CUPRA and Football Australia ties remain strong

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Image credit: Football Australia

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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South Canberra FC Breaks the Mold: Equity-Driven Model Earns ‘Club Changer’ Honour

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Image Credit: SCFC

South Canberra Football Club has been named Club Changer of the Month for April, in a recognition that reflects a broader shift across Australian football toward rewarding clubs that are actively dismantling the structural barriers limiting women’s access to the game.

The AFC Women’s Asian Cup has just delivered record crowds and unprecedented visibility for women’s football in Australia, and the Club Changer program is now asking what comes next. Its decision to name South Canberra Football Club as Club Changer of the Month for April signals a clear shift in how the program defines contribution: away from participation numbers alone, and toward the equity frameworks that determine whether women stay in the game once they arrive.

South Canberra FC built that framework from the ground up. Established in 2021, the club set out to give women and female-identifying players a safe, inclusive environment to play football at any level. It runs entirely on volunteers, operates as a not-for-profit, and is governed by an all-female committee with 13 of its 14 coaches identifying as female.

 

Building the infrastructure of inclusion

In 2026, the club secured grant funding and put it to work immediately. Two coaches are completing their C Licence qualification, and ten coaches, players and community members have undertaken the Foundations of Football course, which directly tackles the cost and accessibility barriers that exclude women out of coaching pathways.

The club also commissioned a female-specific strength and conditioning program with sports physiotherapists ahead of the 2026 season, targeting injury prevention and explicitly supporting players returning after childbirth.

SCFC’s leadership team draws from LGBTIQ+ individuals, First Nations people and veterans, strengthening the club’s connection to the communities it was built to represent.

The Club Changer program is backing clubs that do this work- clubs that treat equity as infrastructure rather than aspiration. At a moment when Australian football is under pressure to turn its biggest-ever surge of women’s interest into something lasting, SCFC’s model offers a clear answer to the question of how.

How Husqvarna Is Helping Stadiums Cut Costs Without Cutting Quality

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Image Credit: Husqvarna

At a time when operational costs are rising across global sport, stadiums and football clubs are being forced to rethink one of their most overlooked expenses: turf maintenance.

From diesel consumption to labour hours, maintaining elite playing surfaces has traditionally been both resource-intensive and environmentally taxing. But new data emerging from venues like CBUS Super Stadium suggests a smarter, more sustainable model is already taking hold.

Leading that shift is Husqvarna, whose autonomous turf technology is quietly reshaping how professional venues manage their playing surfaces. Their product delivers measurable cost savings without compromising quality.

Cutting fuel consumption costs

At CBUS Super Stadium, the introduction of Husqvarna’s CEORA™ robotic mowing system has reduced diesel usage by approximately 20–30 litres per week. Over the course of a season, those savings compound into a significant reduction in both fuel spend and carbon emissions. This is particularly efficient for stadiums hosting regular fixtures and large-scale events.

CBUS Super Stadium General Manager Kristian Blundell said the robotic mower was a game-changer for the venue:

“This technology is not replacing staff but rather giving our grounds team the ability to do what they do best by helping to improve turf management processes, better manage fatigue and decrease our environmental footprint”

But the impact goes beyond fuel.

 

Time efficiency

By automating routine mowing, Husqvarna’s technology enables grounds teams to focus on higher-value maintenance tasks, from pitch recovery to detailed surface management. The result is not only greater operational efficiency but also improved turf consistency, which is an increasingly critical factor in elite football performance.

The benefits are being mirrored beyond stadium environments. At Oatlands Golf Club, Husqvarna’s autonomous mowing has delivered savings of up to 60 litres of fuel per week while freeing up staff for precision work. Quiet, round-the-clock operation also ensures surfaces are maintained without disrupting play—an advantage that translates directly to multi-use stadium settings.

Image Credit: Husqvarna

Importantly, Husqvarna’s lightweight robotic systems reduce the wear and tear typically caused by traditional heavy machinery. This not only protects the integrity of the playing surface but also reduces the need for costly repairs over time.

Football clubs navigating tight budgets at grassroots and semi-professional levels could benefit from such cost savings.

With rising energy prices, increasing sustainability expectations, and limited staffing resources, the ability to cut costs while improving performance is no longer optional. Solutions like Husqvarna’s CEORA™ are positioning clubs to operate more efficiently today, while preparing for a more environmentally accountable future.

As the sports industry continues to evolve, one thing is becoming clear: the next competitive edge may not just come from what happens on the pitch—but how it’s maintained.

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