz, the Conference included keynote addresses from Karen Jones, Acting CEO of Destination NSW and Chief Executive of the NSW Office of Sport, Dr. Catriona Rose of the Australian Sports Commission, and Matildas cap #167, Ellie Brush.

After the successful second edition of the conference, Trevor Huxley, Football NSW’s Program Manager for Club Development, expressed his excitement over the strong support from the community.

“The Club Development Conference is a fantastic opportunity to bring together all levels of the game to learn from one another, network and discuss best practice for grassroots football,” said Huxley via press release.

“It has been inspiring to see grassroots clubs across the state in attendance, illustrating a remarkable commitment to supporting their local communities. It’s vital that Football NSW continues to lead in this space, providing support to the volunteers and local administrators who are central to the ongoing growth of our game.”

Along with the keynote speakers, attendees were able to choose sessions tailored to their Club or role, covering topics such as safeguarding, volunteerism, marketing and data analysis, infrastructure and grant funding, player and spectator behaviour, women & girls’ football, diversity and inclusion, and grassroots coach education.

The Football NSW Club Development Conference serves as a pivotal platform for enhancing community football by Empowering Clubs, Facilitating Networking, Offering Targeted Education and Showcasing Leadership.

By focusing on these areas, the conference plays a crucial role in strengthening community football, promoting inclusivity, and ensuring the sport’s sustainable growth.

To gain further details and access Club resources, click here.

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