FA Women’s National League strategy to strengthen women’s football pyramid

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The FA Women’s National League has launched a new strategy with an ambition to strengthen the third and fourth tiers of women’s football in England.

The strategy, titled Empowering For Success, is backed by a £1 million ($1.7 million AUD) investment per season for the next three years from the Premier League.

The strategy aims to ensure the advancements in quality across the professional game are also harnessed throughout Tiers 3 and 4 of the women’s football pyramid.

Empowering For Success is focused across eight priority areas – each with their own strategic goal – ultimately enabling FA WNL clubs to flourish both on and off the pitch through the development of players, workforce, and infrastructure.

The eight priority areas are:

  1. Players: Developing the training, playing and overall environment players experience so they can be the best they can be, on and off the pitch.
  2. Coaches and Leaders: Developing coaches to be exceptional across The FA WNL, ensuring they are representative of society.
  3. Referees: Driving upwards the standard of refereeing alongside improving the opportunity and experience of match officials in The FA WNL.
  4. Club Development: Creating an inclusive, player-centered and sustainable club network.
  5. League Development: Ensuring The FA WNL keeps pace with the growth of the women’s game and offers the best-possible development opportunities to member clubs.
  6. Facilities: Ensuring FA WNL and clubs have access to the required infrastructure on matchdays, at training venues and off-field.
  7. Commercial: Defining The FA WNL’s commercial value and engaging with partners to grow revenues and inward investment.
  8. Marketing and Communications: Growing the reach and appeal of The FA WNL by increasing exposure and awareness through matchday activity and league channels, driving bigger attendances and league following.

Baroness Sue Campbell, The FA’s Director of Women’s Football, said in a statement:

“The launch of this strategy is game-changing for the women’s football pyramid. It will ensure The FA WNL can maintain pace with the wider growth of the women’s game, and the clubs and their players can thrive both on and off the pitch.

“We want to say a huge thank you to the Premier League for their support, without which none of this would be possible. The money they are investing will transform the experience of everyone who plays in the third and fourth tiers of women’s football.”

The Premier League has also announced additional support for clubs in Tiers 3 and 4 of the women’s football pyramid through the Premier League Stadium Fund. Eligible clubs can apply for grants of up to £20,000 ($35,000 AUD) to support the improvement of their stadium facilities, making grounds more welcoming for all and enhancing the playing and spectating experience within women’s football.

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Bentleigh Greens sign Astoria GWM as Major Partner in two-year deal

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Image Credit: One Nil Media

Bentleigh Greens has signed  Astoria GWM as a new Major Partner, with the local business committing to back the club for the next two seasons.
The agreement gives the Cheltenham-based Greens long-term commercial support for their senior men’s, women’s and junior programs at Kingston Heath Soccer Complex, and adds another local name to the club’s growing list of business partners.

Bentleigh Greens President Abraam Gregoriou said the deal showed business recognising the value of football in the community.”Seeing local businesses like Astoria GWM put their hand up to back the Greens is exactly what football in this country needs,” Gregoriou said.

“Clubs like ours look after hundreds of players, from our youngest juniors right through to our senior men’s and women’s sides, and that growth simply doesn’t happen without partners who are willing to invest in it.

A two-year commitment gives us the stability to plan properly, and it shows that business sees real value in the game and the community around it.”

The multi-year term is significant for a club at NPL level, where commercial income underpins everything from senior squads to junior and women’s pathways, and where certainty beyond a single season allows for longer-term planning.

Astoria GWM is a well-established business in Melbourne’s south-east, and the club has described it as a great fit for the Greens and their local community.

“Astoria GWM are part of the same neighbourhoods our members and families live in,” Gregoriou added. “That’s what makes this partnership so meaningful for us, and we’re looking forward to building something strong together over the next two seasons.”

The partnership continues the Greens’ approach of aligning with businesses that share the club’s commitment to community and long-term development.

About Astoria GWM
Astoria GWM is a well-established local GWM dealership based in Murrumbeena, serving drivers and families across Melbourne’s south-east.

Showroom: 961 North Rd, Murrumbeena VIC 3163
Sales: (03) 9599 2155

Soceroos and Matildas sue Football Australia over financial dispute

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Image Credit: Football Australias

Players of the Socceroos and Matildas have launched legal action against Football Australia over a multi-million dollar dispute relating to their revenue-sharing agreement in the NSW Supreme Court.

According to the Australian Associated Press (AAP), the players’ union, Professional Footballers Australia (PFA), are enacting on behalf of the players and are understood to be pursuing a seven figure claim.

The PFA is expected to argue the revenue-sharing agreement between the governing body and national team players is not being fulfilled properly.

The PFA is yet to comment.

But the FA has acknowledged the legal dispute, claiming it is in relation to, “a third party in connection with a separate matter currently being conducted before the National Dispute Resolution Chamber (NDRC)”.

‘The Supreme Court’s role is limited to the subpoena process, and its involvement ends once that process is complete,’ an FA spokesperson said.

‘As the NDRC matter is ongoing and subject to confidentiality obligations, Football Australia will not comment further,’ they stated.

In 2023, a collective bargaining agreement was signed between the players’ union and FA. It gave the Socceroos and Matildas stars a portion of the national teams revenue which contributes up to half of FA’s overall earnings.

Additionally, the agreement included incentives for players and FA to work together, allowing both sides the chance to reap even larger rewards.

Registration fees or sponsors for programs that fund grassroots football are strictly prohibited in relation to the players’ cut of revenue. 

However, as long as it relates to the national team the players receive an 18-20 per cent portion of all relevant finances. This could include ticketing, kit sales, broadcast or sponsorship contracts. Through the CBA this money makes its way back to the players.

Matildas icon Lisa De Vanna, who played 150 times for the national team from 2004-19 has already made her opinion heard on there lawsuit via X.

“1 of the best-paid teams in the world, w best elite environments: 40 personal staff,business flights,5 star hotels, private chefs N baristas n still not happy,” she said.

“Instead of knocking game when it’s at its lowest, maybe play for pride n not greed.”

The disagreement comes just before the Socceroos head to the Middle East during the November international break.

With the squad set to be announced later this week, the ill-feeling between players and the governing body will hopefully remain separate from the performances on the pitch.

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