Dower takes up key role at FFA

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FFA have announced Junior Matildas coach Rae Dower has extended her contract and will also assume the role of Women’s Technical Advisor.

Dower’s contract will run till the end of 2022, after leading the Junior Matildas since 2017.

In her new position, Dower will work closely with FFA’s interim Technical Director, Trever Morgan, to help nurture the next generation of female footballers in the country.

FFA CEO James Johnson said in a statement: “Rae’s knowledge of and passion for women’s football in Australia is undeniable, and with her strong network and connections in the sport we’re confident she will help us make improvements to the women’s pathway,” he said.

“Women’s Football is central to the future growth and development of Australian football and we are proud to be creating an environment which is supportive of women entering senior administrative roles in football. Rae’s continuation as Westfield Junior Matildas Head Coach, in addition to her expanded scope as Women’s Technical Advisor, is a step we are taking directly in pursuit of the key measures proposed in Principle Ten of the XI Principles for the future of Australian football.

“As a former player, Westfield W-League Head Coach, and an experienced Coach Educator, Rae is well equipped to help FFA develop its women’s and girls’ competition structures, talent identification processes, and through her advocacy and advice, help the game grow its female player pool.”

Dower claimed she was looking forward to the challenges ahead.

“This new dual role with FFA provides me with a great platform to continue to contribute to Australia’s female player pathway and processes and provide advice to Trevor (Morgan) and James (Johnson) regarding possible improvements we can make with the ultimate aim of fulfilling the vision outlined in the XI Principles,” she said in a statement.

“It’s a truly exciting time to be involved in women’s football in Australia and globally, with rapid growth in many areas of the sport currently being witnessed. Young girls and women have never had a better opportunity to develop a career in football, but there is much more that can be done to ensure our best young talents have every chance possible to progress from their grassroots club to the Westfield W-League and Westfield Matildas.”

 

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PIF Strengthens Ties with FIFA

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Credit: FIFA

FIFA has announced Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) as an official partner of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

The long-term partnership between PIF and FIFA sees the former named as an official partner of the newly expanded FIFA Club World Cup, kicking off a broader collaboration aimed at boosting youth participation and supporting grassroots football development.

Details about specific programs and initiatives are expected to be announced soon.

The deal was revealed a week before the tournament began in the U.S. on June 14.

While full information is still limited, an official statement from FIFA and PIF described the partnership as a reflection of their shared goal to grow global participation in sports by creating new opportunities, encouraging innovation, and connecting with fans worldwide.

The announcement also emphasised a focus on young people, noting that the partnership will help support FIFA’s grassroots efforts to engage and inspire the next generation of players.

PIF is the latest organisation to join the roster of Club World Cup partners, alongside established FIFA sponsors like Adidas, Anheuser-Busch InBev, Bank of America, Coca-Cola, Hisense, Lenovo, and Qatar Airways—all of which already have ongoing relationships with FIFA.

PIF also owns a majority stake in Al Hilal, the only team from Saudi Arabia competing in this year’s tournament.

FIFA’s Chief Business Officer Romy Gai welcomed PIF as a partner for the 2025 Club World Cup, emphasising their shared vision to globalise football and the vital role partners play in both the tournament’s success and the broader development of club football.

“We are delighted to welcome PIF as a partner of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025,” Gai said in a press release.

“Together, we look forward to delivering a historic tournament that inspires and unites fans from around the world.

“The partners of the first-ever 32-team FIFA Club World Cup believe in our vision to make football truly global.

“Their support of the tournament will not only be integral to its success but will underpin investment in supporting the development of club football everywhere.”

The partnership between FIFA and PIF marks a strategic alliance aimed at elevating the global profile of club football while fostering youth engagement and grassroots development through the newly expanded FIFA Club World Cup.

AFC signs five-year scouting partnership with Hudl

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Credit: Hudl

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has announced a five-year scouting rights agreement with Hudl, one of the top names in sports performance technology and video analysis.

As part of this collaboration, the AFC’s match footage and data will be available on the Hudl Wyscout platform—the world’s largest football video and data database.

This will provide coaches, analysts, scouts, and player development professionals with access to in-depth insights across all AFC-organised competitions.

Hudl, which has supported over 8 million sports professionals worldwide with its advanced video and performance analysis tools, will carry AFC content for the next five seasons.

This includes major tournaments like the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to 26, the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027, and the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026.

The agreement also covers AFC’s youth tournaments, such as the AFC U23 Asian Cup and multiple editions of the men’s and women’s AFC U20 and U17 Asian Cups, along with the continent’s top club competitions—the AFC Champions League Elite, AFC Champions League Two, and the AFC Women’s Champions League—through the 2024/25 to 2028/29 seasons.

AFC General Secretary Datuk Seri Windsor John said the partnership with Hudl will strengthen the AFC’s data capabilities and give coaches and technical staff deeper insights to improve analysis and scouting.

Data analytics and technology have become an integral part of modern football in recent years, and the AFC is pleased to sign this scouting rights agreement with Hudl,” he said in a press release.

“This strategic arrangement will not only enhance our data and statistical collection but will also empower our coaches and technical staff with access to more detailed and in-depth information, which in turn will elevate their analytical and scouting capabilities.”

Hudl’s Elite Partnership Manager Mateo Bourrut Lacouture said the agreement marks a significant advancement by giving clubs and national teams across Asia full access to high-quality video and data on Wyscout.

“This agreement is a major step forward for clubs, national teams, and analysts across Asia and beyond,” Lacouture said in a press release.

“With the AFC overseeing all top club competitions and the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ in the region, having full coverage on Wyscout ensures that teams can access high-quality video and data for both scouting and in-depth performance analysis of the AFC Competitions.

This will empower clubs and federations to make more informed decisions, enhance player development, and elevate the level of competition.”

The AFC–Hudl partnership marks a transformative step in Asian football, ushering in a new era of data-driven scouting and performance analysis set to elevate the game across all levels over the next five seasons.

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