CUPRA and Football Australia ties remain strong

Pioneering electronic car brand CUPRA will remain Football Australia’s official automotive partner after a strong two-year collaboration.

As part of the deal, the Spain-based car company will remain the official car of the Subway Socceroos and Commbank Matildas.

The re-signing highlights the forward trajectory Football Australia is experiencing across all levels, led largely by its work in women’s and grassroots football over the past 12 months.

When CUPRA began its association with Football Australia in 2022, it promised to attract audiences through its own storytelling techniques and commitment to inspiring change; both in automotives and in football.

Whether it’s illuminating its garages and dealerships with the green and gold of Australia’s national teams, or providing immersive commercials that captivates audiences, CUPRA has contributed greatly to Australian football’s recent success.

CUPRA has already begun their new era of collaboration with Football Australia, helping the organisation with its equality and diversity initiatives.

Earlier this month, CUPRA unveiled its Born PROUD vehicle at the Sydney Mardi Gras, featured alongside Football Australia’s float in the parade.

Football Australia CEO James Johnson led the plaudits, speaking via the Football Australia website.

“It’s fantastic to have CUPRA extend their partnership with Football Australia, allowing both parties to build upon the great work that has been achieved both on and off the field over recent years to drive forward Australian football,” Johnson enthused.

“CUPRA as a brand and their workforce have an unwavering passion for football, and it’s their global approach to business which mirrors so perfectly how our national teams engage with world football.

“We are excited to see CUPRA remain part of the Football Australia family and look forward to seeing what we can continue to accomplish as we move forward on this journey together.”

Based in Barcelona, CUPRA is leading the way for the electrification of light vehicles, and its partnership with Australian football has no doubt assisted its entry into the Australian car market.

Prior to 2022, CUPRA had built strong connections with local club FC Barcelona, and this has formed the basis for its strong commercial presence globally.

“Their progressive brand, incredible content and storytelling, plus authentic passion for football, locally and globally, has created a huge impact,” Football Australia Head of Commercial and Events, Tom Rischbieth, added via media release.

“We look forward to continuing this journey together as we look ahead to critical games for our beloved CommBank Matildas, Subway Socceroos and many of our Youth National Teams in 2024.”

CUPRA Australia Director Ben Wilks concluded with his own reflections on the new deal.

“Our renewal caps off two years of strong engagement and outstanding results for not only CUPRA, but for football in Australia as a whole,” he stated via press release.

“We’re delighted to see how that partnership continues to grow as we roll out a range of new initiatives and activations in this pivotal year for Australian football.”

Partnering with an innovative, future-thinking brand such as CUPRA almost fits Football Australia’s vision like a glove.

The success of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup has illuminated young people across the country, which has Football Australia looking towards creating a sustainable future for the sport.

Alongside a brand pioneering sustainability in its own industry, Football Australia’s vision and output will continue to make a recognisable impact on Australian people.

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Off the Pitch Podcast: Cisco’s Expanding Role in Australia’s Sports and Entertainment Infrastructure

Cisco’s footprint in Australia’s sporting landscape is growing rapidly, with the tech giant playing a key role in modernising stadium infrastructure across the country.

Cisco Systems, Inc. is a leading global technology company, founded in 1984 and headquartered in San Jose, California.

The company focuses on designing, developing, and delivering networking hardware, software, telecommunications equipment, and a wide range of advanced technology solutions and services used across many industries worldwide.

With a strong international presence, Cisco has played a vital role in shaping and supporting digital infrastructure across Australia’s sports and entertainment sector, helping major venues stay connected, efficient, secure, and ready for the future.

In episode seven of Soccerscene’s Off the Pitch podcast, Regional General Manager at Cisco Manny Spanoudakis shared insights into the various projects Cisco has been involved with across several stadiums in Australia.

“I guess if we just focus on the Australian market, there’s an abundance of projects we’ve been very fortunate to have great success with,” he said on the podcast.

“If I start in Perth, I guess, and work my way east, Optus Stadium is a major project, we’re just doing a major refresh there after the original opening in 2018, Adelaide Oval, another major customer of ours.

“Then as we come up into Sydney, I guess, we’ve got the Sydney Cricket Ground, Allianz Stadium, Accor Stadium up here as well, so that’s off the top of my head, the type of large venues.”

Spanoudakis also highlighted the wide range of projects Cisco has been involved in throughout Melbourne.

“The Melbourne Cricket Ground just underwent significant and is still undergoing significant technology upgrades. It’s a project and a customer we’ve worked on for well over a decade,” he said.

“Marvel Stadium, the Melbourne Olympic Park precinct, the VRC in Flemington, Kardinia Park and GMHBA Stadium and Melbourne Racing Club.

“So there’s a very strong, we have a very strong customer base in Melbourne.”

To hear and learn more about Cisco, you can listen to the full interview with Manny Spanoudakis on episode seven of Soccerscene’s Off the Pitch Podcast, available on all major podcasting apps and here.

5th AFC Coach Education Conference Sparks a Brighter Future

The 5th AFC Coach Education Conference wrapped up successfully on Thursday in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, reaffirming the Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) commitment to boosting the performance of Asian teams on the world stage.

Over three days, the conference featured a series of engaging presentations addressing key topics essential to advancing coach education programs across the AFC’s Member Associations (MAs).

Under the theme ‘Shaping the Future of Coach Education,’ the event kicked off on Tuesday with AFC Technical Director Andy Roxburgh delivering a keynote speech titled ‘Tomorrow’s Coaches’. His address sparked a lively dialogue among attendees, setting a collaborative tone for the conference.

Day two began with a comprehensive session on the UEFA Coaching Convention’s membership criteria, which included discussions on running national coaching courses and increasing the number of female tutors within MA coaching structures.

This session led to in-depth conversations about the unique needs of each association, the value of practical learning, diverse leadership approaches, and embracing new technology.

A standout moment was the panel discussion on the ‘Emotions in Football’ initiative, featuring experts from Qatar Football Association, Aspire Academy, AFC grassroots development, and the Education 4 Peace Foundation. The panel emphasised the vital role of social responsibility within football.

Head of Coach Education at the Football Association of Singapore and former Bolton Wanderers defender, Hasney Aljofree, praised the conference.

“It’s been a fantastic few days with top-tier information sharing. The collective knowledge exchange clearly shows what we are working to achieve together,” he said via press release.

“Having played professionally and now working as an educator, this conference supports my role as football evolves — especially with the pressures players face today through social media and constant public scrutiny.”

The conference also offered an opportunity for coaching tutors to receive updates on the AFC–Japan Football Association Women’s Pro Diploma Course, currently progressing towards its final module.

The final day featured presentations from Saudi Arabian Football Federation Technical Director Nasser Larguet and Football Association of Ireland Head of Coach Education Niall O’Regan, who shared their experiences and sparked further vibrant discussions.

Coach Education Instructor at Football Australia, Faye Chambers, reflected on the conference’s impact to the program.

“The AFC Coach Education Conference has not only enabled us to exchange ideas but also hear of success stories which undeniably motivate MAs in improving their existing programs,” she said via press release.

“Moreover, a lot of work is being done to empower more women coach educators through exclusive courses, and the impact can clearly be seen, as over the years, more and more women are taking up leadership roles in football, which is a clear indication of the progress being made on the Continent.”
This conference not only strengthens coach education across Asia but also paves the way for a brighter, more inclusive future for football in the region.

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