Construction of World Cup facilities underway in Tasmania

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The upgrades to Clennett’s Lightwood Park are underway, ensuring that Kingborough Lions FC’s home ground will be given a significant opportunity to potentially host training basecamps for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.

As an extension to the news from Kingborough Lions United Football Club (KLUFC) earlier this year, the club were recipients of a portion of the Tasmanian Government’s $10 million pledge to upgrade facilities in preparation for hosting World Cup content. Devonport’s Valley Road, Launceston’s Birch Avenue and Churchill Park also received valuable funding.

Football Tasmania CEO Matt Bulkeley sees the opportunity to host a travelling World Cup team as an exciting one for Tasmania.

“We know FIFA are in the process of shortlisting facilities, so it’s fantastic to see work begin so quickly here at Clennett’s Lightwood Park to bring the ground up to scratch and make it an attractive prospect for visiting teams,” he said.

“The FIFA Women’s World Cup is the third biggest sporting event on the planet, and while it was disappointing for Tasmania not to host any tournament matches, the opportunities stemming from hosting training camps and warm-up games are still huge, both for football and the economy.

“Not only will travelling teams and support staff provide the own boosts to the local economy, but the travelling media contingent is massive, and many fans will also want to base themselves near their players and commute to games.

“With the eyes of a nation on their team for a month, we can also expect to see great exposure for Tasmania, helping attract new tourists for years to come as we continue to rebuild from the impacts of the pandemic.”

Kingborough Lions FC
Planned redevelopment for FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.

Kingborough Lions FC President Brian Downes explained the upgraded facility would greatly enhance the growing club’s ability to provide opportunities for players of all ages and skill levels.

“Once completed, the new complex will contain eight changerooms on the ground floor with new club rooms, catering facilities and seating upstairs, making football more accessible for the club’s 600 plus players, and the thousands more that play there each month,” Downes said.

“As well as giving us a great shot of seeing some of the world’s best players here at Clennett’s Lightwood Park, this will help Kingborough Lions FC enhance participation and delivery of all services the club offers to the Kingborough community for many years after the World Cup has finished.

“The additional funding from the Federal Government will not only allow for the total completion of the new building, but will contribute towards further improvements around the main ground including an improved playing surface, new lights to 500 lux standard and improved security and fencing.”

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AC Milan and Puma Unveil New 2026/27 Away Kit

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Image Credit: AC Milan S.p.A.
AC Milan and Puma have officially unveiled the clubs the new 2026/27 away kit, a timeless white kit that celebrates resilience, heritage and the winning mentality that has defined the Rossoneri for generations.

Inspired by the phrase “after Istanbul, there is always Athens” the kit pays tribute to AC Milan’s triumph in the 2007 Champions League Final in Athens following their defeat in Istanbul in 2005. The message printed on the back of the collar, reflects the club’s enduring spirit and serves as a reminder that every setback can become the foundation for future success.

Leading the campaign is club legend Filipo Inzaghi who scored two goals to lead AC Milan in the 2007 UEFA Champions League Final, embodying the determination, resilience and hunger that continues to define AC Milan’s identity.

Every detail on this years away kit reinforces this story. Gold accents and a laurel wrapped club crest celebrates a storied history of success, while the authentic version features the Greek inscription “Δύναμη Ψυχής” (“Strength of Spirit”) inside the collar. A subtle phoenix wing woven into the fabric symbolises renewal, resilience and the Club’s commitment to continually rising to new challenges.

The authentic jersey is engineered with PUMA’s advanced ULTRAWEAVE fabric, complemented by dryCELL and ThermoAdapt technologies to deliver lightweight feel and optimal performance. The replica version brings the same identity combining the same striking design with everyday wearability and is made with RE technology, incorporating 95% recycled polyester sourced from textile waste.

The new AC Milan 2026/27 Away Kit is available now through AC Milan Official Stores, the Club’s online store, PUMA and selected retailers worldwide.

Football NSW builds life‑saving network as cardiac safety push expands

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Image Credit: Football NSW

Football NSW has distributed 20 defibrillators to associations and regional clubs through its Every Beat Matters campaign, part of a broader push to improve cardiac emergency preparedness across the state’s football network.

Sixteen of the devices were presented to participating associations at the inaugural Football NSW Association Championships in Mudgee. A further four went to regional clubs: Cowra and District Soccer Club, Westside Panthers, Yerrinbool Bargo Soccer Club and Narooma Football Club.

The rollout builds on the Heartbeat of Sport AED Mapping Project, which is mapping defibrillator placement at sporting facilities across NSW with funding from the Minns Labor Government. Twelve football associations have joined the effort, including Eastern Suburbs, Manly Warringah, Granville, Southern Districts, Nepean, Northern Suburbs, Football Canterbury, Bankstown, Hills, Sutherland Shire, North West Sydney Football and Football South Coast.

Data collected through the mapping project is being fed into NSW Ambulance’s GoodSAM emergency response system and NSW Health’s public AED map, enabling first responders to locate nearby defibrillators in real time.

The initiative responds to a gap that had gone largely unexamined. More than 2,400 defibrillators have been deployed across NSW sports facilities through the Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program, which offers grants of up to $3,000 to eligible organisations. But a device not registered in emergency response systems provides significantly less value than one that is accurately mapped and immediately locatable.

The urgency is not abstract. At Doyalson Wyee Football Club, a 70‑year‑old player survived a sudden on‑field cardiac arrest because an AED was available on site. Survival rates drop by about 10 per cent for every minute without defibrillation.

Football NSW is also establishing a long‑term defibrillator register to track equipment distribution, access and maintenance across all 636 clubs and 31 associations. The Every Beat Matters campaign, supported by Toyota and St John Ambulance, aims to raise about $240,000 through a raffle to fund an initial rollout of 65 defibrillators to clubs currently without access, prioritising regional and lower socio‑economic areas.

The #HeartHealthMatters Program is delivering CPR and AED familiarisation training to sporting organisations, with a particular focus on regional communities where ambulance response times are often longer and volunteer bases smaller.

The ambition, in the words of project organisers, is straightforward: that no preventable death occurs on a football ground because the right equipment was not there, or could not be found.

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