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Chris Nikou re-elected to the ASEAN Football Federation Council
The Association of South East Nations (ASEAN) Football Federation (AFF) Council has re-elected Football Australia Chair Chris Nikou on a four-year term between 2022 and 2026.
The AFF consists of the national football associations of Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Timor-Leste, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
The AFF Elections took place during the AFF Ordinary Congress 2022 in Siem Reap, Cambodia, with Nikou in attendance.
The AFF Elections held were for the positions of President, four Vice Presidents, five Council Members and one female council member.
Nikou was successfully elected unopposed as a Council Member with a term of four (4) years and was pleased with his election and Australia’s continued efforts to enhance relationships within the ASEAN region.
“I would first like to thank my colleagues across ASEAN for entrusting me with the responsibility that a position on the AFF Council entails,” Nikou said. “Recognising that responsibility, I am committed to working hard to ensure Australia supports the development of this beautiful game across the South East Asian region,” Nikou said in a statement.
“Since being admitted to AFF as a full member in 2013, Australia has only continued to increase its football engagement with the region, and my renewed position on the AFF Council provides an opportunity to continue driving this strong relationship.
“Australia is proud to be a part of ASEAN, and with a combined population of 650 million football-loving people, this region presents tremendous opportunities to grow and develop the game for the benefit of many, and to bring nations together through a common love of football.
“Through the AFF, and together with our fellow AFF Member Associations, Football Australia will continue to work in partnership to ensure AFC’s vision of becoming the world’s leading football confederation is achieved.”
The AFF Ordinary Congress 2022 in Siem Reap closely followed Cambodia’s hosting of the ASEAN Summit in Phnom Penh, which was attended by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
“There was of course really good football on show across the age groups and great sportsmanship, which was fantastic to see.
“I think the message is getting through about how important it is to provide a positive environment for kids to play sport in. It was pleasing to see everybody there, both players and parents/supporters, had a good time.”
Navas estimates that there were well over 12,500 people attending the event across both venues over the weekend, providing a giant boost to the local Shepparton area.
“You are talking about a wide range of people who are, at a minimum, staying in the city of Shepparton or close by for two nights,” he said.
“The economic impact was massive.”
Director for Sustainable Development at Greater Shepparton City Council, Geraldine Christou, further explained the greater benefits the tournament had on the local community.
“Australia’s largest junior weekend football tournament right here in Greater Shepparton showcases the strength of our community spirit and our capacity to host major events that bring joy, talent, and visitors to our region,” she stated.
“The economic benefit of this tournament is immense with an estimated $3 to $4 million generated for the region, supporting our local businesses and creating lasting memories for thousands of young athletes and their families.
The Greater Shepparton City Council’s Parks, Sport and Recreation team played a big hand in the organisation of the tournament, which included looking after the setup of pitches to the placement of goals at the venues.
Football Victoria CEO Chris Pehlivanis, who attended the tournament over the course of the weekend, was impressed with the execution of it.
“I’m proud of the whole tournament, it was an amazing opportunity to come down here to Shepparton and see lots of boys and girls playing football and playing lots of games,” he stated at the event.
“I think most kids had six, seven, eight games which is an amazing opportunity and not only that, there was amazing organisation.
“Everyone should be extremely proud of what they have achieved here this weekend…the logistics, everything was run smoothly…the referees were great and all the parents and participants were great.”
The Shepparton Cup has continued to grow exponentially over the years, initially starting with just 30 teams in the inaugural tournament in 2007.
This year’s edition also featured a wide range of off the field activities that contributed to a carnival like atmosphere. There was live music, on stage entertainment, food trucks, a fun zone for players and families.
Navas detailed to Soccerscene that the enormity of the event was not lost on him and is investigating ways to make the competition better in the near future.
“(The growth of the event has been) overwhelming, compared to many of the previous years. It was the biggest by far this year and there was a great positivity around it.
“The plan is to not necessarily make it bigger in the future, just to tweak it and add more to it and make it a better experience for everyone.
“I’d love to be able to attract some more international teams, we are looking at that to see how we can get some of the Asian teams to come across to the event.
“This would be fantastic, as it would show the kids here how football is played in different parts of the world. The way we look at things is ‘if I was 10- or 12-years-old what would I want this tournament be?’
“That’s what drives a lot of our thinking and ultimately our initiatives. It’s important to us because if the kids have a good experience, they’re going to become better players and better people because of it.
“We’ve also received some really good information from the feedback surveys we put out, which is very beneficial in shaping the tournament suitably in future editions.”
Football Australia has officially announced the launch of the National Second Tier (NST) competition, a key milestone in its commitment to advancing domestic club football in Australia.
Following extensive workshops and consultations with the eight NST Foundation Clubs, Football Australia confirmed the NST will kick off in October 2025, highlighting the best in Australian club football through a modern and sustainable competition model.
Key Aspects of the 2025 NST Competition:
Commitment to Play: Football Australia, the NST Foundation Clubs, and stakeholders are committed to launching the NST in 2025, aligning with the strategic goal of connecting Australia’s football pyramid and elevating iconic clubs to a national level.
Competition Structure: The NST will feature 16 teams, starting with group-stage matches and culminating in an elimination Finals Series. This structure is designed to balance sustainability with competitive integrity and commercial appeal.
Team Composition: The eight NST Foundation Clubs will gain automatic entry and be joined by eight invitational clubs, selected from the Member Federation NPL State Premiers, forming a truly national competition.
Season Timeline: The NST season will run annually from October to December, featuring nine match day rounds and concluding with a Championship Final in early December. This timeline aligns with the Domestic Match Calendar, ensuring optimal scheduling for players, fans, and stakeholders.
Brand Launch: Football Australia will unveil the competition’s official name, brand identity, marketing materials, and trophy design in the coming months, setting the stage for a memorable inaugural season.
Football Australia CEO James Johnson shared his excitement about the NST: “The introduction of the National Second Tier is a landmark moment for football in Australia. Following productive discussions with our eight Foundation Clubs and consultation with other stakeholders, we are committed to creating a competition that not only elevates our game but also enriches the football community at all levels. The National Second Tier will provide a new platform for iconic clubs to showcase their talent and connect with fans nationwide.”
Football Australia will continue collaborating with NST Foundation Clubs, Member Federations, and stakeholders to finalise the operational details for the competition.
Over the past year, Football Australia has conducted two detailed Request for Proposal (RFP) processes to select NST clubs. With advisory support from BDO, 14 clubs across six states and territories have met the technical requirements for the NST RFP process.
Of these 14 clubs, six did not meet the financial requirements for a standalone NST home-and-away league before the June 2024 deadline. Football Australia will monitor these clubs as they strengthen their proposals.
Additionally, Football Australia will initiate a third NST RFP selection process, extending eligibility to clubs outside the initial Expression of Interest and focusing on underrepresented regions to identify additional foundation clubs.
The eight clubs announced in November 2023—APIA Leichhardt FC, Avondale FC, Marconi Stallions FC, Preston Lions FC, South Melbourne FC, Sydney Olympic FC, Sydney United 58 FC, and Wollongong Wolves FC—remain central to the NST’s future and will continue as foundation members.
The six additional clubs that have met the NST RFP technical criteria are Adelaide City FC, Caroline Springs-George Cross FC, Gold Coast United FC, Gungahlin United FC, South Hobart FC, and Sunshine Coast FC.
Further updates will be provided as the NST evolves, with a standalone NST home-and-away league remaining a key strategic goal once minimum requirements are met.