FFA seeks to bring AFC youth women’s qualifiers to regional Australia

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Football Federation Australia (FFA) has submitted a second bid to host Asian Football Confederation (AFC) youth women’s qualification fixtures in Australia in 2021.

Round one of qualifiers for the AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup 2022 are scheduled to take place in March next year.

FFA has already bid, along Cessnock City Council, to host a round one qualification group for AFC U-17s and furthermore partnered with Greater Shepparton City Council with the aim of hosting a round one qualification group for AFC U-20s.

If FFA’s bid is successful, three or four Asian nations would join the Young Matildas in regional Victoria for a tournament that would inject significant investment into the local economy.

“We are excited to have partnered with Greater Shepparton City Council to submit another bid to host AFC youth women’s football content in Australia next year,” said James Johnson, FFA CEO.

“This bid – alongside our submission with Cessnock City Council announced in August – aligns with our vision to host more national team matches on home soil, particularly in the lead up to our hosting of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023.”

Johnson added that FFA remains acutely aware of the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions and guidelines in Victoria and nationally, meaning any event FFA event would only be held in close cooperation with authorities.

“We recognise and acknowledge Greater Shepparton for their foresight to work with us on this bid, which may result in some of the potential stars of 2023 featuring in regional Victoria just two years prior to the FIFA Women’s World Cup on our shores.

“The tournament will be a wonderful opportunity for our future stars to showcase their talent in front of friends and family. Football is a global game and we want to create more opportunities for our communities, particularly in regional Australia, to see international matches and connect with the game,” he said.

Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor, Cr Seema Abdullah, said the potential hosting of the qualification tournament would help her region on its road to recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Council is very excited to partner with FFA to bid for such a prestigious international women’s tournament. Securing an event of such calibre would be a real coup for Australia and our region,” Cr Abdullah said.

“Our community has a proud football history and it would be great for the promotion of the sport in Australia and so inspiring to see our country’s best junior women’s footballers go up against Asia’s best, in our own backyard at the Shepparton Sports City precinct.”

“Local businesses in our visitor economy are doing it tough right now and if the tournament is secured and safe to go ahead it would be a real boost to our business community.”

Allana Neeve appointed NNSWF GM to boost Women’s football

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Image credit: NNSWF Facebook

Northern NSW Football (NNSWF) has confirmed the appointment of Allana Neeve as the new General Manager – Women & Girls, Participation. This newly created position follows the completion of the NSW Football Legacy Program.

Neeve transitions to NNSWF from her role as Participation and Growth Manager at Hockey NSW.

She brings with her substantial experience in football, having spent nearly three years at Football Australia as the Women’s Football Coordinator, and previously working for Football Northern Territory as the Operations and Project Manager.

In addition to her professional experience, Neeve holds an AFC/FA C Licence and serves as the junior coach director at Queens Park FC.

In her new role, she will lead strategic initiatives aimed at boosting football participation, with a special emphasis on women and girls.

Her role will be instrumental in developing and implementing localised participation strategies that foster sustainable and inclusive football environments across northern NSW.

Neeve will collaborate closely with member zones and clubs to design and execute programs that resonate with local communities. She will also join the executive leadership team at NNSWF.

NNSWF CEO Peter Haynes said Neeve’s experience will be crucial to the federation:

“Allana has a wealth of experience that she will bring to our business,” Haynes said in a statement.

“She has been working in a similar role at Hockey NSW and doing an outstanding job. But she also has plenty of experience in football which is obviously a huge bonus for us.

“I have no doubt Allana will be a great fit in this role and I can’t wait for her to join the team.”

This push to increase female participation in the sport is fantastic and comes at a good time with the women’s football calendar across the world kicking off.

As the game sees growth in this area across all states and territories, it’s equally as important to maintain and sustain its growth across a longer period of time to ensure the recent 2023 Women’s World Cup momentum doesn’t go to waste.

It has become the perfect foundation to build off and both the A-League Women’s and NPL Women’s will be continuing after record-breaking years.

Neeve will officially begin her role at NNSWF on September 17.

Football Queensland confirm Club Convention topics

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Football Queensland recently released the central topics that will ‘Elevate the Debate’ of their inaugural Queensland Club Convention.

The convention will be held on Saturday, 2 November, and Sunday, 3 November 2024, at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre.

This event will bring international speakers and panellists with industry expertise to give specialised sessions for Queensland’s clubs, coaches, teams, and associations.

Before the event on the 1st, there will be a cocktail networking event at the Sunset Lounge at Suncorp Stadium for Brisbane Roar Men’s home opener against Sydney FC.

Furthermore, on the 2nd, there will be a Queensland Awards Night at Brisbane City Hall.

These Focused sessions for participants will be based on the three broad themes of Growth, Sustainability and Technology.

GROWTH 

  • It’s Already Coming – The Next Phase – 50/50 – Football’s Growth Story

Unpacking the truth about the growth of the game – what is the role of clubs and how can they prepare for it

  • Revenue Diversification – What Business are we in?

Case studies of clubs that have successfully diversified their income sources with an opportunity mindset

SUSTAINABILITY 

  • Critical Transition of Club Culture through Phases of Growth & Time

An analysis of how static club culture can paralyse a club’s maturation and progress

  • Dynamic Club Business Models

Breaking away from treading water, reducing reliance on volunteers & unlocking growth (case studies)

  • Optimal Club Governance & Administrative Structures

What does best practice look like and how do we get there? (Case studies)

TECHNOLOGY 

  • Digital Transformation in Sport Operations: Benefits of Deploying a Common Tech Stack

Reducing the volunteer burden – managing risk, data security, continuity of IP

  • Achieving Alignment, Unlocking Value & Eliminating Key Person Risk

The benefits of a common CMS and fully integrated platform for all clubs

  • Cyber Bullying – Protecting the Game, our Clubs and Participants
  • Government Relations – #EQUALISER

In the coming weeks, details of the specialised speakers for each club, official and coaching session will be released.

This event will be a great opportunity for the state’s clubs to network with some of the best in their respective field, as well as interested stakeholders and other FQ clubs.

It will also enhance the positive community-based focus that has been central to Football Queensland’s strategic plans for 2024-2026.

Tickets are selling out fast and with a limited supply, this event for the interested is not one to miss out on.

To purchase tickets to the Club Convention, click here.

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