Cadbury extend partnership with CommBank Matildas until 2026

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Image provided by Football Australia

Football Australia has announced that world-leading consumer brand, Cadbury, will stay on as an Official Partner of the CommBank Matildas for a further four years until 2026.

First teaming up with the CommBank Matildas back in 2020, Cadbury used its partnership to successfully launch the ‘Get In The Game’ campaign, to combat barriers and help women in sport feel seen, appreciated, and supported. The campaign worked to give professional female athletes a bigger platform, highlight role models for younger players – such as CommBank Matildas and Cadbury Ambassador Alanna Kennedy – and provide access to supplies like better-fitting uniforms.

Upon announcing the partnership extension, Football Australia Chief Executive Officer, James Johnson said in a statement:

“We are thrilled to extend our partnership with Cadbury for a further four years, where we will continue to work together to use the power of football to further inspire future generations of women and girls across Australia to be the best versions of themselves.

“Over the past two years, the popularity of the CommBank Matildas has soared, and the positive influence of the team has seen players become household names and the CommBank Matildas hold the title of Australia’s most-loved national sporting team.

“With the CommBank Matildas set to play several matches on home soil over the next ten months, and Australia to co-host the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023™, we are expecting unprecedented growth in women’s football over the next decade. To meet this demand, Football Australia is working with likeminded partners such as Cadbury to promote equality in our sport, where female footballers enjoy the same level of facilities and resources as their male counterparts, and support the development of future CommBank Matildas.”

Paul Chatfield, Vice President of Marketing at Cadbury said via Football Australia:

“At Cadbury, we’re proud to support the continued growth and equality of women’s sport and thrilled to strengthen our support with the CommBank Matildas until 2026.

“With the FIFA Women’s World Cup here on home soil next year, what better time to be shining a light on our incredible female athletes and inspiring the next generation of girls in communities across Australia.”

Football Australia and Cadbury have also announced that experienced defender Alanna Kennedy will also continue as a Cadbury Ambassador.

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Football Victoria marks World Autism Understanding Month with Expanded Inclusion Program

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Image Credit: Football Victoria

Football Victoria has marked World Autism Understanding Month with a series of practical inclusion initiatives delivered in partnership with Aspect, reinforcing the governing body’s commitment to making football accessible for autistic participants across all levels of the game.

The partnership, now in its second year, has moved beyond awareness into structural change. Environmental assessments have been completed across multiple programs and match days, including at Collingwood City FC and the All-Abilities League match day at Northcote City FC. Each assessment identifies accessibility barriers and provides concrete inclusion principles integrated into the physical and operational realities of football environments.

Ahead of the 2025 Football For All Gala Day, Aspect conducted an environmental assessment of The Home of the Matildas, informing the development of a Visual Story designed to help participants with autism understand the venue and event before arriving. The same approach has been applied to FV’s GO Camps program, giving participants and families the information they need to engage with confidence.

Aspect has also delivered multiple education sessions for coaches throughout the partnership, with a dedicated session for referees held on April 20, the first of its kind, extending autism understanding across match officials and into all parts of the game day experience.

Football Victoria has also joined the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Initiative, with training and education to be rolled out across the organisation in the coming months, strengthening its capacity to recognise and support participants with non-visible disabilities.

The initiatives reflect a recognition that access to sport is not guaranteed by an open registration form. For many participants with autism and their families, the barriers are environmental, informational and social; and removing them requires sustained investment in education, assessment and design.

UEFA reaffirm partnership with Oceania Football Confederation

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Image credit: UEFA.com

Last week, UEFA signed a Memoriam of Understanding (MoU) with Oceania’s football governing body to continue its commitment  to football in Oceania.

 

United through football

While being two governing bodies separated by distance, the MoU stands as a symbol of unity and collaboration which supports mutual growth.

The agreement will run until 2031, displaying both parties’ commitment to long-term development through football.

“Europe and Oceania are connected by a shared belief in the importance of investing in people as the foundation of football’s future,” said UEFA President, Aleksander Čeferin, via press release.

“This Memorandum of Understanding brings together UEFA’s experience in elite development and education with OFC’s clear focus on nurturing young talent and strengthening football leadership.”

Furthermore, OFC President, Lambert Maltock, also expressed his confidence in the agreement to support players and pathways alike.

“Our partnership with UEFA reflects a shared commitment to developing the game at every level – from grassroots to elite,” said Maltock.

“By investing in our people and working collaboratively, we are building a more connected, capable and globally competitive football ecosystem for Oceania.”

 

What the agreement promises

Continuing UEFA’s recent MoUs with CAF (Africa), Concacaf (North, Central America and the Caribbean) and CONMEBOL (South America), the partnership will seek to address several key aspects. These include:

  • Youth football opportunities – supporting OFC’s annual boy’s and girl’s U15 tournaments.
  • Knowledge exchange – reciprocal observer programmes at club finals and national team tournaments.
  • Football development – delivered through the UEFA Together programme.
  • Coach education – sharing of technical expertise and learning activities.
  • Refereeing – opportunities to referee youth tournaments, courses and technical programmes.

Moreover, the agreement outlines a commitment to ensuring football remains a tolerant and inclusive sport, capable of uniting communities and empowering individuals.

Therefore, the MoU between UEFA and the OFC is symbolic of aligned values, principles and vision for the future of football in both regions.

 

Final thoughts

An alliance of this nature – especially in these uncertain times for global cooperation – is vital.

Football has the power to unite like nothing else.

So governing bodies must recognise the value of connecting across cultures, countries and continents, not only for what it can do for football, but how it can promote fundamental values within the sport as a whole.

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