Coaches applaud new broadcast deal

Football Coaches Australia (FCA) is delighted that Football Federation Australia (FFA) has announced the agreement of a revised broadcast deal with Fox Sports.

The Agreement will extend the FFA’s relationship with Fox Sports until at least July 2021.

“On behalf of our Members we congratulate James Johnston, Greg O’Rourke and Fox Sports’ senior management on agreeing to a new broadcast deal to secure the professional game over the next 12 months,” says FCA President Phil Moss.

The deal follows recent confirmation that the 2019-20 A-League season is set to restart in mid-July. This means Fox Sports will televise the remainder of the current season and the next, which is scheduled from December 2020 to July 2021.

“The coaches haven’t gone a day without working exceptionally hard during this past 3 months or so to ensure they and their players remain engaged, committed and ready to resume the 2019-20 Hyundai A-League season in the hope it would continue to be broadcast by Fox Sports,” Moss says.

“We’d also like to acknowledge the communication and collaborative manner in which FFA and the Clubs, led by James & Greg, have engaged with FCA and our coaches during this period and we look forward to a continued strengthening of our relationship moving forward.”

Fox Sports has enjoyed a strong relationship with the FFA since the A-League’s inception in 2004. But concerns around the effects of COVID-19, public gatherings and restart dates for professional sports led to the revision.

“It goes without saying that Fox Sports has been a crucial and dedicated partner over the course of the A-League and it’s exciting to see that continue as we enter a time of great challenge, but even greater opportunity, post-COVID,” Moss adds.

The fixture adjustments will mark the first time since 1989 that Australia’s top domestic division will be played into the winter months.

The FFA agreement with Fox Sports also includes rights to broadcast the W-League and certain international fixtures until July 2021. These include the Socceroos final four World Cup qualifiers in their current group and both Socceroos and Matildas friendlies.

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WA announce TV series for Sam Kerr’s children’s novels

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Image Credit: James Ross/AAP

A new TV series based on Sam Kerr’s children’s books ‘Kicking Goals’ is set to begin filming in early 2027 in Western Australia.

The show follows a young Kerr before she became captain of the Matildas and a star at Chelsea FC. Set in her home state of WA, the story sees her navigate her way through growing up and chasing her dreams, alongside her family and friends, and the adventures that entailed.

Speaking to Screenwest, Kerr said, ‘It’s pretty surreal knowing that Kicking Goals is being adapted into a TV series. These stories are all about believing in yourself and having a go, so it feels really special that a whole new generation will get to experience them on screen.’

Co-authored by Fiona Harris, the books have been a success since their initial release in 2021, a period which has coincided with Kerr and her Matildas teammates growing from beloved within Australia’s football community, into a team of genuine national appeal and recognition. They are available nation-wide, sold at major retailers such as Big W and Dymocks.

The television adaptation will beproduced by Orange Entertainment for Paramount+.

‘Kicking Goals’ is set to inject AUD 5million into the WA economy and provide over 130 local jobs.

Creative Industries Minister of WA, Simone McGurk, said via WA GOV, ‘The series will showcase all that Western Australia has to offer – including our world-class talent, crew, and diverse locations – while celebrating the story of one of our sporting greats.’

Casting is currently underway, with a search for a young Kerr and her mates ongoing.

The months after the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australian and New Zealand saw an 11% increase in women and girl’s participation in football compared to the previous year, showing the direct impact the biggest stage can have on grassroots football.

Kerr has managed to build on that success and begin a new chapter, inspiring kids both on and off the field.

Former Socceroos captain set to headline coaching conference

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Mark Mulligan. Credit A League

Mark Milligan – former Socceroos captain and Newcastle Jets Premiership-winning manager – is set to be the guest of honour at the 2026 Football NSW Coaching Conference, held at Valentine Sports Park from November 21st–22nd.

The annual conference represents Australia’s largest gathering of football coaches, and is set to include expert insight into coaching, practical sessions and development plans for attendees. Milligan will partake in a Q&A session with MC Stephanie Brantz on November 21, adding significant gravitas to the conference.

Chris Gallo, Football NSW Coach Education Manager spoke highly of Milligan via Football NSW.

‘Opportunities to hear from people who have experienced the game at the highest level are incredibly valuable for our coaches. Mark brings a unique perspective on leadership, performance and the demands of elite football, and we want our coaches to be able to take those insights back into their own environments,’ he said.

Milligan traversed the globe across a near-twenty year professional career that started in the old National Soccer League, concluded in the A-League, and took in time across Europe, the UK and Asia.

He represented the Socceroos with distinction across 80 appearances, selected by four seperate managers in World Cup squads, and was captain of the Olympic team in 2008. His nascent managerial career has already seen two trophies at Newcastle, where he is presently leading them in the Asian Champions League.

But it all began on the local pitches of Bankstown. Milligan is an authentic, home-grown product of Football NSW, and emblamatic of the rewards that can be reaped from investing in the beginning of a player’s journey.

With the conference already selling out, attendees can now expect to learn plemty from one of Australia’s most exciting, up-and-coming coaches.

The opportunity Football NSW are providing showcases their commitment in helping coaches develop, and their continued pledge of giving back to the game at its foundation.

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